LAP-BAND Surgery

While lap bands are less commonly performed currently, we are happy to care for patients with bands. Often times patients need lap band adjustments, removal or endoscopic evaluation for slippage or other issues such as erosion. Call Us if you have a Lap-band, REALIZE band, or other adjustable gastric band.

What is a LAP-BAND procedure?

Lose excess weight with minimally invasive LAP-BAND surgery, the only adjustable and reversible weight loss surgery.

With more than 600,000 procedures performed worldwide, The LAP-BAND System is one of the most popular and successful laparoscopic gastric band surgeries available to patients in the Ft. Myers and Naples area.

A restrictive form of weight loss surgery, LAP-BAND helps those carrying excess pounds lose weight by reducing the amount of food that can be consumed.  LAP-BAND surgery also helps you feel full for longer, prompting you to eat less often throughout the day without feeling hungry.

What does LAP-BAND Surgery entail?

LAP-BAND surgery at GI Surgical Specialists involves the implantation of a fully adjustable medical device known as a “gastric band” around the upper portion of the stomach during a minimally invasive operation.

During laparoscopic gastric band surgery, your surgeon will use a laparoscope, a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light, camera and other surgical tools to guide the gastric band into place.  This camera transmits information to a video screen so the surgeon can view the surgical area and perform the procedure. At this time, your weight loss surgeon will also implant a fill port directly beneath the surface of the abdominal skin along with tubing to connect the port to the gastric band. Once the band and port are in place, your weight loss surgeon can adjust and tighten the band to reduce the amount of food you can eat by injecting sterile saline (salt water) into the fill port.

The objective of the LAP-BAND procedure is to create a stomach pouch that can only hold a small amount of food, thereby reducing the stomach’s food storage capacity. Your gastric band will also control the stoma or stomach outlet between the newly created smaller pouch and the lower part of the stomach. The smaller your stomach pouch the faster  you will feel full and the slower food will take to move between the upper and lower portions of the stomach during digestion. Thanks to your LAP-BAND, you will feel full, eat less and finally lose weight.