How Gastric Band Surgery Works

Gastric Band vs Gastric Bypass

Gastric band surgery has quickly replaced gastric bypass surgery as the primary weight loss surgery for extreme obesity. the procedure is not only less invasive, it's a shorter procedure, fully reversible and adjustable for life. 

Moreover, less time is spent in recovery and surgical complications occur in less than 1% of patients (as opposed to 19% of the gastric bypass patients).

How does it work?

Gastric band surgery essentially works by using a silicone band to create a smaller pouch above the stomach, which acts as the new, smaller stomach. The patient eats substantially less, almost half the amount as they would have prior to the procedure, and feels full sooner. 

Doctors are not sure how the mind is tricked, but they do know that the procedure is effective in helping obese patients lose weight slowly and consistently.

What is the procedure like?

Specifically, gastric band surgery involves minimally invasive surgery, or keyhole surgery, to place an adjustable band manufactured with biocompatible materials around the stomach, creating a smaller pouch above the stomach. 

This essentially narrows the passageway into the patient's stomach, which makes the patient feel full while consuming 50% less calories than they would have prior to the procedure. A tube attached to the adjustable band is connected to a port which is used to adjust the band tightness as the patient loses more weight. 

This injection port is placed under the skin, and the band tightness is adjusted by adding saline to make it tighter, or removing saline to make it looser. This port is placed under the skin so the patient's surgeon can access it easily to make adjustments to the band.

What are the benefits of Gastric Band surgery?

• The primary benefit of gastric band surgery is the customizable weight loss the band can provide. By inserting the port, the patient's surgeon can quite easily insert or remove saline to adjust the width of the band.
• Weight loss occurs slowly, at a healthy rate. The patient will lose approximately 50%-60% of their initial weight, over a consistent amount of time.
• The procedure is reversible, unlike gastric bypass. Once the gastric band is removed, the stomach returns to its original form and function.
• Since there is no stapling or removing of any parts, there is no change to the patient's anatomy. The patient continues to digest food normally, it is the rate at which food is processed that is now slower which makes the patient feel full faster.
• The gastric band surgery as a weight loss procedure has less risks, fewer side effects and a shorter recovery period, not to mention less scarring, than other procedures such as liposuction, tummy tucks and gastric bypass.

Surgeons and patients alike are turning to the gastric band procedure as the best choice for weight loss surgery. The procedure can have a dramatic impact on a variety of obesity-related conditions, including:

• Type II diabetes
• Asthma
• Hypertension
• Sleep apnea
• Infertility
• Back pain
• Mobility
• Depression and anxiety

If you suffer from obesity, and obesity-related conditions, consider consulting a specialist at a surgical centre to learn more about weight loss surgery.

Jackson Bradford is a health and business enthusiast who writes about a variety of different topics. To learn more about gastric band surgery visit the Western Surgery Centre.

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