How Does Gastric Band Surgery Help Weight Loss?

If you’ve been struggling with your weight and the pounds aren’t dropping no matter what diet and exercise you commit to, then you might be considering weight loss surgery. There are several different procedures that can be carried out, but one of the most popular is gastric band surgery.

Any type of surgery is a big decision. So it is essential that you have all the information to decide if it’s the right option for you. Medical advice is crucial for this type of situation. To help you take the first steps, this article provides you with an overview of gastric band surgery for weight loss along with the potential benefits and associated risks. 

What is Gastric Band Surgery?

Most people have private gastric band surgery. In the US, some insurance companies will contribute to the cost, and in the UK, it is possible, in some cases, to get a referral from your GP. 

A gastric band is a silicone ring placed around the top portion of the stomach to create a small pouch, which restricts food intake. The restriction in size reduces the amount of food that can be eaten at one time and speeds up digestion. This makes you feel full sooner so that you eat less overall. Additionally, since the outlet from the pouch is smaller, digested food passes more slowly from the stomach into the intestines, allowing your body to better absorb nutrients from food.

What are the benefits of having gastric band surgery?

If you are considering gastric band surgery to help with weight loss, it’s important to understand the benefits of the procedure. Gastric band surgery is a safe and effective way to lose weight and can result in significant health improvements for people who are obese or overweight. Some of the key benefits of having a gastric band include:

Significant weight loss

The average person who undergoes gastric band surgery will lose around 50% of their excess body weight. This can have a significant impact on your health, as obesity is associated with a range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Improved health

Losing weight through diet and exercise can be difficult, but with gastric band surgery, you may achieve long-term results quickly and safely. As well as losing weight, many people also see an improvement in their overall health following surgery, including reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Reduced risk of heart disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, so anything that can reduce your risk is invaluable. Studies have shown that people who are obese or overweight are at increased risk of developing heart disease, so by losing weight, you dramatically reduce your chances of succumbing to this deadly condition.

Improved quality of life

Being overweight or obese can often lead to feelings such as shame and low self-esteem. When these negative emotions become overwhelming, it impacts all aspects of our lives, including our work productivity and social interactions.

Gastric Band Surgery offers not only physical changes but emotional ones too because individuals feel better about themselves once they’ve lost excessive pounds. They tend to enjoy life more since they no longer feel physically limited by their size. 

Decreased Mortality Rates

Some studies suggest those who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric Banding (LAGB) may decrease mortality rates from other related illnesses such as cancer. This then would seem to indicate that LAGB provides both short-term symptomatic relief along with opportunities for sustained weight loss.

How much weight can be expected to be lost with a gastric band?

A gastric band is a surgical device that helps obese people lose weight. A band is placed around the top of the stomach. Making it smaller and restricting the amount of food eaten at one time. This restrictive surgery limits how much food your stomach can hold at any given time. Which in turn causes you to feel full sooner and eat less. 

The average weight loss following gastric band surgery is 40-60% of excess body weight.

Most people who have had gastric band surgery lose between 2-4 pounds per week in the first year after surgery. However, some may lose more quickly while others may lose more slowly. 

Many factors contribute to an individual’s success with weight loss following this type of surgery. These include dietary habits, exercise habits, and genetics. While everyone will experience some degree of weight loss, those who make healthy lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise are likely to see better results over time.

Are there any risks associated with getting gastric band surgery?

There are a few risks associated with getting a gastric band procedure in the same way there is for any type of surgery. One is that the band can slip out of place, which would require another surgery to fix it. Another risk is that the patient could develop an infection around the site of the surgery. 

There is also a small risk of gastric erosion, where the stomach lining wears away from contact with the band. This can lead to pain and vomiting. Finally, some patients have complained of feeling constantly full after getting a gastric band. Which can make it difficult to eat regular meals and maintain weight loss goals