Gastric banding, also known as lap banding, aims to make you feel full after eating smaller meals. During the procedure an adjustable band is placed around the top of your stomach to create two compartments. There is still an opening between the top and bottom compartments, but it is narrow, so that food can only pass through it slowly. The small top compartment should fill up quickly with food, helping to create a sensation of fullness. Once the food has passed through the opening created by the band into the lower part of the stomach it continues through the rest of the digestive system as normal. The aim of the gastric band is to restrict the amount of food you can eat, and therefore the amount of calories you take in.
The speed at which food passes through from the top part of the stomach can be adjusted by making the gastric band tighter or looser. The tighter it is, the slower the food passes through the gap created by the band. Adjustments are made in follow up appointments depending on how much weight you are losing, and how quickly you are losing it. Fluid is usually injected into the band to tighten it, and this is known as a band fill.
About the gastric banding operation
The gastric band is inserted using keyhole surgery during an operation which usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour. The operation is performed under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep during the procedure. You may need to stay in hospital overnight so we can look after you and make sure we are happy with everything before you go home, but some gastric banding operations are now carried out as a daycase, with no overnight stay in hospital.
Having gastric banding at a Spire hospital means you will be treated by an experienced bariatric (obesity) surgeon who will discuss your options and the best course of treatment for you before going ahead with surgery. Our team of dieticians and specialist nurses will look after you throughout your stay and provide support and advice after surgery.
You can expect to be treated in a premium private hospital at a location of your choice, and be safe in the knowledge that Spire is committed to your safety with exceptional healthcare standards and cleanliness.