Overview
The Advantages of Lap Band System (in comparison to Gastric Bypass):
- Lowest postoperative mortality rate.
- Minimally invasive surgical approach.
- No stomach stapling or cutting, or intestinal rerouting.
- Lower operative complication rate than with gastric bypass.
- Adjustable and reversible.
- Low malnutrition risk
- 3-year % excess weight loss (EWL) of 55 lbs (comparable to gastric bypass)
- The Lap-Band adjustable Gastric Banding System is usually placed laparoscopically under general anesthesia.
- A few small incisions (or “ports”) are made in the abdominal wall for the insertion of long, thin surgical instruments.
- A narrow camera is also passed through a port, so the surgeon can view the operative site on a nearby video monitor.
- Laparoscopic tools guide the Lap Band System behind the stomach, wrapping it around the upper part like a belt.
- The Lap Band System is then locked securely in a ring around the stomach, and part of the lower stomach is sutured over it.
- Once placed around the stomach, the Lap Band System is connected by a tube to an access port fixed beneath the skin of your abdomen. This port will be used in the future to adjust your Lap Band System by adding or removing saline from the inner surface.
