Gastric Banding Surgery in Dallas/Ft. Worth Information from Dr. Wade Barker
Gastric banding is quickly becoming a very popular bariatric surgery option because of the procedure's safety, convenience, and post-surgical adjustability. Gastric banding is a safe and effective weight loss procedure ideal for patients who may face a higher risk of gastric bypass post-op complications.
During a thorough banding surgery consultation we will discuss the procedures in detail and go over the risks and benefits of surgery. To learn more about the procedures, please click on the links below:
- About Gastric Banding Surgery
- Gastric Banding vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Band Adjustment
- Benefits of Gastric Banding Surgery
- Possible Risks and Complications
Please explore our website and let us know if we can answer any questions you may have.
About Gastric Banding Surgery
During gastric banding surgery, a silastic (silicon and plastic) band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch. The procedure is usually performed laparoscopically. Unlike in gastric bypass surgery, the upper part of the stomach remains connected to the lower, larger part of the stomach through a small outlet created by the band. Food passes through the outlet slowly. This limits the amount a person can eat, reduces appetite, and slows digestion. Patients who undergo gastric banding surgery at our Dallas/Ft. Worth bariatric surgery center will be asked to adhere to a strict meal plan. They will be required to chew their food thoroughly and swallow slowly.
Because the stomach is smaller, gastric banding patients feel satisfied after eating less food and are able to lose weight quickly. A small access port attached to the band is implanted under the skin during surgery. This port allows our surgeons to inject saline fluid into the band after surgery in order to adjust the size of the stomach pouch, promoting effective weight loss with minimal complications. Back to top
Gastric Banding vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric banding surgery is less invasive than gastric bypass surgery because neither the intestine nor stomach is cut or stapled during the procedure. Unlike gastric bypass surgery, it is also completely reversible. Because gastric banding does not permanently alter a patient's anatomy, it is a good option for morbidly obese patients who are hesitant to receive gastric bypass surgery. Gastric banding may also be a safer choice for patients who are under 20 or over 60, and others who are at high risk for complications following bariatric surgery.
For more information about gastric banding, contact our Dallas/ Ft. Worth practice today.
Benefits of Gastric Banding Surgery
Gastric banding surgery produces rapid weight loss in the same manner as gastric bypass surgery. Most patients who undergo gastric banding surgery see immediate weight loss in the first few months, and steady weight loss for the next few years. This weight loss can bring about significant improvements in health and overall quality of life.
Aside from the obvious health benefits associated with significant weight loss (including improvement in obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and hypertension), gastric banding surgery patients experience what can only be described as a dramatic improvement in self-image and self-esteem. This is the result not only of looking better, but also of being able to fully participate in everyday activities and enjoy a more active social life.
The size of the stomach pouch can be altered without the need for revision surgery. And since the digestive system is left intact, the procedure can be reversed, if necessary. Patients begin to lose weight immediately after surgery at a rate of about one to two pounds per week and lose, on average, 45 percent of their excess body fat two years after surgery. Back to top
Band Adjustment
The advantage of gastric banding surgery is that your bariatric surgeon can adjust the size of the outlet created by the band. The band is connected by tubing to a reservoir of saline that is placed beneath your skin during your initial surgery. Later, at our Dallas/Ft. Worth practice, we can control the amount of saline in the band by piercing the reservoir through the skin with a fine needle. Similar to a blood pressure cuff, the inner surface of the band inflates or deflates, changing the size of the opening between the two parts of your stomach. Changing the size of the opening is a normal part of follow-up care for patients who have undergone gastric banding surgery at our Texas bariatric surgery center. Back to top
Possible Risks and Complications
Gastric banding surgery carries many of the same risks as the other weight loss surgery alternatives available at our Dallas/Ft. Worth practice. However, due to the less invasive nature of the procedure, the risks of gastric banding surgery are significantly less severe than the complications associated with open gastric bypass. As a result, we often recommend gastric banding surgery to patients who run a higher risk of post-op complications. Back to top
Possible complications include:
Band Erosion - Rarely, a band can erode into a patient's stomach. This requires an additional surgery to remove the eroded band.
Other Band Complications - Occasionally, the band can lead to obstruction or perforation of the stomach. These complications may require revisional surgery. Also, the pouch may stretch or the restricting band may break or migrate, allowing patients to eat too much.
Access Port Problems - Sometimes, the access port may be twisted or leaky and an additional procedure may be required to fix the problem.
Vomiting - Overeating is painful and can lead to vomiting. Sometimes, patients must be readmitted to the hospital for fluid replacement if excessive vomiting occurs following surgery.
Food Restrictions - After surgery, you may not be able to eat certain foods such as steak, white meat chicken, and doughy bread. Back to top
For more information about gastric banding surgery, contact our Dallas/Ft. Worth bariatric surgery center today. Our staff will be happy to help you schedule a consultation.
To schedule a surgery consultation, contact our Dallas/Ft. Worth, Amarillo and Lubbock practice today.
