An American company, INAMED Health, designed the BioEnterics Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System, which was introduced in Europe in 1993. Now the Swedish adjustable gastric band differs from the Lap-Band because it wasn't designed for use with keyhole laparoscopic surgery. The lap band surgery or adjustable gastric band procedure is used in desperate situations and is performed with laparoscopic instruments, which generally means the surgery is minimally invasive with a short recovery time.

It's usually contraindicated if the surgery or treatment represents an unreasonable risk to the patient. If one has a dependency on alcohol or drugs, they won't be eligible for adjustable band surgery. The failure of dietary or weight-loss drug therapy for more than one year can make one eligible for the adjustable gastric band procedure.

Mentally retarded or emotionally unstable people won't be considered for lap band surgery. The lap band surgery is usually not performed if one has an untreated glandular disease like hypothyroidism, where other measures may still be sought.

Removal of the adjustable gastric band would require a keyhole procedure and the stomach usually returns to its normal pre-banded state. Lap band or gastric band placement, unlike traditional malabsorptive weight loss surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, biliopancreatic and duodenal switch) does not cut or remove any part of the digestive system. The port membrane may be sutured in place.

The placement of the adjustable gastric band creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach which holds approximately 50 ml; this pouch 'fills' with food quickly and the passage of food from the top to the bottom of the stomach is slowed. The surgeon uses a specialized needle is to avoid damage to the port membrane. Gastric dumping syndrome problems do not occur in lap band surgeries because no intestines are removed or re-routed.

The amount of weight lost following the months after surgery will depend on the individual and their personal circumstances, motivation, and mobility. The patient may be prescribed a diet of liquids only, followed by soft foods and then solid foods for a varied length of time; each surgeon and manufacturer will vary. During pregnancy, deflation should be considered if morning sickness is experienced.

Following surgery, adjustments, which are also called "fills", may be performed using a fluoroscope so the radiologist may assess the placement of the band, the port and the tubing which runs between the port and the band. Weight regain can happen with any surgical weight loss procedure including the more radical procedures that initially result in rapid weight loss.

Erosion can occur where the band may wear a small area on the outside of the stomach which can lead to migration of the band to the inside of the stomach. Occasionally, the narrow passage into the lower part of the stomach may become blocked by a large portion of unchewed food.

Some mechanical malfunctions that can occur post-surgery are port leakage, cracking of the kink-resistant tubing or disruption of the tubing connection from the port to the band, port site pain and port displacement. Other complications of gastric band surgery include: ulceration and irritated stomach tissue.

Lap band and gastric banding as compared to other weight loss surgeries have shown a lower mortality rate, the stomach returns to normal if the band is removed, there is no cutting or stapling of the stomach, the band is adjustable without additional surgery and there are no malabsorption issues because no intestines are bypassed and there are fewer life threatening complications. Many factors can affect the total cost of your surgery, including the gastric surgeon you choose, where you choose to have the surgery performed, and what fees are included or not included in the price. Make sure if you're traveling away from home for surgery consider the travel time and related travel expenses for both the surgery and follow-up appointments.