LAP-BAND® ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING

The LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System is the least invasive and only adjustable bariatric surgical procedure available in the U.S. LAP-BAND helps patients to gradually lose weight by simply limiting and manipulating their food intake. Unlike other procedures, LAP-BAND does not alter a patient’s natural anatomy and requires the shortest recovery period. This procedure involves two key steps:

1. Gastric Band - our surgeon places a hollow silastic band around the top portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch and narrowing the passageway for food to pass into the rest of the stomach. The small size of the pouch limits the amount of food intake, leading to a sensation of feeling full, thus satisfying hunger. Using silastic materials minimizes the potential for the band to enlarge or expand over time, reducing the likelihood of regaining weight.

2. Adjustable Access Port - during the procedure, the surgeon then connects the silastic band to a small access port or reservoir, which is placed beneath the skin. The silastic band and reservoir are inflated with a salt solution. By increasing or decreasing the amount of salt solution, the silastic band can be tightening or loosened over time to change the size of the passageway between the small pouch and the rest of the stomach. As a result, patients can increase or decrease the amount of food their stomachs can hold.

LAP-BAND ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING WITH SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY

At Surgical Weight Loss Solutions, we recognize the value and benefits of the standard LAP-BAND procedure. However, for patients requiring a more aggressive weight loss program, we can combine the LAP-BAND procedure with a sleeve gastrectomy, a laparoscopic surgical procedure for permanently removing a large portion of the stomach. Typically, a sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of the stomach to 15% of its original size. Once a portion of the stomach is surgically removed, the surgeon staples the opened edges to seal the stomach. By reducing the overall size of the stomach, patients can strictly limit their overall food intake.

Note, a sleeve gastrectomy increases the complexity of the surgical procedure and requires a longer recovery period than the standard LAP-BAND.

SINGLE INCISION LAP-BAND ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING

Surgical Weight Loss Solutions is one of the few practices within the U.S. that can perform a single incision LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding procedure. Using this advanced laparoscopic approach, our surgeon operates through a single entry point to position the band and reservoir, instead of the traditional five entry points. Single incision surgery is designed to minimize scarring, lessen postoperative discomfort, quicken recovery time and further reduce the risk of wound site infections.