Laparoscopic Gastric Band FAQ
1. How long will it take to recover after surgery?
The typical stay in the hospital following band surgery is under 23 hours. Most patients return to work within one to two weeks following surgery, and resume all activities within three to four weeks after surgery.
2. How much weight will I lose?
The goal is to lose a healthy one to two pounds per week. Weight loss results can vary from patient to patient.
3. How do weight loss results of the band compare to those of gastric bypass?
Patients that have band surgery will lose weight slower than those that have gastric bypass. Long term benefits and results should mirror those of gastric bypass patients.
4. Does the band require frequent office visits after surgery?
Frequent and regular visits to your surgeon’s office are a very important part of your success. You will follow-up with your surgeon approximately every four to six weeks for the first year to 18 months. Band adjustments will be done as needed until appropriate weight loss is achieved.
5. How is the band adjusted?
Adjustments are made in the surgeon’s office or in the hospital under x-ray, so that the access port can be clearly seen. Local anesthesia may or may not be needed. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port to add or remove sterile saline. This process takes about 5-10 minutes and most patients say that it is nearly painless.
6. Do I have to be careful with the access port just underneath my skin?
There are no restrictions based on the access port because it is placed under the skin in the abdominal wall. Once the incisions have healed, the access port should not cause discomfort, limit your movement or physical exercise. The only sensation you may experience from the port is when adjustments are made. If you feel persistent discomfort in the port area, contact your physician as soon as possible.
7. Can the band be removed?
Although the adjustable gastric band is not meant to be removed, it can be for certain circumstances. The stomach returns to its normal capacity after the band is removed and the possibility of weight gain is increased.
8. Will I be sick a lot after the operation?
You should not be sick after the operation unless you are not properly following the diet guidelines. If you have persistent nausea and/or vomiting, you will be advised to contact your surgeon to rule out any problems with the placement of the band.
9. Will I need plastic surgery for the surplus skin when I have lost a lot of weight?
As a rule, plastic surgery will not be considered for at least a year or two after the operation. Sometimes the skin will mold itself around the new body tissue. You should give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more surgery.
10. Will I feel hungry or deprived with the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band?
The band helps you eat less and feel full. The band reduces the capacity of your stomach and increases the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a small meal of three to four ounces, you should feel full. As you eat less food, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat energy supply. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food, you should not feel hungry or deprived.
11. What will happen if I become ill?
One of the major advantages of the band is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened by removing saline. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be tightened by increasing the amount of saline. If the band cannot be loosened enough, it may be removed.
12. Does the band limit any physical activity?
The band does not hamper physical activity including aerobics, stretching and strenuous exercise.
13. What about pregnancy?
Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may also become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After the pregnancy, the band may be tightened to resume losing weight.
14. What about alcohol?
Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage is not considered harmful to weight loss.
15. Can I eat anything in moderation?
After your stomach has healed, you may eat most foods that don’t cause you discomfort. Eating foods rich in vitamins and nutrients are essential since you can only consume small amounts of food. If you eat foods that contain large amounts of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of “empty” calories, such as milkshakes, the benefits of the band may be greatly reduced or cancelled.
16. Will I suffer from constipation?
There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools because you eat less food and fiber. This should not cause you severe problems.
The typical stay in the hospital following band surgery is under 23 hours. Most patients return to work within one to two weeks following surgery, and resume all activities within three to four weeks after surgery.
2. How much weight will I lose?
The goal is to lose a healthy one to two pounds per week. Weight loss results can vary from patient to patient.
3. How do weight loss results of the band compare to those of gastric bypass?
Patients that have band surgery will lose weight slower than those that have gastric bypass. Long term benefits and results should mirror those of gastric bypass patients.
4. Does the band require frequent office visits after surgery?
Frequent and regular visits to your surgeon’s office are a very important part of your success. You will follow-up with your surgeon approximately every four to six weeks for the first year to 18 months. Band adjustments will be done as needed until appropriate weight loss is achieved.
5. How is the band adjusted?
Adjustments are made in the surgeon’s office or in the hospital under x-ray, so that the access port can be clearly seen. Local anesthesia may or may not be needed. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port to add or remove sterile saline. This process takes about 5-10 minutes and most patients say that it is nearly painless.
6. Do I have to be careful with the access port just underneath my skin?
There are no restrictions based on the access port because it is placed under the skin in the abdominal wall. Once the incisions have healed, the access port should not cause discomfort, limit your movement or physical exercise. The only sensation you may experience from the port is when adjustments are made. If you feel persistent discomfort in the port area, contact your physician as soon as possible.
7. Can the band be removed?
Although the adjustable gastric band is not meant to be removed, it can be for certain circumstances. The stomach returns to its normal capacity after the band is removed and the possibility of weight gain is increased.
8. Will I be sick a lot after the operation?
You should not be sick after the operation unless you are not properly following the diet guidelines. If you have persistent nausea and/or vomiting, you will be advised to contact your surgeon to rule out any problems with the placement of the band.
9. Will I need plastic surgery for the surplus skin when I have lost a lot of weight?
As a rule, plastic surgery will not be considered for at least a year or two after the operation. Sometimes the skin will mold itself around the new body tissue. You should give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more surgery.
10. Will I feel hungry or deprived with the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band?
The band helps you eat less and feel full. The band reduces the capacity of your stomach and increases the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a small meal of three to four ounces, you should feel full. As you eat less food, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat energy supply. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food, you should not feel hungry or deprived.
11. What will happen if I become ill?
One of the major advantages of the band is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened by removing saline. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be tightened by increasing the amount of saline. If the band cannot be loosened enough, it may be removed.
12. Does the band limit any physical activity?
The band does not hamper physical activity including aerobics, stretching and strenuous exercise.
13. What about pregnancy?
Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may also become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After the pregnancy, the band may be tightened to resume losing weight.
14. What about alcohol?
Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage is not considered harmful to weight loss.
15. Can I eat anything in moderation?
After your stomach has healed, you may eat most foods that don’t cause you discomfort. Eating foods rich in vitamins and nutrients are essential since you can only consume small amounts of food. If you eat foods that contain large amounts of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of “empty” calories, such as milkshakes, the benefits of the band may be greatly reduced or cancelled.
16. Will I suffer from constipation?
There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools because you eat less food and fiber. This should not cause you severe problems.