| Basic Information on Gastric Banding
For obese individuals (persons who have a BMI of 35 or above), weight loss solutions may be narrowed down to surgical options. There are several types of gastric surgeries available, but laparoscopic gastric banding is one of the most popular treatments of choice today because it is safer and less invasive.
Gastric banding involves positioning an adjustable band around the part of the stomach that receives food from the esophagus. The band creates a smaller pouch from the stomach, therefore it holds in less food than what the organ is used to. Food from the stomach pouch passes slowly into the lower segment of the stomach through an opening that is created by the adjustable band. Once the food has passed through, the digestion process continues like normal.
A major advantage of gastric banding is that it is reversible. Anytime the patient wishes to have it removed, the stomach size and capacity will also be able to return to pre-surgery state.
It is an effective weight loss solution – gastric banding patients can look forward to losing approximately 40% up to 70% of their excess weight. The surgery itself only lasts an hour or less, but takes weeks to prepare for and a couple of days of hospital admission prior to the procedure itself.
Gastric banding is relatively safe, with only a mortality rate of 1% in the year 2000. About ten percent of patients experience complications like stomach erosion, gastritis and infection. The band may also become misplaced and lead to an enlarged instead of reduced upper stomach pouch. Careful supervision from the gastric surgery team is required even after the procedure and after the person has resumed daily activities.
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