Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band

The adjustable gastric band (sometimes known as lap banding) is a restrictive procedure. A silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch above the band, about the size of a golf ball and a large pouch below the band.

This creates an hourglass appearance and it functions by limiting the amount of food you can eat to feel full and by controlling the rate food is allowed to empty out of the pouch into the rest of the stomach. This is at a slower rate than normal and therefore you should feel satisfied on smaller amounts of food and feel full for a longer periods of time.

The gastric band can be tightened or loosened and will need adjusting from time to time. An adjustment reduces the size of the opening into the rest of the stomach below the band. This is done via the port (button like) which is connected to the band by a small thin tube and positioned under the skin and fat. This is not visible.

Gastric band adjustments are fairly pain free and will be carried out by our own team of specialists until the right restriction for you is established. This can be different for every patient.

The operation takes approximately 1 hour, will require an overnight stay in hospital and is reversible.

Over eating and poor eating habits can cause nausea and vomiting. This may jeopardise your potential to maximise weight loss and may result in band slippage.

Average weight loss

50% - 60% of excess weight within 2 years (British Medical Journal).

Risks and complications

Like any surgical procedure there are possible risks and complications. They are rare and everything possible will be done to prevent them from happening. This procedure is reversible.

The most recognised and documented are:

• Haemorrhage
• Infection
• Anaesthetic reactions
• PE/DVT
• Death
• Port/tubing problems
• Band Slippage
• Band Erosion
• Wind/Constipation