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  • By Matthew Hall


    Over the years, obesity has become a growing concern among many people. Whereas lifestyle modification remains the main mode of treatment, with time surgical options have become more popular as well. One of the most used surgical treatments is known as gastric banding, popularly called lapband surgery. There are various useful tips and information one should know about the procedure before considering it.

    It is a surgical procedure which involves placement of an adjustable belt round the upper sections of the stomach through the use of a laparoscope. The band is usually made from silicone and is able to be tightened through addition of saline to fill the band. This band is connected to some port which is placed under skin of the abdomen. The port is used for introduction or removal of the saline into the band.

    The aim of the procedure is restriction of size of the stomach and by extension the amount of food which it can hold at any given time. It will also ensure there is slowing down of passage of food into intestines. When this happens, the brain gets signaled by the gut to send the signal that one is full. This leads to less consumption of food. The signal is sent from a minute pouch created at upper stomach sections. When that pouch is full, a signal gets sent to the brain.

    The procedure happens under full general anesthesia and will take between one and two hours. It is performed using laparoscopic technique which involves making between 3 to 5 very minute incisions. The incisions are approximately 1 inch in length. The surgeon will insert a small camera into one of the incisions to view the procedure on a screen. The camera is attached to a tube. The remaining incisions will allow for use of surgical instruments and placement of the band.

    You will need to prepare well for the procedure. Depending on the surgical practitioner or program one is going for, mode of preparation will vary. The majority of treatment institutions want to see some kind of commitment from patients in prior when it comes to lifestyle changes. This is normally as proof that one is ready for the weight loss. One of the things they are required to do is eat 5 to 6 small meals every day to prepare for the challenge ahead. You are supposed to avoid foods high in calories like ice cream or milk shake.

    Recovery is different in different individuals. In general however, the procedure has a short period of hospitalization and quick recover when compared with the other gastric procedures. Majority of people resume work in a week. This is the case if the work in question is not very demanding. You can resume normal activity after 6 weeks.

    After the procedure, one may feel some pain and discomfort but this is easily controlled using medications. After between 6 to 8 weeks, normal activities can resume. The weight loss will be gradual. In the beginning, the loss of weight might be more dramatic but this slows down after a while. Average weight loss will be 40 percent of excess body weight.

    There are a few expected side effects. They include among others ulceration of the targeted areas, vomiting, nausea and dehydration. Some patients can experience weight gain.




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