Gastric Band Surgery – Who Can Get Lap Band Done?

Gastric Band Surgery

Gastric Band (Lap Band) Surgery also known as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) or (Lap-Band) it’s a surgical treatment for weight-loss. Obese and overweight individuals opt for this surgery to reduce weight and the body mass index to less than 40. Skilled surgeons conducted tests and based on that; they perform lap band surgery.

It is a surgical process in which a band is placed on the upper portion of the stomach to restrict high intake of food. The band acts as a small pouch that holds food to make a person feel full after a small amount of food intake.

To narrow the passage to the stomach, a small pouch with the biocompatible material is created and tied to the upper section of the stomach. As a result, a person feels full with just 50% of food intake. An adjustable band is attached to the skin so that the surgeons can adjust the band if required.

The good thing about lap band surgery is that unlike gastric bypass surgery it’s not permanent for life. It can be reversed or adjusted as and when required. Moreover, complication chances are 1% in the lap band surgery compared to 19% in bypass surgery.

Lap band Surgery – Who Can Get It Done?

Lap band surgery is not for everyone with a few extra pounds on the body. It is appropriate only for the people:

• Body mass index (BMI) is over 40
• BMI between 30-40 but serious health problems such as diabetes, heart diseases, and high blood pressure are raised due to overweight.
• Even after several attempts to lose weight, through balanced/nutritious diet and exercises, a person has significantly failed.
• Last but not the least, only those recommended by a skilled lap band surgery surgeon.

Gastric Band Surgery – What are the Benefits?

Like all types of surgeries, Gastric Band (lap band) surgery also begins with a goal weight in mind.

• Reversible – Gastric band (Lap-Band) surgery is reversible. This means an individual can remove lap band when he/she doesn’t want it anymore. Apparently, only gastric band (lap band) surgery for weight-loss has this advantage. One can adjust and remove the band with the help of a surgeon at any time.
• No Special Food Intake – Gastric band (lap band) surgery patient doesn’t have to take any special nutritious or protein-rich diet. Eat just the regular fat-free diet with ample nutrition and protein but in smaller quantity. The quality of the food matters, not the quantity.
• 50-60% Weight-Loss – Within a stipulated period, surgery starts its work. The patient loses about 50-60% of body weight in two years. The good thing is – weight loss process is slow. It doesn’t make a person weak or lose weight drastically in a few months.
• Quick Health Improvement – This is one significant benefit. A patient is discharged from the hospital the same day or the very next day in most cases unless any complications occur. Besides that, health risks associated with obesity and overweight are also reduced to a great extent. Thus, a person can begin living a healthy life all over again.

Gastric Band (Lap Band) Surgery – What are the Risks?

Post-Operation Infections – Gastric band (lap band) surgery is a pretty healthy compared to other weight-loss surgeries. But post-operation care determines the health of an individual. In most cases, negligence after surgery results in serious infections in the body.

Since surgery is performed disrupting the normal functions of the body, there are very high chances of infections if proper care is not taken post-surgery.

Internal Bleeding – In some cases, when surgical procedures are not performed well, there are chances of internal bleeding too. This happens when the cuts are not properly stitched. Therefore, skilled surgeons take utmost care to avoid internal bleeding in patient’s body.

Allergic Reactions of Anesthesia – Anesthesia is administered so that the patient doesn’t feel any pain during the surgery. However, there can be allergic reactions to anesthesia that can turn fatal. Nevertheless, surgeons recommend tests to find out if the patient is okay to anesthesia treatment or is allergic to it.

Breakage in the Tube ­– Though there are very low chances of breakage in the tube, they cannot be underestimated. In few rare cases, the tube breaks resulting in excess leakage of food to the stomach and other complications.

Conclusion

If you’ve consulted an experienced surgeon and have agreed to go for gastric band (lap band) surgery, take care of the before and post-surgery diet. And also ensure that you take proper care of yourself to avoid risks of infections, to bleed, and further complications.