Stomach Banding Surgery

The stomach-banding procedure was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2001 as an effective weight loss method for treating cases of severe obesity. The procedure involves placing a band around the upper stomach to create a small pouch; this banding reduces the capacity of the stomach. When the patient eats food, she cannot eat more than a small fistful of food at any given time.

Stomach-banding surgery allows patients to consume very small amounts of food in one sitting so that their total daily caloric intake is at or slightly above their daily minimum requirements. Reducing calories in this way encourages weight loss, and patients are advised to maintain a preset nutrition program to further spur weight loss. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that over 120,000 gastric-banding surgeries were performed in 2003, and the numbers have increased significantly since then with the rising rates of obesity.

Individuals interested in stomach-banding surgery must set up a consultation with a stomach-banding surgeon, or bariatric surgeon, to determine if they are good candidates for the procedure. A preoperative screening may include blood tests, a gastroscopy and internal imaging tests. The procedure itself involves inserting a gastric band device through tiny incisions in the abdomen and clipping the device around the upper part of the stomach. Adjustable bands allow the doctor to control the capacity of the stomach so that the patient feels full after eating a very small amount of food. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and takes 30 to 60 minutes.

For many obese patients, stomach-banding surgery may be the only effective way to lose weight. The procedure makes it almost impossible to consume a large amount of food in one sitting, and individuals who have had the surgery typically maintain a steady liquid diet for several weeks to begin the weight loss cycle. Stomach-banding surgery patients continue losing weight by maintaining a healthy diet and undertaking an exercise regimen. Over a period of several months, the excess pounds can be lost with minimal discomfort, hunger pangs or cravings. All results and effects are monitored by a physician, and patients may be advised to seek nutritional counseling or dietitian services to maintain their results.

There are several inherent risks and side effects involved with stomach-banding surgery, and some people may not be good candidates for the procedure. Stomach-banding surgery can be an expensive procedure, and a positive outcome is not guaranteed. The average cost of lap band surgery in the United States is $17,000 to $30,000, but individuals may receive treatment abroad for a cost of $7,000 to $16,000, depending on the location and doctor. Only some medical insurance providers in the United States offer full or partial coverage for stomach-banding surgery.