Weight loss can often be difficult to manage, especially if you’re not sure where to start. A gastric band is a surgical tool that can help you lose weight.
35
1 hour
39 - 41% of excess weight
first 6 weeks
A gastric band is an inflatable band that is placed around the upper area of your stomach to create a small pouch. This small pouch fills up quickly, and so you’re unable to eat portions as large as you were eating before. This in turn helps you feel fuller for longer. Having a gastric band can help you to eat more slowly, too.
The gastric band is adjustable, and can be loosened or tightened by your practitioner through an injection of liquid. This ensures that you’ll steadily and safely lose the right amount of weight.
After your gastric band has been fitted, you’ll need to follow a post-op diet for the first month or so, and from then on you’ll be able to eat normally, although in moderation.
If you are suffering from obesity and wish to lose weight, a gastric band could have lots of benefits. According to the British Nutrition Foundation, some of the health benefits of significant weight loss include:
– Reduced risk of type-2 diabetes
– Can lower high blood pressure
– Reduces pressure on weight-bearing joints
– Can improve heart health
– Increased energy levels
Some benefits specific to gastric band surgery include:
– Minimally invasive
– Can be removed if necessary
– Can help you lose weight in the long term
– Can result in a loss of 39-41% of excess weight
Every surgical procedure involves some degree of risk and potential side effects. Those associated with gastric band surgery include:
– Blood clots
– Wound infection
– Band slippage
– Blockage in the gut
– Malnutrition due to lack of absorption of nutrients
– Gallstones
– Excess skin caused by weight loss
– Gastric band surgery involves anaesthesia, which carries its own risks.
For the surgery, you’ll be under general anaesthesia, and so will be asleep for the duration of the procedure.
Your surgeon will begin by making four small incisions in your belly and inserting a thin telescope connected to a tiny camera (a laparoscope) into one of these. This camera is connected to a TV screen in the operating theatre so that your surgeon can see the area around your stomach during the surgery. They will then insert long, thin surgical instruments through the other incisions in order to place the gastric band.
The band is fitted around the upper part of your stomach. Once this is complete, some of your lower stomach is placed over the band and stitched in place to minimise the chance of band movement post-operatively.
If you’re suffering from obesity and want to lose weight for health reasons, a gastric band could be the right procedure for you. To be considered for gastric band surgery, you should have a BMI of at least 35 and be willing to change your diet and lifestyle to work with the band. Your surgeon will be able to tell you more about the procedure and let you know your suitability.
Gastric band surgery is minimally invasive, so you should be able to return home the day after your procedure. You’ll need to take at least 1 week off from work, and should try to rest for the first few days.
For the first 4 weeks, you’ll need to follow a post-op diet consisting of liquids, soft and pureed foods. After this period, you can begin to reintroduce textured food until your body adjusts to the band.
I’m in a great place to help you with your weight management journey because I’ve been through weight loss surgery myself.
It was a year after the first lockdown and my weight was getting me down. I was starting to avoid social events, and my confidence was at an all-time low. Having tried many diets unsuccessfully, I started to look into weight loss surgery. Shortly after, I had my gastric bypass surgery. That’s why I’ve joined the team here at Klinikal, as I know exactly how it feels to go through this journey and how I can best support you.
I’m almost 2 years on, and my life has never been better. I’m happy, feeling great and I’ve met the love of my life – all things that didn’t seem possible before my surgery. In total, I’ve lost 7.5 stone, but I’ve gained confidence, peace of mind and find myself just really loving life now.
Our highly experienced team have helped 1000’s of patients achieve their weight loss goals.
Dietetic support programme tailored to your needs
Localised care – clinics and hospitals near you
World-class General Medical Council Registered Bariatric Surgeons
Unparalleled aftercare – here when you need us
We’re affordable – ask about our finance options
Read our real five-star patient reviews
Deciding to have weight loss surgery can be really empowering. But to help you make an informed decision, you need to understand the surgical process and what your journey will involve. At Klinikal, we know that this is important.
We’ve summarised each stage of the journey to give you an idea, but of course your experience will be tailored to your own needs.
Nice to meet you!
Your journey with us begins with a call from a weight management surgeon assistant. One of our highly experienced, friendly surgeon assistants will talk you through our weight loss procedures, pricing and finance options, and answer any questions that you might have.
Meet your surgeon
After speaking to your surgeon assistant, they’ll match you with the right bariatric surgeon for your procedure. You’ll meet them via video call, where they’ll take you through your surgery in more detail. If required, you’ll meet your surgeon in person.
Meet your dietitian
Your dietitian will be an important part of your weight loss journey. Before your surgery day, you’ll meet them to go through the dietary changes that you’ll need to make pre and post-surgery. They’ll give you plenty of advice and will be able to answer any dietary questions that you might have.
Pre-op nurse appointment
It’s important that you’re fit to go ahead with your surgery. That’s why we’ll schedule in an appointment with one of our lovely nurses, who’ll make sure that you’re well enough to proceed.
Surgery day
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for! We’ll welcome you into one of our Klinikal locations where you’ll settle into your private room. You’ll then head down to theatre to have your procedure. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your luxurious suite to recuperate.
Post-op and beyond
Once you return home to recover, you’ll have our full support. You’ll have post-op appointments with a nurse and you’ll see your surgeon again to make sure that you’re recovering nicely. Your surgeon assistant and dietitian will also be in touch regularly, and you can call our helpline if you have any issues.
Nice to meet you!
Your journey with us begins with a call from a weight management surgeon assistant. One of our highly experienced, friendly surgeon assistants will talk you through our weight loss procedures, pricing and finance options, and answer any questions that you might have.
Meet your surgeon
After speaking to your surgeon assistant, they’ll match you with the right bariatric surgeon for your procedure. You’ll meet them via video call, where they’ll take you through your surgery in more detail. If required, you’ll meet your surgeon in person.
Meet your dietitian
Your dietitian will be an important part of your weight loss journey. Before your surgery day, you’ll meet them to go through the dietary changes that you’ll need to make pre and post-surgery. They’ll give you plenty of advice and will be able to answer any dietary questions that you might have.
Pre-op nurse appointment
It’s important that you’re fit to go ahead with your surgery. That’s why we’ll schedule in an appointment with one of our lovely nurses, who’ll make sure that you’re well enough to proceed.
Surgery day
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for! We’ll welcome you into one of our Klinikal locations where you’ll settle into your private room. You’ll then head down to theatre to have your procedure. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your luxurious suite to recuperate.
Post-op and beyond
Once you return home to recover, you’ll have our full support. You’ll have post-op appointments with a nurse and you’ll see your surgeon again to make sure that you’re recovering nicely. Your surgeon assistant and dietitian will also be in touch regularly, and you can call our helpline if you have any issues.
Yes, gastric bands can be removed if they cause serious problems.
A gastric band is an inflatable silicon ring – it looks like an inflatable tube with a port attached on the end.
There is no minimum weight for gastric band surgery. Rather, candidates are measured on suitability with their Body Mass Index (BMI). For gastric band surgery, the suggested BMI range is 35-55.
Everyone is different, and so your weight loss with a gastric band will depend on a few different factors. These include:
– Your starting weight
– Your gender
– Your lifestyle
– Your commitment to the post-op diet
– According to the United Kingdom National Bariatric Surgery Registry’s 2020 report, gastric band patients lost 39-41% of their excess weight after 1 year.
Gastric band adjustment is a simple procedure that can be performed at an outpatient appointment, and should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Your nurse or practitioner will inject saline into the band via its access port, located just beneath your skin.
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