What Is The Lap Band®?

How Does A Gastric Bypass Lap Band® Procedure Work?

Lap Band® surgery is a commonly used name for a system of stomach surgery known as the "Lap-Band System®." The Lap Band System® is actually a registered brand name for the type of band used during a surgical procedure.

The goal of this article is to answer the question what is the Lap Band® bypass procedure in easy-to-understand, non-medical language. This article is not intended for medical professionals.

The band used in this procedure is called the adjustable gastric band, and it works like a belt when it is surgically placed around the top of the stomach. The band is made of silicone and it's adjustable. The band constricts the stomach, so that you feel full even after you've only eaten a little food. You eat less, and so you lose weight. Unlike other types of gastric bypass surgery for weight loss, none of the stomach nor intestine is removed in a lap band procedure.

An important benefit of lap band surgery is it's adjustability. The band is actually connected to a device which allows the band to be inflated or deflated after surgery to achieve the desired weight loss results.

How is the Lap Band® bypass procedure done?

The band itself is placed by a surgeon through tiny incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon uses a laparoscope, a tube-like device that includes a tiny camera, to place the lap band. The band is secured with sutures.

This results in a much smaller pouch for food. You eat less but feel full sooner.

Lap Band® bypass surgery is lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, and is done with the help of general anesthesia. Sometimes, an overnight stay in the hospital is needed, but not always.

The port is the device that allows the lap band to be inflated or deflated. It's placed under the skin near the top of the abdomen.

When saline is injected into the port, the band is inflated and the opening to the lower part of the stomach (known as the "stoma")becomes smaller. This helps prolong the feeling of fullness.

Inflating the lap band is painless, and can be done in a doctor's office.

There are a variety of reasons some people choose gastric Lap Band® surgery:

• None of the stomach is cut or removed
• There are no staples placed in the stomach
• The size of the pouch and stoma can be adjusted simply, easily and painlessly.
• The lap band can be removed later
• A short hospital stay (almost never more than 48 hours).

Who should have a Lap Band® bypass procedure?

If you're considering Lap Band® surgery, expect a thorough screening, including blood work, imaging studies, a gastroscopy and a lot of consultations with a specialist or a team of specialists.

If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 35 and 39, you'll only be able to have lap band surgery if you have other medical problems related to obesity. These conditions, which are also called "co-morbid" conditions, could include high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

If your BMI is above 40, no other associated medical problems are necessary to be considered for a lap band.

Also see stomach surgery for weight loss.