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Gastric Band Surgery

  • Definition: This surgery is commonly performed as a treatment for obesity. In this, an adjustable silicon band is placed around the upper part of the patient’s stomach, via a laparascope. This reduces the stomach’s volume which limits the food amount which can be consumed at one sitting. It also makes the patient feel full quickly.
  • The two FDA approved bands are
  • Lap-Band
  • Realize Band
Gastric Band

Why is it needed?

  • This bariatric surgery gastric band is meant for obese patients who are unable to lose their weight through exercise and diet. The ideal candidate for this surgery are:
  •  Those who have BMI (body mass index) equal to 40 or higher
  • Those whose BMI is 35 but suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, heart disease and so on, and would benefit from weight loss
  • Aged between 18 -55 years and willing to followed prescribed diet (and restrictions)

Facts and Figures

  • The non-adjustable band surgery was done by surgeons Peloso and Wilkinson by open surgery in 1978
  • The adjustable band was developed by pioneers such as Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak and other bio-engineers, scientists and surgeons
  • In 1992, the surgeon Cadiere first inserted an adjustable band through a laparoscope
  • Celebrities who have undergone the procedure for obesity are:
  • Khaliah Ali, Muhammad Ali’s daughter
  • Fern Britton
  • Anne Diamond
  • Brian Dennehy
  • Golfer John Daly

    • Reaction to medication or anesthesia

    • Blood clots
    • Pulmonary embolism
    • Infection
    • Abdominal organs’ injury
    • Gastric band slippage
    • Gastritis or stomach ulcer
    • Bowel obstruction

    Advantages

    • Brain tumor removal surgery which is successful, saves and extends patient life
    • Patients get relief from symptoms and can continue to live with improved quality of life
    • A surgeon named William, was the first surgeon to remove brain tumor in 1879

    Disadvantages

    • Sometimes, surgery on a particular part/area of the bone can cause the loss of some mental functions such as – speech related disorders, memory, muscle weakness, imbalance, coordination, vision and so on. These disorders can last for a short or long duration, and sometimes, never go away
    • Chance to develop fatal brain herniation

    Preoperative Preparation

    • Physical examination
    • Urinalysis and Blood test
    • Ultrasound-abdomen, X-ray- chest
    • Get list of medicines to be taken pre and post-surgery
    • Inform surgeon about alcohol or smoking habits
    • Nutritional counseling
    • Arrange work leave, help at home and driving, and post-operative care
    • Fasting after midnight before surgery
    • Medical tourists should select a hotel near the hospital

    Post operative care

    • Constipation after surgery which subsides after some days
    • Patients must walk slowly after they reach home
    • Do’s, Don’ts, and Precautions:
    • Take surgeon prescribed medicines
    • Keep incision site dry and clean
    • Avoid being pregnant for a minimum 18 months post-surgery
    • Avoid using straws
    • Avoid drinking carbonated beverages
    • Maintain food intake diary and record weight loss post-surgery
    • Do strictly follow the diet regime prescribed
    • No driving until permitted by a doctor
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