Adjustable Gastric Banding

What is Adjustable Gastric Banding?

Gastric banding is an adjustable gastric band that alters the anatomy of the stomach to help you reduce your food intake. Adjustable gastric banding is performed laparoscopically, meaning that the surgeon makes small incisions as opposed to one large incision.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery is the simplest and safest obesity operation and it is also an easily reversible one; however it generally has the lowest percentage of excess weight loss.

How does Adjustable Gastric Banding Work?

Adjustable gastric banding is a restrictive type of weight loss surgery. A silicone band with an inflatable balloon on the inner surface is implanted around the top of the stomach to restrict food intake. This creates a small pouch (15-30 ml) and a narrow passage to the lower stomach.

This small passage delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a feeling of fullness. The balloon is able to be inflated via a reservoir under the skin of the abdominal wall. The silicone band can be tightened or loosened to change the size of the passage by injecting saline through this reservoir.

However, it requires regular follow up for periodic adjustments. Many types of adjustable gastric band are on the market in Egypt. However, we prefer the Lap-Band System AP (made in USA).

Who is a Good Candidate for Adjustable Gastric Banding?

The indications for adjustable gastric banding are those aged 18-65 years old (with some exceptions) with body mass index greater than 35. In addition people with body mass index greater than 30 may also be candidates for gastric banding with Lap-Band System if they have obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Furthermore gastric banding may be an option also for people in whom the more invasive gastric bypass surgery is deemed too risky due to underlying health complications.

Risks and complications:

It is important for you to understand that the risks of surgery are low and that the majority of patients have no complications. However, as with any surgery, there may be immediate and long-term complications and risks. These risks are greater for individuals who suffer from obesity. Your weight, age and medical history play a significant role in determining your specific risks.

Possible general risks can include

Bleeding.
Pain.
Infection.
Pneumonia.
Complications due to anesthesia and medications.
Deep vein thrombosis.
Pulmonary embolism.
Heart attack.

Risks and disadvantages include:

Infection of this foreign body (the band)
Slippage of the band can occur with persistent vomiting if behavioral changes are not made.
The band may erode into the inside of the stomach.
The band can spontaneously deflate due to leakage.
The stomach pouch can enlarge.
The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), when stomach contents rise up into the esophagus.
Frequent visits for band adjustments or fills.
The pouch may stretch with continued overeating.
Death. The risk of death due to gastric banding surgery is about 1 in 2000.

Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery Advantages:

Compared with other types of weight loss surgery, adjustable gastric banding has these advantages:

Reversible (Removable at any time)
Adjustable without additional surgery
Less invasive
Less operating time
Less operative and short-term mortality than gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.
Low risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with gastric bypass as it does not interfere with absorption, so vitamin deficiencies are less likely to occur.
No “dumping syndrome” related to dietary intake restrictions, which occurs when the undigested stomach contents are “dumped” into your small intestine too quickly. It is marked by abdominal cramps and nausea.
Improves health problems related to excessive weight, including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and asthma.
Slow and steady weight loss
Less risk of hair loss

What to expect after Surgery?

The operation is very safe and just an overnight hospital stay. Furthermore most people can return to normal activities in 1 to 2 weeks. The expected weight loss from this surgery is on average 50-60% of excess weight. However, this procedure requires the most effort of all of the procedures in order to be successful. Patient must be committed to good eating habits and exercise.

Weight loss surgery types

Operations that reduce the stomach size or obstruct the pathway of food are known as restrictive surgery because they restrict the amount of food the stomach can hold. When you feel full, you are more likely to have reduced feelings of hunger and will no longer feel deprived.

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