Gastric band surgery: all you need to know

Gastric band surgery is typically performed on a patient who is seeking to lose weight. The surgery reduces food intake as well as the size of the stomach. 

In our latest article, highly experienced consultant general and bariatric surgeon, Mr Shashi Irukulla, explains in detail what exactly a typical gastric band surgical procedure entails, and reveals who the surgery is and is not suitable for. 

What is gastric band and how does it work?

Gastric band is a procedure which involves placing a gastric band apparatus at the junction between the stomach and oesophagus, which requires regular filling. When the band is filled, it produces restriction at the entry of the stomach and will create a kind of pouch.

So, when food enters into this pouch, it induces a feeling of the patient feeling less hungry, but the main mechanism of the gastric band procedure involves providing patients with specific guidelines as to how much food they can eat.

What is the success rate of a gastric band surgical procedure for weight loss?

In my time practicing (almost 15 years), the success of a gastric band surgery for weight loss is variable. One can indeed lose up to between 50 and 60 per cent of their excess weight over a period of between 18 to 24 months.

However, the amount of weight loss depends entirely on how well the patients adhere to their diet instructions and how well they actually work with the gastric band.

Who can and who cannot have a gastric band procedure done?

People who have uncontrollable diabetes or sleep apnoea should not undergo a gastric band surgery. They are certainly more suitable for other operations.

There is certain criteria in the United Kingdom whereby anyone with a BMI over 35 and with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea or hypercholesterolemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome (in ladies), is in fact eligible to have weight loss surgery.

Anyone who has a BMI over 40 but no underlying previously mentioned conditions, is also eligible for this type of weight loss operation. So, whether a patient is suitable for a gastric band or not is decided at the time of consultation, and the decision will be based on their specific requirements, diet and lifestyle.

How long does the surgery last?

Surgery (which is a day-case procedure performed under general anaesthesia) plus recovery in the hospital can take up to one and a half to two hours. The patient is then kept in the hospital for a few hours after that for observation, but they go home on the same day.

How long can a typical gastric band apparatus last and properly function for?

Typically, between 10 and 12 years, depending on the make and model of the gastric band. I have actually seen patients who have had a gastric band in place for longer than 12 years.

Of course, it depends entirely on how the body reacts to the gastric band and how well the patient maintains the gastric band.

Are there potential complications? Can the gastric band slip?

Yes, there are potential gastric band complications. The complications in the early stages are very minimal. However, there are general complications from anaesthesia and the operation itself, such as infection, wounding, bleeding (either internally or directly from the skin), blood clots in the legs, as well as a potential clot in the lungs. 

The other main specific gastric band potential complications include gastric band slippage (at any time after the operation), and the patient can experience too much restriction or too little restriction. This is precisely why patients require regular follow ups after having a gastric band inserted and it is crucial that they adopt and maintain a disciplined lifestyle.

What we encourage and advise our patients to do is to not only make sure that they restrict the amount of food they eat, but also to make an effort to increase their metabolism by increasing and improving the amount of exercise they indulge in.

How much can gastric band surgery cost?

Typically, it costs between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds. In the hospitals where I work, we offer a two-year package pay, which means that the patient can have as many gastric band fills as they require.

Mr Shashi Irukulla is a revered and highly skilled consultant general and bariatric surgeon who specialises in gastric band surgery but to mention a few. If you are considering undergoing gastric band surgery, you can book a consultation with him today by visiting his Top Doctors profile.