Gastric Band Surgery in India

Overview

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band , popularly known as "Lap band" or "Gastric band" is a popular bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery procedure. The procedure entails placing an inflatable silicone device or band around the top portion of the stomach, which reduces the capacity of the stomach, resulting in lesser food intake and thus facilitating weight loss.

The procedure helps in weight loss by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold. The best part of the procedure is that it is reversible and adjustable. Since a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach is created with a stoma which is adjustable and controllable, the doctor is able to regulate the rate of weight loss according to the patients' requirements.

Another very important characteristic of this surgery is that, it is a minimally invasive procedure of its kind. The process usually requires a shorter stay at the hospital; has a quicker recovery process, results in lesser scars and marks, and lesser pain as compared to other bariatric surgery procedures.

Advantages

Gastric band has certain advantages such as:

Simpler procedure
Short term complications are not very severe
Band is adjustable to desired tightness
Recovery is as quick as less than 48 hours
40 to 50% weigh loss within the year

However, the major disadvantage of lap band is that it requires frequent adjustment and thus regular visits to the doctor. As you lose weight, lap band becomes loose and thus requires a visit to the doctor for tightening. Many people also report of slipping of band from its place. The long term results of lap band have also not been as good as the other bariatric surgery procedures.

Most people prefer gastric sleeve over gastric band because of various advantages gastric sleeve offers overlap-band surgery.

Candidates for Gastric Band

You may be a candidate for lap-band surgery if your Body Mass Index is more than 40 or more than 35 with obesity related health conditions, you weigh twice the ideal weight or are 100 pounds overweight, between 18 and 60 years and are committed to making changes in your diet and lifestyle.

Procedure

Gastric band surgery is done laparoscopically usually under general anaesthesia. 1 to 5 small incisions are made in the abdomen for laparoscope and instrument insertion. An adjustable silicone band is squeezed around the stomach to give an opening of an inch. A tube runs from silicone band just below the skin. It allows injecting of saline in and out of band for adjusting the band over a period of time. The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes entirely.

Expected Results

You can lose about 1-1/2 to 2 pounds per week and about 50% of the excess weight within the first year of surgery. The individual results may be more or less than the average, because weight loss is dependent on a combination of factors including the starting weight, the diet after surgery, and the amount of exercise the patient does.

Recovery

Recovery after lap band is quick, though you may feel a little uncomfortable for a couple of days after the procedure. Most people are able to resume their routine activities in about two weeks. You need to be very cautious of the food and diet you take to avoid cramps and nausea. A strict regimen about the diet should be followed as per the surgeon's and dietician's recommendation for quick recovery.

Time and Cost

You would need to stay in the hospital for about two to three days. Typically, it'll be about a week to ten days before you can go back to work, and about a month to six weeks before you can start exercising again. A total of 10 days of stay would be required to avail gastric band surgery in India.

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