WHAT IS IT?
Lap band surgery was the most common bariatric operation done in Australia a few years back. It has gradually declined in use due to high long term revision surgery and complication rate. This still has some role for certain patients.
The procedure involves placing an adjustable silicon band that sits around the upper part of your stomach forming a small pouch. This restricts the amount you can eat and produces early satiety.
ADVANTAGE:
- Safe
- Reversible
- Doesn’t involve dividing or removing any part of your stomach or intestine
- 40 to 60% excess weight loss
DISADVANTAGE:
- 15 to 30% patients will need some form of revisional surgery
- Reduced 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 that one consumes by causing the sensation of ‘feeling full’ to occur after less foods has been consumed. This is due to the device effectively shrinking the 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.
This reduction of appetite is an effective weight loss solution when combined with a healthy intake of food and easy to moderate exercise depending on the health of the patient in question.
You can check your own BMI using our BMI calculator here