Gastric Band Surgery
Traditional gastric bypass surgery (or
bariatric surgery), such as the
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, has been used for many years now to tackle the
problem of obesity for people with a BMI in
excess of 40, or with a slightly lower BMI where other co-morbid conditions are
also present. This form of surgery bypasses the greater part of the stomach by
creating a small pouch at the top end of the stomach and separating this from
the bulk of the stomach using a series of metal staples. In addition, it is
common in most forms of gastric bypass surgery to also bypass part of the
intestine.
Today however we are increasingly seeing the stapling process replaced by a
plastic, or more accurately silicon, gastric band which can be fitted
laparoscopically (using keyhole surgical techniques) and which can then be
easily adjusted in size through a port which is placed just under the patient's
skin.
The use of gastric banding has become increasingly popular since its
introduction in the mid 1980s and its licensing by the FDA for use in the USA in
2001. Its growth in popularity has also been helped along by its use by a number
of well known figures such as Khaliah Ali, Brandon "Myzeria" Taylor, Joe
Gannascoli (Sopranos) and Anne Diamond.
Today gastric banding surgery is probably the most widely used form of weight
loss surgery in Europe and, in particular, in Australia where it now represents
more than 90% of all weight loss operations.
The principle behind gastric band surgery, which is also referred to as
lap-band surgery and is a form of restrictive weight loss surgery, is to reduce
the effective size of the stomach from its usual 1000 ml down to as little as 15
ml by placing a band around the top of the stomach. In the commonly used
laparoscopic adjustable form of this procedure a tube then joins the stomach
band to a small port placed just under the surface of the skin which allows the
surgeon to adjust the size of the band and thus the degree of restriction in
allowing foods to pass from the newly reduced stomach into the main stomach.
Because this form of obesity surgery merely reduces the size of the stomach
and does not bypass the intestine patients can follow a far more normal diet
than that required by other weight loss procedures and avoids many of the
dietary and other health problems often associated with gastric bypass surgery.
Gastric banding surgery causes you to lose those excess pounds more slowly
and gradually than bypass surgery, although the results in the longer-term and
similar. It also has the added benefit of curing, or at least reducing the
effects of, several other conditions including diabetes, hypertension,
obstructive sleep apnea and high cholesterol.
Another benefit of course is seen in the
cost of lap band surgery which is lower than that of traditional gastric
bypass operations.
As with most forms of obesity surgery, gastric band surgery carries risks and
is not without complications. Nevertheless, patients who opt for gastric banding
will generally enjoy a shorter stay in hospital, a faster recover and fewer
complications. In addition, one major benefit of the gastric band is the ability
to adjust the band after surgery so that a patient's progress can be carefully
monitored by doctors and adjustments made to meet the requirements of individual
patients in the critical post-operative period when adjusting to life with a
greatly reduced stomach size can be difficult.
Despite the fact that the gastric band is a relatively new procedure there
are now a variety of gastric band manufacturers (8 at this point in time) and as
banding technology increases and surgeons gain experience in the gastric
banding, there can be little doubt that the popularity of the gastric band will
continue to grow.
Additional article resources:
Gastric Banding: Solution to Childhood Obesity? - Food Consumer
27 Jul 2010 at 2:38pm
msnbc.com
Gastric Banding: Solution to Childhood Obesity?
Food Consumer
Gastric banding, a weight-loss procedure less-invasive than gastric bypass surgery, is in high demand for obese Americans. Curre...
'Excellence' centers no better for bariatric surgery - Reuters India
28 Jul 2010 at 2:21pm
TopNews United Kingdom (blog)
'Excellence' centers no better for bariatric surgery
Reuters India
The surgeries included gastric bypass, which reduces the stomach to the size of a golf ball, and gastri...
Should Teens Be Allowed to Have Gastric Banding Procedure - Gossip Jackal
27 Jul 2010 at 12:52pm
Gossip Jackal
Should Teens Be Allowed to Have Gastric Banding Procedure
Gossip Jackal
The FDA is considering if gastric banding is safe in children ages 14-18. With an overwhelming amount of data show...
Three Common Myths About Weight Loss Surgery - AOL Health (blog)
29 Jul 2010 at 6:08pm
Three Common Myths About Weight Loss Surgery
AOL Health (blog)
Many people don't realize that gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are not cosmetic procedures to be taken as lightly...
Health briefs - The Keene Sentinel
28 Jul 2010 at 11:37am
Health briefs
The Keene Sentinel
To be eligible for gastric banding, patients must weigh less than 425 pounds and be between 18 and 65 years old. They must also have tried other weight-loss ...
|
