Weight Loss Surgery - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

Weight Loss Surgery - Dallas/Ft. Worth

During the gastric band procedure, the Lap Band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach, dividing it into two parts: a small upper pouch and a lower stomach. The upper pouch can hold only about 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of food. As a result, you eat less food at one time, feel full sooner, and feel satisfied longer. The goal is to lose weight gradually, at a healthy rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week.

No part of your stomach is stapled or removed during surgery, and your intestines are not rerouted, so you can continue to absorb nutrients from food.

The Lap Band is made entirely of biocompatible materials, which means it’s able to be placed inside your body without causing harm. The side of the Lap Band that fits against your stomach is lined with a soft balloon. After the gastric banding surgery, saline (a safe fluid) is delivered into the balloon to control the band tightness.

The degree of band tightness affects how much food you can eat during a meal and the length of time it takes for food to empty from the upper pouch. When the band is adjusted to the proper tightness, you’ll feel full sooner and stay fuller longer. As the Lap Band helps you eat less food, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat supply for energy.

A small incision (less than 1/2 inch) is made near the belly button. Carbon dioxide (a gas that occurs naturally in the body) is introduced into the abdomen to create a work space for the surgeon. Then a small laparoscopic camera is placed through the incision into the abdomen.

The camera sends a picture of the stomach and abdominal cavity to a video monitor. It gives the surgeon a good view of the key structures in the abdominal cavity. A few additional, small incisions are made in the abdomen. The surgeon watches the video monitor and works through these small incisions using instruments with long handles to complete the procedure. The surgeon creates a small, circular tunnel behind the stomach, inserts the gastric band through the tunnel, and locks the band around the stomach.

During the Lap Band procedure, a port made from an implant-grade medical plastic and silicone is fastened usually about 2 inches below the rib cage on the left or right side. (The exact location will depend upon your body shape and your surgeon’s decision.) The port is used to deliver saline into the balloon via thin, flexible tubing.

The Lap Band is adjustable, which allows your bariatric surgeon to personalize your band fit over time. After an adjustment, you’ll be satisfied with less food, so you can keep losing weight gradually (1 to 2 pounds per week).

As you lose weight, your Lap Band fit will change. Periodic band adjustments ensure that the amount of saline in your band (often called a "fill level") is comfortable for you and keeps you on track to meet your weight loss goals. Fast and easy band adjustments take place at your surgeon’s office, clinic, or hospital.

The Lap Band is intended for long-term use. Because adjustable gastric banding surgery does not permanently change the anatomy of the stomach and intestines, the Lap Band can be removed, if necessary. Please keep in mind that surgery reversal is not simple, and weight gain is usually observed in people who have had their bands removed and do not continue a healthy eating regimen.

This educational content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, home improvement or health advice. Content on this page is provided by Ask The Experts and not the featured advertiser.

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