What is Adjustable Gastric Banding?
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a type of weight-loss surgery. Weight-loss surgery is also called bariatric surgery. It's done as a laparoscopic surgery, with small incisions in the upper abdomen. The surgeon puts an adjustable band around the top part of the stomach. This creates a very small stomach pouch. The small stomach pouch means that you'll feel full after eating less food. This will help you lose weight.
The band can be adjusted. This is done by adding or removing fluid in a balloon around the band. This is done through a port placed under the skin of your abdomen. A tube leads from the port to the band around your stomach. During office visits after surgery, your doctor will use a needle to go through your skin into the port. Fluid is injected into the port. The fluid goes through the tube into the balloon around the band and squeezes the top of the stomach. A small amount of fluid is usually added at each office visit, while your weight loss is checked. If the band becomes too tight, some fluid will be removed.
Why might I need LAGB?
LAGB is used to treat severe obesity. It's advised for people who have tried other weight loss methods without long-term success. Your doctor may advise LAGB if you are severely obese with a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Your doctor may also advise it if you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and a health condition such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes.
What happens during LAGB?
- LAGB surgery usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
- You will have general anesthesia for your surgery. This will cause you to sleep through the surgery, and not feel pain.
- Your surgeon will use laparoscopy. He or she will make several small cuts (incisions) in your upper abdomen. The surgeon will then insert a laparoscope and put small surgery tools into these incisions.
- The surgeon will put an adjustable gastric band around your upper stomach and then tighten it to make a small stomach pouch.
- The surgeon will put a small port under the skin of your abdomen. A tube is connected between the port and the band.
- If you have a hiatal hernia, your surgeon may repair that at the same time as your LAGB surgery.
How much does a Adjustable Gastric Banding cost?
The average cost of a Adjustable Gastric Banding in Europe is €4,000. But the prices in Iran and Turkey are much lower than USA and Europe and even lower than India. To see the price, visit the Treatment-Prices.