Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure

Adjustable gastric band procedure is a surgery designed for obese people with a body mass index of above 40. It is also recommended for obese persons (BMI-35 to 40) suffering from weight-related diseases or disorders, like gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, etc. If weight loss can help in improving their health conditions, this procedure is said to be beneficial. In adjustable gastric banding procedure, a silicone band with an inner ring is placed around the stomach to restrict the food intake. The insertion of the band is done through a laparoscopic procedure under general anesthesia.

What is Gastric Banding

Generally, laparoscopic procedure is performed to place the band; but in rare cases, the surgeon may go for the open ones, with large incision. Sometimes, the laparoscopic procedure may transform to an open one, if the situation demands so. The surgeon places a silicone band around the stomach in such a way that it creates a pouch-like structure at the top of the stomach, which can hold a very small amount of food. Whenever the person consumes food, the pouch fills quickly. The band slows down the movement of food from the upper part to the lower part of the stomach. As the upper part becomes full and empties very slowly, the person does not feel hungry for a very long time. This slows down the process of digestion and retains a sensation of fullness of the stomach. In the long run, the intake of food reduces, which in turn results in weight loss.

The band is attached to a port, through a very small tube. The port is placed just beneath the skin and it is through this port that saline is added to the inner ring of the band. A specialized, non-coring needle is used (adds or releases saline from the pouch) to avoid damage to the pouch. The ring can be inflated by adding saline or deflated by releasing it. Inflation of the ring causes tightening of the band, which restricts passage of food; whereas, deflation loosens the grip and allows faster movement. The advantage of adjustable gastric banding procedure is that the band can be adjusted through the port. In case of vomiting or any discomfort, the band can be loosened and if it is allowing free passage of food or does not restrict the food intake, it can be tightened further. The normal saline holding capacity of the band is 8 to 10 cc.

During the first six weeks that follow the procedure, the band is kept empty or is filled with a minimum amount of saline. After this period, adjustments are done by the surgeon in an X-ray suite, which helps to observe the filling. It takes several visits to the doctor to achieve the ideal positioning and perfect fitting of the band, which can yield the optimum results. The adjustment facility is very much helpful, in case of pregnancy or other diseases, where the band is deflated to bring back the stomach to its original capacity. It can be inflated at a later period.

Weight loss in persons who have undergone this procedure, is around 500 grams to a kilogram per week. Some people lose weight at a faster rate in the first year, itself. They may lose around 22 to 45 kilograms. Even though, there are some reports of complications, due to its various advantages over the other weight loss surgeries, the popularity of adjustable gastric banding procedure is on the rise.