Running head: LAP-BAND

The LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System

Evan Devora, Marco Duarte and Gadiel Espada-Laboy
University of North Texas
October 12, 2014
TECM 1700:004

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Commented [T1]: Include when discussing Lap-Band

The LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System

If you are need of losing weight chances are you have heard of gastric bypass surgery.
This surgery helps people lose weight by limiting the amount of food the stomach and small
intestine takes in by having their stomach stapled into different parts (Gastric bypass surgery,
para. 1, para. 2). There is an alternative however, using the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric
Banding System.

What is LAP-BAND?
LAP-BAND is a device comprised of: a silicone band, tubing and an
access port (Medical Devices para. 2). LAP-BAND, like gastric bypass
surgery, helps people lose weight by limiting how much they eat.

What happens during surgery?

Figure 1 LAP-BAND Device

The band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach and the access port is placed
near the skin, whereby the doctor can adjust the tightness of the band by adding or removing
saline through a needle (Medical Devices para. 3). The band creates a small area in the
stomach where it holds only a small portion of food making you feel full with less amount of
food (Medical Devices para. 3).

What happens after surgery?

You will need to recover from the surgery for four to six weeks before the
band is inflated (Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery para. 1). Due to the nature of the

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surgery you might need pain medication in order to help with any uncomfortable sensations

(Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery para. 2). Your body will also only be able to handle
small amounts of liquid for a few weeks while you are healing but slowly, you will be able to put
solid foods back in your diet (Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery para. 2).

What are the risks?

Some problems that can occur include such things as:

Food getting stuck in the opening created by the band leading to pain vomiting
and nausea (Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery para. 6)

The band slipping out of place and causing pain or acid reflux (Adjustable
Gastric Banding Surgery para. 6)

You getting an infection around the access port (Adjustable Gastric Banding
Surgery para. 6).

Is the LAP-BAND Adjustable Banding Gastric System for you?

While this procedure is regarded as the least invasive weight-loss procedure it, like any
procedure, does have its risks (Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery para. 6). But studies have
shown that it is generally successful and people do in fact lose weight (Adjustable Gastric
Banding Surgery para. 5). With this information you should be able to reach an informed
decision but be sure to talk with your doctor before making any final decisions.

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References

Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved October 11, 2014, from
http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/lap-band-surgery
Gastric bypass surgery: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). U.S National Library of
Medicine. Retrieved October 10, 2014, from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007199.htm
Medical Devices. (n.d.). LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System. Retrieved October
12, 2014, from
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsa
ndClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm248133.htm
Network, Global Surgery. (n.d.) Lap-Band Device Retrieved October 13th, 2014 from
http://www.globalsurgerynetwork.com/Bariatric/Lap%20Band.jpg