The Procedure and How It Works
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery
This procedure limits the amount of food the stomach can hold {restriction} by placing an adjustable inflatable silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach. A saline solution is injected into a small access port under the skin that adjusts the amount of restriction. This procedure is considered minimally invasive. The procedure can take from 1 to 1.5 hours. It is performed under general anesthesia. You will be asleep during the procedure and continuously monitored by an anesthesiologist.
The Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band patient will feel full sooner because the pouch above the band is smaller than the stomach below it. This, in turn, will restrict the patient from ingesting more food than necessary.
Is Weight Loss Surgery for Me?
This procedure is for those patients who meet the criteria after a full medical evaluation from their surgeon and have a Body Mass Index {BMI} of 35-50.
How does the band get filled?
The band is filled in the physician’s office. It is filled with saline by injecting it in the port that is under the skin in your abdomen.
How often is it filled?
The first fill is six weeks after the surgery and then monthly after the first one until the correct amount is put in for you. Everyone is different.
Do I change what I eat?
Yes you do and how often. Eat at meal times and avoid grazing through the day.
When do you remove the band?
The band is not removed. It is your tool to help with weight loss.
How long are you out of work? >
That certainly depends on your type of work, but the average person is out approximately 3-4 weeks.
Steps to Begin
- Attend an information session presentated by our surgeons
- In-depth information and education on Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band surgery
- Guidance on the necessary qualifications for surgery and how to know if you qualify
- Expected lifestyle changes
- Make an appointment with the surgeon
- Plan for long-term success: commit to improving your health by following the nutrition and activity changes necessary to be successful.
- Effective long-term weight loss with 40-50% weight loss results possible
- Significant resolution of related health problems
If you are severely overweight and have struggled with weight loss, dieting and exercise and they have not worked, then weight loss surgery may be an option for you.
Call today and register for an information session (401) 736-1988.
