Gastric Banding, Lap Band Surgery in India

Frequently Asked Questions

Different types of surgery for treating Obesity or Surgical Operations for Morbid Obesity

The Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

The band is placed laparoscopicaly “key hole surgery”.The band can be adjusted by injecting fluid into it as an outpatient.Reversible Hospital stay 2-3 days

In this procedure a band made of silastic material is placed around the stomach near its upper end creating a small pouch and narrow passage into the larger remainder of the stomach.

The surgery involves forming a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach that effectively becomes a new baby stomach. The sialistic band is wrapped around the upper portion of stomach all around to form a "baby stomach." The narrow opening or stoma is formed by the bands two ends joining together. This band has a balloon on it which can be inflated or deflated in later stages so as to increase or decrease the size of stoma. This step makes the SAGB a stoma adjustable operation. This can be done anytime after the operation with the help of port kept under the skin at the time of operation, Now the food still goes down the normal way and is digested in the bowel normally. The big difference is that the pouch will only allow a very small amount to be fitted in at one time and when this happens satisfaction is achieved and hunger will subside until the pouch eventually empties into the duodenum. So you feel full after eating a small amount of solid food and your intake of food can be kept to two or three tiny meals a day with no desire to eat between meals.

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Advantages of The Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery

There are several weight loss surgeries available today but adjustable Gastric Band is superior to many of them. It has several features that make it the safest method of weight control.

• Simplicity - The procedure is simple to perform with a short operating time.
• It can be placed laparoscopically without a large incision.
• It does not require any opening in the gastrointestinal tract that reduces the risk of infection.
• Safety: There is no staple line to burst.
• It is adjustable and can be customized to individual needs.
• It is fully reversible. The band can be emptied, for example, during pregnancy or prolonged illness allowing your stomach to return to former configuration or it can be removed (although removal is not indicated)
• It is tolerated well by most persons of all ages and physical conditions.
• This operation may be particularly suited to persons who are from 80 to 200 pounds overweight.
• Short hospital stay (around 72 hours)
• Lowest complication rate.
• There is no mal-absorption or "dumping syndrome." The person can fully digest vitamins and minerals

Frequently Asked Questions for Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery

Who is a Good Candidate for Adjustable Gastric Banding?

You may be eligible for the lap band surgery if :

• Your BMI is =40, or you weigh twice your ideal weight or are at least 100 pounds (45Kgs.) more than your ideal weight.
• You have been overweight for more than 5 years
• Your serious weight loss attempts have had only short-term success.
• You are not suffering from any other diseases that may have caused your obesity.

How much weight will I lose?

This is not predictable; most of the patients will never be skinny people. But the majority can and do achieve a normal, healthy weight for their height and bone structure. Success after bariatric surgery is defined as losing 50 percentage of excess body weight. After a Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, one loses an average 60 percentage of excess body weight at 18 months.

What are the main differences between the Adjustable Gastric Band and the gastric bypass?

Is it true that I'll never be able to enjoy eating again if I have weight control surgery?

No. Patients who follow the guidelines to eating after weight control surgery will become people who eat food for quality and flavor, not for volume. They enjoy food more after surgery than they did before surgery. They pay more attention to what they are eating, are often pickier eaters, and don't feel guilty about eating food.

Are there foods I can no longer eat?

You will be on a liquid diet at first progressing to a soft diet then to solids for the six-week healing phase. When properly adjusted, there are some foods that no longer are as easy to eat but most of bandsters can eat anything, just very small amounts. One can have trouble with soft mushy breads, tough or dry meats, skins of certain fruits or vegetables such as grapes, potatoes and tomatoes or very fibrous foods like asparagus or pineapple.

What should I be eating?

A. Protein and produce, if it isn't one of those two items then it is something that should not be part of your daily diet. Chicken and vegetables, Beef and vegetables, Fish and vegetables, some fruit thrown in there and a little dairy and you are good to go!.

Can I drink alcohol or soda pop?

Alcohol is not a good idea because it is a stomach irritant and is high in calories. It is always better to consume solid food with daily 1200 calories rather than drink them. However, one can have a drink occasionally. Beer, soda pop or any carbonated beverage is not recommended because of the potential to stretch your pouch. You may find the carbonation very uncomfortable after you are properly adjusted. However an occasional (once a week) drink may be consumed in moderation.

What if I go out to eat?

Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Eat slowly. Finish at the same time as your table companions.

When I reach my goal weight do I need to remove my band?

No, most of the patients plateau with weight loss when they get close to a normal weight and stop losing. If you continue to lose beyond your ideal weight, some of the fluid may be removed from your band to stabilize your weight. Most banded people regain most if not all of their excess weight if the band is removed.

If I get pregnant will I be able to get enough nutrition for my baby?

Many patients have become pregnant after both gastric bypass and the Lap-Band procedure. In fact, several studies have demonstrated that significant weight loss can improve fertility and one recent, excellent study from Australia showed that weight loss after the Lap-Band improves fertility in morbidly obese women. There is also a syndrome called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which can lead to infertility. This syndrome involves excessive hair growth and hormonal changes that generally resolve with dramatic weight loss after bariatric surgery. As far as getting enough appropriate nutrition to have a safe pregnancy, this has not been a demonstrated problem with either the Lap-Band or the gastric bypass. However, you are recommended to consult with your bariatric program nutritionist to be safe if you do get pregnant.

What are the short term and long term dietary restrictions after banding?

First week post-op: you will typically be on a full liquid diet. Second week post-op: you will typically eat puree/soft foods diet. High calorie liquids should be avoided after the liquid stage. Other than that, it depends on individual tolerances.