Approved by the FDA in June 2001, the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding (AGB) System is the newest and the only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed.
Minimally Invasive Approach
During the procedure, surgeons usually use laparoscopic techniques (using small incisions and long-shafted instruments rather than a large incision), to implant an inflatable silicone band into your abdomen. Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch that limits and controls the amount of food you eat. It also creates a small outlet that slows the emptying process into the stomach and the intestines. As a result, you experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. In turn, this results in weight loss.
Least Traumatic Procedure
Because there is no cutting, stapling or stomach rerouting involved in the AGB procedure, it is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries. The laparoscopic approach to the surgery also offers the advantages of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay and quicker recovery. If for any reason the Lap-Band needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form.
Adjustable Treatment
AGB is also the only adjustable weight loss surgery available in the United States. The diameter of the band is adjustable to meet your individual needs, which can change as you lose weight. For example, pregnant patients can expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, while patients who aren't experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.
To modify the size of the band, its inner surface can be inflated or deflated with saline solution. The band is connected by tubing to a reservoir, which is placed well under the skin during surgery. After the operation, the surgeon can control the amount of saline in the band by entering the reservoir with a fine needle through the skin.
AGB Advantages
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Simple and relatively safe |
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Short recovery period |
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Major complication rate is low |
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No opening or removal of any part of the stomach or intestines |
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No altering of the natural anatomy |
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Short recovery periods |
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AGB Disadvantages
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Band erosion |
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The band can erode through the wall of the stomach. This
results in loss of restriction to eating or infection caused
by leakage of stomach juices onto the band. This erosion of
the band almost always requires removal of the band, with
plans for a later conversion to a different weight loss procedure. |
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Band slippage or shifting |
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The band must remain in the correct position on the upper
stomach in order to function properly. If it slips out of
place or twists, it is likely to cause obstruction of the
stomach, requiring fairly urgent re-operation to reposition
the Band. |
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Hardware breakage |
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The band, the port and the connection tubing are designed
to last for life. In fact, the band itself is almost never
reported to break or leak. However, the tubing and the port
can become twisted, kinked or broken. Such events require
re-operations (usually minor) for repair or repositioning
of the problem spot. |
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Weight loss |
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It should also be noted that weight loss with
the lap band is generally lower than with the roux en y. |
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The LAP-BAND System is Patented and Copyrighted by BioEnterics. For more information, visit www.lap-band.com/about.html.
Sources:
www.gastricbypass.org/procedures.asp
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/win.htm
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| Photo used with permission from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. |
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