Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding is a form of restrictive weight loss surgery. An adjustable band is placed around the stomach and divides it into two portions, one small and one large. Because the stomach is now smaller, you feel full and satisfied faster. Like other weight loss procedures, there are advantages and disadvantages to Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding which include, but are not limited to:

Advantages

• Food passes through the digestive tract in the usual order and allows normal absorption into the body.
• Amount of food consumed is restricted.
• Significant improvements in overall cholesterol occur, including a boost in HDL levels.
• Almost 50% of type-2 diabetes cases are resolved.
• 70.8% of hypertension cases are resolved or improved.
• Patients lose approximately one-half of their excess weight.
• In studies involving more than 3,000 patients, excess weight loss ranged from 28% to 87%, with a minimum of two-year postoperative follow-up.
• The band can be adjusted to increase or decrease restriction via an access port.
• Surgery is more easily reversed than malabsorptive procedures.

Risks and Disadvantages

• The access port may leak or twist, which can require an operation to correct the problem.
• Surgery may not provide the necessary feeling of satisfaction that one has had enough to eat.
• Dumping syndrome, which may provide important warning signs, does not occur.
• Band may erode into the stomach wall.
• Band may move or slip.