The LAP-BAND System

The world's most widely used adjustable gastric band

The LAP-BAND System was one of the first adjustable gastric bands to be developed and now has almost 15 years proven experience in helping patients to lose weight.

The LAP-BAND System is minimally invasive, adjustable and fully reversible. It is a tool that can help improve your health, reduce your risk of developing associated medical conditions and enhance the overall quality of your life.

LAP-BAND System Overview

The LAP-BAND System is a silicone elastomer ring designed to be placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline on the inner surface. This creates a new, small stomach pouch and leaves the larger part of the stomach below the band so the food storage area in the stomach is reduced, and the pouch above the band can hold only a small amount of food. The band also controls the stoma (stomach outlet) between the two parts of the stomach. The size of the stoma regulates the flow of the food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach.

When the stoma is smaller, you fell full sooner and have a feel of satiety so you are not hungry between meals. The band is connected by tubing to an access port, that is placed beneath the skin during surgery. Later, the surgeon can change the stoma size by adding or subtracting saline inside the band through the access port. This adjustment process helps drive the rate of weight-loss. If the band is too loose and weight-loss inadequate, adding more saline can reduce the size of the stoma to further restrict the amount of food that can move through it. If the band is too tight, the surgeon will remove some saline to loosen the band and reduce the amount of restriction.

LAP-BAND System Placement

The Lap-Band System is usually placed laparoscopically under general anaesthesia. The key advantage of laparoscopic surgery is that it requires only small incisions, which means the healing process is faster, with less pain, less risk of complications and minimal scarring.

First, the surgeon makes a few small incisions and places a number of tubes called 'trocars' through the abdominal wall down which long, thin surgical instruments are inserted. A narrow camera is also passed through the trocar so the surgeon can view the operative site on a nearby video monitor.

A small tunnel is made behind the top of the stomach to let the band through and allow it to be wrapped around the upper part of the stomach, almost like a wristwatch. The band is then locked securely in a ring around the stomach. The band is usually left only partially filled for the first 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, thereby no causing any gastric restriction yet.

LAP-BAND System Advantages

Minimal Trauma

• - Least invasive surgical option.
• - No intestinal re-routing.
• - No cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel.
• - Small incisions and minimal scarring.
• - Reduced patient pain, length of hospital stay and recovery period.

Fewer Risks and Side Effects

• - Significantly lower mortality risk compared to other obesity surgeries.
• - Low risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with Gastric Bypass.
• - Reduced risk of hair loss.
• - No 'dumping syndrome' related to dietary intake restrictions.

Adjustable

• - Allows individualised degree of restriction for ideal, long-term weight-loss rate.
• - Adjustments performed without additional surgery.
• - Supports pregnancy by allowing stomach outlet size to be opened to accommodate increased nutritional needs.

Reversible

• - Removal at any time.
• - Stomach and other anatomy are generally restored to their original forms and functions.

Effective Long-Term Weight-Loss

• - Approximately 3000,000 now placed worldwide.
• - The option of first choice for hundreds of surgeons around the world.
• - 1,300 published articles and abstracts over almost 15 years.

Who may qualify for the LAP-Band System?

You may be eligible for LAP-BAND surgery if:

- You are at least 18 years old.

- Your BMI is 30 or you weigh at least twice your ideal weight.

- You have been overweight for more than 5 years.

- Your serious weight-loss attempts have had only short-term success.

- You are not suffering from any other diseases that may have caused your obesity.

- You are prepared to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.

- You are willing to continue being monitored by the specialist treating you.

- You do not drink alcohol in excess.

If you do not meet the BMI or weight criteria, you still may be considered for surgery if your BMI is over 30 and you are suffering from serious health problems caused by your weight. Your surgeon may have additional criteria.

Testimonials

I was 55 years old, fat and I weighed over 15 stone. I comfort ate all day, every day but nothing seemed to stop the hunger, it was constant, I was always on a diet, diet after diet after diet it was a vicious circle, I was always so hungry I just had to eat kidding myself that just a little bit more would be OK! Once I had eaten I was disgusted at myself for giving in but I could not control the hunger and the need to eat to satisfy the craving was too strong.

The crunch time for me came when I was struggling to breathe just walking a short distance and the thought of stairs or a hill left me filled with so much dread I avoided both at all costs. I knew then I had to do something to change what was happening to me. I had previously thought about a Gastric Bypass but felt the risk was too great and then I heard about Gastric Banding and how less invasive it was and I knew instantly that this was for me.

SO, 5 years ago, I did it!!! And I have never looked back since.

I am now a size 10 and within the first year I was at my ideal weight of 9st. I cannot tell you how this has changed my life, the determination and the will-power the band gives you to help improve yourself and treat yourself with respect is amazing - you can see the difference happening immediately and it gives you such confidence. I can now exercise (which I started as the weight gradually came off and my confidence grew), I go cycling with my grand-daughter and stairs no longer fill me with dread - I run up and down them!!!

I can buy clothes off the peg (without cutting off the size labels!) and I now eat a sensible diet with the odd treat thrown in. My life is normal again. I still have the band in place but no longer have any fills as I am now in control of what I eat and I feel wonderful. I am always at the front of photographs now (not hidden away at the back!). I am proud to be me again and enjoying life to the full.