How the Lapband Works

A lot of people have asked how the lap band works.

I thought it'd be a good idea to post something that explains it.

A great link for more information is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustable_gastric_band


What is a lap-band

As extracted from the wiki link above:



"A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, commonly referred to as a lap band, is an inflatable silicone device that is placed around the top portion of the stomach, via laparoscopic surgery, in order to treat obesity"

It is the least invasive of all of the obesity surgeries, and is completely reversible.

How the band works is by compressing the stomach, while stimulating the nerves that create satiety (the lack of interest in food) and, at mealtimes, early satiation (i.e. being satisifed with less food).

My surgeon, Professor Paul O'Brien, has posted a very good Youtube video that explains this process quite well. He also explains the surgery itself.

Finally, what makes this system most appealing is the relationship doesn't stop with the surgery. After a month of recovery, the patient is expected to attend regular checkups with the surgeon to have the band adjusted (as necessary), and there is plenty of post-operative support - even years after the surgery. So, I am not left alone.

Due to my fatty liver, I have had to do Optifast (a special Very Low Calorie Diet [VLCD] which has the effect of shrinking the liver) for the two weeks leading up to the surgery - otherwise, the surgeon would not have been able to do the operation laproscopically (he would have had to have made a large incision to move the enlarged liver out of the way).


After The Surgery

After the surgery, there is a four week recovery period before my first adjustment, and the beginning of my new way of eating:

• Week 1 - Liquids Only - this is to allow everything to settle back into place. The band is unlikely to be able to provide the restriction that it needs in the first week, and needs this time to "adhere" itself to the stomach. Having liquids only provides the relief the band needs while settling in. This is the only time that you will be allowed to consume calorie containing liquids without guilt. However, the strong satiety should enable easy transition through this week


• Weeks 2 & 3 - Transition Phase - this where some bulk can be added to the liquids, but the lumps need to be kept small, so as not to "block" the smaller stomach opening. It is important that, over this fortnight, the transition from lumpy liquids to more solid, but soft, foods


• Week 4 - Solids Phase - by this time, you should be effectively on the diet you can expect to have for the rest of the time

Here are a couple of helpful links that explain the lap-band diet:

• A surgeon's perspective


• A patient's perspective