Gastric Band
Starting a weight loss journey can be tough, especially if you don’t know where to begin. A gastric band can be a helpful tool in this process, making it easier and more manageable.
- Minimally Invasive Procedure
- Adjustable and Reversible
- Quick Recovery
- Promotes Sustainable Weight Loss
- Boosts Energy and Overall Well-Being
Gastric Band Surgery Simplified
BMI Requirement:
35 or higher
Procedure Duration:
Approximately 1 hour
Hospital Stay:
Typically, 1 night
Expected Weight Loss:
39% to 41% of excess weight (results may vary)
Post-Surgery Activity:
Light activities can be resumed within the first 6 weeks
Full Recovery:
Expected within 6 to 8 weeks. Individual results, recovery times, and experiences may differ though.
Gastric Band in Detail
Gastric band, a type of bariatric surgery, is a highly effective treatment of severe obesity. It works by changing the stomach and digestive system, helping people lose a significant amount of weight. This surgery also improves health by reducing problems like diabetes and high blood pressure, leading to a better overall quality of life.
To sum it up, Gastric band surgery is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at aiding weight loss and improving related health conditions by restricting food intake and promoting a sense of fullness.
How does a Gastric Band Work?
A gastric band is a soft ring placed around the top of the stomach. It’s connected to a tube that leads to a small port stitched to the abdominal muscle. This port is used to adjust the band when needed.
Adjusting the Band:
A qualified health professional injects a saline solution into the port to adjust the band. These adjustments inflate or deflate the band to achieve the optimal fluid level. When the band is properly adjusted, it allows only small portions of food and helps prevent hunger between meals.
Adjustment Period:
Typically, the gastric band requires 4-6 adjustments over several months to work properly. Individual experiences may vary, so it’s important to be patient as these adjustments are fine-tuned for the best results.
Dietary Considerations Post-Adjustment:
- Aim to eat textured foods (dry, solid, chewy, or crunchy).
- Avoid soft or liquid foods for optimal Band effectiveness.
- Take small mouthfuls.
- Chew thoroughly.
- Eat slowly.
- Follow the ‘20+ rule’ (more details in our members area).
How does the gastric band get implanted?
1. Preparation
Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a thorough medical evaluation and receives preoperative guidelines and fasting instructions.
2. Surgical Procedure
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, typically using laparoscopic (keyhole) techniques, which involve making small incisions in the abdomen.
3. Band Placement
A laparoscope (a small camera) and surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions. The gastric band is then placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch.
4. Port Attachment
A tube is connected from the gastric band to a port, which is securely stitched to the muscle in the abdomen. This port serves as an access point for future adjustments of the band to ensure it remains optimally effective for weight management.
5. Post-Surgery
After the surgery, the incisions are closed with sutures or staples. The patient is closely monitored in the recovery room before being discharged. Detailed postoperative care instructions are provided, which include guidelines on diet and activity restrictions to support recovery and long-term success.
6. Follow-Up
Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled for band adjustments and monitoring progress after gastric band surgery. During these appointments, saline solution may be added or removed via the port to achieve optimal tightening or loosening of the band. These adjustments are crucial for ensuring effective weight loss and overall health improvements over time.
Price Check
Benefits of Gastric Band Surgery for Patients
Effective Weight Loss
Significant, sustainable weight loss. Reduces obesity-related health risks.
Improved Health
Alleviates diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea. Lowers cholesterol and heart disease risk.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Increases mobility and energy. Boosts overall well-being.
Minimally Invasive
Laparoscopic surgery with shorter recovery time. Less postoperative pain.
Reversible Procedure
Band can be removed if necessary. Flexibility for future treatments.
Support and Monitoring
Ongoing professional support. Regular follow-ups for long-term success.
FAQs
What is gastric band surgery?
Gastric band surgery is a bariatric surgery in which a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. This pouch limits the amount of food one can eat, helping one lose weight.
How does a gastric band work?
The band restricts the size of your stomach, making you feel full sooner and reducing your food intake. The band can be adjusted by adding or removing saline through a port under your skin.
What are the requirements for gastric band surgery?
People who have a BMI of 35 or higher. They must also be committed to long-term lifestyle changes.
What are the benefits of gastric band surgery?
Benefits include significant weight loss, improved health conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and enhanced overall quality of life.
How long does the surgery take?
What is the recovery time?
What kind of aftercare is required?
How much weight can I expect to lose?
Invest in Your Health with Flexible Financing Options
Understanding that affordability is key to accessing transformative health services, we offer a variety of financing options to fit your budget. Whether you’re considering surgical or non-surgical weight loss procedures, our flexible plans are designed to make your journey to wellness both achievable and affordable. Explore our tailored payment solutions to take the first step towards a healthier, happier you.
Invest in Wellness: Flexible Financing for Your Health Journey
- Flexible Financing: We offer various financing options to fit your budget.
- Accessibility: Affordability is key to accessing transformative health services.
- Surgical and Non-Surgical: Options available for both surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures.
- Tailored Plans: Flexible plans designed to make your wellness journey achievable.
- Start Today: Explore our tailored payment solutions for a healthier, happier you.
Why Choose Transform Weight Loss?
Comprehensive industry leading aftercare
Access to 24-hour support helpline
All surgeons registered with the General Medical Council
All facilities regulated by the Care Quality Commission
All nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
Flexible financing options that fits your budget
Personalised treatment plans designed specifically to meet your goals
Latest medical technology ensuring safe and effective procedures
Transform Aftercare: Lifelong Support
At Transform, we are with you every step of the way, from your first enquiry to post-surgery support and beyond.
