Laparoscopic banding is one option available at UT Southwestern Medical Center to help treat obesity and related health complications. Our surgeons have experience in all types of weight-loss procedures and were the first in North Texas to offer the Lap-Band System.
Lap-Band is the abbreviated and trademarked combination of two words – "lap" from laparoscopic and "band" from gastric band. The procedure involves placing the system's silicone elastomer band around the upper part of the stomach, creating a stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food.
This part of the stomach is connected to the lower part through a small outlet called a stoma. Food passes through the stoma more slowly so the patient feels full for a longer period of time.
Average weight loss is initially 10-15 percent less than following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), but long-term results appear similar, and excellent results are achieved in many patients. Adherence to the prescribed eating habits is essential to long-term success.
The main advantage of the Lap-Band procedure is that the diameter of the band outlet can be adjusted to meet your individual needs as you lose weight. Tubing connects the inner surface of the band to a reservoir which is placed under the skin during surgery. After the operation, the surgeon can control the amount of saline in the band by entering the reservoir with a fine needle through the skin.
Other benefits include:
You may have to undergo a second surgery to replace or remove the band. This occurs in up to 5 percent of patients. Indications for band removal include erosion into the stomach, band slippage with resultant vomiting, and port or tubing leakage. These complications are rarely life threatening or emergent and can be managed laparoscopically.