Information on laparoscopic gastric banding for weight control

Please note that you are viewing an unstyled or partially styled page of this website. This is either your web browser doesn't support Cascading Stylesheets or you have them turned off. You can download a browser that uses Cascading StyleSheets from the Mozilla orginisation.

About Laparoscopic gastric banding

If you’ve tried everything to overcome obesity but failed, ask your doctor about long-term weight control solutions

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is usually performed using small incisions with long-shafted instruments. During the 60-90 minute procedure, a band, much like a wristwatch, is fastened around the upper stomach to create a small pouch which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. In addition to the band, an access port, connected by tubing, is placed in the abdomen wall. This port allows for the size of the band to be increased or decreased with saline. The procedure does not involve cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestines, providing the option to reverse the treatment.

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery was first introduced to Australia in 1994. Since then, it has become the most widely used weight control surgery in the country. In 2005 alone, more than 6,000 laparoscopic gastric banding procedures were performed in Australia.11

To view a 3-D animation of the laparoscopic gastric banding procedure, click here.

How laparoscopic gastric banding works

The laparoscopic gastric band assists weight loss and weight control in two ways:

  1. By creating a sense of fullness. The band presses on the stomach, tricking the brain into believing that the stomach is full and therefore requires no more food.
  2. By satisfying hunger sooner. The band creates a smaller stomach, so that less food is required to feel satisfied. Also, because the band has reduced the size of the passage through which food passes, it takes longer to digest.

Health professionals are also available to support patients long-term who choose to undergo laparoscopic gastric banding. This team usually includes a general practitioner, possibly a specialist to manage any obesity-related diseases, a dietitian, a psychologist and where necessary, an exercise expert.

A snapshot

  • Patients can lose up to an average of 27kg of their excess weight in 12 months7
  • Gastric banding can be significantly more effective than non-surgical treatments8
  • Studies show patients have maintained their weight loss 3-8 years after surgery9
  • Surgically, there is no:
    • Major opening of the abdomen
    • Cutting or permanent alteration to the stomach or intestines
    • Stapling of the stomach required
  • It is reversible
  • Most patients stay in hospital for only 1-2 days
  • Major weight loss can lead to partial or complete control of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension2.

Suitability

If you are interested in undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding, talk to your GP to see if you may be a suitable candidate.

People who are suitable for this procedure generally need to meet the following criteria:

  • Aged 18 years or above
  • Have a BMI of 40 or above, or 35 with obesity-related diseases
  • Have been overweight or obese for more than five years
  • Not be pregnant at the time of the procedure
  • Not drink alcohol excessively
  • Have made serious attempts to lose weight before and failed
  • Not suffering from an illness that has caused excessive weight gain
  • Be prepared to commit to a long-term, significant change in eating habits and lifestyle, including continued monitoring by a specialist.12

Risks

As with any form of surgery, there are risks involved with laparoscopic gastric banding, although serious complications associated with this procedure are uncommon 13. There is however, a small chance of slippage, erosion or other mechanical problems with the band.

Other risks include those from medications and methods used during the surgical procedure, general surgical risks and the patient’s degree of intolerance to any foreign object implanted in the body14.

Should you have any concerns regarding the risks associated with this procedure, talk to your doctor.

References

2. Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing. About overweight and obesity. 2002. www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-hlthwt-obesity.htm.

7. O’Brien P. The LAP-BAND™ AP System: the platform advances. Bariatric Times, June 2007: 24-27.

8. O’Brien PE et al. Treatment of mild to moderate obesity with laparoscopic adjustable banding or an intensive medical program: a randomized trial. Annals Intern Med 2006, May 2; 144(9): 625-33.

9. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. National Health and Medical Research Council. 2003.

11. Brancatisano R. Med Obs 2006; 29-32 (1 September 2006).

12. LAP-BAND™ Adjustable Gastric Banding System. BioEnterics Corporation. 2001.

13. Chapman AE et al. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in the treatment of obesity: A systematic literature review.

14. Obesity Surgical Options. Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand. www.ossanz.com.au/stapling.