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The gastric band controls both the portion size and reduces your appetite, making you feel fuller sooner and for longer, so you actually want to eat a lot less and therefore you will lose weight!
- Average of 47% excess weight loss achieved
- Best for:
- BMI of less than 47 kg/m²
- Regular meal patterns
- Non-sweet eaters
Book a consultation to see if the gastric band is right for you!
The gastric band is placed around the top of the stomach. In essence it acts like a funnel. Your new smaller upper stomach pouch is about the size of a golf ball, with the larger part of the stomach sitting below the gastric band. This means that the pouch above the gastric band can only store a small amount of food, which then passes through the gastric band into the lower part of the stomach. The gastric band controls the flow rate of food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach. The drier the texture of food, the slower it will pass through the passage created by the gastric band.
Gastric Band Surgery with Streamline - FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that our patients commonly ask us about this procedure. We hope that our answers below will help to put your mind at ease.
If you have any other questions why not call 0800 157 7033 today and have a chat with one of our Patient Care Coordinators. Many of our Coordinators have had weight loss surgery themselves, and are more than happy to share their own experiences.
Q: Why trust us?
Our surgeons operate at some of the largest and busiest NHS centres operating on the largest and most complex patients. Our surgeons have many years experience on which to base their recommendations on what's right for you. After surgery we provide you with two years of open access follow-up care.
The procedure itself is just of course just the beginning of your new life and to help to ensure your success we include a full 24 months aftercare package, including unlimited gastric band adjustments access to our specialist dietitians and specialist nurses.
Q: "How Much Weight Can I Lose?"
Probably the biggest question facing anyone who is contemplating weight loss surgery is "how effective will it be?" In our latest study, we monitored the results of 51 gastric band operations. The figures speak for themselves:
- After 12 months, the total weight loss recorded was a massive 210 stone or 2,946 pounds (or 1,339kg)!
- The average weight loss per patient was 3 stone - that's 58lbs (or 26 kg)
- 100% of patients had lost weight following the procedure
- One of our super-slimmers had lost nearly 7 stone or 96 lbs (43.5 kg) in just a few months.
Q: How will the weight come off?
About six weeks post surgery you will have dietitian appointments and receive personalised advice on your gastric band diet following the operation.
Weight-loss results vary from patient to patient and the amount of weight you lose depends on many things. The gastric band needs to provide the right restriction and you need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure and the pounds won’t come off by themselves. A weight loss of 1 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible.
After about a year weekly weight loss is usually less. Remember that you should always lose weight gradually. Losing weight too quickly can cause an increased risk to your health, and could lead to a number of problems. The main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.
Q: What evidence is there for gastric band results?
There have been numerous studies into the effectiveness of the gastric band, which have proven its effectiveness both in reducing bodyweight and also resolving "co-morbidities" associated with obesity such as hypertension, sleep apnoea and in some cases providing a cure for Type II Diabetes. More information is available here.
Q: How is the gastric band adjusted?
Adjustments are mainly carried out by our specialist nurses at one of our clinics. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port to add or subtract the saline fluid in the gastric band. Local anaesthetic can be provided but is not normally necessary and the process usually takes only a few minutes. Where necessary we can also adjust the gastric band under X-Ray if required.
Having gastric surgery is a life long commitment and will allow you to take back control of your life and better manage your food intake and therefore your weight.
Q: Will I feel ill immediately after my operation?
The pain after surgery isn’t usually too bad and can be controlled with paracetamol, ibuprofen and sometimes a small dose of a more powerful painkiller. You can expect to be discharged from hospital the same day or the day after surgery.
Q: What dietary advice should I follow?
A soft diet is recommended for the first few weeks after surgery. Regular follow-up is essential after LAGB surgery to get a good result, which is why we include such a comprehensive after care package. The gastric band won’t work unless it is kept optimally tight and you comply with a suitable diet avoiding liquid calories such as chocolate! Regular appointments with a dietician will help you learn to work with your gastric band. The gastric band should be thought of as a tool that has been fitted to you to help you control your food intake. A gastric band alone, without your input, won’t give good weight loss.
Q: What happens if I have a problem?
We supply you with a 24-hour emergency service helpline where you will be able to get advice and support.
Q: How long will it take to recover after surgery?
All our Gastric Band surgery is performed keyhole (laparoscopically), therefore recovery time is fairly short. You should be able to drive and/or return to work within about a week of the operation, and start exercising again after 4-6 weeks.
Q: What will happen if I become ill?
Call us! We are here 24 hours a day to support you though this life-changing experience.
One of the major advantages of the gastric band is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires that the restriction be removed then the gastric band can be loosened. This can be done by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the gastric band can be tightened again.
Q: Will I need to take vitamin supplements?
Your dietitian may advise you to take supplements as it is possible that you may not get enough vitamins from three small meals a day.
Q: Will I be scarred from the operation?
The scarring from the gastric band operation is minimal as the majority are keyhole surgery. After approximately 12 months the scars may be hard to find.
Q: Can I still enjoy going out for a meal with family & friends?
Absolutely. Although the gastric band does control the amount you can eat it will not prevent you from going out. Providing you choose your courses wisely you can still potentially enjoy a three course meal although you will not be able to complete every course, due to the restrictions of your gastric band.
Q: I am diabetic - is it suitable for me?
If you have Type 2 Diabetes, than the answer is probably yes! Weight loss with a gastric band has been shown to eliminate the disease in 78.1% of patients, with 86.6% reporting a cure or some improvement.
Q: Where can I get more information?
For further research, these sources are very useful.
Gastric band procedure video
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