Why is this procedure done?
This procedure helps to treat obesity. You lose weight by lowering how much food you want to eat and are able to eat. Your doctor will compute your body mass index based on your height and weight. This is your BMI and it tells your doctor if you are underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. A high BMI puts you at more risk of health problems. This procedure is done for people with BMI of 40 or higher. Doctors may place a laparoscopic band for people with BMI of 30 to 39 who have very bad health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. ‚
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What will the results be?
- Smaller stomach size
- Weight loss
- You will limit the amount of food you eat
- Better health
- Better quality of life
- Shorter healing time than having an open surgery
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history, do an exam, and order some tests.
- You will talk with the surgery team and a mental health doctor. You may also meet with a diet specialist. This person can help you plan your diet changes after surgery.
- Talk to your doctor about all the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Tell your doctor about any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- You may be asked to lose some weight before the surgery.
- Your doctor may order a procedure to clear out your stomach and bowel before the procedure.
- You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
- Take a bath before the procedure. You may be asked to use special soap or wipes to wash your belly. This will help to prevent infection.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. They also put another small tube in your nose. This one goes down to your stomach to drain out any food or fluid that might come out during surgery. You will have a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- Your doctor will make a few small cuts in your belly. A scope with a tiny camera is put through one of the cuts to look at your stomach. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into the holes to do the procedure. To be able to see the area, gas will be put in the belly.
- A special rubber band is placed around the upper part of your stomach. This makes a small pouch to limit your food intake. The band is adjustable. It is changed in size by a port that is placed right under your skin.
- Making changes to this band will change how fast you will feel full after eating.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover them with clean bandages.
- The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will be taken to a Recovery Room after surgery. The staff will take out your breathing tube when you are awake. You may have a sore throat afterwards. You will get drugs through your IV to help with your pain.
- Within a few days, the staff will help you begin to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear.
- You may have pain from the gas used in surgery. Moving and walking will help you to get rid of the gas. It is not gas that you can pass. It has to be reabsorbed by the body. This may take a couple of days to a week after the surgery.
- You may need to stay overnight at the hospital or longer if you have any problems.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Lessen stomach acid
- Add any needed supplements
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Gallstone formation
- Breaking or slipping of the band
- Gastric band is wearing away through the stomach. You will need a surgery to remove the band.
- Acid reflux
- Throwing up if you eat or drink quickly
- Injury to nearby organs
Helpful tips
- Having a laparoscopic band procedure alone is not a solution to lose weight. Control what you eat and how much you exercise to have success in losing weight and keeping the weight off.
- Take note of what you eat by keeping a food journal. Learn how to count calories.
- Weigh yourself at the same time of day, in the same clothing, and using the same scale. That way, you can lessen errors and get a correct weight.
- Put a pillow on your belly when you cough to lessen the pain.
- To help with belly fullness, do not take fluids when you eat. Drink 30 minutes before or after meals.
- You may feel a lot of changes in your body. Your menstrual cycle may change after the surgery. Your skin and hair may feel brittle if you dont eat enough protein-rich food. Talk to your doctor about these changes.
- Continue to work with your doctor for any other health problems. Your diabetes and high blood pressure may improve, and you may not need drugs for these diseases after you lose weight.
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/weight-loss-surgery/Pages/how-it-is-performed.aspx ‚
Weight-Control Information Network ‚
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