Laparoscopic Gastric Band- What You Need to Know

by | Jan 19, 2013 | Health Care

The problem with weight has become a serious health issue. More people are battling with weight problems now than in the past. Currently, several campaigns are advising people to choose healthy living because of the problems associated with being overweight. Notably, this problem is affecting both the young and the old. Different solutions have been offered and undergoing a surgical procedure is one of the solutions. These surgical procedures are recommended for extreme overweight cases. Laparoscopic gastric band is a type of weight loss surgery that people battling with weight can choose to have. The aim of the surgery is to limit your appetite. The surgery involves placing a band over the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch that will limit the amount of food that you take. This is how laparoscopic gastric band surgery occurs.
You will need to consult your doctor whether you qualify to undergo this procedure. Most doctors will only advise that you get laparoscopic gastric band surgery if you have struggling with obesity for more than five years and have tried both diet and exercise and they have not helped.

One has to undergo a general anesthesia for laparoscopic gastric band surgery. Therefore, you will not be awake for the procedure although it takes about 30-60 minutes. They use a tiny camera that is placed in your stomach. The camera is what allows the surgeon to see you belly while performing the surgery and it is known as a laparoscope.

It is important to note that laparoscopic gastric band surgery does not involve cutting or stapling the inside of you belly. What the surgeon does is make up to five surgical cuts on your abdomen. It is through these cuts that the surgeon will place the laparoscope and the instruments required to perform the surgery. Using these instruments and the laparoscope the surgeon will place a band over the upper part of your stomach. This will create a small pouch that will have a narrow opening that goes into the lower part of your stomach that is bigger.

When you eat, the upper stomach that is smaller fill ups quickly making you feel full and then empties the food to the lower main part of your stomach for digestion. This prevents you from overeating because you feel like you are full after eating a small amount of food.

Laparoscopic gastric band surgery is not a quick fix treatment for people that are overweight. The doctor will still recommend that you continue to exercise and change your eating habits to be able to get to the desired weight. You should also make sure that you take care of yourself after surgery. Most people resume normal activities after two days.

Laparoscopic gastric band can significantly help you in losing weight. You should consult a doctor that will offer you the best advice when considering it.

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