Gastric Band (Lap Band)

Weight loss surgery
The gastric band or sometimes referred to more fully as laparoscopic adjustable gastric band - LAGB is the least invasive weight loss surgical procedure available. The name "LAP-BAND" comes from the surgical technique used (laparoscopic) and the name of the product used (gastric band).

Weight loss surgery
It is a really useful tool to help reduce the amount of food you eat. It simply acts like a belt around the top portion of your stomach, creating a small pouch. This newly formed pouch can only hold small amounts of food, typically around one cup, causing patients to need less food in order to feel full. The narrowed stoma also regulates the passage of food between the two stomach areas; this slows the emptying process, enabling patients feel satiated longer between meals. LAP banding does not affect the digestive system process in any way.

Weight loss surgery
The Taj Medical Group's Surgeons use the LAP-BAND System manufactured by Inamed Corporation. This product has been used extensively throughout the world since its introduction in 1996. There are over 180,000 devices implanted in the world. It is the only FDA approved gastric banding device and has been the subject of rigorous scientific testing.

Weight loss surgery
The LAP-BAND is a prosthetic device made out of silastic. It was FDA approved (United States) for the treatment of obesity in 2001. European and Australian surgeons have had experience using the LAP-BAND System for over nine years. Currently, over 1000 LAP-BAND's are placed in the United States every month.

Weight loss surgery
The gastric band has been in use since the mid 1980s. It offers several major advantages :
• It is adjustable
The adjustability of the band gives you and your doctor control to achieve weight loss without creating too many unpleasant symptoms due to the degree of restriction.
• It is placed laparoscopically
for most people this means they can return to work soon after the operation with a minimal recovery period.
• It is reversible
Weight loss surgery
Taking the band out would revert the stomach to its normal size and you would expect to gain weight again, so the plan at the outset is to leave it there permanently. However, if in the future your band needs to come out for any reason, this too can be done laparoscopically, leaving no permanent changes to your stomach.
LAP banding requires no cutting or stapling of the stomach, but is done laparosopically through several small incisions on the abdomen. Surgeons first inject a harmless carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen to expand the area. Small tubes are then inserted to create passages for the surgical instruments. A small camera will be on one tube, while the others will be used for band placement. Surgeons then carefully place a band around the upper stomach to create the narrow stoma. A balloon is then used to make the upper pouch the correct size. This balloon is passed through the mouth and oesophagus by tube. Once the surgeon is satisfied with the pouch size, the band is sutured into place and the tube and balloon are removed.

Weight loss surgery
A saline-injection port reservoir is then implanted under the skin at the side of the body or just below the rib cage. A long tube will connect the port and LAP band. Later, doctors will use this to inject or remove saline from the band to adjust band size. All that is left is to suture the band into place, remove surgical equipment, and close the incisions after the carbon dioxide gas is released. The surgery is generally completed between 30 minutes to an hour.