Lapband (Laparoscopic Gastric Banding) Guides

Lap Band  (Laparoscopic Gastric Banding)

If you’ve become frustrated by repeated efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise without success, Lap Band may be the way to eliminate obesity from your life.  Weight loss surgery is a complicated procedure, talk to a bariatric surgeon about the risks and benefits. Thousands of patients, have lost weight successfully using Lap Band.

How Lap Band Works

Lap Band is an adjustable ring that a surgeon places around the upper end of the stomach to form a pouch.  The band is filled with saline solution.  It can be tightened or loosed through a portal under the skin.  The band, or belt, limits the amount of food that can enter the stomach.  As a result, the patient feels fuller for a longer period of time Lap Band is a laparoscopic operation and takes about an hour to perform.  The patient will be sedated with general anesthesia.  Hospital recovery generally lasts up to 48 hours.   

Advantages of Lap Band           

• Improved overall health
• Low rate of complications
• No cutting or stapling of the patient’s GI tract 
• Operation is reversible

Disadvantages of Lap Band

• Band can slip out of place
• Risks of surgery
• Vomiting/Cramping/Heartburn
• Patient may not lose the amount of weight desired

The operation is becoming increasingly common. See bariatric surgery before and after pictures to see the transformation some have experienced after undergoing the procedure. If you feel like you’re suffering because you’re obese, talk to a bariatric surgeon about what can be done to help you lead a healthier life.