LAP-BAND®
Adjustable Gastric Band - Expected weight loss
40-55% of excess weight
Description of LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band
Procedure
The adjustable band is placed laparoscopically
around the upper part of the stomach. The silicone
band divides the stomach into a small pouch above
the band and larger pouch below the band. The
smaller pouch limits the amount of food the patient
can eat with the result of fullness after eating a
small amount of food. The band is connected by a
tube to a port that is placed underneath the skin
and fat of the abdominal wall on top of the muscle.
Learn more about the LAP-BAND® System at: www.lapband.com
(Allergan, Inc. / INAMED)
The opening of the
stomach can be increased or decreased by
injecting or removing saline from the
band. Dr. Feng can later control or
adjust the amount of saline in the band
that is a unique feature of the LAP-BAND®
System and is a normal part of follow-up
post the procedure.
Dr. Feng no longer performs this procedure
due to the fact that it appears less
effective than the sleeve gastrectomy or
other techniques. Fewer than 10% of
patients undergo this procedure any
longer. He has removed many of them
because of severe issues. He has even
changed some appropriate patients to
sleeve gastrectomy.
Advantages of LAP-BAND® System or REALIZE™
Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedures
Only procedure that can be
reversed if necessary
Usually done laparoscopically
(minimally invasive)
Easier to perform and
generally safer than other weight loss options
Outpatient surgery
Results in fewer nutritional
deficiencies
Disadvantages of LAP-BAND® System or REALIZE™
Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedures
Successful results depend on
the willingness to adopt long-term lifestyle
changes more than all the other surgeries, and
even the number of visits made after surgery
Patients may have numerous
visits with Dr. Feng during the first year to
ensure proper band adjustment
Requires the most effort from
the patient to lose and maintain weight loss
Weight loss is usually slower
than the other surgeries and may take 2-3 years
to lose the predicted weight loss
Weight loss is less than all
the other surgeries: sleeve gastrectomy, gastric
bypass, or duodenal switch
Patients must avoid aspirin,
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil,
naprosyn to avoid band erosion into the stomach
Patients must always avoid
large meals to minimize risk of causing band
slippage or excessive esophagus stretching and
abnormal widening
Risks of LAP-BAND® System or REALIZE™ Adjustable
Gastric Banding Procedures
Nausea/vomiting
Food getting stuck, needing
deflation of band
Overstretched, abnormally
widened esophagus
Excessively tightened
Infection
Inadequate weight loss
Weight regain
Device malfunction
Balloon, tube access port
breakage
Access port flipping over
Slippage of down along the
stomach causing vomiting
Erosion of the silicone band
creating a hole in the stomach
