Useful Details About Lapband Surgery

By Matthew Hall


Over a period of time, obesity has continued to be a concern for many people. While the use of lifestyle modification is the most important treatment mode, the use of surgery has become popular with time. One of the most important surgical procedures is called gastric banding, also known as lapband surgery. A number of useful tips will help one to know what to expect from the procedure.

The procedure involves placement of an adjustable belt on the upper part of the stomach using a laparoscope. The band is made of silicone and can get tightened by adding salt to it so that the band is filled. The band is normally connected to some port that is put within the abdomen, under the skin. This port is used to introduce or remove saline into the band.

Ultimately, this procedure restricts stomach size and thus the amount of food it is able to hold. It will also slow down the food passage into the intestines. In so doing, signals to the brain that come from the gut will allow for a sensation of fullness. One will thus consume less food. The signal is usually sent from a small pouch that is created by the band at the upper section of the stomach. When this pouch gets filled, the same signal will be sent to the brain.

The surgery is done under full anesthesia and usually goes for between one and two hours. It is done through a laparoscopic method that involves having very small incisions made in the stomach. The incisions are normally 3 or 5 and are roughly one inch long. The doctor inserts a small camera into one of the incisions to be able to view the procedure via a screen. For better precision, the camera is attached to some tube. The incisions that are not used are utilized for allowing surgical band placement.

Proper preparation for the procedure is important. Depending on your surgeon or the program, preparation varies. Most institutions will want to see commitment from their patients as regards lifestyle changes. This should be before the surgical procedure. The patient may be required to start eating 5 to 6 small meals daily for preparation of changes ahead. They will be required to keep off high calorie foods like milk shakes or ice cream.

Recovery varies from one individual to the next. Generally however, the procedure offers relatively shorter hospitalization period and much quicker recovery. Actually, many people will be able to get back to normal work within a week. This is possible if the work is not so demanding. Normal activities can resume after 6 weeks.

After the procedure is done, you might feel some discomfort which is however easy to control using medications. After 6 to 8 weeks, normal activity resumes. The process of weight loss is however gradual. In the beginning stages, loss is more dramatic. However, it slows dramatically over time. In most cases, weight loss will be 40 percent of what total weight was.

There are a few expected side effects. They include among others ulceration of the targeted areas, vomiting, nausea and dehydration. Some patients can experience weight gain.




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