What is Laparoscopic Gastric Banding Surgery?

What is Laparoscopic Gastric Banding Surgery?

One of the key weight loss surgical procedures is bariatric surgery, which can successfully address the condition of obesity. However, some patients may need another type of weight loss procedure called laparoscopic gastric banding. In this procedure, the surgeon will place a band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch that can hold food. The band will limit the amount of food the patient can eat by making them feel full after eating a relatively small amount of food.

The surgeon will also have the option to adjust the band after the procedure to make the food pass through the stomach quickly or slowly as needed. Leading bariatric surgeon, Dr. Wiljon Beltre, provides several weight loss and obesity treatments, including laparoscopic gastric banding. Dr. Beltre receives patients from Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and surrounding areas.

Need for Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery may be used as an effective treatment option if the patient has been suffering from excessive obesity for at least five years, and has not succeeded in losing weight through diet or exercise. Gastric banding is not a ‘quick fix’ solution. It must be accompanied by positive lifestyle changes that include regular and balanced diet and exercise.

Laparoscopic gastric banding procedure may be recommended by the surgeon if the patient has a BMI of 40 or higher. In approximate terms, this means that a male patient is 100 pounds overweight and a female patient is 80 pounds overweight. If the patient also suffers from a medical condition such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea, this treatment may be advisable even for patients with a BMI of 35 or above.

Procedure

Laparoscopic gastric banding will be performed under general anesthesia. A tiny camera called laparoscope will be placed in the abdomen. This will allow the surgeon to view inside the abdomen from outside without making very major incisions. The surgeon will place one to five small incisions in the abdominal area through which the surgeon will be performed.

A band will be placed around the upper portion of the stomach to separate it from the lower portion. This allows for the creation of a small pouch with a narrow opening that enters the lower, larger part of the stomach. The procedure will not involve any cuts inside the belly area. An experienced surgeon will usually complete the procedure in less than an hour.

The benefit of this unique procedure is that when the patient eats food after this surgery, the small pouch will fill quickly. Therefore, just after having eaten a small amount of food, the patient will feel full. The food contained in the pouch will slowly empty into the main portion of the stomach.

Recovery

In most cases, laparoscopic gastric banding can be performed as an outpatient procedure. The patient will usually be able to start normal activities within a day or two. One week off from work may be required in order to recover properly. Liquid diet or soft foods may have to be taken for about two to three weeks.

To find out more about the procedures & treatments performed by Orlando Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Wiljon Beltre, at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Call 321-499-6505 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.

Please note: If the weight is regained, the diabetes and other conditions could return.