Gastric Banding

Gastric Banding

• What is gastric banding surgery?
• Why is the procedure performed?
• What are the benefits of gastric banding?
• What are the risks of gastric banding surgery?
• How are patients prepared for the surgery?
• What is involved in the surgery?
• What happens after the operation?

Gastric banding is an operation performed under general anaesthetic. A surgeon will place an adjustable band around the top of the stomach to create a small pouch to hold food. The band is attached via a thin tube to a small “port” or reservoir, which is placed under the abdominal skin at the time of surgery. This port allows the surgeon to increase the tightness of the band (by injecting fluid into the reservoir) at a later stage. In Australia, laparoscopic (key-hole surgery) is the most common method used to perform gastric banding. This procedure is considered simple and safe for people who are very overweight and experience complications because of their weight.

heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks or stroke, sleep apnoea, depression, and osteoarthritis. Losing weight has been shown to reverse or reduce these conditions. Laparoscopic gastric banding is performed on people who are morbidly obese. This means they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40. (The normal BMI is 18.5 – 24.9. Calculate your own BMI here.) A person’s weight is not the only consideration in having this procedure. Some people who have a BMI of 35 or more may be considered if they also have medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or severe arthritis. Before a person can be considered for surgery, they must have made multiple, previous significant attempts to lose weight on their own. This includes dieting, exercise, and possibly medications for aiding weight loss. Most surgeons require a patient to show they are motivated to lose weight before they have surgery. If a person is highly motivated they are more likely to follow their specialised eating plan and attend regular follow-up after surgery.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux

Heart failure

Sleep apnoea

Depression

Infertility

Blood clots

pregnant after this surgery you should discuss this with your doctor. The most important part of follow-up after the surgery is learning to adjust your diet. After surgery, patients need to eat more slowly. You should eat three standard meals a day and try not to snack between. A dietician will advise people on which specific foods are best. All patients should avoid sugary drinks (e.g. ice-cream shakes, soft drinks) and liquid meals (e.g. protein shakes) as these will pass straight through the pouch created by the stomach band, and will not give a person a sense of “fullness”. These drinks are a potential cause of failure to lose weight after surgery. It is possible that the band may need to be adjusted at a later stage to maintain weight loss. Your doctor will advise you of any symptoms to watch out for that may require special treatment. It is also important to tell other doctors you may see about having had this procedure.

This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.

Reference

1. Morris, P. Wood, W. (2000) [2nd edition] Oxford textbook of Surgery: Chapter 25; Surgery for Obesity [chapter author Grace, M.] Oxford University Press: Oxford.
2. Allergan Australia (2007) About laparoscopic gastric banding [cited 11th December 2007] Available online [http://www.gastricbandingsurgery.com.au/ about_gastric_banding.php]
3. Kral, J. (2006) ABC of Obesity: Management: Part III – Surgery [5th article in series] British Medical Journal 333; p 900 – 903. Available online [http://www.bmj.com]
4. Snow, V. Barry, P. Fitterman, N. Qaseem, A. Weiss, K. et al (2005) Clinical Guidelines: Pharmacologic and Surgical Management of Obesity in Primary Care: A clinical practice guidelines from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine 142: 7; p 525 – 531.
5. Sjorstom, L. Lindroos, A. Peltonen, M. Torgson, J. Bouchard, C. Carlsson, B. et al (2004) Lifestyle, diabtes and cardiovascular risk factors 10 years after bariatric surgery. New England Journal of Medicine 351; 26: p 2683 – 2693.
6. Sjostrom, C. Lissner, L. Wedel, H. Sjostrom, L. (1999) Reduction in incidence of diabetes, hypertension and lipid disturbances after intentional weight loss induced by bariatric surgery: the SOS Intervention Study. Obesity Research 7: p477- 484.
7. Northern Rivers General Practice Network (cited 12th December 2007) What GPs should know about lap banding. Available online [http://www.medicineau.net.au/ clinical/obesity/obesit3160.html]
8. Colquitt, J. Clegg, A. Loveman, E. Royle, P. Sidhu, M. (2005) Surgery for morbid obesity. [Cochrane clinical review] Available online: [http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/ cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD003641/frame.html]
9. Wilkinson, S. (cited December 21st 2007) Obesity Surgery: Lap-Band Surgery, Am I a suitable candidate? Available online: [http://www.tasmaniaobesitysurgery.com.au/ lapband.html]
10. National Health and Medical Research Council (2003) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in Australia [update 19th March 2004] Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health and Ageing [Available online: www.obesityguidelines.gov.au]

This treatment is used for the following diseases:

• Obesity

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Article Dates:

Modified: 3/6/2010

Created: 11/1/2008

Gastric Banding