Gastric banding surgery and other medical surgeries can help very overweight people to lose weight. Both gastric bands and gastric balloons usually take under an hour to fit, whereas a gastric bypass takes a couple of hours to complete.
The Department of Health* has said that obesity is one of the biggest health problems in the UK with one in four adults affected. It is not a simple concern to fix as many people have trouble losing weight through both diet and exercise.
Gastric banding, otherwise known as lap banding, aims to make you feel full after eating a small portion of food. The way it works is by restricting the capacity of your stomach, therefore leading to eating less and losing weight.
The procedure is done by placing a band around your stomach to create two compartments, keeping a narrow opening between the top and bottom so that food can pass through it slowly. As there is a limited space for food, it quickly creates the sensation of fullness. Once the food passes through the opening into the lower part of the stomach, it then makes its way through the rest of the digestive system.
The gastric band procedure is done by a keyhole surgery, which requires a general anaesthetic. The surgery lasts from 30 minutes to an hour, but requires an overnight stay to recuperate and recover. Gastric band adjustments can be made during follow up appointments depending on how much weight you are losing, and how quickly you are losing it.
Gastric banding is intended for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, and also for patients with a BMI of 35-40 who suffer from other weight related diseases such as diabetes.
Nonetheless there are risks as well as benefits, as with all procedures, and it is important to weigh these up before proceeding. Your doctor will illustrate the risks associated with the surgery, such as the possible slippage of the gastric band, which can lead to blockages and needs urgent correction.
*Department of Health (2009). Obesity. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/publichealth/healthimprovement/obesity/index.htm
Philip Youngwood is a freelance writer who writes on a number of health issues, including weight loss treatments such as gastric banding surgery.
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