Weight Loss with the Adjustable Gastric Band

Weight Loss with the Adjustable Gastric Band

Before & After

please do not steal photos

What a difference 122 pounds makes huh?

What is the adjustable gastric band (Lap Band)?

Adjustable gastric banding (AGB) is a surgery where they put an actual "band" around your stomach. This is called a restrictive surgery not a surgery that is based on malabsorption of food by cutting the stomach and intestines.

The BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System

The word LAP-BAND is the abbreviated and trademarked combination of two words (LAP from laparoscopic and BAND from gastric band). The LAP-BAND® is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch which can hold only a small amount of food. The lower, larger part of the stomach is below the band. A small outlet created by the band connects these two parts. Food will pass through the outlet ("stoma" in medical terms) from the upper stomach pouch to the lower part more slowly, and you will feel full longer.

One of the major advantages of the Gastric Band is that the diameter of the band outlet is adjustable to meet your individual needs, which can change as you lose weight. The inner surface of the band can be inflated with liquid (saline solution) or deflated to modify the size of the stoma. The band is connected by tubing to a reservoir, which is placed well under the skin during surgery. After the operation, the surgeon can control the amount of saline in the band by entering the reservoir with a fine needle through the skin. The LAP-BAND is a unique surgical treatment because in many cases the size of the stoma can be customized to accommodate your changing needs without further surgery.

Who can be considered for Adjustable Gastric Banding?

[I did NOT fit all of the criteria listed below, but I went to Sweden to have surgery and they aren't quite as picky there. You need to have a BMI of 40 and that's about the only requirement they have.]

The following criteria must be met to have this surgery in the United States:

You are an adult (at least 18 years old).

You weigh at least twice your ideal weight, or

You weigh at least 100 lbs. (45 kilos) more than your ideal weight.

You have been overweight for more than 5 years.

Your serious attempts to lose weight have had only short-term success.

You are not suffering from any other disease that could have caused you to be overweight.

You are prepared to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle, and to continue being monitored by the specialist treating you.

You do not drink alcohol in excess.

The Advantages of the Gastric Band at a Glance

Less invasive: Of all the operations for severe obesity, the LAP-BAND method is considered to be the least traumatic. The operation can usually be performed using laparoscopy (using small incisions and long instruments rather than a single large incision). The procedure requires no cutting or stapling of the stomach.

Adjustable: In many cases, no follow-up operation is necessary to modify the diameter of the stoma. [I have never heard of a patient needing another surgery to tighten the band... in order to tighten the band the doctor gives you a fill through a port under your skin using a needle. Don't worry, its nearly painless and you will only need a few fills.]

Avoids irreversible damage: If the LAP-BAND needs to be removed for any reason, the stomach returns to its original form.

Reduced hospital stay: Patients normally leave the hospital within two to four days of the laparoscopic operation, or four to eight days if an abdominal incision is required or if complications occur. [I was in the hospital for 2 nights, 3 days and when I left I felt hardly ANY pain at all. It was amazing.]

Quicker recovery: After the laparoscopic procedure, patients usually resume normal activities within a week or two, and within four weeks if the procedure is not done laparoscopically or if there are complications.

7/24/03 - I'll add new pictures pretty soon!

Surgery was the best thing I ever did!

Adjustable gastric band surgery does not cut or staple the stomach or intestines and is 100% removable. No other weight loss surgery can boast of that!

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