The LAP-BAND® System
The LAP-BAND® System is a innovative surgical treatment for achieving a drastic reduction in body weight. Of all the surgical procedures employed to reduce the capacity of the stomach, it is the least invasive and has the lowest risk of operative complications. One of the great advantages of the band is that the diameter of the band can be adjusted to fit your individual needs. If removal is necessary, then your stomach may return to its original form and function. That is why stomach reduction with the aid of the LAP-BAND® System has rapidly grown in acceptance by bariatric surgeons around the world. The name 'LAP-BAND®' System is derived from a combination of the surgical technique employed and the product: the LAP-BAND® System is normally put in place utilizing a laparoscope: 'Lap', from laparoscope and 'Band' from (gastric) band.How is the LAP-BAND® System put in place?
The LAP-BAND® System is normally put in place by laparoscopy. Laparoscopic placement works as follows: The surgeon makes a few small incisions in the abdominal wall. Hollow tubes are slipped through these and are used as entry ports for the thin surgical instruments used by the surgeon. The surgeon "sees" by using a small camera which is also slipped through the tubes. This surgical technique is said to be "patient-friendly". You may experience much less pain after an operation of this kind than after a so-called 'open' operation, in which a larger incision is made into the wall of the abdomen. You may also recover faster and will be able to resume your normal activities in full after only a few days. Naturally, it goes without saying that both patient and surgeon may decide, for a variety of reasons, to put the LAP-BAND® System in place via a larger incision in the abdomen rather than via laparoscopy. Your surgeon and you should discuss a plan and options best suited for you.How does the LAP-BAND® System work?
The band component of the LAP-BAND® System is a silicone band that is placed around the top of the
stomach. This considerably reduces the capacity of the stomach. Since the opening into the rest of the stomach and the alimentary canal is
reduced, food present in the stomach will be slower to move out of the stomach and into the
intestines. This means that a feeling of satiety (fullness) is achieved early on, and will last
longer.
The inner surface of the band is inflatable and contains a liquid
(saline solution). This inflatable section is filled from a
reservoir. The reservoir is placed under the skin and is connected to the band by a tube. The surgeon can control the amount of liquid by piercing the reservoir with a fine needle through the
skin. if the band is too tight, your surgeon will remove some liquid from it and if the band is too
loose and the operation has not had the desired effect, the band can be made a bit tighter by adding more liquid. Liquid can be added in an
outpatients' clinic, so that (further) surgery is not necessary.