What is Gastric Banding?

A gastric band is a surgical treatment for obesity. This type of procedure is known as bariatric surgery. The procedure tightens the stomach, so a person feels full after eating less food than usual. There are various common weight loss procedures: gastric banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy. The technique and method of weight loss are different for each procedure. However, the goal is the same: to lose weight, reduce comorbidities, and live a healthier life.

Is Gastric Banding Right for Me?

If your BMI is over 40 (morbid obesity), getting a gastric band may help you lose weight long-term. Surgery may also help if your BMI is over 35 (severe obesity) and you have other medical problems such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Your bariatric surgeon will confirm your BMI and conduct a thorough assessment before deciding if surgery is right for you.

What are the Benefits of Getting a Gastric Band?

If the operation is successful, you should be able to lose weight long-term. However, this depends on your ability to stick to your new lifestyle. Long-term weight loss should improve any obesity-related health problems you may have.

Are There Alternatives to Gastric Banding?

The simple approach to weight loss is to eat less, improve your diet, and exercise more. Sometimes medication prescribed by your GP can help.

There are other surgical options besides gastric banding, such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Gastric banding has fewer complications, and the risk of serious complications is lower. Recovery is also generally faster.

Is Silicone Safe?

Many studies have been conducted to determine if silicone is safe. There is nothing to suggest that people who have a gastric band are at a higher risk of developing illnesses such as cancer or arthritis.

What Does Gastric Banding Surgery Involve?

Gastric banding surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours

The laparoscopic technique is generally used, and your surgeon will make several small incisions on your abdomen. They will place surgical instruments, as well as an endoscope, inside your abdomen to perform the operation.

Your surgeon will create a kind of small tunnel behind your stomach.

They will pass the band around the upper part of your stomach and secure it. This creates a smaller upper pouch. To keep the band in place, they will fold a part of the lower stomach over the band and suture it to the upper stomach pouch.

What Complications Can Occur After Gastric Banding?

General complications of any operation can include:

• Pain;
• Bleeding;
• Surgical wound infection;
• Unsatisfactory scar;
• Development of a hernia in the scar;
• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis);

Specific complications of gastric banding can include:

• Laparoscopic complications;
• Injury to internal organs;
• Development of a hernia near one of the cuts;
• Surgical emphysema;

Complications related to the gastric band itself may include:

• Presence of air in the chest cavity;
• Development of gastroesophageal reflux;
• Stretching of the esophagus or esophageal dysfunction;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• The formation of a hole in the esophagus or stomach;
• Constipation or diarrhea;
• Infection of the band;
• Band slippage;
• Band erosion or leakage;
• Band failure;

What is the Recovery Time After Gastric Banding?

You should generally be able to go home the day after gastric banding surgery. During the first few weeks, you will only be able to consume liquids, then soft foods and finally solid foods. You should be able to return to work after 1 to 2 weeks, but this can vary depending on the extent of the procedure and your type of work. On average, people who have undergone gastric banding lose more than half of their excess weight.

What Should I Expect After Gastric Band Surgery?

Immediately after the operation, you will experience some pain and discomfort that can be controlled by medication. This is part of the normal recovery phase after any surgical procedure. After 6 to 8 weeks, you can generally resume normal activities. Weight loss with gastric banding is a gradual process. Initially, weight loss may be more dramatic. However, in the long term, this loss generally decreases to less than 1 kg per week. Naturally, the dietary choices made determine this rate of weight loss. After about 18 months, weight loss tends to slow down significantly. The average weight loss for this procedure is 40% of excess body weight in the first year, and an additional 10 to 20% in the second year. Patients are generally asked to remain in regular contact with their surgeon during this period as further adjustments to the band may be necessary.

What Type of Surgeon Performs Gastric Banding Surgery?

When choosing a surgeon, it's important to look for a qualified bariatric surgeon. Generally, practice makes perfect, and the higher the number of surgeries performed, the better. A surgeon performing 100 or more procedures per year will likely have better results. A surgeon who is part of a clinical team comprised of nutritionists, nurses, psychologists, and general practitioners can provide better advice and support during the pre and postoperative periods.