Lap Band Surgery

Lap Band surgery is an adjustable gastric band weight-loss procedure where a prosthetic band is placed around the upper stomach, creating a small pouch that limits the amount of food the patient desires to eat. The procedure is a desirable in desperate situations and is performed with laparoscopic instruments, meaning the surgery is minimally invasive with relatively insignificant recovery times.

Unlike gastric bypass, the adjustable gastric band or Lap Band procedure is reversible. Surgeons do not remove or bypass any of the stomach or digestive tract. Additionally, the band can be adjusted.

Cost of Lap Band Surgery

Stomach band surgery can cost $17,000 to $20,000 and the death rate is about 1 in 1,000.  Stomach stapling has a 2 percent death rate and costs between $20,000 to $30,000. Lap Band surgery can cost up to $30,000.

In the United States, surgeons perform more than 100,000 weight loss surgeries each year.

The high cost of adjustable gastric band surgery and lap band type surgery including Lap Band surgery and FDA restrictions on age and weight make many patients to cross the border to Mexico or travel to other countries in order to get low cost lap band surgery.    See elsewhere on this website: Low Cost Lap Band Surgery - Travel   How Much Does Lap Band Surgery Cost?

Lap Band Financing - How Can I Pay for the Cost of Lap Band Surgery?

Adjustable Gastric Band

Adjustable gastric banding (including Lap Band ®) is a form of restrictive weight loss surgery (bariatrics) designed for obesity patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater - or between 35 – 40 for those who have conditions that are known to improve with weight loss. The gastric band  or Lap Band ® is an inflatable silicone prosthetic device which is placed around the top portion of the stomach via keyhole laparoscopic surgery.

Some of the contents on this site:

Adjustable gastric banding procedure 
History of the Lap Band procedure and device 
Indications for Lap Band surgery
Gastric banding as an alternative to other weight loss surgeries 
Losing weight after lap band surgery 
The LAP-BAND surgery in Australia 
Documented lap band or adjustable gastric band adverse effects 
Lap Band and Port Specific Procedures
Complications, problems, warnings
Celebrities who have undergone adjustable gastric band surgery or Lap Band surgery
Manufacturers of adjustable gastric bands and other bands

Also medical tourism or medical travel for lap band surgery or adjustable gastric band surgery

and more...  

Lap Band Procedure or other Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure

The placement of the band creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach which holds approximately 50 ml. This pouch 'fills' with food quickly and the passage of food from the top to the bottom of the stomach is slowed. As the upper part of the stomach believes it is ‘full’, the message to the brain is that the stomach is full and this sensation helps the person to eat smaller portions and lose weight over time.

The band is inflated and adjusted via a small access port placed just under the skin subcutaneously. Radiopaque isotonic solution or saline is introduced into the band via the port. A specialized needle is used to avoid damage to the port membrane. There are many port designs and they may be placed in varying positions based on the surgeon’s preference. The port may be sutured in place. When fluid is introduced the band expands, placing pressure around the outside of the stomach. This decreases the size of the passage in the stomach and restricts the movement of food.

Over a period of time, restriction is increased until patients feel they have reached a “sweet spot” where optimal weight loss can be reached with the minimal fluid required. This is an individual experience and timing cannot be predicted. There are approximately 7 - 8 adjustable bands on the market. The amount of fluid required and total content varies.

If considering pregnancy, ideally the patient should be in optimum nutritional condition prior to conception; deflation of the band may be required prior to planned conception. Deflation should also be considered should morning sickness be present. The band may remain deflated during pregnancy and once breast feeding is completed, or if bottle feeding, the band may be gradually re-inflated to aid postpartum weight loss if needed.

Lap Band or gastric band placement, unlike traditional malabsorptive weight loss surgery (e.g. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RNY), Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) and Duodenal Switch (DS)), does not cut or remove any part of the digestive system. Removal would require a keyhole procedure and the stomach usually returns to its normal pre-banded state. Unlike those who have procedures such as RNY, DS, or BPD, it is unusual for gastric band patients to experience any nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption of micro nutrients. Calcium supplements and Vitamin B12 injections are not routinely required following Gastric banding (as they are with e.g. RNY). Gastric dumping syndrome issues also do not occur since no intestines are removed or re-routed.

Lap Band Surgery and Adjustable Gastric Banding - After the Surgery

Initial weight loss is slower than with RNY; however, statistics indicate that over a five-year period the weight loss outcome is similar. Weight regain is possible with ANY weight loss procedures including the more radical procedures that initially result in rapid weight loss. The World Health Organization recommendation for monthly weight loss is ½ to 1 kilograms per week and an ‘average’ banded patient may lose this amount. Clearly this is variable based on the individual and their personal circumstances, motivation, and mobility.  

A common reported occurrence for banded patients is regurgitation of non-acidic swallowed food from the upper pouch, commonly known as 'productive burping'. 'Productive burping' is not to be considered normal. The patient should consider eating less, eating more slowly, or chewing their food more thoroughly. Occasionally, the narrow passage into the larger / lower part of the stomach may become blocked by a large portion of unchewed or unsuitable foodstuff.

Further Potential Complications of Adjustable Gastric Banding Includes:

Ulceration, gastritis (irritated stomach tissue), erosion - the band may wear a small area on the outside of the stomach which can lead to migration of the band to the inside of the stomach,  and slippage - an unusual occurrence where the lower part of the stomach may prolapse over the band and cause an obstruction.
The psychological effects of any weight loss procedure also should not be ignored.

See more adverse effects and complications elsewhere on this website: Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery Adverse Effects

Be aware that Lap Band surgery or adjustable band surgery can have some serious adverse effects and complications. Some people have died undergoing adjustable band surgery. Before you undergo this procedure, get fully informed by your doctor or lap band surgeon.

Lap Band Surgery - Lap Band Procedure and Device History

Medifast Specials  

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