Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
At the Nebraska Medical Center Dr. Corrigan McBride, Dr. Matthew Goede, and Dr. Vishal Kothari perform bariatric gastric banding laparoscopically using five very small incisions.
An inflatable band is placed around the very top of the stomach to create a small pouch (about the size of an egg). During the procedure a port is placed under the skin through which the band can be inflated or deflated with sterile water.
Over time the band will be adjusted until the “sweet spot” is found. This is the point at which weight loss is optimal without the band being too tight.
Compared to other weight loss procedures, a patient undergoing the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure loses weight at a slower rate, but over time the weight loss has shown to be similar to other procedures. This procedure works by restriction and not by malabsorption. You should eat slowly and chew your food well. Never drink with meals. The risks involved with this procedure are lowest when compared to other weight loss procedures. This procedure has the potential of being reversed by removing the band.
Dr. McBride, Dr. Goede, and Dr. Kothari are specially trained to perform this procedure using both the Lap Band and Realize bands.
