- What is the gastric band? The Adjustable Gastric Band is a device (a kind of flange) made of silicone, divided into multiple cavities connected to each other, and which are continued with a probe that ends in a port through which the necessary adjustments will be made to fill the small ones with serum. band cavities and diminish the lumen towards the rest of the stomach.
- Who can place this device? A digestive system surgeon, an expert in this type of intervention.
- How is the intervention carried out? Laparoscopically, which is a minimally invasive technique that allows viewing of the abdominal cavity with the help of an optical lens. Light is transmitted through an optical fiber on the one hand to illuminate the cavity, while the images of the interior are observed with a camera connected to the same lens, placing the band just below the esophagus-gastric junction.
- Who is it recommended for? For people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg / m2 or higher or 28 kg / m2 with associated pathologies (type II diabetes, hypertension, knee osteoarthritis…).
- How does the patient have to prepare? Before the intervention, it is advisable to lose 10% of overweight in order to reduce liver size and facilitate access to the stomach. As in any laparoscopic intervention, the patient must fast for 8 to 12 hours.
- How is the postoperative? The patient will stay in the hospital for 24 hours and a week can lead a normal life.
- What follow-up is needed after placement? After discharge from the hospital, you should follow a liquid diet for 15 days and gradually shreds will be introduced and after a month or month and a half you can eat solid. We do the nutritional monitoring with biweekly visits for 2 years where new culinary and life habits are taught. On the other hand, adjustments will be made, according to the patient’s appetite, putting physiological saline in the port on demand, until the patient eats little, does not have nausea and has an optimal weight loss.