Lapband Surgery Facts And Information

By Matthew Hall


Over the years, many people have struggled with obesity. While the best mode of treatment remains lifestyle modification, over time more and more people have opted for surgical options. Among the most used surgical options is lapband surgery, also called gastric banding. There are many fundamental pieces of information about this procedure that one should know before considering it.

It is a surgical procedure which involves placement of an adjustable belt round the upper sections of the stomach through the use of a laparoscope. The band is usually made from silicone and is able to be tightened through addition of saline to fill the band. This band is connected to some port which is placed under skin of the abdomen. The port is used for introduction or removal of the saline into the band.

Ultimately, this procedure restricts stomach size and thus the amount of food it is able to hold. It will also slow down the food passage into the intestines. In so doing, signals to the brain that come from the gut will allow for a sensation of fullness. One will thus consume less food. The signal is usually sent from a small pouch that is created by the band at the upper section of the stomach. When this pouch gets filled, the same signal will be sent to the brain.

The procedure is done under full general anesthesia and goes for one or two hours. It gets performed through a laparoscopic method that will involve the surgeon making 3 to 5 incisions that are small. These incisions are about an inch in length. There then is the insertion of a small camera within one incision to have a view of the stomach on the screen. This camera gets attached to a tube. The function of remaining incisions is to allow the doctor to use surgical instruments and also for placement of the band.

You will need to prepare well for the procedure. Depending on the surgical practitioner or program one is going for, mode of preparation will vary. The majority of treatment institutions want to see some kind of commitment from patients in prior when it comes to lifestyle changes. This is normally as proof that one is ready for the weight loss. One of the things they are required to do is eat 5 to 6 small meals every day to prepare for the challenge ahead. You are supposed to avoid foods high in calories like ice cream or milk shake.

Recovery is different in different individuals. In general however, the procedure has a short period of hospitalization and quick recover when compared with the other gastric procedures. Majority of people resume work in a week. This is the case if the work in question is not very demanding. You can resume normal activity after 6 weeks.

After you come from the procedure, there might be a feeling of discomfort or pain but this is easily controlled using medications. After 6 to 8 weeks, any discomfort ends and normalcy resumes. At first, weight loss will be very rapid but this slows down after some time. In total, one will lose about 40 percent of what their weight was.

There are a number of expected side effects. They include vomiting, nausea and dehydration. There might also be ulceration at the band. Some patients experience regain of weight.




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