Gastric Band
The gastric band, also known as the "Lap Band" is a surgical solution to achieving significant yet sustainable weight loss.
It works by decreasing the size of your stomach, so that you feel full sooner and for longer, thereby eating less and losing weight.
Gastric Band Benefits
- 28% - 87% of weight loss was recorded in survey of 3,000 people
- The Hospital Group has helped many patients lose as much as 10 stone and 99% of our patients lose weight
- Recomended for overweight or obese patients whose BMI (Body Mass Index) is 35 or over
- Surgery does not affect Patients' digestion
- The band can be adjusted to control your weight over your lifetime and is iltimately reversible
Patient Stories
When you are considering any form of elective surgery, it's really helpful and interesting to see what results other patients have had.
- Young Mum Audrey, pictured here, lost 7 stone and slimmed to a size 12. She shares her gastric band story. Due to the significant weight loss, she's now had a breast uplift too and now has a fabulous figure all over! Audrey's breast uplift photos and story
- Galway-based Noelle's job in catering was fatal, she reached 21.5 stone, snacking at work. She turned to The Hospital Group for help and chose the gastric band. She's now lost 12.5 stone and is a slim size 10. Watch Noelle's gastric band video story here
There are many more patient stories in our Weight Loss Patient Stories, Photos & Video section.
If you come for a consultation, we can tell you about other success stories from patients just like you .
Deciding on Surgery
Gastric band surgery is a big decision and you'll need to know you're in safe hands and be confident in your choice.
The first step of the process is to have a consultation with one of our experts. They will look at your medical history, listen very carefully to your requirements and give you honest, expert advice on which form of weight loss surgery is most suitable for you.
A gastric band is certainly the most popular procedure, but depending on your health and how much weight you have to lose, we also offer the following alternatives:
- Gastric balloon - a non-surgical procedure for lower BMI patients
- Gastric sleeve - an irreversible procedure for higher BMI patients
- Gastric bypass - an irreversible procedure for very high BMI patients
Your consultation will also include what to expect at the hospital, the procedure in detail and the recovery/healing process as well as aftercare and the all important gastric band dietary information.
Although relatively straightforward, a gastric band is a surgical procedure carried out under general anaesthetic in a properly equipped theatre. In fact, The Hospital Group offers Europe's largest specialist baritric surgery facility. You should expect to spend the night in hospital, although some patients choose to return home on the same day.
We recommend a week at home to recover properly from surgery and you should avoid heavy lifting for the first couple of weeks.
We take every aspect of your care very seriously and will provide you with a Patient Information Booklet providing further information on surgery as well as dietary information pre and post-operatively.
The Hospital Group provide nutritional support with specialist dietitians. Our gastric band diet will help you to get the best results from your procedure.
Gastric Band Adjustments
One of the great benefits of the band is that it can be adjusted to provide controlled weight loss.
It is adjusted via a port which sits just beneath the skin, usually around the sternum. To add or remove saline from the port, a fine needle is passed through the skin. This is an almost painless procedure and is completed within a few minutes.
Your first band adjustment is normally around 4 weeks after the procedure. Thereafter, appointments will be scheduled according to your weight loss needs in liaison with your dietitian and/or yourself.
You will soon learn to "listen to the band" to know when an adjustment is required.
It can also be adjusted if you are pregnant or ill, to enable you to eat more. The gastric band would simply be loosened by the removal of some fluid removed. After recovery, the band can be tightened as required.
Your Decision
Only you can decide whether the operation is right for you, but your surgeon and Patient Care Coordinator will help you make an informed choice with individual advice based on our years of expertise.
For further information or to book a FREE consultation, please contact our friendly team.
