Adjustable gastric band procedure is the second most popular weight loss surgery after gastric bypass. The bands are fitted to the upper part of the stomach to restrict the amount of food taken as part of the measures to lose the weight. Additional effect is accomplished by bands ultimately slowing down the digestion allowing the patients to feel full longer. Becoming one of the most popular choices among those wanting to lose weight, adjustable gastric band procedures offer many benefits such as less recovery time, a slimmer and rejuvenated figure and a food diet plan that is easy to follow. Here are some interesting facts about the adjustable gastric band method.

1. Adjustable gastric band is a hollow band made out of sylastic materials with a thin tube that gets attached to the stomach walls to allow a surgeon access to the band. After the surgery the band could be filled with a saline solution to make it fit tighter around the stomach and allow less food to be ingested at a time.

2. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia via a laparoscopic method. During this method three or five small incisions are made around the operating site to allow laparoscopic tools to be fitted in a patient’s abdomen. If there are no complications the surgery takes from 45 minutes to one hour.

3. The lap band procedure is not suitable for everyone. The best candidates are individuals with a body mass of 40 and up or those with a body mass higher than 35 with advanced heart disease complications caused by excessive weight.

4. The adjustable gastric band surgery could be in some cases covered by most insurance companies in qualifying individuals, especially those who can document several failed weight loss attempts with serious life threatening conditions caused by morbid obesity. The average cost of this surgery could cost a patient up to $30,000 depending on a hospital or a doctor performing the procedure.

5. Though the gastric band is a reversible procedure and not as extreme as other forms of bariatric surgery like a RNY gastric bypass, it can also lead to a host of complications and potential dangers. Some of the most common ones are band slippages, erosions, poor digestion, nutrient malabsorption and vomiting.

6. Recovery times vary after adjustable gastric band procedure and depend on a patients overall health. Most patients should expect to stay at the hospital from 24 to 72 hours depending on doctors’ orders. Patients are advised to adhere exclusively to an all clear liquid diet for 3-4 days necessary to help stomach adjust to a band and recover after surgery quicker.

7. All post op patients must schedule a visit with a nutritionist to discuss a further plan of actions and diet specifications. Tea, coffee and carbonated beverages are not permitted because these can lead to gas and bloating affecting the position of a gastric band. Six weeks following the procedure the patients are advised to stick to a restricted calorie diet, consume small amounts of nutrient rich foods like vegetable or fruit purees, vegetable soups or protein shakes. The second six weeks lead to the introduction or chunkier in texture foods that can also be mashed or processed in a blender to a desired consistency. Some foods are not tolerated by lap band patients including pork, red meat, citrus with membranes, fried or spicy foods.

8. Weight loss is achieved gradually following the surgery and the results vary from patient to patient. Most patients lose up to 40% of the desired weight during the first year following the surgery. However, others continue losing weight for up to three years after the procedure.

9. Behavioral therapy is sometimes recommended for individuals who are plagued by emotional eating to address deep lying psychological factors contributing to overeating.

10. Sometimes a lap band revision is recommended for patients who have not achieved the desired weight loss goals or whose lap band needs to be repositioned or alternated in any way. In some case adjustable gastric band is removed and other types of weight loss surgery are recommended which could be better suited for individual goals of a patient.

The adjustable gastric band is a widespread surgery in the United States. All surgeons who administer the gastric bands into the body of their clients must be extensively trained due to a mandate by the FDA. The surgeon will confer with their clients about the surgery to guarantee that all questions are answered. This helps with the healing process as well. This method of losing weight is not recommended during pregnancy. Gastric bypass and pregnancy is a common question asked by clients as to whether they will be able to conceive following the surgery. Due to the fact that all women are different, the surgeon will be able to answer any questions regarding this specific topic.