Banded Gastroplasty Procedures
- Banded gastroplasty procedures are a type of bariatric surgery in which a small band is placed around your stomach near the upper portion of it. Gastric banding leaves you with a small pouch about the size of your thumb for food to fill, rather than your entire stomach. The pouch causes you to feel full much faster, reducing your calorie intake and causing you to gradually lose weight.
- Candidates for banded gastroplasty procedures are very overweight, with BMIs of 35 to 39.9. Most candidates are also experiencing a serious obesity-related complications like elevated blood pressure or diabetes. To be considered for surgery, you must also demonstrate to your doctor your willingness to change your behavior. Bariatric surgery will work for you only if you permanently change your eating habits and exercise routine.
- Your recovery after a banded gastroplasty procedure will depend on the type of surgery you receive. Many gastric bands can be inserted either laparoscopically or through traditional open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery involves smaller incisions and less tissue damage during the procedure, which means you can leave the hospital sooner after surgery and will recover faster.
- Potential complications you could experience after undergoing a banded gastroplasty procedure include common surgical risks like infection at the incision site, an adverse reaction to anesthesia or uncontrolled bleeding. You are also at risk of developing a hernia. Because you cannot eat as much as before, you could also have problems consuming a balanced diet and getting enough nutrients. This leads to a risk of malnutrition.
- If you are considering bariatric surgery as a permanent form of weight loss, banded gastric procedures offer some advantages over other surgeries. It does not involve bypassing any parts of your digestive system. It can be performed laparoscopically for a shorter recovery time. The band is removable so the procedure is reversible. Your doctor can adjust the band, widening or shrinking the connection between the pouch and the rest of your stomach according to what you need for optimal health.
