Bariatrics Program Australia and Europe have provided considerable experience with the placement of an inflatable adjustable gastric band which also creates a small gastric pouch, without the need for any bowel anastomoses. This procedure is performed laparoscopically.
The device consists of a band, connection tubing, and a plastic access port. The band has a plastic ring lining the inside that can be filled with water to narrow the stomach opening, thus limiting the amount of food that can pass over time. The access port is used to add or remove water from the band, here shown with a needle and syringe placed for an adjustment. The amount of water in the access port is adjusted by placing a needle into it and adding or withdrawing fluid from the band.
Expected Weight Loss: Results of the procedure have been encouraging; however weight loss is less than for patients electing the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The adjustable gastric banding procedure requires more stringent management and more frequent clinic visits to adjust how the band narrows the stomach. Most patients will lose between 80 and 100 pounds. The exact amount of weight you lose will depend on your compliance with the dietary instructions and your tolerance to adjustments made in respect to the tightness of the band. Weight loss is slower with this procedure with most of the weight loss occurring after the first 3-6 months. What You Can Expect: Most patients do very well after surgery and have a minimum of adjustment problems or complications. There is a special diet after surgery that is necessary for the healing of your stomach, its readjustment to solid food, and its new stapled condition. Most patients make the transition back to a regular diet without much difficulty. The dietician will instruct you in what to do and provide you with any additional information you desire. He/She and other members of the bariatric surgery team will be available to answer your questions or handle any problems that occur. You will not be on your own after surgery. Our team will be available to help you for as long as you need any advice, encouragement, information, or help in adjusting to your "new stomach". Follow-up Care: You will return to the clinic in one month, three months, six months, nine months, twelve months, and every year after surgery. You will see the team dietician, as well as other members of the team, to ensure that your dietary intake is adequate for your health needs. They will also counsel you regarding exercise, as well as your emotional and physical adjustments to your weight loss. Medications You May Not Take: There are several non-prescription and prescription medications that you should not take unless you receive permission and instruction from us in how to take them. Among the medications in this category are all arthritis medications, aspirin, and aspirin- containing products, including many cold medications. Alka Seltzer®, BC powders®, Goody powders®, Bufferin®, Ascriptin®, and many other medications that contain aspirin or salicylate compounds are prohibited. These can greatly irritate you stomach pouch and cause a number of serious problems. You should also avoid taking Nuprin®, Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen, or other over-the-counter arthritis pain or menstrual cramp medications. If you have any questions about whether a prescription medication or a non prescription medication contains aspirin or other stomach-irritating compounds, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take any of these medications unless you have first spoken with your surgeon or someone from the bariatric surgery team for permission and instructions on how an exception might be made in your case. |
