Lap Band Surgery

The lap band or laparoscopic gastric band is a useful tool that helps to reduce the amount of food you eat.

It is placed laparoscopically, in other words using keyhole surgery, hence the name "Lap" band. This means that there will be very minimal scarring following the operation and recovery time is quicker.

The band behaves like a belt around the top section of the stomach, creating a small pouch. This means that you will feel full after eating only a small quantity of food. The lap band has been used successfully for weight loss since the mid 1980s.

Once fitted in place, the lap band is adjustable which gives your surgeon control to achieve weight loss without creating too many unpleasant side effects.

A lap band operation is fully reversible and this too can be done laparoscopically, leaving no permanent changes to your stomach. The band itself comprises of a silicone ring and a reservoir connected to the ring by a length of fine tube and is sealed closed by a locking device so that it will not come undone. It comprises an inner balloon which is connected by tubing to the reservoir, also called a port.

The reservoir is usually anchored deep under the skin on one side of your abdomen below your ribs or at the base of the breast bone. Once in place, the lap band is Inflated which tightens it, thus restricting the opening between the new small pouch that the band has created at the top of the stomach and the main part of the stomach.

By adjusting the amount of fluid in the lap band the rate at which it food passes through is controlled.

How much weight will you lose with a lap band?

Research shows that on average, patients lose between 50-65% of their excess weight in the two years after placement of a lap band. You will, of course start to feel the benefits long before you reach that stage, especially if you also have any of the co-morbidity related issues such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure.

You will also very quickly enjoy a much greater capacity for physical activity and more self confidence. As with all operations, the lap band has been thoroughly tested in clinical trials and proven to be effective.

Risks and Side effects of lap band surgery

Fortunately, risks and complications are rare but it is important that you learn about any potential problems at your consultation with your surgeon before you decide to proceed with lap band surgery.

Firstly, being obese makes any surgery more risky. There is a higher risk with the general anaesthetic, and obesity related diseases that you may already have can add further complications.

Statistics show that the death rate associated with the gastric band is about 1 in 2,000 operations though this does include procedures carried out abroad or by less qualified and experienced surgeons than you will find at The Landauer Group.

The most common cause of death is the development of a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) though this is far less likely in a patient with a body mass index of 55 or under. Rarely patients may develop other complications at the time of operation, for instance an infection in the lungs or stomach or at the site where the reservoir is anchored under the skin, which may delay recovery.

Follow up after Lap Band surgery

In the early months, your band will be adjusted, usually two to three times until the setting is optimal for your particular requirements for weight loss. Once the correct setting has been achieved your band is generally maintained at that level until your weight loss target is reached. Adjustments to the band takes only a few minutes and is done by the surgeon without any need for anaesthetic.