Gastric Band Surgery for Obesity – Find Specialists and Information

The gastric band is a surgical procedure that suppresses the natural feeling of hunger in overweight individuals @ bilderzwerg /AdobeStock

The following factors are contraindications for gastric band surgery:

• congenital anomalies or severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
• stomach ulcers
• Crohn’s disease
• Severe heart or lung disease
• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Severe mental disorders
• Silicone allergy

The doctor must also rule out psychological and hormonal causes of obesity before surgery is possible. Similarly, certain physical and mental illnesses, as well as addictions or untreated eating disorders, are reasons why a gastric band may not be suitable. 

Today, the doctor implants the gastric band during a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure (keyhole surgery). The procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

A gastric band consists of a silicone tube that surgical specialists place around the upper part of the stomach. The adjustable gastric band creates a small pouch, so that the stomach can hold only small amounts of food (20–30 ml) due to the band. As a result, the stomach signals a feeling of fullness much more quickly.

Filling the pouch prevents the patient from consuming large amounts of solid food at one time.

Nowadays, only adjustable bands with a fluid chamber (port chamber) are used during gastric band surgery. The gastric band is then filled via this port chamber. 

This allows doctors to adjust the amount of fluid to the patient’s individual treatment goals. This is done using a balloon connected to the fluid chamber via a small tube.

During the surgery, the surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdominal wall and the stomach wall. Through these incisions, the surgeon inserts the gastric band and the balloon.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically lasts about 60 minutes. Starting on day one, patients begin a gradual return to a normal diet and a change in eating habits. The hospital stay usually lasts only a few days. 

It is important that you adhere to the dietary guidelines and other supportive measures in the weeks following the surgery. How long you’ll be on sick leave after gastric band surgery depends on your individual situation. Expect about four weeks of recovery time. There are no restrictions on physical activity following the surgery.

Gradual Adjustments to the Gastric Band

Doctors adjust the gastric band for the first time one month after surgery. This is done using a syringe to inject saline solution into the balloon.

The more saline solution the doctor injects through the port, the tighter the constriction of the stomach—and vice versa.

In most cases, a gastric band can remain in the body for life. If necessary, doctors can remove the band. 

An increased risk of complications exists primarily due to the patient’s obesity and existing comorbidities.

To keep the risk as low as possible, a thorough screening is conducted prior to the procedure.

Specialized clinics report a mortality rate of less than 0.1 percent for gastric band surgery. As with any surgical procedure, wound healing complications and infections can occur after the operation.

In particular, areas of inflammation may develop around the implanted material, which may require removal of the gastric band.

As with any abdominal surgery, adhesions may form from the scar tissue.

Complications specific to gastric band surgery also include:

• Injury to the upper stomach during band placement
• Narrowing or blockage of the gastric passage due to food particles that are too large
• Enlargement of the formed pre-stomach due to the intake of excessive amounts of food
• Displacement of the silicone tube
• Formation of pus-filled abscesses due to infections or allergic reactions
• Silicone intolerance
• Damage to the implanted system

If any of these complications occur, further surgery is usually required.

Therefore, after surgery, always make sure to chew your food thoroughly. Repeated vomiting, nausea, or rapid weight gain could be signs that a follow-up appointment is necessary. 

Successful weight loss with a gastric band requires the patient’s cooperation and motivation.

Without a long-term change in diet, weight loss cannot be achieved even with gastric banding.

Among other things, you should avoid large amounts of the following foods:

• Sweets
• Ice cream
• Pudding or
• sweetened beverages

These can pass through the created constriction without triggering a feeling of fullness.

In many cases, eating habits after gastric band surgery are not “normal,” as patients replace old eating habits with new ones. These can have a positive effect on weight loss, but they can also be harmful.

If stress, anxiety, or emotional instability trigger these eating disturbances, consulting qualified nutritionists and therapists or participating in a rehabilitation program may be helpful.

A lack of physical activity often plays a significant role in the development of obesity. Therefore, additional exercise programs are important.

It is recommended to seek detailed consultation and examination from specialists before undergoing gastric band surgery. Experience from recent years shows that there have been repeated cases of long-term complications in which the gastric band had to be removed for various reasons. 

Modern alternatives for weight loss without a band include, for example, surgical gastric reduction procedures such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. 

The insertion of a gastric balloon is also an option. This procedure does not require surgery and is often performed in conjunction with a gastric reduction method. 

In addition to gastric band specialists, you’ll find specialists here for other treatment options.