AFFORDABLE GASTRIC BAND SURGERY CARRIED OUT IN THE EAST MIDLANDS

Gastric Band Procedure known commonly as;

The diagram on the right shows the band in place around the top of the stomach. The band makes the stomach into an 'hour-glass' shape. The new small upper stomach pouch is about the size of a golf ball, with the larger part of the stomach sitting below the band. This means that the pouch above the band can only store a small amount of food, which then passes through the band into the lower part of the stomach. The band controls the flow rate of food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach, which means that you feel fuller sooner and the feeling lasts longer. The drier the texture of food, the slower it will pass through the opening created by the band.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band

The adjustable gastric band ( known as lap banding) is a restrictive procedure. A silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch above the band, about the size of a golf ball and a large pouch below the band.

This creates an hour glass appearance and it functions by limiting the amount of food you can eat to feel full and by controlling the rate food is allowed to empty out of the pouch into the rest of the stomach. This is at a slower rate than normal and therefore you should feel satisfied on smaller amounts of food and feel full for a longer periods of time.

The gastric band can be tightened or loosened and will need adjusting from time to time. An adjustment reduces the size of the opening into the rest of the stomach below the band. This is done via the port (button like) which is connected to the band by a small thin tube and positioned under the skin and fat. This is not visible.

Gastric band adjustments are fairly pain free and will be carried out by our own team of specialists until the right restriction for you is established. This can be different for every patient.

The operation takes approximately 1 hour, will require an overnight stay in hospital and is reversible.

Over eating and poor eating habits can cause nausea and vomiting. This may jeopardise your potential to maximise weight loss and may result in band slippage.

Average weight loss

40% - 60% of excess weight within 2.5 years

Risks and complications

Like any surgical procedure there are possible risks and complications. They are rare and everything possible will be done to prevent them from happening. This procedure can be reversible.

The most common are:


• Infection
• Anaesthetic contra indications

• DVT/PE
• Port/tubing

• Band Slippage
• Wind/Constipation

• Haemorrhage problems
• Death
• Band Erosion

Weight Loss Surgery Gastric Lap Band

Gastric band surgery

A Gastric Band restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold by placing an inflatable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. The new, small upper stomach pouch limits the amount of food that can be consumed at one time, and a narrowed stomach outlet increases the time it takes for the stomach to empty. The subsequent reduction on food intake results in weight loss.

GASTRIC BAND:

• Safest surgical weight loss procedure

• Fully reversible if need be

• Restriction level adjustable

• Restricts the amount you can eat

• Feel fuller for longer

• change

How is a Gastric Band fitted

The adjustable gastric band is placed by a surgeon laparoscopically (key hole surgery) under general anaesthesia and involves a short admission to hospital.

Advantages of the gastric band

The Gastric Band is the least invasive surgical option for weight loss surgery

• With a gastric band there is no intestinal re-routing
• There is no cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel with a gastric band
• Gastric band incisions are small and scarring is minimal
• There is reduced patient pain, shorter recovery time and hospital stay with a gastric band
• The gastric band is adjustable to allow for individualised restriction and long term weight loss rate
• There are fewer risks and side effects than with gastric bypass surgery
• It is reversible - the gatric band can be removed and the stomach generally returns to normal

The gastric band is most suitable for you if :

• Gastric band candidates must be over 18 years old
• Gastric band candidates have moderate to severe obesity
• Gastric band candidates must be prepared to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle
• Gastric band candidates should not drink alcohol in excess

There are certain medical conditions that would mean you are not a suitable candidate for a gastric band and these include*:

• Gastric band surgery is not suitable if you suffer with an inflammatory condition of the gastro-intestinal tract such as ulcers, Crohn's disease or severe inflammation of the oesophagus
• Gastric band surgery is not appropriate if you have a medical condition that makes you a poor candidate for surgery
• Gastric band surgery should not be risked if you have a medical condition that could cause bleeding within the gastro-intestinal tract, such as telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel), or oesophageal or gastric varices (dilated veins)
• If you have a chronic liver, kidney or pancreatic condition gastric band surgery is unsuitable
• Gastric band surgery should not be considered if you are on chronic, long term steroid treatment
• If you have any scarring in the stomach that would be in the gastric band area

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.