Laparoscopic Adjustable
                         Gastric Banding

Adjustable Gastric Banding (LapBand^® AP System,  Realize^® Solution)

Adjustable gastric banding involves the placement of an inflatable silicone ring that is laparoscopically placed around the upper part of the stomach. This way a small pouch is created above the band, which will become full after a small amount of food. By adjusting the tightness of the band around the stomach we can control the speed of emptying of food particles.

The well adjusted band provides early sensation of fullness after a small aount of meal, which lasts for a prolonged period of time.

The key of this procedure is its adjustability and it aims to achieve satiety, not obstruction.

Real case videos of adjustable gastric banding can be viewed here.

We are fully qualified to implant and manage either the LapBand^® AP System or the Realize^® Solution based on your preference.

Adjustable gastric banding can provide a long-lasting excess weight loss of 50-60% and remission of medical problems such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea. The weight loss is not an automatic after effect of the surgery, but the result of a systematic lifestyle modification program where the band helps to control excess volume consumption.

Generally, significant restriction will develop after 6-8 adjustments, therefore the weight loss will be much slower than with the other surgical interventions.

In order to achieve success, patients should engage in a regular exercise program and watch their diet, focusing on high protein and low carbohydrate content solid meals. Liquid calories (creamy soups, coffee with cream, ice cream, frapuccino type drinks) and sweets pass the band without obstruction and should be avoided, otherwise unwanted weigh gain may develop even with a well adjusted band. 

In average, the surgery takes about 1.0 hour to complete, the average hospital stay is 1 day and most people return to work in about 1 week or less following surgery.

Advantages of adjustable gastric banding

• Lower mortality and complication rate of the initial surgery
• Less invasive surgical approach
• No stapling, cutting, or intestinal re-routing is involved
•  Recommended primarily for patients with lower BMI, highly motivated, able to exercise
•  Adjustable, reversible, although, band reversal may be a complicated, difficult surgery
•  Low malnutrition risk

Disadvantages

• Slower weight loss than Roux-Y Gastric Bypass or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Regular follow-up critical for optimal results (at least 6-10 visits to achieve optimal restriction)
• Requires implanted medical device with potential to develop device-related complications
• Often fails in sweet eaters

You can read more on the topic of adjustable gastric banding and compare the available products on the following websites:

www.lapband.com

www.realize.com