What is Lap Band Surgery?
Are you considering lap band surgery in Perth? Here are a few things you should know.
A few years ago, Lap Band surgery was the most common bariatric operation performed in Australia. It has gradually declined in use due to high long-term revision surgery and complication rates.
However, this procedure still plays a role for certain patients.
The procedure involves placing an adjustable silicon gastric band which sits around the upper part of your stomach, forming a small pouch. This restricts the amount you can eat and produces early satiety.
ADVANTAGES OF LAP BAND SURGERY:
- Safe
- Reversible
- Doesn’t involve dividing or removing any part of your stomach or intestine
- 40% excess weight loss
DISADVANTAGES OF LAP BAND SURGERY:
- 15% to 30% of patients will need some form of revisional surgery
- Reduces quality of eating
- Band slippage or erosion
- Access port flipping
- Oesophageal dilatation
MORE INFORMATION
A Gastric Band (commonly referred to as a lap band) is a silicon-based device that is surgically placed around the top of the stomach. It is adjustable and can be configured to best suit each individual’s requirements.
It works by reducing the amount of food intake by causing the sensation of ‘feeling full’ to occur after smaller portions have been consumed. This is due to the device effectively shrinking the overall volume of the stomach.
Typically, a patient with a BMI of over 35 is an ideal candidate for a gastric band procedure, but this can be extended to patients with a BMI above 30 if certain conditions are met and the surgeon feels a gastric band procedure is the most appropriate solution. Check your BMI to see if you qualify for weight loss surgery.
This reduction of appetite is an effective weight loss solution through a combination of a healthy balanced diet and easy to moderate levels of exercise, depending on the health of the individual patient.
- Low risk of complications when performed by a good surgeon
- Fully reversible - the anatomy of the stomach is not altered in any way
- 40% excess weight loss (most in first year)*
- Fast recovery - 30-45min procedure with minimal scarring.
Below 18.5 - Underweight
18.5-24.9 - Normal
25.0-29.9 - Overweight
30.0 and Above - Obese
AT THIS STAGE YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, PLEASE
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS.