What IS Lap Band Surgery?
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, more commonly called lap band surgery, helps with weight loss by restricting how much food the stomach can hold. The name lap band itself comes from the surgical technique used (laparoscopic) and the name of the product used (gastric band). The lap band procedure involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach which creates a smaller pouch at the top of the stomach and leaves the larger portion of the stomach below the band.
The band is a hollow ring filled with saline that can be adjusted with more or less saline to create a smaller or larger opening. With lap band surgery, there is no cutting or stapling of the stomach and there is no intestinal rerouting. Lap band surgery is usually performed laparoscopically, a modern and minimally invasive method of surgery. With laparoscopic surgery, small incisions are made in the abdominal wall, then narrow and hollow tubes are inserted thru the incisions to the surgical area.
Specially designed instruments and cameras are passed thru the tubes to perform the surgery. The camera takes pictures and shows then on a monitor which allows the surgeon to see inside the abdomen. The surgeon positions the band around the stomach to form a ring and then fastens the lock which holds the band in place. General anesthesia is required with laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of less pain, fewer wound complications, and a quicker recovery than traditional open surgery.
The smaller gastric pouch that is created by the gastric band limits the amount of food that can be eaten and slows the emptying process from the stomach into the intestines. The smaller stomach pouch and slower digestion rate lets you feel full sooner and feel full longer. The band can be adjusted to let in more or less food as needed.
