Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
(Lap Band) Surgery

What Is Gastric Banding (Lap Band) Surgery?

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery — also called lap band surgery or adjustable gastric banding — is an increasingly popular weight loss procedure performed in the United States.

Quick View of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap Band) Surgery
Description:

Inserts a thin, inflatable ring or — gastric band — to create a new, smaller stomach pouch.

Unlike conventional gastric bypass surgery, gastric band surgery is:

  • Minimally invasive — no cutting, stapling, or re-routing of the intestinal tract.
  • Reversible and adjustable.
Method:

Your bariatric surgeon will perform this gastric banding surgery laparoscopically, making several small 1/4- to 1/2-inch abdominal incisions.

How you lose weight: Because the adjustable lap band controls the outlet between the upper and lower parts of the stomach, it regulates the flow of food between the two so you feel full sooner.
Weight loss: Weight loss is slow and gradual. Expect to lose 40 to 50 percent of excess body weight over 24 or more months after gastric band surgery.
Surgery time: Less than one hour.
Hospital stay: One or two days.
Recovery time: About 10 days.

What to Expect: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
Surgery

If you're considering alaparoscopic gastric banding procedure, here's what to expect.

During Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap Band) Surgery

After you receive general anesthesia, your bariatric surgeon will:

  • Make several small incisions on your abdomen to insert the laparoscope — a tool with a light and a tiny camera that sends pictures to a nearby computer monitor.
  • Implant an inflatable silicone band around the upper portion of your stomach — like a belt — and create a new, smaller pouch. The larger, lower part of your stomach will remain in tact.
  • Connect the gastric band system, using a tube, to an access port located directly beneath the skin of your abdomen.
    • The access port allows your surgeon to adjust the band in the future.
    • Although you can have the band completely removed if necessary, it is intended to remain in place for life.

After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap Band) Surgery

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery typically requires a two-day hospital stay. Most patients can expect a recovery time ranging from 10 days to two weeks. You can also expect:

  • The morning after your gastric band surgery, you will start a clear liquid diet for at least one week. It's very important that you drink at least 64 ounces of fluid every day to avoid becoming dehydrated.
  • Immediately before discharge, your bariatric surgery team will give you instructions on how to care for yourself at home, including:
    • Incision care
    • Pain control
    • Vitamin supplements

» Try our After Bariatric Surgery Diet Tool to help you with your post-surgery nutrition.

Follow-up: Modifying Your Laparoscopic Adjustable
Gastric Band (Lap Band)

Follow-up appointments are very important after laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (lap band) surgery.

Multiple times a year, your bariatric surgeon will need to adjust your laparoscopic adjustable gastric band to:

  • Achieve appropriate restriction
  • Slow the passage of food from the small stomach pouch
  • Help you meet your weight loss needs

Your surgeon will pass a fine needle through the skin and into the access port to add or subtract saline. This usually takes just a few minutes and most people say it's nearly painless.

 

Gastric Banding Risks and  Complications

As with any surgery, adjustable gastric banding surgery has potential complications. Some of the gastric banding risks include:

  • Band slippage, erosion, deflation
  • Obstruction of stomach
  • Dilation of esophagus
  • Port malposition, infection, breakage, or hernia
  • Wound infection or skin separation

Your bariatric surgeon will review all potential laparoscopic gastric banding surgery risks and side effects with you prior to gastric band operation.

©  UPMC | Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit www.healthwise.org

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.

For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

© UPMC
Pittsburgh, PA, USA UPMC.com