Gastric Band Surgery

A gastric band surgery can help you to lose excess weight if you are very overweight. These measures work by reducing the capacity of your stomach, which means that you eat less because you feel full more quickly.

Depicted is a circular band balloon, similar to a small inner tube, which is placed around the top of your stomach. The band is then pumped through a port placed just under the skin. This creates a stomach pouch above the band. When you eat, the bags fill up quickly and the food then passes slowly through the narrow opening created by the band, to the bottom of your stomach. Food then travels normally through the rest of your digestive system.

Doctors usually will not suggest for gastric band surgery if you have tried other methods of weight loss, such as diet, exercise and medication, and this does not work. The type of surgery will only be offered to you if:

    You are very obese with body mass index (BMI) over 40, or

    You have a BMI between 35 and 40 and also has a medical condition, like diabetes or high blood pressure, which can improve if you lose weight

A gastric band can be removed if necessary. However, removing the band can cause you to gain weight once you've lost.

When you meet your surgeon, this is your chance to understand what will happen, and gives you the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about risks, benefits and alternatives you. Your surgeon will tell you about the options available to you and the pros and cons of each.

Your surgeon will explain how to prepare for your surgery. For example if you smoke you will be asked to stop, because smoking increases the risk of wound infection, chest infection or blood clot and slow down your recovery. It is very important before gastric band surgery overweight also increases the risk of complications. You may be given preoperative to follow a diet that aims to shrink your liver. This provides easier access to your surgeon your stomach. You may be given advice printed in booklet form.

A gastric band surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. This means you will fall asleep during the surgery. You usually have to stay overnight in the hospital after your surgery to wait for the anesthetic effect is lost.

You will be asked to follow fasting instructions before your surgery. This means do not eat or drink, usually for about six hours earlier. However, it is important to follow your surgeon's advice for smooth operation process.

At the hospital your nurse may check your heart rate and blood pressure, and test your urine.

Your surgeon will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after your procedure, and pain that you may have. This will help you to be informed, so you can give your consent for the procedure to go ahead, you may be asked to do by signing the consent form.

You may be asked to wear compression stockings and given an injection of anti-clotting drug called heparin to help prevent blood clots forming in blood vessels in your legs. All procedures are performed on gastric band surgery.

Source : bupa.co.uk