Gastric bands can be adjusted and this is a pain-free procedure should you require adjustments. Our team of experts do this on a regular basis via a small port that is implanted underneath the skin so its not visible. A small fine needle is used to inject some sterile saline which causes the cuff of the band to expand (a bit like a noose around a neck that begins to tighten). It therefore restricts the amount of food entering into the stomach. Some bands have very large ports that are uncomfortable and can be felt through the skin. However here at the National Obesity Centre we have tended to stay away from such old devices and use very low profile ports and 360 injection ports that don not even require fixation!

It is impotant to note that is operation is reversable and should you require the removal of the band, this can be done and your anatomy will return to normal functioning.

New developments in this device has lead to more stable bands being used. Here at the National Obesity Centre our surgeons choose between a new double balloon band (HAGA) and the standard soft gastric band (HAGE).

      

Risks & Complications

• It is surgery and, as with any surgery, you may experience complications, including leakage, pulmonary embolism (a blood clot to the lungs), bleeding, infection, hernia and even death.* You may regain some of the weight you lose if you don't watch your diet and follow an exercise regimen because you're in control.
  
• You may experience gas.
  
• You may experience problems with the band that may require more surgery. For example, you may experience port problems, tubing problems, band erosion (where the band actually makes a hole into the stomach) and gastric prolapse (where the stomach below the band slips up through the band).
  
• You may need to have the band removed because you have trouble tolerating it, either for physical or psychological reasons.
  
• Patients do not experience dumping syndrome (considered as a minus point by some patients and surgeons, because dumping helps patients to avoid sweets).
  
• If the banding is adjusted too tight, you may eat foods that are either really soft or really crunchy so the food can pass through the band without making you feel like it's stuck. Usually, these types of food are extremely high in calories (like a milkshake), so you may end up gaining weight. This can also occur with the gastric bypass, but it's less likely with gastric bypass than it is with adjustable gastric banding.
  

Advantages of Adjustable Gastric Banding

• No intestines are rerouted or cut.
  
• Patients are in control of their weight loss because they control how tight or loose the band is by going to their surgeon for in-fills.
  
• Patients see up to 85% improvement or cure in their diabetes.
  
• Patients see up to 70% improvement or cure in their high blood pressure.
  
• Patients see a significant lessening of pain related to osteoarthritis.
  
• Patients see a a significant lessening of gastric reflux symptoms.
  
• Some patients see an improvement in fertility.
  
• Patients experience great weight loss and can maintain an average of 55% of excess weight loss (55% loss of the amount they're over their ideal weight) five years after surgery.
  
• On average, patients experience greater weight loss than with diet, exercise and medication.
  
• On average, patients experience greater weight loss than with behavioural modification.
  
• Patients don't have to take nutritional supplements.
  
• The band can be easily removed if necessary, so the surgery is reversible.
  
• It's the least expensive weight loss procedure to perform, which may be a consideration if you need to pay for your procedure yourself.
  
• Patients don't experience the dumping syndrome.