Lap Band Surgery in New Jersey
How it Helps with Weight Loss
Lap-Band or gastric band surgery is performed by placing a band around the top part of the stomach to create a smaller section of stomach. The stomach becomes full on a smaller amount of food. The stomach also empties more slowly, thereby relieving hunger. Digestion occurs normally and food absorption is not affected.
If the rate of weight loss is not where you want it to be, the band can be adjusted or removed. Benefits of lap-band surgery for weight loss includes:
- Adjustable and completely reversible
- Food is digested and absorbed normally
- Limits the amount of food you can eat
Is the Lap-Band Right for You?
Bariatric surgeons at Hackensack Meridian Health are highly experienced in gastric band surgery. We can help you decide if this approach is right for you based on a variety of factors such as:
- BMI between 30-40 with one or more weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnea
- Body mass index (BMI) higher than 40
- Willingness to make a life-long commitment to new eating habits
Advantages of Lap-Band Surgery
Lap-Band surgery offers several benefits that make it a safer and more flexible weight loss option in New Jersey. It’s designed to help patients recover quickly and maintain control over their progress—such as the following:
- Faster recovery than other types of weight loss surgery
- No cutting or stapling of the stomach
- No intestinal re-routing
- Adjustable without surgery
- Individualized size restriction
- Compatible with pregnancy
- Completely reversible to restore normal stomach anatomy
- No dumping syndrome – symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness or diarrhea – when eating too much sugar or large amounts of food
- No risk of anemia
Potential Disadvantages of Lap-Band Surgery
Lap-Band surgery is considered less invasive than other procedures, but it still has its challenges. Patients should be aware of possible complications that can develop over time, such as the following:
- Access port may leak or twist, requiring surgery to correct the problem
- Band may erode into the stomach wall
- Band may slip out of place
- Lack of feeling satisfied that you’ve had enough to eat
- Lower percentage of weight loss than with gastric bypass surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Lap-Band surgery offers several benefits:
- Faster recovery than other weight loss surgeries
- Adjustable without additional surgery
- No cutting or stapling of the stomach
- Reversible if needed
- Compatible with pregnancy
Possible issues include band slippage, leakage, or erosion into the stomach wall. Some people may also feel less satisfied after eating or lose less weight compared to other surgeries.
