Gastric Banding Basics
With the growing trend toward obesity, it's not surprising that gastric banding is a procedure that is being done more often today. It's important to have a healthy lifestyle in order to take weight off and keep it off, but when that isn't enough, surgical options are often explored. Gastric banding, also called the lap band procedure, can help people to limit their intake of food and start the road to a healthier diet and lifestyle.
Gastric banding is done surgically, and the procedure involves placing a belt around the upper part of your stomach. The belt is adjustable, and can be tightened if needed. The belt or band is then connected to a small port placed under abdominal skin. The port can be used to add or remove saline, to make the band tighter or looser.
The purpose of banding is to restrict your stomach size, lessening the amount of food that it's capable of holding. It will also slow the rate of food entering the intestine. This allows you to feel full, even when consuming less food.
If your body mass index is over the level that it should be, a lap band procedure can help you to lose weight. It may also be helpful if you suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure. You will need to have attempted and failed with regular diet plans before you are usually considered for gastric banding. In addition, the surgery is generally only performed on adults over 18 years of age. It's not enough to simply have the procedure done, though. You must commit to lifestyle and diet changes to make it successful. It's not uncommon to receive a psychological assessment to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.
If you're dependent on alcohol or drugs, or are emotionally unstable, you may not be considered for the banding procedure. In addition, if you have other health issues, those will need to be addressed, and you may not qualify for banding as well. The surgery is done with general anesthesia and usually takes a couple hours to complete. It is done laparoscopically, with a tube inserted into small incisions. The band is set into proper position and set with sutures. Likewise, the port will be sutured below the skin of your abdomen.
You may need preparation time for the surgery, for your surgeon to make sure that you are a good candidate. You may even be asked to make some changes to your lifestyle before the surgery. Eating more meals that are smaller will help you to prepare for feeling full more rapidly, after the surgery.
After the procedure, your recovery time may vary from that of others. But most people have a short hospital stay and a speedier recovery than do patients who receive a gastric bypass procedure. You will probably be able to go back to work within a week or so after your surgery, as long as your job is not overly demanding physically. Your normal rate of activity can usually be achieved after about six weeks.
Gastric banding is done surgically, and the procedure involves placing a belt around the upper part of your stomach. The belt is adjustable, and can be tightened if needed. The belt or band is then connected to a small port placed under abdominal skin. The port can be used to add or remove saline, to make the band tighter or looser.
The purpose of banding is to restrict your stomach size, lessening the amount of food that it's capable of holding. It will also slow the rate of food entering the intestine. This allows you to feel full, even when consuming less food.
If your body mass index is over the level that it should be, a lap band procedure can help you to lose weight. It may also be helpful if you suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure. You will need to have attempted and failed with regular diet plans before you are usually considered for gastric banding. In addition, the surgery is generally only performed on adults over 18 years of age. It's not enough to simply have the procedure done, though. You must commit to lifestyle and diet changes to make it successful. It's not uncommon to receive a psychological assessment to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.
If you're dependent on alcohol or drugs, or are emotionally unstable, you may not be considered for the banding procedure. In addition, if you have other health issues, those will need to be addressed, and you may not qualify for banding as well. The surgery is done with general anesthesia and usually takes a couple hours to complete. It is done laparoscopically, with a tube inserted into small incisions. The band is set into proper position and set with sutures. Likewise, the port will be sutured below the skin of your abdomen.
You may need preparation time for the surgery, for your surgeon to make sure that you are a good candidate. You may even be asked to make some changes to your lifestyle before the surgery. Eating more meals that are smaller will help you to prepare for feeling full more rapidly, after the surgery.
After the procedure, your recovery time may vary from that of others. But most people have a short hospital stay and a speedier recovery than do patients who receive a gastric bypass procedure. You will probably be able to go back to work within a week or so after your surgery, as long as your job is not overly demanding physically. Your normal rate of activity can usually be achieved after about six weeks.
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