Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Management

The LAP-BAND® is an access port, which sits beneath the skin on the abdomen; this allows the LAP-BAND® to be adjusted to each patients individual needs. The key to success with the LAP-BAND® is regular follow-up. Adjustments do not require any additional surgery, and are done in our clinic, usually taking only a few minutes.

Advantages

• Gradual weight loss of around 0.5-1kg on a weekly basis, depending on metabolism and eating & exercise habits.
• Reversible procedure
• The LAP-BAND® System has been a proven tool for weight loss since 1994, with over 850,000 patients’ worldwide.
• No nutritional deficiencies from malabsorption.

Disadvantages

• As the top of the stomach is partially obstructed by the band, patients may vomit with over eating.
• Patients still have their full stomach so continue to feel hungry and can ‘drink past a band’, thus can easily consume large volumes of soft and liquid food/fluids.
• Requires regular medical follow up to adjust the volume in the band to assist with weight loss.
• Complications- band slippage, band erosion, tubing and access port troubles.
• Lower average excess weight loss of approximately 45% compared to the gastric sleeve and bypass.

Please see REVISIONAL BARIATRIC SURGERY  for further information