ABOUT GASTRIC BAND SURGERY
Gastric band surgery is a weight-loss surgery which uses an inflatable silicone band to create a small gastric pouch in the stomach, slowing down food consumption and limiting food intake. The surgery is performed to help patients with weight-loss after non-surgical methods such as change of diet and regular exercise, have failed to produce results.
The procedure is generally only performed on patients who are morbidly obese, with a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or more. However, it may also be performed on patients who have a BMI of 35-40 who have health conditions which may threaten the patient’s health when combined with obesity, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or osteoarthritis.
Gastric band surgery is the most minimally invasive type of bariatric surgery, and it is most commonly performed laparoscopically. However, some patients may require the surgery to be performed as open surgery. The surgery can also be reversed, unlike other types of bariatric surgery.
The procedure involves surgically applying the inflatable band around a section of the stomach, creating a a small pouch in the upper stomach. The pouch is filled quickly when eating and this creates the sensation of being full, in turn, prohibiting the patient from eating large portions of food and allowing the body to steadily lose weight.
After around 6 weeks, the band can be filled with saline solution to increase the level of food restriction. Once the patient begins to steadily lose weight, the band can be continuously readjusted as required, using a saline solution.
Recommended for:
Patients who have a BMI of 40 or higher and have failed to lose weight through change of diet or exercise
Patients with a BMI of 35-40 who also have health conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or osteoarthritis
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Number of days in hospital: 1 – 3 days
- Average length of stay abroad: 2 weeks
The doctor should ensure that the patients condition is stable enough to travel.
- Number of trips abroad needed: 1
Follow up visits may be needed to monitor progress and increase the restriction by filling the band with saline solution, however this can also be performed by a doctor at home.
COMPARE GASTRIC BAND SURGERY PRICES AROUND THE WORLD
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| US | 14800€ |
| Thailand | 13342€ |
| India | 7607€ |
| United Arab Emirates | 6823€ |
| Poland | 4494€ |
| Mexico | 4027€ |
| Tunisia | 4027€ |
HOW TO FIND QUALITY TREATMENT ABROAD
BEFORE GASTRIC BAND SURGERY ABROAD
Patients will need various tests ahead of surgery. Patients will have to follow a diet plan and the consulting doctor will advise the patient about discontinuing any medicines and prescriptions. Patients are likely to be advised to follow a physical activity program and to abstain from smoking.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
The patient is administered a general anesthetic before the procedure begins. The surgeon creates several small incisions in the abdomen, in order to access the stomach. The gastric band is inserted and locked around the stomach, creating a small stomach pouch.
A small tube connects the gastric band to a device just beneath the surface of the skin. Through this, a saline solution can be inserted into the band to expand it, thus reducing the size of the stomach further over time.
Anesthesia
General anesthetic.
Procedure duration
The Gastric Band Surgery takes 30 to 60 minutes.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER GASTRIC BAND SURGERY
Post procedure care
It is common to experience some pain at the site of surgery, and patients will usually spend a day or 2 in hospital.
For the first 24 hours, patients will usually only be able to drink small amounts of liquid, and after that, solid food is slowly introduced. The doctor may recommend taking blood thinning medication and wearing compression stockings to reduce the risk of a blood clot. It is also recommended to walk around as soon as it is comfortable enough to do so.
Possible discomfort
Discomfort and soreness is normal for a few days after surgery.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GASTRIC BAND SURGERY
Not recommended for
- Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (eg. Crohn’s disease)
- Cirrhosis
- Portal hypertension
- Esophageal or gastric varices
- Congenital anomalies of the digestive tract (ie, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, situs inversus, etc)
- Severe eating disorders
- Alcoholism or drug addiction,
- Pregnancy
- Autoimmunity diseases
- Use of immunosuppressants,
- Problems with general anesthetic,
- Previous perforation near to the banding site.
Potential risks
- Pouch enlargement
- Ulceration
- Gastritis
- Erosion
- Malpositioning of the band
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Stomach blockage
- Risks associated with anesthetic
- Damage to internal organs
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- In rare cases, surgical complications may lead to death
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As with most major surgeries performed under general anesthesia, gastric band surgery and other types of bariatric surgery carry a risk of infection, blood clots, excessive bleeding, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Specifically, gastric banding also carries a risk of gastritis, injury to the stomach or other organs, band erosion into the stomach lining, malnutrition, scarring inside the belly, problems with the access port, and vomiting.
Yes – one of the advantages of gastric banding is that it is easy to reverse the procedure. Approximately half of the patients who undergo gastric banding eventually have the band removed. However, the risk is that patients will gain weight again if the band is removed, so each patient’s case should be considered individually.
It is possible to perform this procedure after a gastric bypass if the bypass procedure has failed in some cases. Your surgeon will need to review your medical records and examine you to determine if it is possible, appropriate, and safe for your individual case. In many cases, patients need a simple modification to the original procedure.
Small amounts of alcohol can be consumed after gastric banding, however, it is recommended to avoid it in general. Alcohol is very calorific, and consuming large amounts can make it difficult to lose weight – not to mention the other negative health effects.
Your surgeon may place a cast on your nose after the procedure. This will probably be in place for about one week and will also help reduce swelling.
Most patients lose about one-third to one-half of their extra weight over 2 to 3 years after surgery.
The gastric band adjustment is when the band is filled to change the level of restriction. Usually, patients begin with the band less full (less restriction), and over time the band can be tightened.
When placing the gastric band, the tube which can be used to fill or unfill the band is connected to an access port just beneath the skin on the patient’s abdomen. This access port is used to easily inject saline solution or remove saline solution. The injection can be done in a quick session while the patient is awake, and it shouldn’t be painful.
