Lap-Band Surgery

Adjustable Gastric Band, or Lap-Band, surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that limits food intake with minimum interference with the normal digestive process. By wrapping a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach, the surgeon is able to create a small upper stomach pouch that is connected to the lower stomach through a narrowing created by the band itself.

The band effectively restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at a single meal. Food passes slowly from the upper to the lower stomach region and creates a fuller feeling longer. The Lap-Band can be easily adjusted after surgery according to how much weight the patient is losing.

In the video below, Dr. McMahon describes the surgery.

Learn more about this procedure in the video below:

Low-BMI adjustable lap band surgery

In April 2011, the FDA approved adjustable gastric band surgery for people who have a BMI of 30-35 (35-75 pounds overweight), with one or more obesity related medical conditions.  The adjustable gastric band surgery was formerly only available to those with a BMI of 35 plus, with two or more obesity related medical conditions.

Advantages

• It is the safest form of weight-loss surgery and has a rapid recovery time.

• Patients lose from 50 percent to 65 percent of excess body weight over the first two years.

• The stomach or intestines are not cut, so there is no risk of intestinal leak, dumping syndrome or food intolerance.

• Lap-Band patients often do not feel hungry.

• Existing obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea improve.

• Surgery takes only about one hour to perform and requires only an overnight hospital stay. 

• The band can be tightened or loosened as needed, or it can be removed and the effects reversed.

Disadvantages

• Patients need to re-learn how to eat. If they eat too fast or too much, they will vomit. 

• Some foods will not pass through the new opening in the stomach.

• The success of the procedure depends on the patient's commitment to a schedule of follow-up visits to have the band adjusted every six to eight weeks. It is the only way to ensure significant long-term weight loss.

• There is a small risk of slippage of the band requiring another surgery to re-position it.

• The tube may kink or twist, requiring minor surgery.

• The Lap-Band technique will not result in weight loss if the patient eats excess amounts of high-calorie foods such as ice cream and milk shakes.