Surgical Associates at Virginia Hospital Center - Surgeon, Northern VA & Washington DC

Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND ®)

The LAP-BAND® System is one of the safest, most effective and least invasive surgical treatments for morbid obesity available today in the United States. It uses a silicone ring filled with saline on its inner hollow surface, which is placed around the upper part of your stomach. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food, thus making you feel fuller sooner, and your satisfaction lasts longer than before.

Since there is no cutting or stapling of the stomach or re-routing of the intestines, the adjustable gastric banding procedure is considered the least invasive of all weight loss surgeries. The surgery is done laparoscopically which allows for reduced post-operative pain, short hospital stay and quick recovery. Since its clinical introduction in 1993, there has been more than 450,000 LAP-BAND® System devices distributed worldwide, making it the #1 selling adjustable gastric band for weight loss.

Adjustable

The LAP-BAND® System is connected to an access port, which is fixed beneath the skin of your abdomen in a comfortable and discreet way. The access port can be accessed with a fine needle and allows your surgeon to adjust your band to your weight loss needs and progress by adding or subtracting saline, or salt water, inside the inner balloon. The adjustable gastric band is the only adjustable weight-loss surgery. The adjustment procedure is done in the office, takes 5-10 minute and - by most patient reports - is not painful.

Reversible

While it is intended to be a permanent device, the LAP-BAND® System can be removed at any time. If for any reason the adjustable gastric band needs to be removed, the stomach and other anatomy typically return to their original state and function.

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Before and After Photos