Since getting approval in June 2001 by the FDA, the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System is the newest and the only device globally with FDA approval. It helps weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which will then reduce the amount of food that can be consumed. Since its introduction in 1993, more than 180,000 Gastric Banding procedures have been carried out around the world. Here’s some of the advantages gastric banding surgery has became the one of the best forms of weight loss by surgery:

Minimally Invasive Approach

During the gastric banding procedure, surgeons usually use laparoscopic techniques by using small incisions and long instruments). After they will implant an inflatable silicone gastric band some thing like a wrist watch around the upper stomach area. This will form a small pouch that will control the quantity of food you can consume. The effect from the band is the patient will feel a sense of fullness on a small amount of food.

Other advantages gastric banding surgery is the least Traumatic Gastric Procedure
As the Gastric banding system does not involve cutting and stapling or stomach re-routing its considered the less traumatic form of gastric surgery. As its a laparoscopic approach it offers the bonus of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay and quicker recovery. If in future the gastric banding is reversible and can be removed and the stomach will generally return to its usual form.

More advantages gastric banding surgery are:

Adjustable Treatment

All other gastric surgeries are not adjustable where as gastric banding the band can be easily adjusted to the patients needs. The diameter of the band is adjustable for a customized weight-loss rate o suit you. Your individual needs can change as you lose weight. Example, for a pregnant patients they can expand their adjust the gastric banding to accommodate a growing baby, where as a patients who aren’t experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.

Adjustable Gastric Band

To modify or adjust the size of the band, by adding a saline solution the band will expand or contract. The gastric band is connected by tubing to an access port, which is placed under the skin during surgery. After the operation, the surgeon can control the amount of saline in the band by entering the port with a fine needle through the skin.

Fewer Risks and Side Effects

With a significantly lower mortality risk than other obesity surgery procedures gastric banding has become a popular form of surgery.  Low risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with gastric bypass as the stomach is not altered at all which results in no dumping syndrome related to our dietary intake.

Gastric Banding is an Effective Long-Term Weight Loss Solution

To date over 180,000 cases of gastric banding have been preformed and with academic publications with up to 7 years of follow-up shows that gastric banding is one of the best methods for long term weight loss.

Now you have a greater understanding of the advantages gastric banding surgery .

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Gastric banding is considered a safe form of Surgery and fro most people the benefits of weight loss out way the advantages related to the surgery, however all surgeries do carry some form of risk. Therefore for you to be able to make a well informed decision to have about Gastric Banding, you must be made aware of the possible side effects and what complications that may occur as a result of Gastric Banding Surgery.

Side-effects are an unwanted by product of the Gastric Banding Surgery but are generally temporary effects of the Surgery, afterwards you are likely to have bruising, pain and swelling around the wounds left behind from the surgery.

You may feel or be sick after eating, especially if you try to eat too much. Your restricted diet may cause some shortage of nutrients so you may consider taking multivitamin tablet as a supplement.

Complications caused from Gastric Banding occur during or after the surgery, but most people are not affected. Some possible complications of Gastric Banding Surgery include a reaction to the anaesthesia or excessive bleeding during or soon after surgery for this case a  blood transfusion may be required.

Some of the specific gastric banding complications:

* Wound infection. Antibiotics are given during surgery to help prevent this.
* For up to six weeks after the operation, it is possible to develop a blood clot (DVT) in the veins in the leg. This clot can break off and cause a blockage in the lungs. In most cases this is treatable, but it can be a life-threatening condition. Compression stockings, intermittent compression pumps and blood-thinning injections are used to help prevent DVT.
* There is a risk that during the operation other organs in the abdomen may be accidentally damaged.
* There is a risk that the gastric band may slip out of place, break or erode through the stomach wall. This may require further surgery or removal of the gastric band.
* It is possible you may fail to lose sufficient weight or regain weight, and some patients have further weight loss surgery.
* If you lose weight rapidly, there is a risk of developing gallstones in your gallbladder. These can be painful. Your surgeon may remove your gallbladder during surgery.

Before any surgery you should ask your surgeon to explain how these risks apply to you. The exact risks will differ for every person.

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