Adjustable Gastric Band

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding
- REALIZE Band
- LAP-BAND

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a minimally-invasive weight-loss procedure which involves the placement of an adjustable, prosthetic device around the stomach. This procedure has been available in the United States since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001, though the procedure has been used outside of the U.S. since the early 1990s. There are currently two different devices available in the U.S., the REALIZE Band and the LAP-BAND, both of which are utilized at Sibley.

The adjustable gastric band causes weight loss by limiting the amount of food one can eat (restriction) and by reducing appetite. The level of restriction is customized by performing periodic band adjustments or "fills" in the office, where a small amount of saline is injected into the implanted port which lies deep under the skin of the abdominal wall.

Weight Loss Surgery – Gastric band from Sibley Hospital on Vimeo.

Illustrated explanation of Gastric band surgery for weight loss at the Sibley Center for Weight Loss Surgery in Washington, DC.

Advantages:

• It is the only major weight-loss surgery that is adjustable.
• While it is intended for long-term use, the band can be removed surgically, if necessary or desired.
• Lowest mortality rate of any major weight-loss surgery.

Disadvantages:

• Band patients typically see less weight loss than other procedures, up to 30-60% excess weight loss long-term.
• There is a higher rate of revisional surgery for repair or removal of the band.
• There is a risk of slippage or shifting of the band.
• There is a risk of erosion of the band into the stomach wall.
• There is a risk of device malfunction (tubing disconnection, leaking, etc.).
• There is a risk of stretching the stomach pouch or esophagus if the band is too tight for a prolonged period.