Maybe you have been vastly overweight for years, maybe you have a health condition that is related to obesity, or maybe you have not been able to successfully achieve and keep your weight under control with conventional programs or prescriptions. Whatever the underlying reason is for your desire to get rid of those extra pounds, you’ll want to know what to expect from your lap band surgery.
During your consultation appointment, your Glendora General Surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate for lap band surgery, also known as gastric banding. You must be over the age of 18 to be considered for lap band surgery. Once you are approved for this type of surgery, your surgeon will inform you about the following details:
- How to prepare for the surgery, especially if you are taking prescription drugs for a weight-related medical condition
- What to expect on the day of your surgery (see the information below)
- How long your personal recovery period will be, and when you can return to your normal activities
- What side effects may result from this type of surgery
- What your new dietary and nutritional routine will be
- What lifestyle changes are necessary to achieve your weight loss goals
- When to schedule follow up office appointments to monitor your progress and to make any necessary band adjustments
Surgery Day – What to Expect
The least invasive method for this type of operation is called Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB). The recovery time is faster than an open operation, and the procedure is completed in 1 to 2 hours.
Before the operation: You will be given a general anesthetic so that you will be asleep during the procedure and will not feel any pain.
During the operation: Once you are asleep, your surgeon will make several small incisions in the surgery site. A medical instrument called a laparoscope with an attached camera is inserted into one of the incisions. This allows your surgeon to a clearer view of the surgery site on an exterior screen. Medical instruments and the lap band are inserted into the other incisions. The lap band is put in place and sutured to the upper part of your stomach. The attached port, used to control the amount of saline placed in the band, is then sutured to the wall of your abdomen just below the skin. The medical instruments and the laparoscope are removed and the incisions are closed with stitches.
After the operation: When the surgery is finished, you will be moved to a recovery area where you will be monitored for several hours. You will then be released from the hospital or moved to a hospital room for an overnight stay. Because you will not be allowed to operate a vehicle, you will need to arrange for a ride home. If you are experiencing pain, a normal reaction after surgery, your surgeon will prescribe a pain medication or an over-the-counter pain product that will help with the discomfort or pain.
