Lap Band Procedure

Lap band procedure is one of the widely accepted surgical methods for achieving weight loss. This article will provide you with some details about this procedure.

Weight loss seems to be a distant dream for many, who try various methods for achieving the same. There are different types of diets, exercise programs and many other methods introduced with the aim of weight loss. While some people find these methods effective, others may not.

When all other methods fail, obese people resort to surgical measures to lose weight. Even surgical procedures for weight loss are of different types and gastric lap band procedure is one of the popular and widely accepted methods. Let us take a look at the various aspects of lap band procedure.

What is the Lap Band Procedure

As mentioned above, lap band surgery is done as a weight loss method. However, each and every person may not be deemed fit for lap band procedure. Patients who are in the age group of 18 to 55 years and are obese for the last five years, can opt for this surgery. They must have almost double their ideal body weight or have any serious health problems that can be relieved by tackling obesity.

Lap band procedure is usually done laparoscopically, but, in some cases, open surgery may be necessary. This happens when the patient has already undergone an abdominal surgery or is extremely obese or has serious medical problems. The patient is administered with general anesthesia and an inflatable silicone ring is positioned around the upper part of the stomach.

In order to do this, the surgeon will make some small incisions on the stomach wall and through these incisions, the surgical instruments are inserted. One of the incisions is used for inserting a laparoscopic camera, which is placed inside the abdomen. The images send by the camera are displayed through a monitor and the surgeon performs the operation through the small incisions and on the basis of the interior views provided by the camera. The surgeon makes a small tunnel around the upper part of the tunnel through which the band is inserted and is locked around the stomach. Now, you have a basic idea about the lap band procedure. The next paragraph will provide you with information about its working.

How Does a Lap Band Work

Once the lap band is secured around the upper part of the stomach, a small pouch, otherwise called stoma, is formed at the top portion of the stomach. This stoma is small, as compared to the remaining part of the stomach. In most cases, the stoma can hold around Ѕ to one cup of food, whereas the capacity of a normal stomach is six cups. As the stoma can hold very less amounts of food, the person feels full, even if he consumes food in small quantities.

As the stoma is secured with the band during the lap band procedure, food particles move to the bigger part of the stomach, very slowly. A person doesn't feel hungry for a long time and this results in reduced intake of food, resulting in weight loss. The band is adjustable as it can be inflated or deflated by introducing or removing saline solution. Adjusting the levels of saline solution inside the ring is normally done through an access port provided beneath the skin. The band is adjusted as per the requirement and comfort of an individual. If the band is too loose, the person feels too hungry, as the food passes too fast from the stoma to the bigger part of the stomach. If it is too tight, the food doesn't pass through the digestive system in a proper manner. So, this band is adjusted several times by the surgeon, so as to obtain an ideal positioning.

This is about the lap band procedure and its mechanism of working. The advantages of this method is that it is less invasive and more safe. It does not require any cutting or stapling of the stomach, nor does it cause any serious change in the anatomy of the stomach. It is adjustable, as per the requirements of the patient and is fully reversible. Lap band surgery complications like, infection, slipping of the band, gastritis, erosion of the stomach wall, internal bleeding may also occur. Lap band procedure cost ranges between $12,000 to $25,000 and may vary from one place to another. Cost of lap band procedure includes the cost of adjustments and fills that may range between $35 to $200. Even though, it is said to be a safe option, consider it as the last option and try other methods for weight loss, before resorting to surgery. If you decide to opt for lap band procedure, contact an expert doctor and make sure that you understand all the benefits and complications related to this procedure.