Gastric Banding
How does it work?
Laparoscopic Gastric Banding is an example of a restrictive surgery. This class of surgeries aims to decrease food intake by constricting the stomach in a way that the patient no longer needs to eat as much in order to feel full. Stomach constriction is typically accomplished by installing either staples or, in this case, a band to subdivide and compartmentalize the stomach, leaving a small section at the top that gradually delivers food to the lower section, effectively limiting the amount of food at a given time.
As with other restrictive surgeries, the success rate of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding is roughly 80% in accomplishing weight loss, and roughly 30% in accomplishing weight loss to the extent of reaching a normal weight category. Note, however, that the risk of complications as a result of this surgery runs as high as 10%.
Certain adjustments to eating habits need to be made post-surgery for both maintenance and to improve the chances of desired weight loss.
Benefits
- Of all the available surgical weight loss options, Laparoscopic Gastric Banding is considered to be least invasive since the required incision is relatively small.
- Due to the way stomach constriction is accomplished, it is possible to adjust the exact amount of constriction after the surgery is completed in order to fine tune food intake for optimal results.
- If the surgery succeeds in helping to attain weight loss, it will typically be a long-term effect, with little chance of relapse into obesity.
Risks
- Surgeries carry an inherent risk, which, while lessened by the relatively less intrusive procedure, should be given serious consideration. Some of the more serious side-effects include damage to the general digestive process and the surrounding organs. Complications result in roughly 10% of surgeries.
- The band may deteriorate over time, requiring surgical intervention for correction.
- Due to the modifications performed to the stomach, eating habits have to adjusted accordingly. Specifically, rapid eating needs to be toned down to prevent incidence of general discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
What do experts say about the surgery?
According to the Technology Evaluation Center of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, "There is sufficient evidence to conclude that surgery improves health outcomes for patients with morbid obesity as compared to non surgical treatment. "
Cost
A price in the range of $12,000 to $16,000 is normal.
Sources
- American Obesity Association. AOA Advisor: Obesity Surgery. Retrieved
Nov 4, 2006
from http://www.obesity.org/education/advisor.shtml - Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Technology Evaluation Center. Special
report: the relationship between weight loss and changes in morbidity
following bariatric surgery for morbid obesity. Retrieved: February
12, 2004
from http://www.bcbs.com/tec/vol18/18_09.html. - Columbia University Department of Surgery. A Research Study
of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery for patients
who do not meet criteria for standard weight loss surgery.
Retrieved Nov 4, 2006
from http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/obesity/research_under_criteria.html - National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement Online. Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity. March 25-27, 1991
- Toronto Weight Loss Obesity Surgery Lap Band Bariatric Gastric
Bypass Surgeon. Retrieved Nov 4, 2006
from http://www.obesitysurgery.ca/