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Lap Band Surgery
Relevant information about Lap Band Surgery.
- What does the surgery consist on
Lap Band Surgery is a type of weight loss surgery that alters the anatomy of the stomach to help reducing food intake. To achieve this, a silicone band is put around the upper part of the stomach, reducing its shape. In addition, the nerves that signal the brain when an individual is full are located in that zone. The contact with the band makes these nerves to signal more often. This operation is one of the options for the treatment of obese patients.
- Which problems does the surgery solve
Lap Band Surgery is one of the possible treatments for obesity. Obesity is a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated in an individual, causing adverse effects on health. An individual is considered obese when his body mass index is greater than 30 kg/m2. Various diseases are associated with obesity, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep, certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis. These problems usually greatly reduce the life expectancy of an obese individual.
Obesity tends to be caused by a combination of excessive dietary calories, a lack of physical activity and genetic susceptibility. However in a few cases it may be caused by endocrine disorders, medications or psychiatric illness.
- How is the surgery performed
First of all the patient is put lying on his back in order to allow the surgeon to reach the abdomen. Next, tiny incisions about 1 cm are made in the patient’s abdomen. Then, the Lap Band device is introduced through the abdomen and placed around the upper part of the stomach. The band has a balloon from the inside that is adjustable and can reduce stoma size, thus prolonging the period of fullness. The Band is fitted around the uppermost part of the stomach, forming a 15cc small pouch. It is designed so that it can be inflated or deflated at any time after the operation. Finally, the incisions are sutured and closed. The resulting pouch greatly reduces the functional capacity of the stomach.
The process of inflating the band is called restriction and it is usually done when the weight loss reaches a plateau. The band can only hold 4 to 5 cc of saline solution, so a small quantity is added each time. Saline solution is injected into a port placed under the skin in the wall of the stomach. The port leads to a tube that comes off of the band and is attached to the abdominal muscles below the rib.
- Anesthesia: The operation is done under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep during the procedure.
- Surgery length: This surgery usually lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on each patient’s special case.
- How is the post-surgery process
The first day, the patient usually stays at the hospital, and then is allowed to return home. There are three phases in the post surgery process. During the first phase, which consists on the first 3 to 4 days following Lap Band Surgery, patients must follow a clear liquid diet. Coffee, tea, or soda should be avoided for the first three months after surgery. The second phase of the Lap Band surgery diet consists of 5 to 6 weeks of a modified full liquid diet. The key component of this phase is consuming two ounces of a protein shake every hour for ten to twelve hours a day with two ounces of other liquids such as soup, baby food, or sugar-free gelatin three times a day. During the third phase, which consists on the second six weeks following surgery patients may eat food that is shredded in a food processor prior to eating. The basic foods on the Lap Band surgery diet include meats or other forms of protein, vegetables, and salads. However, bread, potatoes and other starchy vegetables must still be avoided. The length of the phases may be altered according to the patient’s personal weight and weight loss goals.
Additionally, any medicine required must have the shape of an aspirin, because of the difficulty of large object to pass through the banded stomach.
Some complications may happen after the procedure. Slippage of the band can occur with persistent vomiting during the first days after the surgery. Erosion of the band into the inside of the stomach may happen due to contact with other organs. Finally, spontaneous deflation of the band may happen due to leakage. These three complications are rare, but all may require a new surgery.
- What does the treatment do
The treatment greatly diminishes the stomach capacity, thus reducing food intake and helping the patient to lose weight.
- What does the treatment not do
The treatment is not designed to make the patient stop eating when he is full. However if he continues eating after he feels full, he may begin vomiting.
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