| Interesting Facts about Gastric Banding Surgery
A gastric banding procedure can best be visualized by taking an elongated balloon, and tying a piece of rubber around its upper portion to make a small upper pouch and a larger lower segment. Imagine that the upper portion is where food goes into after it is swallowed. The band (in the procedure, a silicone band is used) is tightened, leaving a very tiny opening in between the upper and lower stomach segments. Food seeps through this little hole and once it has passed through, normal digestive process continues.
The procedure is primarily done to combat obesity and make way for little to no weight gain through the limitation of the stomach’s food-holding capacity. Aside from this, there are other interesting facts about gastric banding which can help you decide whether it is the most suitable weight loss treatment for you.
Here are just some of them:
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As of today, there are two types of gastric banding procedure, namely Lap-Band, and Realize Band. Both of them are laparoscopic procedures which means they are both done without altering the body’s anatomy. The main differences between these two are manufacturers and gastric band construction. Essentially, they are both effective and popular weight loss procedures.
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The stomach pouch that the band creates is adjustable in size. Ideally, the first adjustment must be made six weeks after the surgery.
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Gastric bands should be regularly adjusted. This is part of its long-term maintenance. Typically, gastric bands must be adjusted four to six times within the year after the procedure.
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Gastric banding is reversible. This is because the stomach’s anatomy is not altered, and only a silicone band is used to change its capability. Once an individual wishes his or her original stomach capacity and digestive process to be restored, the band can be taken out.
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The procedure guarantees weight loss of about five to ten pounds every month. Within two years, patients typically lose seventy-five percent of their excess weight.
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