Gastric band surgery...the surgery a step by step guide

The gastric band procedure is a fairly quick procedure which can take around 30 to 60 minutes to perform. You will be given a general anaesthetic and the procedure will be performed as ‘keyhole or laparoscopic’ surgery.

Your surgeon will perform it in the following stages:

  • He/she will inflate your abdomen to make space for him/her to work. He/she will use a small needle to allow gas to flow into the abdominal cavity which will cause this cavity to move out of the way. This means that the surgeon has easy access to the stomach and other related organs.
  • He/she will then make a series of small incisions in your abdomen. These incisions will allow slim tubes and instruments to be inserted. One of these instruments is the laparoscopic camera.
  • The camera allows the surgeon to get a close up of the surgical area. This image is relayed to a large video screen which allows him/her and the surgical team to see what is going on. It is also useful when trying to guide the band into place.
  • The surgeon will place the band around the top part of the stomach and will secure it tightly so that it cannot come loose. This restriction causes the top part of the stomach to form a golf ball shaped pouch into which food will enter. The opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach is called a stoma.
  • The band is attached to a narrow tube: this tube has an access port at the other end and this port is then fixed via another incision just beneath your chest (under the skin).
  • He/she can then inject fluid into this port via the skin. The fluid enters the hollow silicone band and expands the band. This expansion reduces the width of the stoma which means food intake is reduced. Food travels much more slowly – a ‘drip feed’ approach, which will result in your feeling full for a longer period of time.
  • He/she will the remove the instruments and will close the incisions by a series of stitches or a special glue.

As regards the actual fill, this will not be done at the time of the actual procedure. You will have to wait for around 6 to 8 weeks until your stomach has fully healed before being able to do so. Your first fill as it is called will take place under an X-ray but this is only for the first one: all others will take place in a consulting room.

Gastric Band Surgery Guide sections

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