How does the surgery work?
The insertion of a gastric band is now almost exclusively performed by means of a laparoscopy using the “keyhole technique” (laparascopy). This requires general anesthesia with artificial respiration. Through several small incisions in the abdominal wall, the necessary surgical instruments and the gastric band are inserted into the abdominal cavity in addition to a camera.
The gas carbon dioxide is also introduced so that the abdominal wall is lifted from the organs and the surgeon can visit the stomach. The stomach must be prepared so that the gastric band can then be applied from the outside in the upper part of the hollow organ. This creates an artificial constriction that divides the stomach into a smaller anterior section and a larger posterior section.
This ensures that the stretch receptors in the front part of the stomach send a saturation signal to the brain after only a small amount of food has been ingested. During the operation, a so-called port is also inserted under the skin, which is connected to the gastric band via a tube. This port can be used to add or remove saline solution after the procedure and thus regulate the pressure that the band exerts on the stomach.
This does not require a new surgical procedure but can be performed on an outpatient basis with little effort. The surgery is completed by removing the instruments, draining the carbon dioxide and suturing the wounds. The time required for a gastric banding operation depends on the patient’s circumstances (degree of excess weight, possible previous operations) and the experience of the surgical team or center.
The actual procedure from the insertion of the instruments into the abdominal cavity to the suturing of the wounds takes about one hour. In addition, there is the time of preparation for the operation and the anaesthetic induction and anaesthetic drainage after the operation. Afterwards you will be monitored in a recovery room for a while and then return to the ward. After two to three days you can usually be discharged home.
