Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a type of weight-loss surgery. Weight-loss surgery is also called bariatric surgery. It's done as a laparoscopic surgery, with small incisions in the upper abdomen. The surgeon puts an adjustable band around the top part of the stomach. This creates a very small stomach pouch. The small stomach pouch means that you'll feel full after eating less food. This will help you lose weight.
Treatment Overview.
Eligibility For Treatment.
LAGB is used to treat severe obesity. It's advised for people who have tried other weight loss methods without long-term success. Your doctor may advise LAGB if you are severely obese with a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Your doctor may also advise it if you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and a health condition such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes.
Preparation Before Treatment.
Before having surgery, you'll need to enroll in a bariatric surgery education program. This will help you prepare for surgery and life after surgery. You'll have nutritional counseling. And you may have a psychological evaluation. You'll also need physical exams and tests. You will need blood tests. You may have imaging studies of your stomach, or have an upper endoscopy.
About Treatment.
LAGB surgery usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. You will have general anesthesia for your surgery. This will cause you to sleep through the surgery, and not feel pain. Your surgeon will use laparoscopy. He or she will make several small cuts (incisions) in your upper abdomen. The surgeon will then insert a laparoscope and put small surgery tools into these incisions.
The surgeon will put an adjustable gastric band around your upper stomach and then tighten it to make a small stomach pouch. The surgeon will put a small port under the skin of your abdomen. A tube is connected between the port and the band. If you have a hiatal hernia, your surgeon may repair that at the same time as your LAGB surgery.
Post-Treatment Care Treatment.
You'll likely go home the day after surgery. You will be on a liquid diet for the first week or two. Your surgery team will give you a schedule of types of meals over the next few weeks. You'll go from liquids to pureed foods, then soft foods, and then to regular food. Each meal needs to be very small. You should make sure to eat slowly and chew each bite well. Don't move too quickly to regular food.
Treatment Recovery Tips.
After losing weight, it's possible to regain some of the weight that you lose. To avoid this, make sure to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise. The sleeve may widen (dilate) over time. This will let you eat more. But keep in mind that if you eat all you can, you can regain the weight. You may want to join a weight-loss surgery support group to help you stick with your new eating habits.
Treatment FAQs.
What is the recovery time for Adjustable Gastric Banding?
Most people can return to their regular routines in 1 to 4 weeks after this surgery. Your doctor may give you specific instructions on when you can do your normal activities again, such as driving and going back to work.
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