Bariatric band surgery is another term for gastric banding or lap band. This is a popular choice for those who belong to morbidly obese group who wants to loose weight.
This restrictive type of surgery only decreases the stomach without actually the cutting it. A band is placed in the stomach to divide it into two parts: the smaller and large one.
The smaller part of the pouch is where the digested food will be stored and since it is small, you will easily feel full.
The other parts of the stomach will continue its secretion of digestive juices in order to digest food easily.
The band is reversible. The doctor can adjust to loosen or tighten the band if situation calls for it in the future.
Advantages of Bariatric Band Surgery
This procedure is least invasive unlike other surgical options.
If you a condition of hiatal hernia, you may ask your surgeon to correct the problem while doing the bariatric band surgery.
This procedure is not complicated like other surgery that is why it requires less time under general anesthesia.
Recovery period for bariatric band surgery is less short compared to other surgeries.
Less recovery time may allow you to return to normal activities much easier.
During pregnancy, this band can be loosen
All the nutrients from digested food are all absorbed by body.
Risks of Bariatric Band Surgery
Like any other weight loss surgeries, lap banding also have major and minor risks. You have to weigh all the risks before you decide on undergoing bariatric band surgery.
Some of the risks may include:
Blood clots during the surgical procedure
Body may have poor reaction or even reject the banding as a foreign object
Band will slip or eroded in the stomach area.
The stomach will stretch
Feeling of fullness but satisfied in what you eat
Nausea
Vomiting
Port leakage which may require another surgery to correct the problem
Severe bleeding after surgery
Stomach will loose blood supply if band problems arises
Gallstones
Removal of gallbladder
Infection arises from the surgical procedure
You still have to maintain regular exercise and follow strictly bariatric diet after surgery.
Complications of death if the surgery is not done properly
Evaluation before Bariatric Band Surgery
If you are interested in having bariatric band surgery, the first thing to do is to have an appointment with your doctor, which will then recommend you to a bariatric surgeon. The bariatric surgeon will ask your past and present medical history.
Your weight and medical history will be the gauge of the doctor if you pass the initial evaluation for bariatric surgery.
The doctor will then ask you to undergo some medical tests to determine other existing medical condition, which might not be undetected. Some of the medical tests for your evaluation may include:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Echocardiogram
Complete blood tests
X-rays
Urine Tests
Glucose exam
Cardiology evaluation
Gastrointestinal function
Only the doctor can determine if you pass the medical tests, if you do, then the next step for bariatric surgery will be discuss to you by your doctor.
