How is the Lap-Band Surgery Performed?
In most cases, the procedure can be performed by an experienced bariatric surgeon in around forty minutes in an outpatient setting. The procedure involves the laparoscopic placement of an implantable adjustable gastric band and access port system under the skin, all done laparoscopically with five small incisions while the patient is under anesthesia. During laparoscopy, a small camera is inserted into the abdomen and the Band is carefully placed around the upper stomach. The Lap-Band is made of a specially designed soft material and it acts like a snug, soft belt around the stomach. It serves to restrict the size of the stomach and patients feel full and satisfied after eating very small meals. Most patients do not require an overnight hospital stay. With experienced hands, serious complications are very rare, but in some cases, the band may need to be repositioned in the future.
