Bariatric surgery is the result of approximately 50 years of improvement insurgical practice. The first bariatric operation was a...
Gastric Bands
Evolution of Gastric Bands
Gastric banding was first introduced in 1978 as a treatment option for morbid obesity. In the 1980’s the concept was improved by making the band adjustable to allow for variability of the amount of gastric reduction. Later in the 1990’s, the first laparoscopic adjustable gastric band was introduced. Conventionally, laparoscopic gastric banding uses a minimally invasive technique to place an adjustable band a couple of centimeters below where the esophagus and stomach meet. Since there is no bypass of anatomical structures, the gastric band works by reducing gastric volume without altering the anatomy—thus avoiding malabsorption—and can be removed if desired.
Technology Spotlight
LAP BAND
The Lap-Band® is a gastric band which has been available in the United States for almost 20 years. However, the system was approved for use in Europe since the mid 1990’s. Its method of implantation is performed using laparoscopic or robotic techniques under general anesthesia. It is typically performed on an outpatient basis. The band is placed around the superior portion of the stomach and is connected to a small port placed below the skin (this allows for band adjustment). Typically a diet is slowly reintroduced postoperatively until resuming a normal diet at 4-6 weeks. The LapBand® comes in two different sizes and can be performed in select centers through a single site incision around the belly button versus the standard small four-five incisions.
