Weight-Loss Surgery: Gastric Banding

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital's Bariatric Program offers a variety of weight-loss surgery options, such as Roux-en-Y, Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Banding. A few months ago, we touched on the requirements and the growing popularity of the Gastric Sleeve. Today, we are going to look deeper into another popular bariatric surgery option, Adjustable Gastric Banding.

What is it? The adjustable gastric band is the only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity. During this less invasive procedure, there is a silicone band placed around the upper portion of the stomach. Afterwards the stomach is smaller, so people get fuller faster, eat less and lose weight. There are certain requirements that must be met before having this surgery. The requirements include the following:

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Must have a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher

Or

• Must have a Body Mass index of 35 with other obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease etc.
• People who; have certain stomach or intestinal disorders, who must take aspirin regularly or are addicted to drugs or alcohol should not have gastric banding.

Procedure Note: before deciding to have gastric banding surgery, you should discuss your medical conditions and any medications you are currently taking with your surgeon.

Gastric banding is commonly performed as a laparoscopic surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure with an assistance of a video camera. The surgeon will make one to five small incisions in the abdomen and the camera, along with the small instruments are placed through them into the abdominal cavity. During the surgery, the surgeon will place the adjustable silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach creating a small pouch. The surgery will  take approximately one hour with minimal hospital stay.

After the procedure After returning home, most patients are able to begin normal activity within one or two days. Patients will remain on liquids and/or mashed foods for two to three weeks after the surgery and then slowly transition to soft foods, and then add regular food into their diet. 

Risk factors All surgeries involve some kind of risk and it is important to know and understand all the risks of gastric banding before deciding to have the procedure. Aside from the risks involved with having surgery, there are a few complications you could experience. Such as,

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain
• Leaking of the band
• Stretching of the new pouch
• Stretching of the esophagus

If you are experiencing any of these complications you should speak with your doctor right away.

No weight-loss surgery is a “quick fix.” All require a lifestyle change in order to be successful. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in partnership with Pinehurst Surgical offers treatment, support and tools to patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina to ensure their success.