I told you yesterday that I would discuss gastric banding later in the day, I need to stop using that phrase. Every time I do, it turns out I don’t discuss it until the next day! So you have my apologies for the delay. So as mentioned in Weight Loss News Bites yesterday, gastric banding seems to be gaining popularity as a less invasive surgical procedure for individuals who are only moderately obese.
So What Is Gastric Banding?
Gastric banding is a surgery that restricts the size of a person’s stomach so they need only consume small amounts of food and will be more satisfied between meals. This helps them to lose weight by restricting the amount of calories they can consume. This description sounds very much like gastric bypass, but instead of going in to remove or section of areas of the stomach and the intestines, the gastric banding refers to a laparoscopic band that is placed around the stomach.
The procedure is far less invasive than that of the gastric bypass. The band is tightened around the stomach and it allows a person to feel much fuller after they have consumed only a small portion of food.
These results, like with gastric bypass, are a permanent and sustained loss of excess weight within 1 to 2 years. The silicone band is placed around the upper stomach to create a restricted access to the lower stomach. So if you’re wondering what is the biggest difference between gastric bypass and gastric banding weight loss surgery other than the name and the type of surgery – the answer is simple – gastric banding is far more easily reversible than a gastric bypass.
So How Long Does It Take?
Gastric banding surgery takes about two hours. It is performed with laparoscopic technology and requires only small incisions. The smaller incisions reduce the amount of pain and recovery time as well as a lesser chance for scarring. When it comes to finding a surgeon for your procedure; you need to choose the one who has the best reputation, a positive success rate and who makes you feel comfortable.
It’s never a good idea to go with a surgeon you don’t like just because someone else told you they were the best. You are putting your body in their hands and you need to be able to trust in them and the results they are working towards for you.
What Happens After the Surgery?
Depending on the procedure you chose, the hospital stay is usually 2 to 3 days in length and you will likely require a few weeks off from work to finish recovering fully. It will take several days to become comfortable and until you can eat solid foods once again.
There is not a high incidence reporting of complications following the surgery, however a small percentage of cases have experienced obstruction of the stomach, bleeding, staple leaking and respiratory failure. It is important to communicate with your physician about your expectations and procedures for before, during and after the surgery.
Unfortunately, this type of surgery costs a heavy investment and can range from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on the type hospital, clinic and/or the surgeon. In some cases, insurance will pay for the procedure if it is deemed medically necessary for your health. In the case of some adults who have developed Type II diabetes as a direct result of their weight, this may be an option. Be sure to investigate all your options prior to committing to a surgical procedure.
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