Gastric Band Surgery at LI Obesity Surgery
Gastric Band with LI Obesity Surgery
Advantages of gastric banding:
- Adjustable
- Reversible
- Does not interfere with the absorption of nutrients; less likely to develop vitamin deficiency
Adjustable gastric banding, popularly known as the ‘lap-band,’ is a weight loss technique, done laparoscopically. However, unlike other bariatric procedures (including Gastric Sleeve & Gastric Bypass), it is not permanent, and can be reversed.
A gastric band is a hollow band made of special material. The band is placed around the stomach near its upper end, acting as a belt on the stomach, restricting how much a patient can eat. The band is then inflated with a salt solution.
The band can be periodically tightened or loosened, (these adjustments are called ‘fills’), depending on the patient’s needs, and can be conveniently done at our office, with no need for a hospital visit. If weight loss has stalled, the band can be tightened by injecting more saline into it. This will reduce the size of the stomach pouch and the amount of food that can be consumed, triggering additional weight loss. On the other hand, if the patient is losing weight too quickly, the band can be loosened by removing some saline. This increases the size of the stomach pouch and the amount of food that can be consumed.
To qualify for bariatric surgery, the body mass index (BMI) of the patient must be greater than 40, or BMI must be between 30-40 with obesity-related conditions such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
What will my pre & post-surgery diet consist of?
Two weeks prior to surgery:
- Patients will be on a strict protein shake/liquid diet in order to increase weight loss and put a patient’s body into a state of ketosis. This is a normal metabolic process that happens when the body does not have carbohydrates coming in for energy and is forced to get energy from fat storage. The purpose of this is to shrink the size of the liver for a safer and more efficient surgery.
Two weeks after surgery:
- Patients will be on a liquid diet consisting of three small protein shakes a day, and clear liquids in between shakes. This will allow for proper tissue healing and nutrition, in preparation for slowly introducing food back into the diet.
Three – six weeks after surgery:
- Patients will begin soft food consumption, eventually incorporating raw fruits, vegetables and harder proteins.
What is recovery like from gastric band surgery?
Patients should refrain from driving for five days after surgery and from lifting more than 20 pounds, but can usually return to a sedentary type job within 1 – 2 weeks. Patients that partake in more rigorous work should discuss options with their LI Obesity Surgery surgeon or Physician Assistant. Drinking carbonated beverages and drinking from straws are discouraged after surgery. While pregnancy is possible after bariatric surgery, we encourage you to hold off for two years post-surgery. This allows ample time for effective weight loss and adjustment to the new lifestyle.Due to bariatric surgery, conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, gastric reflux, urinary stress incontinence, and degenerative joint disease are eliminated or significantly reduced. Bariatric surgery also provides a significant improvement in survival, compared to conventional weight-loss treatments. When one considers the improvements in life expectancy, resolution of severe chronic diseases, improvements in quality of life, and reduction in risk of cancer, there is hardly a procedure or medication in the history of medicine that can equal bariatric surgery.If you would like more information on GASTRIC BAND or would like to schedule a consultation to see if this procedure is right for you, please call our office, (631) 351-2024.
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