Lap Band Surgery

The gastric band / lap band has being regarded by patients as   "the ultimate portion controller"! 

This diagram shows the band in place around the top of the stomach.  The gastric band makes the stomach into an 'hour-glass' shape.  The new small upper stomach pouch is about the size of a golf ball, with the larger part of the stomach sitting below the band.  This means that the pouch above the band can only store a small amount of food, which then passes through the band into the lower part of the stomach.  The band controls the flow rate of food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach, which means that you feel fuller sooner and the feeling lasts longer.  The drier the texture of food, the slower it will pass through the opening created by the band.

How the Gastric Band Works

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Gastric Band Weight Loss Surgery - Lap Band Surgery - FAQ

Please see below some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that patients most commonly ask about the gastric band procedure. We hope that our answers below will begin to put your mind at ease. If you have any other questions why not call 0845 762 6727 today and book a consultation with one of our patient care co-ordinators and weight-loss surgeon.

Q: "How Much Weight Can I Lose?"

Probably the biggest question facing anyone who is contemplating weight loss surgery!  In Jan 2007, we performed 106 gastric band operations.  The results speak for themselves:

• After 9 months, the total weight loss recorded was a massive 300 stone or 4,197 pounds (or 1,904kg)!

• The average weight loss per patient was 3 stone - that's 40lbs (or 18 kg)

• 99% of patients had lost weight following the surgery - only 1 patient had not lost any weight

• One super-slimmer had lost nearly 14 stone or 191 lbs (87 kg)

Q: How will the weight come off?

You will have dietitian appointments and receive tailor-made advice on your gastric band diet following the operation. 

Weight-loss results vary from patient to patient and the amount of weight you lose depends on several things. The band needs to be in the right position and you need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure and the pounds won’t come off by themselves. A weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible, but one pound a week is more likely. Twelve to eighteen months after the operation, weekly weight loss is usually less. Remember that you should always lose weight gradually. Losing weight too quickly can cause an increased risk to your health, and could lead to a number of problems. The main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.

Q: How is the band adjusted?

Adjustments are often carried out in the X-ray department. They are done there so the access port can be clearly seen. When X-rays are used, your reproductive organs should be shielded. Sometimes adjustments can be done in an outpatient clinic. Local anaesthesia may or may not be needed. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port to add or subtract saline. This process usually takes only a few minutes. Most patients say it is almost painless.

For your peace of mind, it's good to know that the gastric band procedure is completely reversible - the device can simply be removed if need be.  However, for most patients, it's a life-long decision which enables them to manage their food intake and their weight. 

Q: Will I be sick a lot after the operation?

The Gastric Band limits food intake. If you feel nauseated or sick on a regular basis, it may mean that you are not chewing your food well enough or that you are not following the diet rules properly. However, it could also mean that there is a problem with the placement of the band, so contact our emergency service if this problem persists. Vomiting should be avoided as much as possible as it can cause the small stomach pouch to stretch. It can also lead to slippage of part of the stomach through the band and reduce the success of the operation. In some cases, it can require another operation.

Q: How long will it take to recover after surgery?

If Gastric Band surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients typically spend less than 24 hours in the hospital. It takes most patients about a week to return to work and a month to six weeks to resume exercising. In the case of open surgery or if there are complications recovery may take longer.

Q: What will happen if I become ill?

One of the major advantages of the gastric-band is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened. This can be done by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be tightened. This can be done by increasing the amount of saline. If the band cannot be loosened enough, it may have to be removed.

Q: What about pregnancy?

Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After pregnancy, the band may be made tighter again and you can resume losing weight.

Q: Will I need to take vitamin supplements?

You may. It’s possible that you may not get enough vitamins from three small meals a day. At your regular check-ups, your specialist will evaluate whether you are getting enough vitamin B12, folic acid and iron. Your surgeon may advise you to take supplements.

Q: Will I be scarred from the operation?

