Lapband Procedure
Lapband © is
performed under General Anaesthesia. A long fine
laparoscopic camera and instruments are inserted
into the abdomen via tiny incisions. The upper part
of the stomach is then dissected so that an
instrument can be passed behind it. The lapband © is
then introduced into the abdomen, brought behind the
stomach and locked by a self-locking mechanism.
The
tail is then attached to an adjustment device that
is then burried deep under the skin and fat. The
incisions are then closed up - there is nothing left
hanging out of the body. Adjustments are performed
every 1-2 months, in the office under local
anaesthesia. A fine needle is introduced through the
skin, fat and into the adjustment device. Half to 1
ml of water is injected. Injecting water into this
device inflates the cuff in the band, causing it to
tighten. Adjustments are continued until target
weight is reached. The net result is that you do not
feel hungry and can still lose a lot of weight - 20
to 70 kg.
The part above forms the working pouch,
the remaining stomach just a passage. When you eat a
a little, the pouch fills and becomes stretched.
This stretching sends signals to the brain that you
are full. The pouch then takes several hours to
become empty, thus, keeping you full for several
hours. The net result is decreased calorie intake
and drastic weight loss of 20-70 kg. Lapband © is
minimally invasive (laparoscopic, keyhole) and the
latest and safest weight loss operation because it
does not involve anastamoses – cutting and rejoining
of intestines. It is also adjustable so that late
weight gain often seen in stapling and bypass
operations is not seen.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Of the many stapling operations, sleeve gastrectomy is the only one being
performed in any numbers. In sleeve gastrectomy, we staple off most of the
stomach, leaving only a slender tube. A proportion of patients with sleeves may
have to be converted to gastric bypasses in 3 - 4 years due to dilation.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, while highly effective
in weight loss, is a complex procedure with higher
mortality and morbidity than lapband©. Patients are
increasingly chosing banding over sleeve gastrectomy
or gastric bypass.
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