Gastric Banding

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Gastric banding, which is also known as Lap-Band and Realize Band is a restrictive surgical procedure that involves implanting two medical devices in the patient’s abdomen. Generally these medical devices - a silicone band and an injection port are passed through the skin in a minimally invasive manner using about five 1/2 to 1 inch incisions. The band, made of silicone, is placed around the upper stomach and is tightened to mold the stomach into two connected chambers. The injection port is connected to the band with soft tubing and attached to the abdominal wall. Because of the nature of the gastric banding procedure, it is not only adjustable but in cases of need, reversible.

Once the patient has healed, periodic adjustments are made by our office by injecting saline though the injection port and into the silicone band. By adding saline, we are able to increase the band’s restriction and in turn let less food into the stomach. These adjustments will be performed several times to find the ideal level of restriction.

Weight Loss Expectations

While every case varies, gastric band patients lose up to 50% percent of their excess weight on average.

Disease Resolution

Gastric banding has several proven benefits including:

• Resolving type-2 diabetes in almost 50% of patients.
• Resolving high blood pressure in almost 40% of patients.
• Improving high cholesterol in over 75% of patients.
  
  

Gastric Banding Concerns

Gastric banding is an adjustable procedure and therefore requires somewhat intense follow-up care versus other procedures. Even after reaching and maintaining your target weight, you may still need further adjustments.