Our world-class surgeons excel at performing weight loss surgeries like bypass and sleeve procedures, delivering remarkable results.
However, to achieve the best outcomes, the aftercare you receive is just as crucial as the surgery itself. Transform offers top-notch support throughout your weight loss journey.
5-year surgical cover
2-year access to our dietetics and nutrition advisers.
2-year access to our psychotherapist as needed.
2-year access to our clinical nurse.
Free 1-month gym membership with personal trainer sessions.
Transform toolkit: Includes weighing scales, a tape measure, and a Transform plate.
B12 injections available at cost.
Lifelong access to our weight loss support call centre.
Lifelong free subscription to our Transform Weight Loss Hub.
Find Our State-of-the-Art Clinics and Hospitals Near You
Find top-tier weight loss and surgical solutions at our facilities located in key UK cities. Whether you’re near Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Solihull, or Torquay, we’re ready to provide you with exceptional care. Discover the Transform Weight Loss clinic or hospital closest to you and embark on your journey to a healthier life with our expert medical team.
Dedicated Team of Specialists
Meet the esteemed leaders in weight loss and bariatric surgery. Our surgeons bring a wealth of expertise in both surgical and non-surgical weight loss methods, ensuring advanced, safe, and effective treatments tailored to your needs.
Dr. Martin Richardson
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Richardson specialises in minimally invasive bariatric and upper GI surgeries, having performed over 5,000 weight loss procedures.
Dr. Paul Super
Bringing over three decades of expertise, Dr. Super specialises in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, performing over 200 gastric band procedures annually.
Dr. Rajwinder Nijjar
Dr. Nijjar, with 15 years of experience, specialises in laparoscopic upper GI, anti-reflux, and weight loss surgeries, contributing to surgical education at the University of Birmingham.
Dr. Alan Li
Dr. Li, with extensive experience since 1990, specialises in keyhole and cancer surgery, leading advancements in oesophago-gastric cancer surgery at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Dr. Vittal Rao
Dr. Rao, with over a decade of experience, specialises in gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gallstone surgeries, and is a Consultant at the University Hospital of North Midlands.
Dr. Kanagaraj Marimuthu
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Marimuthu specialises in laparoscopic gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, having performed over 4,000 operations.
Understanding Your Weight Loss Journey
YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
The initial step is to talk to your surgeon assistant over the phone. You’ll be able to talk to them about why you’re considering gastric band surgery, the likely costs and finance options, how much time you’d probably need to take off work, and when you’d like to have the surgery. Whenever you decide to book a surgery date, you can secure it for a minimum refundable deposit of £500. If you feel ready, we’ll book you an appointment for your free consultation with one of our surgeons.
FREE CONSULTATION
At your free consultation, you’ll speak a specialist weight loss practitioner (a nurse or dietitian) who’ll ask you about the results you want to achieve from having a gastric band. You can discuss what your personal goals are, find out whether you’re a suitable candidate for this surgery, and discover what the possible benefits and risks are – all with no obligation to go ahead. This free consultation can be carried out either over video chat or in person at your local clinic. Our specialist weight loss practitioners have received extensive training from our surgeons, and so they are extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer all of your questions. They’ll look at your medical history and discuss the outcome that you can anticipate, as well as outlining any potential complications from the procedure. If you feel ready to go ahead and book your surgery, you’ll then have a separate consultation with your surgeon. They’ll go through all the risks and benefits with you and confirm your suitability for surgery, as well as answer any further questions you may have. You’ll then be referred to a clinic nurse and a dietitian for pre-operative tests and assessments.
THE SURGERY
On the day of your surgery, you’ll meet with your surgeon so you can go through the consent form and ask any last-minute questions. You’ll also be introduced to the rest of your surgical team before going into theatre. The procedure will take between 1-2 hours, and it’ll be carried out under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make 5 small keyhole incisions to insert the operating instruments. The band will then be secured around the top of your stomach and stitched in place. A port, through which the band is adjusted, will be secured to your abdominal muscle wall. The incisions will usually be stitched with dissolvable stitches and/or surgical glue.
RECOVERY
Following the procedure, you’ll usually stay in hospital for one night and return home the next day. It’s expected that you’ll experience some swelling and pain when you wake up from surgery, so you’ll be provided with painkillers and looked after by our highly qualified nurses. You’ll receive intravenous drip hydration immediately after surgery to maintain your fluid levels until you can drink. Initially, after surgery you’ll remain on fluids for a period of time – our surgeons and dietitians will advise further on post-operative nutrition and hydration. Because the procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic, we recommend that you arrange for someone to drive you home the next day, and that they stay with you until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. Before you leave the hospital, we’ll talk to you about looking after yourself at home and make a follow-up appointment for you. We’ll also give you the number for our 24/7 patient helpline so you can speak to a member of our clinical team, day or night. It’s likely that you will feel pain and swelling where the incisions were made, so it’s important to take it easy for 1-2 weeks to allow your body to heal safely.
AFTERCARE
We believe that the highest quality aftercare is just as important as the surgery itself, so we’re here to support you throughout the recovery process. You’ll need to give your body plenty of time to heal, and we’ll give you detailed guidance on the best way to achieve this. You’ll need to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for up to six weeks to ensure you heal well. When you have a gastric band fitted, the surgery itself is only the start of your journey. We offer three different comprehensive aftercare packages to help you achieve your weight loss goals. The level of benefits you enjoy will depend on the package you choose. Packages may include band adjustments with our highly trained nurses and dietitians, surgical cover, including post-operative surgery for port adjustment, port replacement and/or reconnection, X-rays, and correction for band slippage or erosion.
