Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a restrictive weight loss procedure. The LAGB surgery was originally introduced in 1993. Today the surgery is widely known by the name LAP-BAND®. LAP-BAND® is a specific brand of adjustable gastric band used by many surgeons. LAP-BAND® was approved for use by the FDA in 2001 and according to the manufacturer has been placed into more than 190,000 patients.
General Procedure
In this procedure an adjusatble band is secured around the upper portion of the stomach separating it into a small section, a 20 to 30 pouch at the top of the stomach and a larger section below. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the functional capacity of the stomach thereby allowing the patient to experience a sense of fullness more quickly, as the fullness sensors are at the top of the stomach, while consuming less food less frequently. Digestion takes place naturally as the now smaller portions of food pass slowly through the smaller functional stomach into the larger lower stomach and into the normal digestive pathway where normal absortion of nutients can occur. Unlike most other weight loss surgeries LAGB does not require the re-routing or removal of any part of the stomach or intestine.
Since the band is adjustable it can be loosened or tightened to change the rate of weight loss. This is done by injecting sterile saline solution into a subcutaneous port attached to the abdominal wall which is attatched to the gastric band to allow for inflating or deflating the band.
Advantages of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding or LAP-BAND®:
- Gastric banding is the least invasive weight loss procedure.
- No re-routing of the intestine.
- No opening of the stomach or intestine.
- Less pain than most weight loss surgeries.
- Shorter hospital stay. Usually done as an outpatient procedure
- Reduced recovery time. Expect to be back to work within a few days
- Reduced chances of nutritional deficiencies.
- Mortality rate is greatly reduced when compared with other weight loss procedures.
- No dumping syndrome associated with this surgery.
- Band is adjustable.
Disadvantages of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding or LAP-BAND®:
- Potential for injury to stomach during surgery.
- Major complications occur at a rate of 3 -10% requiring additional surgery.
- Slipping of the band can require further surgery.
- Should the band become infected surgery would be needed to replace it.
- There are occasional band or port leaks which require that either or both parts be replaced.
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