The Adjustable Gastric Band – often called the band – involves an inflatable band that is placed around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a small stomach pouch above the band, and the rest of the stomach below the band.
Procedure
A band is placed around the outside of the upper-most stomach, creating an hourglass-shaped stomach. This produces a small, narrow, controlled and adjustable outlet that allows for management of the rate at which food travels from the upper to the lower stomach. Stretch at the upper stomach (from a small amount of food) above the band causes you to have a profound sense of fullness. Band constriction causes food to slowly pass from the pouch, which maintains stretch on the upper pouch and leads to a prolonged sense of fullness with much less hunger.
Single incision or SILS approach
Dr. Sashi Ganta is one of the few surgeons in the country to offer the TRUE SINGLE INCISION WITH NO VISIBLE SCAR approach for Gastric Sleeve to suitable patients. Dr. Sashi Ganta pioneered the SILS approach for lap band and is believed to be the first surgeon in Texas to perform the Lapband using trans-umbilical SILS approach in September of 2008. Surgeons from across the country visited Austin to train in the SILS approach from Dr. Ganta and patients travel to Austin from many other states to have the procedure performed by Dr. Ganta. This remarkable technique involves complete performance of the lap band procedure via one small incision at the belly button leaving no visible scars on the abdomen. This new technique of Trans-umbilical Gastric band allows patients to have an opportunity for significantly improved cosmetic results and possibly less pain with a faster recovery.
Disclaimer:
All patients are not candidates for this approach. Results can vary and are not guaranteed even for patients determined to be candidates before the surgery.
Lap Band Advantages
- Reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold
- Induces excess weight loss of approximately 40 – 70 percent
- Involves no cutting of the stomach or rerouting of the intestines
- Requires a shorter hospital stay, usually performed as an out patient, most patients going home on the same day of surgery
- Is reversible and adjustable
- Has the lowest rate of early postoperative complications and mortality among the other bariatric procedures
- Has the lowest risk for vitamin/mineral deficiencies
Is Lap Band Right for You?
Whether Lap band is best for you or not depends on your specific situation with health and your goals. Dr. Ganta will take many factors into account, including your body mass index, eating habits, your health problems, any previous surgeries and your goals for your well being. The best way to determine if you would benefit from Lap band procedure would be to meet with Dr. Ganta in a free evaluation or a full consultation. The Lap Band surgery may be particularly suited to persons of relatively lower BMI (30-40) who wish to have a quicker recovery, less operative risk, and the ability to undergo a surgical procedure that is both adjustable and removable. The gastric band is for people who like to have fine-tuned control over their weight loss program.
Recovery from Lap band Procedure:
- Patients are admitted on the morning of surgery typically 2 hours before the scheduled procedure
- After preoperative process you are evaluated by the registered nurse and anesthesia team
- Procedure is then performed under full general anesthesia and takes approximately 1 hour.
- Most patients are discharged home the same day.
- Return to work times may vary but many patients return to routine activities within about 1 week.
Benefits of Lap band
- The typical weight loss during the first year following Lap Band surgery is 40 to 50% of your excess weight. In addition to the weight loss, patients undergoing Lap Band surgeries can also expect improvement in co-morbidities such as acid reflux disease, sleep apnea and Type II Diabetes.
Life after Lap band
Lap band procedure can be one of the most rewarding procedures for a patient that can take control of their post operative follow up regimen and is committed to be successful. We offer comprehensive bariatric care with support groups, follow-up visits, and continued education series to our patients and monitor their progress. We will do everything we can to ensure the most successful long term weight loss results as you possibly could achieve.
Cost of Lap band surgery in Austin
A decision to undergo Lap band surgery requires serious commitment emotionally and financially. The cost may be a barrier for many patients. We understand the monetary concerns that bariatric surgery patients have, and we do everything we can to help with insurance coverage and other methods to finance the lap band procedure. To learn more about the cost in our practice please contact us at 512-257-2425.
