Laparoscopic Adjustable Band Surgery
in Denver, Colorado
Overview | Goals & Risks | Candidates | How It Works |
Procedure | Preoperative Testing | Complications of Surgery | Postoperative Care | Long-term Care | Expected Outcome | Case Studies | Questions and Answers
Laparoscopic Adjustable Band
The Laparoscopic Adjustable Band was approved by the FDA in 2001, and since that time has become a popular alternative to the gastric bypass surgery in this country. Although experience with Lap Band is only 5 years in this country, it has been offered in Europe and Australia for over ten years and is the most commonly performed weight-loss operation outside of the United States. Attractive attributes of the Lap Band System are:
- Least invasive surgical option
- Safe - no stomach stapling, cutting or intestinal re-routing
- Effective - weight loss, comorbidities, quality of life
- Effective over time
- Low re-operation/revision
- Minimal side effects
- Easily reproducible
- Adjustable - customized by our surgeons to meet each individual's unique needs
- Reversible
- Low malnutrition risk
- Satiety-inducing procedure
- Overnight hospital stay in most cases and early return to work (1 week or less)
- OR time of one hour or less
Weight loss occurs much slower with the Lap Band as compared to the Gastric Bypass with most patients reaching their maximum weight loss at three years. The expected long-term weight loss with the Lap Band ranges from 50-60% of the excess body weight. Multiple studies have documented resolution of a majority of the weight-related comorbidities. Follow up with your surgeon for adjustments, especially in the first year, is vital to the success of the Band.
The Lap Band is a hollow silicone tube that is wrapped around the upper portion of the stomach and then attached to a small port buried beneath the skin and adipose tissue on the abdominal wall. To perform the procedure requires five small incisions through which we place our laparoscopic instruments. We then create a small tunnel around the upper portion of the stomach through which we pass the Band and lock it into place. Several sutures are also placed on the stomach to hold the Band in the correct position.
Once the Band is secured in the correct position, the amount of food that you can eat is diminished considerably. By adding or removing saline through the port, we can adjust the size of the band to allow you to eat more or less food. The actual adjustment of the Band takes place in our office. It is a quick and simple procedure that is performed by placing a needle into the access port and adding or removing a small amount of saline. During your first year after surgery, you will meet with your surgeon several times to make sure the adjustment is perfect for you. A well adjusted band will provide a sense of satiety (satisfaction) with small portions and allow you to lose 1.5-2.0 pounds per week.
