People who have given up on losing weight using traditional methods turn to gastric banding. This procedure is officially known as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAP-Band). It is an extremely popular weight loss procedure designed for people struggling with obesity. In a minimally invasive procedure, surgeons place an adjustable silicone band around the top of the stomach. This creates a smaller pouch that limits food intake, helping you feel full even after small meals. Over time, the band can be tightened or loosened through a port under the skin. After all, the person now feels full, having eaten much smaller portions than usual. Below, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of this surgical stomach band to help you make an informed decision.
It is a special surgically implanted device. It helps obese people lose weight. The adjustable band reduces the size of your stomach without permanently dividing it, as other surgeries do. It is one of several types of bariatric surgery that limit the amount of food you can eat at one time.
All procedures have pros and cons. Let’s consider them.
This procedure has many advantages! It is no wonder that it has become popular with patients all over the world. It helps to lose weight effectively and does not harm health.
People are often afraid of irreversible operations. So this procedure has a huge advantage. It is reversible. The band (special belt) on the stomach can be loosened or tightened without a second operation. To do this, a saline solution is injected or pumped out through a small port under the skin. This is how the doctor selects the desired level of compression of the stomach. The band no longer fits? It can be completely removed, and the stomach will return to its normal size.
The doctor performs the operation through small incisions (laparoscopy). Therefore, the scars are almost invisible. And recovery takes only 1-2 weeks. The stomach and intestines are not cut or changed, so food is digested as usual, and vitamins are absorbed well.
Weight goes away gradually—1-2 kg per week. This helps to avoid sagging skin and health problems due to sudden weight loss. You learn to eat small portions, choose healthy foods, and not overeat.
Unlike gastric bypass, gastric banding does not disrupt the absorption of nutrients. You get all the vitamins and minerals from food.
After other surgeries, food can enter the intestines too quickly, causing nausea, weakness, or diarrhea. With LAP-Band, this does not happen. Because the stomach works as usual.
Losing even 5-10% of excess weight (for example, 5-10 kg for a weight of 100 kg) reduces blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels in the blood. This makes diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases associated with obesity easier.
LAP-Band is a flexible and safe way to lose weight. The gastric band helps you eat less but does not interfere with normal digestion. The weight goes away slowly, but the body does not suffer from stress, and you learn healthy habits. If something goes wrong, the bandage can be removed.
Everything has its downsides. This procedure is quite harmful to health. Weight loss is gradual. So do not expect instant results. Also, weight loss even with this procedure requires your own efforts. You will have to change your eating habits.
Weight loss is slower than after other surgeries (for example, bypass surgery). This is because the band does not block hunger hormones. You may still want to eat, so you need to control yourself in your diet.
After the surgery, you need to regularly go to the clinic so that the doctor can tighten or loosen the band. For some, this is inconvenient (for example, if the clinic is far away or there is no time).
In rare cases, the band can shift from its place, “grow” into the stomach, or cause inflammation. Then a second operation will be required to fix or remove it.
After the band, you cannot eat foods that are difficult to chew or get stuck in the narrow part of the stomach. Try to exclude bread (it can stick together into a lump), raw vegetables (carrots, cabbage), and fibrous meat (steaks). You will have to chop up your food and eat very small portions.
A bandage is not a magic pill. To keep the weight from coming back, you need to eat 5-6 times a day in tiny portions. You should avoid snacking on sweets and fast food. And you also need to exercise (at least walk). If you return to old habits, the weight will start to grow again.
A bandage is ineffective if you are very obese (BMI over 50). The weight will not go away if you “eat away” stress or boredom (emotional overeating). The procedure will not bring the desired result if you are not ready to follow a diet and go to workouts.
Losing weight with a Gastric Band requires patience, discipline, and regular visits to the doctor. If you like to eat large portions or are not ready to give up bad habits, this surgery may not help. But for those who are ready to work on themselves, this is a chance to lose weight safely and without radical changes in the body.
Weight loss band surgery offers a flexible, less invasive option for weight loss. But it does require dietary and lifestyle changes. Its reversibility and low risk of complications are appealing. But be prepared to work on yourself and not expect instant results. It is a gentle and non-harmful way to lose weight. Ready to try it? Book consultation with the best bariatrics center! We are waiting for you. Start your journey to health and slimness right now.
