Gastric Band Surgery For Weight Loss

by Anand Thakkar, MD. ~

If you’re looking to lose weight, you have a number of options open to you. For some people, intermittent fasting is an effective method to shed those pounds, while others opt for a diet plan such as Keto or the HCG weight loss program. Then there’s gastric band surgery, which is a common form of weight loss surgery for those who are overweight. It is an FDA-approved weight-loss treatment and is something you might be interested in if you are struggling to lose weight in any other way. In this article, we will discuss this popular form of medical weight-loss treatment and will give you all the information you need to know.

What Is Gastric Band Surgery?

Gastric band surgery is a type of bariatric surgery. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that decreases the size of the stomach. The gastric band is fitted under general anesthesia and surgery is performed through keyhole incisions in the abdomen. The procedure usually takes between 30-60 minutes.

During the procedure, the adjustable band is placed around the top part of the stomach. The band creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach, so when you eat, this part of the stomach will fill up quickly. As a consequence, you will feel full earlier than normal so you will be less inclined to eat more than you should.

Adjustments can be made to the gastric band by the surgeon. They can loosen or tighten it by injecting saline solution into the tube that is connected to the band. This will affect the rate at which food passes into the lower part of your stomach from the pouch and is done so that you steadily lose the right amount of weight.

Is Gastric Band Surgery Right For You?

Gastric band surgery can be recommended to you if:

• You have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
• Your BMI is between 35-40 and you have a medical condition, such as diabetes
• You have already made an effort to lose weight through other methods, such as exercise and dieting
• Are healthy enough for surgery to take place
• You are committed to making lifestyle changes after surgery

You won’t be a good candidate for this type of weight loss surgery if:

• Have a long-term health problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease
• You have a psychiatric issue, such as an eating disorder, that you are currently struggling to manage
• Don’t meet the BMI criteria
• You are not committed to making lifestyle changes after surgery

Your first step is talking to your doctor about weight loss surgery. They will discuss the option with you and will advise you on whether or not it is right for you. If you do meet the criteria, you will then have to make up your own mind about the procedure. You can do this by considering the pros and cons.

The Pros And Cons Of Gastric Band Surgery

Gastric band surgery is an effective way to lose weight but it’s still important to consider the pros and cons of the procedure.

Pros

If you are struggling to lose weight any other way, gastric band surgery can certainly help. People generally lose around half of their excess weight over two years after surgery, so you will notice the results.

Gastric band surgery can alleviate the risk of a  number of weight-related health conditions too including diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Gastric band surgery is an FDA-approved bariatric procedure and is considered to be the safest type of bariatric surgery. And unlike gastric bypass and other bariatric treatments that are permanent, a gastric band is an adjustable and reversible process.

Cons

Weight loss is slower than certain other types of medical weight loss programs, such as gastric bypass surgery. And not every patient loses half of their excess body weight over a two-year period. However, the success and failure of the surgery can sometimes depend on the patient themselves. If they don’t make the necessary food and lifestyle changes after treatment, they won’t lose as much weight as they want to.

While gastric band surgery is considered safe, there can still be complications. The gastric band can slip out of place and work its way through the stomach wall. This will necessitate further treatment to remove, reposition, or replace the band. Some people with gastric bands also develop food intolerances, resulting in feelings of nausea and vomiting. Avoiding foods that trigger such reactions will counter this problem, but in some cases, it may be necessary to remove the band.

Should you have gastric band surgery?

If you’re considering having a gastric band, your doctor will talk about it with you. They will explain the pros and cons, including those we have mentioned here. They will also talk about other types of weight loss surgery that could be open to you, including gastric bypass or a sleeve gastrectomy.

Diet After Gastric Band Surgery

If you do decide to have gastric band surgery, you will need to make changes to your diet. For the first two weeks, you will need to stick to liquid foods, such as thin soups. After this time, you will be able to move on to pureed and blended foods until the four-week mark. After four weeks, softer foods can be introduced into your diet, and after six weeks, a normal diet can commence.

You will be given printed information on what you can and can’t eat by your doctor so follow the instructions they give you.

Contact Us

For more advice on losing weight, including the weight loss options available at the Chicago Weight Loss & Wellness Clinic, get in touch with us today. We will discuss the way forward with you, and will help you decide which is the next best step for you.

About The Author

Dr. Anand Thakkar is a licensed Internal Medicine physician. He is Board Certified in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine. He has been a member of the teaching faculty for students at Chicago Medical School and has been featured on ABC, FOX, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and Forbes as a recognized authority in wellness, fitness & nutrition, weight loss, and women’s & men’s health. His mission is to help people become the healthiest versions of themselves using movement, nutrition, and a whole-body approach to medical care.

This blog is for informational purposes only. Do not make any major changes to your lifestyle, diet, or exercise without the supervision of a licensed medical professional.