Gastric Banding (LAGB)
Gastric banding or Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a bariatric surgery type in which an adjustable silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. This band regulates the entry of food into the stomach and gives rise to early satiety. The band is adjustable, which means that it can be tightened or loosened by instilling or withdrawing fluid through a reservoir port placed in the body just beneath the skin.
Gastric banding is a reversible bariatric surgery and is also one of the safest weight loss procedures. There is no cutting or permanent change involved in placement of the band and it can be removed at any stage. Banding was popular in western world and Australia 10-15 years back but recently has declined in popularity because of the need for frequent adjustments and long term side effects of slippage, erosion and port site complications.
Nowadays, gastric banding is being combined with other bariatric procedures such
as sleeve Gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric placation to increase the restrictive
effect of these procedures. Although initial experience has been successful, the
long term results are yet to be seen.
FAQ's
Q1. Who is eligible for lap band surgery?
Any person who fulfils the criteria to undergo bariatric surgery would be eligible for lap band surgery.
Q2. What is the safest weight loss surgery?
Gastric banding is one of the safest weight loss surgeries since it doesn’t involve any cutting or stapling of the stomach and is also completely reversible.
Q3. How much weight can I lose with gastric banding?
People lose approximately 50-70% of their excess weight after undergoing gastric banding within 6-12 months which means that for a person weight 120 kgs with an ideal weight of 70 kgs, the weight loss would range between 25-35 kgs.
Q4. Lap band surgery recovery
The recovery after lap band surgery is very rapid and patients can usually be sent home the next day. They are instructed to take a liquid diet for 15 days and the diet is increased gradually thereafter. The first adjustment of the band is usually after a period of 6 weeks.
Q5. Gastric banding side effects
Although gastric banding is one of the safest weight loss procedures, it is plagued by side effects in the long term. There may be slippage of the band onto the distal part of the stomach and in some cases the band may erode through the stomach wall. Both of these complications require surgical removal of the band. In some cases, the tubing of the band may become blocked or kinked and there may be infection of the reservoir port.
Q6. How long does a gastric band last?
A gastric band is a foreign body placed around the stomach and hence it cannot be left inside permanently and has to be removed at some stage. Most patients who have undergone gastric banding end up removing the band within 4-6 years of their surgery either due to complications related to the band or poor tolerance. Hence, gastric banding cannot be considered as a permanent weight loss solution.
Q7. Gastric band Vs Sleeve
Although both are restrictive bariatric procedures, gastric sleeve involves permanent removal of a portion of the stomach by stapling whereas gastric banding restricts the capacity by placement of an adjustable band around the upper portion of the stomach. The restriction in case of a gastric sleeve is fixed and permanent whereas that in a gastric banding is adjustable and reversible.