Useful Details About Lapband Surgery

By Matthew Hall


Over the years, obesity has become a growing concern among many people. Whereas lifestyle modification remains the main mode of treatment, with time surgical options have become more popular as well. One of the most used surgical treatments is known as gastric banding, popularly called lapband surgery. There are various useful tips and information one should know about the procedure before considering it.

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.

The aim of the procedure is restriction of size of the stomach and by extension the amount of food which it can hold at any given time. It will also ensure there is slowing down of passage of food into intestines. When this happens, the brain gets signaled by the gut to send the signal that one is full. This leads to less consumption of food. The signal is sent from a minute pouch created at upper stomach sections. When that pouch is full, a signal gets sent to the brain.

The procedure happens under full general anesthesia and will take between one and two hours. It is performed using laparoscopic technique which involves making between 3 to 5 very minute incisions. The incisions are approximately 1 inch in length. The surgeon will insert a small camera into one of the incisions to view the procedure on a screen. The camera is attached to a tube. The remaining incisions will allow for use of surgical instruments and placement of the band.

Preparing well for the procedure will be key. Depending on the program one goes for or the surgeon in question, preparation will be varied. The majority of institutions look to first see how committed the patient is when it comes to change in lifestyle. The patient will be expected to start by eating 5 to 6 very small meals every day in preparation for changes ahead. High calorie foods like ice cream or milk shakes should be avoided.

Recovery is different in different individuals. In general however, the procedure has a short period of hospitalization and quick recover when compared with the other gastric procedures. Majority of people resume work in a week. This is the case if the work in question is not very demanding. You can resume normal activity after 6 weeks.

After the procedure, one may feel some pain and discomfort but this is easily controlled using medications. After between 6 to 8 weeks, normal activities can resume. The weight loss will be gradual. In the beginning, the loss of weight might be more dramatic but this slows down after a while. Average weight loss will be 40 percent of excess body weight.

There are a number of expected side effects. They include vomiting, nausea and dehydration. There might also be ulceration at the band. Some patients experience regain of weight.




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