Benefits of Lap Band

One of the features of the Lap Band is that it is customizable to each person. Some people may stay full too long, others may find that they start getting hungry too soon after they eat. This is where the Lap Band outshines other procedures. The band is connected by a tube to a reservoir placed beneath the skin during surgery. By injecting or removing saline from the band, the size of the band opening (stoma) can be increased or decreased as needed, without further surgery. This adjustment can usually be done right in the doctor's office by the surgeon or Nurse Practitioner. These adjustments are a normal part of your follow-up care. Limiting the amount of food you eat and slowing the emptying process from the stomach into the intestines results in weight loss.

Another advantage of the Lap Band is that it is completely removable, should the need or want arise. Upon removal, the stomach generally returns to its original form.

Because the band is easily removable, it may provide an option for patients who would not ordinarily consider other types of weight loss surgery. Other advantages include a one-day hospital stay and no change in vitamin absorption since no intestinal bypass is performed.

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How Much Weight Loss is Expected and who is a Candidate?

The amount of your weight loss depends both on the band and on your motivation and commitment. You will have to make changes to your lifestyle and your eating habits. Sustained weight loss is achieved by reducing the capacity of the stomach. The Lap Band System can help you achieve longer-lasting weight loss by:

• Limiting the amount you can eat
• Reducing your appetite
• Slowing digestion
• Estimated weight loss is approximately 40 - 50% of one's excess weight. This is usually achieved within 2 years.

Patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40, a BMI of at least 35 with one or more severe morbid (unhealthy) conditions, or least 100 pounds over their estimated ideal weight. People that are poor candidates for the Lap Band include:

• People who are poor candidates for surgery in general
• Have certain stomach or intestinal disorders
• Have an infection, have to take aspirin frequently
• Addicted to alcohol or drugs
• Patients who are not able or willing to follow the rules for eating and exercise that are recommended by the doctor after surgery

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Possible problems with the Lap Band

In general, most patients find they are unable to easily tolerate red meat, white pasta, rice, fresh bread and fibrous foods. You will normally be asked to eat three meals a day with one planned snack. You should chew your food very well and swallow slowly. You must only drink either no calorie or low calorie beverages and wait at least one hour between eating and drinking.

Side effects include nausea and vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, and slippage of the band. The most serious side effects may require either another operation or hospitalization.

The BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System Patient Book

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Adjustable Gastric Banding (AGB)

In this procedure, commonly known as the LapBand®, a silicone elastomer band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch which can hold only a small amount of food. The lower, larger part of the stomach is below the band. These two parts are connected by a small outlet created by the band. Foodwill pass through the outlet ("stoma" in medical terms) from the upper stomach pouch to the lower part more slowly, and one will feel full longer.

The diameter of the band outlet is adjustable to meet individual needs, which can change as one loses weight.On the inner lining of the band there is a longitudinal balloon (like a bicycle tire). The band is left empty at time of surgery but is thereafter gradually filled with fluid by injection through the subcutaneous (just under the skin) port. It is thus possible to vary the opening in the stomach after surgery. This can be done in the surgeon's office.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• Simple and relatively safe
• Short recovery period
• Major complication rate is low
• No opening or removal of any part of the stomach or intestines
• No altering of the natural anatomy
• Very short recovery periods

About 5% failure rate because of:

• Balloon leakage
• Band erosion/migration
• Deep infection
• Identifying patients who will not "eat through" the operation is difficult

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