Gastric Band
How it works:
Have you had a laparoscopic band placed for weight loss? Has it worked for you? First, a lap band is a silicone ring with adjustable balloons that cause restriction at the top part of your stomach to prevent you from overeating.
The True Results:
Often times this procedure is outpatient or a one day stay. Some have had success with the lap band with weight loss. However, the majority of people have not had success nor have they been given the necessary preoperative and postoperative instruction to be successful. Multiple studies have shown results are not as desirable or consistent as those with the laparoscopic gastric bypass or the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. On average, weight loss success is around 35-40% of your excess weight. That means if you are 100 pounds overweight you could expect to lose 35 to 40 pounds. Unfortunately many patients have side effects as well from the band. Worsened gastroesophageal reflux, band herniation or slippage requiring re-operation, band infection, port flipping and infection requiring replacement or removal, erosion into the stomach, and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) from development of poor esophagus motility.