What is Gastric Band Surgery?
Gastric Band surgery is designed to stay in place for life to help patients maintain their weight loss over time. The procedure which consists of slipping a "pillowed" silicone band around the top part of the stomach, reduces the size of the stomach without cutting it.
This creates a "funnel-like" effect in the stomach. The small "pouch" above the band will quickly fill with food, stretching the stomach and sending signals back to the brain that it is full. Then the food will pass from the pouch into the larger portion of the stomach to continue normal digestion.
A tube attaches the band to a port, which surgeons can use for follow-up adjustments to the band. The port is located flat against the muscle wall below the fat and skin of the patient's abdomen. To tighten and loosen the band, doctors will add and draw out saline out of the band through the port.
Advantages
 This system is the least invasive and only adjustable obesity surgery option.
- If you have a hiatal hernia, your surgeon can correct this at the same time you have your gastric band surgery.
- It does not involve dividing, moving or stapling internal organs.
- Spend less time under general anesthesia, in the operating room and in the hospital.
- Less pain and recovery time, which means a patient can return to work more rapidly.
- Because the band is designed to stay in place for life, doctors can loosen the band in case of an illness or during the early stages of pregnancy.
- Your body still absorbs all the nutrients in your food .
Is weight loss surgery right for you? Find out!
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