Gastric Banding Surgery

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery, introduced to Australia in 1994, has become the most widely used method of weight control surgery in the country. In 2005, more than 6,000 laparoscopic gastric banding procedures were performed in Australia. Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery or lap band surgery takes around 60-90 minutes and is performed using small incisions with long-shafted instruments. In the process, a lap band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a small pouch which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. The procedure does not cut or staple the stomach or intestines, providing the option to reverse the treatment.

The lap band helps weight loss and weight control by creating a sense of fullness and satisfying hunger sooner. Patients can lose up to 27kg of their excess weight in 12 months. Gastric bypass surgery is effective than non-surgical treatments and the patients need to stay for only 1-2 days in the hospital.

Lap band surgery is suitable for those who are 18 years or above or must not be pregnant or alcoholic or suffer from any illness that has caused weight gain.

The risks associated with laparoscopic gastric band are chances of slippage, erosion or other mechanical problems with the band, risks from medications and methods used during the surgical procedure, general surgical risks and the patient’s degree of intolerance to any foreign object implanted in the body.

The cost of gastric bypass surgery depends on the cost of surgeon, anesthetist, hospital, post-procedural medication and cost of gastric band. This surgery is not covered by Medicare Australia.