The Gastric Band allows you to eat much less but still enjoy your food and feel satisfied. It works by:
Reducing background hunger (satiety)
Allowing you to feel full with smaller meals (early satiation)
Preventing overeating (restriction).
The Gastric Band is made from high grade medical silicon, a safe and inert material. It is placed around the top of the stomach by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. The operation takes about one hour, and is performed under a General Anaesthetic. Four or five small incisions are made on the upper abdomen, the Gastric Band is placed around the stomach, and a few holding stitches are placed around the band to keep it in the correct position.
Next, an adjustable access-port is placed deep under the skin through one of the incisions and connected to the Gastric Band by special tubing. (Remember as there is no cutting or stapling involved, Gastric Banding can be reversed at any time.) The skin incisions are closed by absorbable sutures which are invisible and do not need to be removed.
Patients usually recover very quickly and are able to walk around the ward and drink liquids within a couple of hours of waking up. The procedure is even sometimes performed as day surgery, although we like to keep our patients in hospital overnight.
We recommend taking one week off work to recover, but most patients usually feel well enough to do gentle day to day activities such as driving within a couple of days.
Data from our own experience shows that the average OClinic gastric band patient sheds 62% of their excess weight within 2 years, and studies show that this is maintained long term. The majority is lost within the first 12 months. Well-motivated patients may lose more than the average- up to 100% of their excess weight. Regular participation in our Total Care program is the key. We view it as a partnership.
Weight Loss Solutions – Our Procedures Explained
The Gastric Band is made from high grade medical silicon, a safe and inert material. It is placed around the top of the stomach by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. The operation takes about one hour, and is performed under a General Anaesthetic. Four or five small incisions are made on the upper abdomen, the Gastric Band is placed around the stomach, and a few holding stitches are placed around the band to keep it in the correct position.