Adjustable Gastric Band
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), commonly known as a lap-band, is a type of bariatric surgery. It is widely considered to be the least invasive type of surgery for weight loss. In this procedure, the surgeon places an adjustable band around the upper part of your stomach, thereby creating a very small stomach pouch. As a result, you will feel full after eating much less food. That’s the basic method of how the gastric band can help you lose weight.
At The Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Unit at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, our highly qualified team comprises gastrointestinal surgeons and specialists from various departments who will guide patients before, during, and after the adjustable gastric band surgery.
How does the adjustable gastric band work?
Adjustable gastric banding is performed as a laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. This means that it is minimally invasive, and only small incisions are made in your upper abdomen. The surgeon then inserts a laparoscope – a thin tool that has a tiny video camera and light attached to it. The camera transmits a clear picture of your insides to a video monitor, and the procedure can be performed without making a large incision.
The surgeon then places a small silicone ring around the top portion of your stomach, creating a very small stomach pouch; this ring has an expandable balloon in the center. A soft tube connects the balloon to a port that is inserted just beneath the skin of your abdomen. By adding or removing saline to and from the balloon (via the port), your surgeon can adjust the band’s tightness. Generally, a small amount of fluid is added at each visit by your doctor. However, if your surgeon determines that the band is too tight, fluid can be removed instead.
When you eat, the food from your small stomach pouch empties slowly into the lower part of your stomach, and then the normal digestive process resumes. Gastric banding limits the amount of food that can fit in your stomach, but it doesn’t affect the absorption of nutrients and calories.
After the surgery:
- You will need to follow a liquid diet for the first week or two. You’ll then be able to progress to pureed foods, soft foods, and finally to regular food.
- Every meal must be small in order to fit in your small stomach.
- Because you are eating less, you may need to take a daily multivitamin and additional supplements, according to the instructions of your doctors.
- You will need regular follow-up blood tests throughout the year after surgery.
- To help you avoid regaining some of the weight that you lose, we will provide you with guidance about how to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise. We also recommend joining a weight-loss surgery support group.
What conditions can it treat?
Lap-band is used to treat severe obesity, particularly for people who have been unsuccessful with long-term weight loss using other methods.
As an effective solution for obesity, adjustable gastric banding can also help treat many obesity-related health conditions, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
What are the possible side effects?
Because adjustable gastric banding is done laparoscopically, the risks are reduced. However, all bariatric surgery is still regarded as major surgery, and side effects may occur.
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting: can be reduced by loosening the band slightly
- Band slippage and saline leakage from the balloon
- Food not going into the stomach
- Blood clots in your legs
- Intolerance to specific foods
- Minor complications from the surgery: wound infections, bleeding; these complications occur less than 10% of the time
Who is a suitable candidate?
At Sheba, our doctors will meet with you to evaluate your personal medical, psychological, and weight history to determine your candidacy for adjustable gastric banding.
Candidates for lap-band meet the following criteria:
- Over the age of 18
- BMI higher than 40
- BMI 35-40, which is accompanied by one of these health problems: high
- blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, back pain, knee
- pain, shortness of breath, fertility disorder
- Non-smoker (or quit smoking completely at least 3 months ago)
- Prior unsuccessful attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise
- Willingness to make long-term lifestyle changes
If you have any of the following, the lap-band may not be suitable:
- BMI over 50 and/or not physically active
- Stomach or intestinal disorders
- Need to take aspirin frequently
- Addicted to alcohol or drugs
- Not interested in making any dietary or lifestyle changes
Why choose Sheba for the adjustable gastric band surgery in Israel?
At our Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Unit, we have a large top-notch team comprising five leading bariatric surgeons who collaborate to provide superior care. Working together, they offer you the combined experience of having performed thousands of surgeries. We also feature a state-of-the-art clinic, with its own modern and dedicated operating rooms.
In addition to our surgical team, we have psychologists and dietitians who provide personalized treatment to guide and support patients before and after the procedure. Our hospital is committed to holistic healthcare. To help you achieve weight loss and improve your overall quality of life, the bariatric surgery procedure does not stand alone – we provide a comprehensive range of services to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss.
David Goitein, MD
Sheba Medical CenterDavid Goitein, MD
Director, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Unit
Prof. Goitein is a leading specialist who has performed hundreds of advanced laparoscopic surgeries. He is an active participant in many professional scientific societies worldwide, and he has published dozens of articles in notable medical journals. Prof Goitein received his medical degree from the Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
David Hazzan, MD
Sheba Medical CenterDavid Hazzan, MD
Director of the Invasive Microbial and Robotic Surgery Unit
Dr. Hazzan specializes in general surgery, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and obesity treatment. He founded the Invasive Microbial Surgery Unit at Carmel Hospital in Haifa, and then managed it for four years. Dr. Hazzan is a leading surgeon in Israel performing abdominal wall hernia surgery with the help of the da Vinci robot. He has performed hundreds of gastrointestinal surgeries using a minimally invasive approach. Dr. Hazzan received his medical degree from the Jose Maria Vargas School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela.