The scarring from the gastric band operation is minimal, some patients in fact struggle to find their scars, after they have recovered from the operation. The insertion of the port is very small indeed and is placed in a central position, just under the breast bone. If you attend one of our consultations with one of our Patient Care Co-ordinators, many of these are also band patients, therefore feel free to ask to see their scar and they will be more than happy to show you - so you can see just how tiny the scarring can be.

Q: What will happen to my skin after I have lost my desired weight?

This is a very difficult question to answer as every patient's skin elasticity is different. Some patients do not have a problem with excess skin as the skin will often mould itself around new body tissue. There are many contributing factors that can determine how your skin will cope with dramatic weight loss. These are as follows:

• Age

• Smoker / Non-Smoker

• Sun Exposure

• Exercise

• Giving Birth

• Extent of weight loss

• Genetics

If, for example, you are a 65 year old smoker, who has had 5 children, is asun worshipper, who partakes in no exercise at all and has 10 stone to lose you would be at a higher risk than a 30 year old non-smoker who has not had any children, who participates in occasional exercise, and has an average exposure level to sunlight. Your Patient Care Co-ordinator will go into greater depth concerning this issue.

Many of our obesity patients have stated that "having excess skin is far better than being overweight!" However if it is a problem, The Hospital Group offer advice on what cosmetic surgery procedures a patient could have in order to get rid of the excess skin. The most common and effective procedure which we offer is Abdominoplasty (or 'tummy tuck').  Patients may also choose liposuction or arm lift, depending on where the problem area is.

It is crucial to note however, that the skin will need time to adjust after the weight loss so cosmetic surgery should not be considered until approximately twelve months after the gastric band has been inserted.

Q: Can I still enjoy going out for a meal with family & friends?

Yes, you can. Many of our patients think they can no longer enjoy a night out with friends at a restaurant because of their gastric band. Although the gastric band is the ultimate portion controller it will not prevent you from going out. Providing you choose your courses wisely you can still potentially enjoy a three course meal. If, for example, you had soup as a starter, lasagne or spaghetti bolognaise for your main course and ice-cream or sorbet as a dessert. You will not be able to complete every course, due to the restrictions of your band, however a moderate portion of each can be digested. This is a particularly common question amongst patients who want to keep their band hidden from friends and relatives.

Q: I am diabetic - is it suitable for me?

If you have type 2 diabetes, than the answer is probably yes!  Weight loss with a gastric band has been shown to ELIMINATE type 2 diabetes in 78.1% of patients, with 86.6% reporting a cure or some improvement. Click here for further information.

Q: What happens when I achieve my target weight?

When a patient achieves their target weight they should book an appointment with the nurse in order to have a slight amount of saline taken out of their band. This is so the correct restriction is applied and is proportional to your dietary needs.
  

Q: Who makes the LAP-BAND® / gastric band

The band itself is made by Allergan.  Their American lapband website provides further information and some interesting customer testimonials.  The Hospital Group is the UK's leading supplier of gastric bands and weight loss surgery. 

 

Q: Where can I get more information?

For further research,  these sources are very useful:

Click here for obesity information and treatment options on Netdoctor, which provides an extensive collection of health information for paients, provided by an independent commercial company with a team of medical editors

Click here for National Obesity Forum, a body which was set up by GPs concerned about the impact of increasing obesity on the NHS. Their work includes support of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity, which raises debate about the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity in government

Click here for BOSPA, (British Obesity Surgery Patients Association), a national charity launched in December 2003 to provide support and information to the thousands of patients in the UK for whom obesity surgery can provide an enormous benefit

Click here for NHS Direct, a further source of information on obesity and treatment options, including diet, exercise, medication and surgery

Why Trust The Hospital Group?

We are the UK's leading weight loss surgery provider, performing more procedures than the NHS.  Our surgeons are leading figures within the field and have many years experience on which to base their recommendations on what's right for you.

The procedure itself is just the beginning of your weight loss journey, but we include 12 months aftercare (including band adjustments) and provide dietitians and nurses to support you along the way.