Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity is among the most common medical conditions faced by Americans of any age. When left untreated, morbid obesity can result to a lot of other complications and can even lead to mortality. It can also significantly decrease the life span of a patient. New developments in medical technology have given rise to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding as an effective way of addressing morbid obesity.

A few years back, the only way to solve morbid obesity issues is through having a patient undergo a gastric bypass which involves an open incision in the abdomen. This process can be long and irreversible - it permanently alters the anatomy of the digestive tract.

In contrast, the use of adjustable gastric banding will only require 1-centimeter laparoscopic incisions to be made on the abdomen of the patient. This will lead to a faster recovery time and reduced risks of infection. What is even better is that this whole process is fully reversible.

Adjustable Gastric Banding 101

Adjustable gastric banding is a restrictive gastric procedure to help you better manage your weight. Your doctor might recommend that you undergo this kind of restrictive gastric procedure if he or she deems it appropriate. Before you finally undergo this kind of procedure, you will need to go through a series of workups to better determine if it is really appropriate to undergo gastric banding and if you are fit enough to do so.

Because it is only restrictive, this procedure will only limit or decrease your food intake. This kind of procedure will not interfere with your normal digestive process.

This procedure will involve the attachment of an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of your stomach. This will create a small pouch and a narrow passage to the larger remaining portion of your stomach. The small passage will cause a delay in the emptying of food from the small pouch and will cause a feeling of fullness.

After an Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery

If you are about to come to a decision to undergo an adjustable gastric band surgery, it would help that you learn more about what you can expect after the whole procedure.

This kind of bariatric surgery will ideally make you stay in the hospital for about 48 hours. This should give yourself enough time to heal the tiny incisions that have been made on your abdomen. Once you are ready to leave the hospital, you can expect to be given a series of instructions regarding dieting, exercise, and band maintenance.

On the first three to four days after surgery, you will need to strictly follow a clear liquid diet to avoid complications. You must also understand that you will need to avoid caffeine in the first three months after surgery. You should also take not that you will not be allowed to consume carbonated beverages at any time while you have the adjustable band around your stomach.

These are only some of the important things you should know about after undergoing a Lap-Band surgery. Learn more about these through your doctor.