A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is an implantable medical device that restricts the amount of food a person can eat. Fellowship-trained surgeons at our Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Centert have performed hundreds of these procedures. LAGB has changed the lives of many people who were unable to reach a healthy weight through nonsurgical methods.
What Is Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery?
LAGB surgery is a minimally invasive surgery in which the surgeon places a small, bracelet-like band around the top of the stomach to restrict the amount of food a person can eat. This surgery involves several small incisions, less than two inches each. The degree to which the band is tightened affects how much food you can eat and the length of time it takes for food to leave the stomach pouch.
This surgery does not change the way food passes into the intestines, but you will need to eat smaller meals because there is less room in the smaller stomach pouch that the band creates.
Benefits of the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
- By creating a smaller stomach pouch, the band limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, so you feel full sooner and stay full longer.
- As you eat less food, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat supply for energy.
- The surgery does not change the way the body processes food and nutrients
- Your hospital stay is between 1 to 3 days
- This procedure can be reversed
- People typically lose 45 to 72 percent of their excess weight three to six years after surgery
A Minimally Invasive Approach
Our surgeons use laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique, in all patients undergoing LAGB to reduce the risk of complications. To perform laparoscopic surgery, doctors make several small incisions in the abdomen, rather than the large incision used in open surgery. These small incisions provide access for surgical tools, including a laparoscope, a thin tube with a small camera to view the procedure.
Minimally invasive surgery promotes:
- Faster healing
- Faster return to normal activities
- Less scarring
- Lower risk of surgical complications
Contact Us
To learn more about bariatric and metabolic surgery at Cooper or to schedule an appointment, please call 856.673.4500 or join us for a free weight-loss surgery informational seminar.
Refer a Patient
If you are a doctor who wants to refer a patient to Cooper, please call 856.673.4500.