Bariatric

Adjustable Gastric Band/Lap Band/Realize Band

Adjustable gastric band surgery, also known as laparoscopic gastric band, gastric band or lap band is a restrictive surgical procedure in which a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach.  This creates a new small stomach pouch and leaves the larger part of the stomach below the band. The food storage area in the stomach is reduced since the pouch above the band can hold only a small amount of food. The band also controls the rate at which food empties out of the smaller upper stomach. Ultimately, less food is consumed.

The lap band can be adjusted to alter the size of the opening between the small upper stomach and the lower stomach. The surgeon does this through a port placed in the wall of the abdomen just beneath the skin. The band can be removed, but this surgery should be considered a permanent procedure.

Lap band surgery is typically performed laparoscopically and has a short recovery period. It typically results in a loss of 40% of excess weight. Weight loss occurs more slowly than after other bariatric procedures, but because the procedure can be less invasive and can be removed if needed, it is an ideal option for many patients.