The adjustable gastric band is a bariatric surgery procedure for the treatment of severe or morbid obesity, that is, the one in which the patient has a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35. This surgery is performed by laparoscopy and involves placing an adjustable band of silicone on the top of the stomach in order to restrict food intake.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure
The gastric band is laparoscopically placed a ring around the stomach, just where it attaches to the esophagus, to limit the amount of food taken. That band or ring is adjustable according to the needs and indications given by your doctor.
The entire bariatric surgery procedure is carried out under local anesthesia and after implantation the patient should strictly follow the dietary recommendations made by his doctor; In this way, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain will be avoided, after implantation of the gastric band it is recommended to follow a diet rich in protein in order to reinforce the loss of kilos obtained with the surgical procedure.
The adjustable gastric band acts as a belt placed in the stomach and to adjust it the inner part of the band is filled with a saline solution connected to a device that is inserted under the skin through which, the solution is injected until it reaches the desired compression and adjustment.
This creates two chambers, one above the band that will be smaller and house the food and a larger one below the band to which the food will later pass. This eats less food and achieves a feeling of fullness faster.
laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding risks
The occurrence of postoperative complications in the medium, long term after the intervention are minor it can happen that a patient has a dilation of the reservoir, this complication can be resolved laparoscopically.
Esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux are also the most common complications.
the gastric band is an intervention if performed in a specialized center, and with a suitable medical team that follows up the patient before and after the intervention, is a highly recommended alternative for the treatment of obesity.
Lap band surgery weight requirements
- Because it is a procedure that has the endorsement of several scientific societies in the reduction of weight and because it is safe and effective.
- Some problems, such as vomiting or pain after eating, may occur in the first few days. This usually happens if we eat more than the specialist says or if we don’t chew well. Therefore, you have to eat slowly and calmly, chewing food correctly.
- Constipation can also annoy us the days after the gastric band is placed. The reason is very simple: as we eat less we produce fewer faeces. But don’t worry, your team of specialists will tell you if you need to resort to any laxatives. However, don’t even think about taking it on your own, you can have serious problems.
- With the placement of the gastric band we not only lose weight, we also gain in health, as we learn to eat well and enhance our level of physical activity.
- it is recommended to start exercising, It is good to start walking little by little and when we already see that we can start some other exercise.
Gastric Band Reviews
If you are thinking of the adjustable gastric band as an option for the treatment of obesity, we tell you 10 things to know about this procedure:
- Compared to other techniques, such as gastric bypass or vertical gastrectomy,the gastric band is of less invasive bariatric surgeries, as it does not change the anatomy of the stomach.
- It is a safe technique, with a low complication rate and is performed under general anesthesia.
- It’s reversible. The adjustable gastric band can be removed by a new laparoscopy intervention and the stomach returns to its initial state.
- Weight loss is slower than other bariatric surgery techniques. Still, it allows you to lose about 50% of the extra kilos you have.
- The gastric band limits food intake but does not interfere with nutrient absorption, making vitamin and mineral deficiencies less common.
- It usually adjusts between four and six times a year after placement. These corrections are intended to ensure that the gastric band is tight enough to continue performing its work.
- Esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux are the most common complications and affect at least 15% of patients.
- Some people have to be re-intervened to change the band, because over time the stomach moves upwards through the band and the upper chamber of the stomach, which is the one that receives the food, becomes larger.
- As with any bariatric surgery, gastric band placement is only the beginning of a weight loss process that involves strict monitoring of a personalized diet and a physical activity plan.
- Although it remains an appropriate therapeutic option for many patients, the good and rapid results obtained with other bariatric surgery procedures, such as gastric bypass, have made the placement of such bands less and less frequent.
Gastric band results
The weight that is lost behind the gastric band is about a third of the kilos left over from the patient. It is important that you continue with an eating plan and an exercise routine marked by our team of specialists. Do not forget that a personalized diet is a good ally to achieve our goal, to get out of morbid obesity.
Food recommendations after the gastric band
you have to keep in mind a series of recommendations when it comes to eating.
- Reduce the amount of food and increase the number of meals,five better than three.
- Eat slowly and chew well. When the band is in the stomach, food has to be well shredded to be troubled.
- It is recommended to use smaller dishes,because in addition to that it fits a smaller amount of food than in a large dish and at the end of it we think we have eaten more.
- Do not drink fluids after meals to prevent the stomach from regurgitating food. But you do take an average of two to three liters of water a day, because if you follow a protein diet you have to drink liquidsto stay hydrated.
With these recommendations in mind, we can tailor the menus to our needs, knowing what we need to eat, when we need to do it and how much.
Proteins good allies for the gastric band
High-protein foods are perfect for keeping our weight lost behind the gastric band, so poultry, fish and seafood are the ideal foods to share at the table with our family and friends, with which we must count to support us in following up on our weight loss medical program. Your help is essential to achieve the goals set and start the year with good purposes and, above all, with the right weight.