Request a Consultation
Thank you so much for giving me a new youthful appearance. Thanks for your professionalism, expertise, and keeping me safe during surgery. Couldn't have done it without your wonderful care.
— Satisfied Client
Pros and Cons
Benefits of Gastric Band Surgery
1. Improvement in health and well-being
The very act of losing weight as a result of gastric band surgery is a potentially life-saving, benefit!
Life expectancy and quality of life are seriously impacted by the effect of obesity on multiple elements of our physiology. Patients who are morbidly obese have much higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Heart and Vascular disease may lead to a debilitating angina, multiple medications (each with their own side-effects!) and a potential need for corrective surgery. Respiratory disease (often complicated by a previous smoking history) and sleep apnea (the stoppage of breathing during sleep) secondary to obesity interfere with performing normal daily physical activities and decrease oxygen supply for our organs and tissues. Orthopaedic problems (chronic back pain, hip and knee arthritis) are magnified by increasing the load on weight-bearing joints.
Obesity takes a toll on both the body and the mind.
Psychological aspects of obesity cannot be ignored. Losing weight can be extremely difficult. The ‘weight gain cycle’ can be vicious… Added weight makes exercising difficult due to increased wear and tear on knees (arthritis). The resultant sedentary lifestyle leads to a lower metabolic rate and eventually further weight gain! Diets often do not work and the emotional, psychological and physical frustrations can mount!!! As a result, rates of depression are higher in the obese population and unfortunately, most antidepressant medications actually increase appetite and magnify weight problems.
Major Health Risks
|
Risks to psychological and social well-being
|
Difficulties with day-to-day living
|
2. Minimally Invasive Procedure
Gastric Band Surgery is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss procedures. There is no cutting, stapling or re-routing of the digestive tract. The laparoscopic approach offers the advantages of faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than other ‘open’ surgical procedures.
3. Fewer Risks and Side-Effects
Significantly lower mortality and risk of complications than other weight-loss surgery procedures.
4. Effective Long-Term Weight Loss
Standard of care for hundreds of practices around the world. Academic publications with up to 9 years of follow-up.
5. Post operative nutrition
Gastric Band Surgery does not permanently alter the anatomy. Because no part of the stomach is stapled or removed, and the patient’s intestines are not re-routed, patients can continue to absorb nutrients from food normally.
There is therefore a low risk of the post-operative nutritional deficiencies seen with other weight-loss procedures (ex. gastric bypass operations) and no “dumping syndrome” ingested foods bypass the stomach too rapidly and enter the small intestine largely undigested.
6. Adjustable to your needs
By adjusting the amount of salt solution infused and therefore varying the diameter of the constricting gastric band, surgeons can customize weight-loss rates to individual needs as they change over time (ex. during pregnancy, gastric band constriction can be decreased allowing the stomach outlet size to be opened for increased nutritional needs). These adjustments are performed without additional surgery.
7. Reversible
Gastric Bands can be removed at any time. Once removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form and function.
Disadvantages of Gastric Band Surgery
1. Weight loss is slower compared to the gastric bypass procedure.
Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure. The ‘pounds won't come off ’ without a commitment to change. Weight loss varies from patient to patient and the amount of weight lost depends on several factors, the most important of which is patient motivation. Laparascopic Gastric Banding surgery is a useful, important tool but it must be accompanied by a new lifestyle and healthy eating habits. While weight loss with adjustable banding is quite variable, the average excess weight loss achieved after adjustable banding is in the range of 35% to 40% at one year after surgery.
2. Multiple Band Adjustments
Everyone will require multiple band adjustments. For some people, it may be difficult to find the ideal situation where the band is tight enough for good weight loss but not so tight that it causes discomfort (ex. nausea). As a result, regular follow-up appointments are critical to achieve the best results.
3. Surgical Complications
Gastric Band Surgery is major surgery and, like any surgery, complications can occur. The surgery involves implanting a foreign body under general anesthesia and as such, possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure (blood loss), and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body. Late complications such as erosion of the band into the stomach, infection, slippage, and esophageal dilation (widening of the esophagus) may occur. Removal and replacement surgery may be required at some time.
4. Further Surgery
After a substantial amount of weight loss, the personal satisfaction you feel when you step on the scale may be tempered by your observation that your skin has refused to ‘play along’. Previously stretched skin lacks the elasticity to conform to the new you. As a result, pockets of skin can hang around your abdomen and from your arms and thighs. Some patients may not like how they look naked after weight loss surgery and occasionally, excess skin can cause problems such as rash, functional limitations, and discomfort. Body contouring by a plastic surgeon can remove this excess skin, tighten the underlying tissues and often dramatically improve the look you see in the mirror. Multiple surgeries are often required to achieve a successful cosmetic outcome.