Gastric Band Surgery
What is Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery?
The adjustable gastric band is a silicone device placed around the upper part of the stomach to help reduce food intake. It creates a smaller pouch, making you feel full sooner.
While this procedure has been used in the US since 2001, it's less popular now due to its limited long-term effectiveness for weight loss and associated health issues. Compared to other surgical options, gastric band often has less significant and sustainable results.
How Does Gastric Band Surgery Work?
The adjustable gastric band's effectiveness depends on the size of the opening between the small pouch and the rest of the stomach. Doctors can adjust this opening by adding or removing fluid through a port under the skin. While food still moves through the stomach normally, the band restricts intake.
Gastric band is less effective at treating type 2 diabetes and has minimal impact on metabolism compared to other weight loss surgeries.
Gastric Band Side Effects & Recovery
The frequency and severity of side effects from gastric band surgery vary by person. Many people experience minimal side effects and are able to manage them effectively. Some of the most common gastric band side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Bloating and gas
- Band erosion
- Band slippage
Excess skin is a common side effect of significant weight loss. Some people may feel self-conscious about it. Weight loss after surgery can continue for up to two years, and after that, you might consider skin removal surgery. A plastic surgeon can evaluate your needs and discuss your options. This cosmetic procedure might not be covered by insurance. You may need documentation of health issues related to the excess skin, such as rashes, back pain, or hygiene problems.
Return to work times vary. You’ll have a 10-to-20-pound weight restriction for two weeks following surgery. We encourage you to exercise as soon as you feel ready. For some, this is as early as one week. Most patients find that they need one or two weeks before going back to work. Others are back to work before that. You may feel tired the first week after your surgery, but you’ll actually feel more energetic as you lose weight.
We’re committed to ensuring your surgery is safe. Advancements in the care of surgical weight loss patients over the past 20 years allow our experts to perform these surgeries with very low complication rates. Your personal risks are evaluated at your consultation with your surgeon. Remember that the risks of obesity far outweigh the risks of surgery.
Bariatric Surgery Compared
Picking the right surgical weight loss option is a big decision to help patients reach a healthy weight when they aren’t seeing results with diet and exercise alone. Each procedure has its benefits and risks, as with any surgery, so it’s important to know the difference between the three before choosing which is right for you. Your bariatric surgeon will support you in making the best decision based on your unique needs.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Pros and Cons
During a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, also known as “sleeve” surgery, doctors surgically make the stomach smaller by using surgical staplers to remove about 80% of it. What’s left of the stomach is about the same size and shape as a banana.
Benefits
- Effective weight loss and improvement of obesity-related conditions
- Simple and shorter surgery time
- Appropriate for certain patients with high-risk medical conditions
- Can be the first step in weight loss for patients with severe obesity and used as a bridge to another surgery for additional weight loss
- Less risk of ulcer or stricture
Risks
- Procedure is non-reversible
- May worsen or cause new onset reflux or heart burn
Picking the right surgical weight loss option is a big decision to help patients reach a healthy weight when they aren’t seeing results with diet and exercise alone. Each procedure has its benefits and risks, as with any surgery, so it’s important to know the difference between the three before choosing which is right for you. Your bariatric surgeon will support you in making the best decision based on your unique needs.
Gastric Bypass Pros and Cons
Gastric bypass surgery involves dividing the stomach into two parts and bypassing a portion of the small intestine, reducing the amount of food your body can absorb. Gastric bypass is generally considered a more invasive weight loss surgery than gastric sleeve.
Benefits
- Reliable and long-lasting weight loss
- Effective for resolving obesity-associated conditions
- Highly refined and standardized technique
Risks
- More complex than sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band
- Results in more vitamin and mineral deficiencies than sleeve gastrectomy or gastric banding
- Risk for small bowel complications, obstructions or internal hernia
- Risk of developing ulcers, especially if using NSAIDs or tobacco
- Increased risk of forming kidney stones
- Risk for “dumping syndrome,” which involves feeling sick after eating or drinking, especially foods that are sweet
Picking the right surgical weight loss option is a big decision to help patients reach a healthy weight when they aren’t seeing results with diet and exercise alone. Each procedure has its benefits and risks, as with any surgery, so it’s important to know the difference between the three before choosing which is right for you. Your bariatric surgeon will support you in making the best decision based on your unique needs.
Gastric Band Surgery Pros and Cons
During gastric band surgery, a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to restrict its size. This helps you feel fuller soon and eat less. It has the lowest risk of complications compared to gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery.
Benefits
- No division of the stomach or intestines
- Patients can go home the same day
- The band can be removed
- Lowest risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Risks
- The band may need several adjustments and monthly office visits during the first year
- Slower and less weight loss than other surgical procedures
- Risk of band slipping or damaging the stomach over time (band erosion)
- Requires a foreign device to remain in the body
- Highest rate of re-operation
- Can result in swallowing problems and enlargement of the esophagus