Gastric Band

What is a Gastric Band?

Gastric banding is a surgical procedure indicated for the treatment of obesity. It is part of restrictive bariatric surgery, which aims to limit food intake by surgically reducing the volume of the stomach. This leads to early satiety and a reduced capacity to eat. Due to the gastric stenosis induced by the banding, when the patient eats, they feel full even after ingesting a small amount of food. If they continue eating, they may vomit. As a result, the amount of food ingested will be less than before the banding, leading to weight loss.

Indications and Contraindications

Gastric banding is indicated for patients with the following characteristics:

• 18 years or older;
• Failure of medically supervised dietary therapy (for about 6 months);
• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40;
• BMI between 30 and 40, with one or more obesity-related diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea);
• Before undergoing gastric banding, the patient must understand the risks and benefits of the procedure; they must also demonstrate a firm commitment to adhering to the post-operative dietary restrictions necessary for long-term success.

Generally, gastric banding is not recommended in the following cases:

• If surgery or therapy presents an unreasonable risk to the patient;
• Presence of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, esophagitis, or Crohn’s disease;
• Severe cardiopulmonary disease or other conditions that may increase the risk associated with surgical intervention;
• Allergy to materials contained in the banding;
• Alcohol or drug addiction;
• Presence of certain eating disorders;
• Psychiatric patients, psychologically unstable individuals, or those who have shown an intolerance to pain due to previously implanted devices.

Gastric Band Price in Tunisia

By choosing to have your gastrectomy in Tunisia, you benefit from much more affordable prices than those practiced in Europe while benefiting from the expertise of our internationally renowned certified surgeons and the modernity of our medical infrastructure. Tunisia Destination Santé offers a gastric banding operation including all stay expenses in Tunisia for a 6-night stay. Our packages include the price of your medical stay and all expenses necessary for your gastric band in Tunisia. Contact us for an affordable gastric band.

Surgical Procedure

Generally, gastric banding is performed using a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The operation is performed while the patient is fully asleep (general anesthesia). The surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope and other surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity. Then, the surgeon places an adjustable silicone (empty) band around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a gastric pouch that communicates with the lower part of the stomach through a narrow opening regulated by the band.

The operation does not involve cutting or stapling the stomach. Therefore, the gastric banding procedure is fully reversible. Once the device is in place, the surgical instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed with sutures. Generally, the procedure takes about an hour. After the procedure, the doctor can tighten or loosen the band, adapting it to the stomach, without requiring another operation; it is sufficient to add or remove fluid from the reservoir implanted in the subcutaneous cavity by accessing it with a fine needle.

Weight Loss After Gastric Banding in Tunisia

After the operation, the patient experiences early and prolonged satiety after eating, so the volume of food ingested is lower, and the weight is reduced accordingly. With a gastric band, the patient loses an average of 500 grams to one kilogram of weight per week. In the first year, most patients can lose about 22 to 45 kilos. This procedure tends to promote better eating habits, contributing to long-term weight stability.

Advantages of Gastric Banding in Tunisia

• It allows for significant weight loss;
• Compared to other types of bariatric surgery, the mortality rate is lower: only 1 in 1000;
• There is no need to cut or staple the stomach;
• Short hospital stay;
• Rapid recovery and fewer life-threatening complications;
• Adjustable without further surgery;
• Food absorption remains unchanged (no malabsorption problems appear);

Gastric banding has demonstrated its advantages for people who have not achieved satisfactory weight loss through non-surgical methods. Some patients also report improvements in their overall health and obesity-related disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. Another advantage of gastric banding is the minimally invasive nature of the surgical procedure, performed laparoscopically.

Compared to other procedures used to treat obesity, laparoscopic gastric banding is less painful and generally requires a shorter recovery time than other gastro-restrictive surgical procedures. Weight loss is generally gradual but constant; some people continue to lose weight for up to 3 years after the operation. To ensure the best results from gastric banding treatment in terms of weight loss, it is essential that the patient follows an adequate diet, implements appropriate changes in their eating habits, and engages in regular physical activity.

Risks of Gastric Banding

In addition to the possible occurrence of complications related to the surgical intervention, the following complications may occur:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Gastroesophageal reflux;
• Stomach ache;
• Abdominal pain;
• Constipation;
• Intolerance to the device;
• Dilatation or hernia of the gastric pouch;
• Possible damage to the stomach, due to the erosion of the fascia through the walls of the stomach, which can be resolved by another operation;
• Enlargement of the esophagus

• Obstruction of the passage of solid and liquid food;
• Fluid leakage due to the gastric band;
• Problems at the injection port for the fluid: infection can occur around the subcutaneous access reservoir or it can dislocate. The catheter connecting the band and the subcutaneous reservoir can also become blocked, break, or leak the gastric banding adjustment fluid;
• Displacement of the gastric band from its initial position: symptoms may include stomach pain or acid reflux. It can be treated by removing fluid from the band or through another surgical intervention to reposition the band;

Note that the risks are higher when a patient is obese or has other serious health problems. If any of these complications occur, you should talk to your doctor.

Contact and Quote Request for a Gastric Band in Tunisia

If you are considering having your Gastric Band procedure abroad and would like to organize your stay in Tunisia with a serious and experienced agency, trust the professionals at Tunisia Destination Santé. Our team is always at your disposal to assist and guide you through all procedures. We support you step by step in assembling your file and organizing your stay. Feel free to contact us for more information and to request a free, non-binding quote.

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