Lap band surgery is another name for laparoscopic gastric banding. It's surgery to help people lose weight. A gastric band creates a small pouch in the stomach. The pouch limits how much food you can eat. But in some cases, it doesn't work as well as hoped. The band may be removed. People have their bands removed for different reasons. Some people don't lose enough weight. They might have problems with acid reflux or eating solid foods. Or they might have it removed if their doctor thinks there's a chance that the band has slipped or eroded.
You will be asleep during the surgery. The doctor will make several small cuts in your belly. These cuts are called incisions. Then the doctor puts special tools and a camera through the incisions. Next, the doctor cuts and removes the band and connected tube and port through the incisions. Then the incisions are closed with stitches. The stitches will dissolve on their own.
You may be able to go home the same day as your surgery. Sometimes the removal involves more repairs. If so, you may need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days after the surgery. Most people can go back to work or their usual routine in about 1 to 4 weeks.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Lap band surgery (laparoscopic gastric banding) is surgery to help people lose weight. A gastric band creates a small pouch in the stomach. The pouch limits how much food you can eat. Surgery to remove a band might be done because the band didn't work as well as expected. In some cases, a band is removed because it slipped or eroded. When the band is removed, the doctor also removes the tube and port.
The cuts (incisions) the doctor made in your belly will probably be sore for a few days after the surgery. The stitches will dissolve on their own.
After this surgery, you may start to notice more feelings of hunger. And you may start to gain weight. You may be worried about weight gain. Your doctor can help you think about how you are feeling. You can discuss possible steps you can take to have a healthy weight.
Most people can return to their regular routines in 1 to 4 weeks after this surgery. Your doctor may give you specific instructions on when you can do your normal activities again, such as driving and going back to work.
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