Lap Gastric Banding

Overview

Laparoscopic procedure is used for Lap Gastric Banding surgery that creates small cuts in the belly. Su rgeons try to place an adjustable silicon band through the incisions so as to band around the upper portion of the stomach.

The idea is to turn the stomach into a pouch attached to an inch - wide outlet. Post Laparoscopic banding surgery , the stomach is so small that it can only hold an ounce of food. Post surgery, the band is adjusted accordingly to allow passing of food quickly or slowly through the stomach.

Before the Treatment

Before treatment of laparoscopic gastric banding , the patient has to undergo several tests and make routine visits to the doctor. Here , have a look at what you will have to undergo before the gastric banding procedure .

• You will have to attend classes where you will be explained about the purpose of the surgery, the associa ted risks of the surgery and what to expect afterwards.

• Several blood tests and physical examinations are carried out to make sure that you are healthy enough to undergo the surgery.

• If you are suffering from lung or heart problems, diabetes, high bloo d pressure, then that should be intimated to the doctor so that these medical problems are brought under control before the surgery.

• A visit to a psychologist is important to ensure that you are emotionally ready to get the surgery done, which will indeed be a life - changing episode for you.

• Nutritional counselling and a thorough physical examination are imperative before the gastric banding surgery. Especially women who are pregnant or want to be pregnant, but want to undergo the surgery at the sam e time , should inform the doctor. These patients are not allowed to have the surgery.

• In the week of the surgery, patients are asked not to take vitamin E, aspirin, warfarin , ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and other drugs that prevent blood to get clotted easily. Besides, you are prescribed certain drugs that are required to be taken on the day of the surgery.

• The day of the surgery is most significant and you need to be partic ular about your doctor’s advices. Stop drinking o r eating at least six hours prior to the surgery. Do only take drugs as prescribed by the doctor, but with a very small sip of water.

   

How it is performed

The process of lap gastric banding surgery takes ma ximum 60 minutes to perform. However, the time required may be less if your bariatric surgeon is well experienced in the procedure. Patients are administered general anaesthesia so that they go into deep sleep and do not feel any pain during the surgery.

Bariatric surgeons are extensively aware of how to perform laparoscopic gastric banding surgery. Once the patient is put into sleep with general anaesthesia, 1 to 5 small incisions are made in the belly. A small camera is inserted through one of the incisi ons, which is called the laparoscope. Other instruments that are used for the surgery are inserted through the other cuts in the belly.

A band is used to place around the uppermost part of the stomach to separate the muscular organ into two parts, upper p art of stomach and lower part of stomach. Thus, a small pouch is created with a very narrow opening to the lower part of the stomach. Do know this that there is no stapling or cutting involved in the process.

When you eat, you feel full after having a ver y small proportion of food since the upper pouch becomes full quickly. Gradually, the food from the pouch slowly pass es to the lower portion of the stomach.

Risks If you are undergoing the surgery, you should be aware of the associated risks of laparosco pic gastric bypass surgery . General anaesthesia has certain risks that include blood loss, allergic reactions, breathing problems, blood clots in legs, etc.

On the other hand, the risks of gastric banding surgery include erosion of the band in the stomach, gastrisis, injury to stomach, poor nutrition, vomiting from eating after surgery, and others. Nonetheless, the degree of risks may vary from person to person, and once the first symptoms of gastric banding show, the condition should be consulted with the doctor.

Recovery

Unlike other weight loss surgeries, such as, Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric banding requires the shortest time and comes with very low complication rate. Hence, you can expect quick recovery from lap gastric banding both physically and mentally.

Patients regain consciousness within 20 to 30 minutes of the banding surgery while they are still in the post - anaesthesia acute care unit. The operation is also performed on an outpatient basis, depending upon what the doctor suggests. The patient is required to stay a night at the hospital as per doctor’s suggestion. It should be noted that the results of Gastric Banding surgery are highly positive leading to weight loss of about 35% to 45% in patients.

Day of surgery Patients experience no pain post surgery since narcotics from the surgery help to keep them comfortable and free of pain. On the first night, patients may experience slight pain at the incision site. Besides, t hey may feel dry, sore and painful throat. The head is propped up with pillows to make sure the patient rests on the bed in almost a sitting position. It should be known that the ET tube actually causes discomfort post surgery.

On the day of the surgery o r the day after the surgery, the patient will be asked to walk around the nurses’ station. This ensures speedy recovery. Also, it helps to reduce pain from CO2 that gets collected in the abdomen during the surgery and is the major reason for pain. Walking in the hospital helps to reduce the impact of the pain. Patients are also asked to urinate before leaving the hospital to check if everything is fine.

Diet plays an important role post surgery. You should follow doctor’s instructions and rely on clear liq uids post surgery. Sometimes, doctors want to follow a ‘’’swallow test’’ to make sure that the patient can swallow easily. An X - ray is conducted to confirm that the band is positioned correctly, fluids are passing smoothly through the band and there are no strictures.

Days after the surgery

A couple of days after gastric banding surgery , patient s start experiencing pain. The upper left quadrant area (below the ribs on the left side) is the targeted area of pain. Mobility will help to reduce the pain, but you should refrain from strenuous activity or weight lifting activities . After a couple of wee ks, you will feel more relieved from pain and enjoy a new lease on life.