Lap Band® Procedure Steps

Learn how the Lap Band® surgery is performed

Lap Band® Procedure Steps

The Lap-Band procedure is a type of bariatric surgery designed to help individuals with obesity reduce their food intake and achieve sustainable weight loss. 

This minimally invasive surgery involves placing an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach, limiting its capacity and helping patients feel full sooner. 

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the entire process of the Lap-Band surgery.

Arrival At Auralia Clinic For Lap-Band®

Arrival and wait

As you arrive at the clinic, the reception area will be bright and inviting, with a friendly receptionist greeting you by name to confirm your Lap-Band surgery appointment. 

They will assist you with any necessary paperwork and answer any initial questions you may have about the procedure.

You’ll then be shown to a comfortable waiting area, where you might find plush seating, soothing background music, and informative brochures on the Lap-Band surgery. 

This tranquil environment allows you to relax and ease your mind before the procedure begins.

Pre-Lap Band® Surgery Consultation

A nurse or surgical technician will escort you to the pre-surgery room, where you’ll be introduced to the team overseeing your Lap-Band procedure.

The board-certified surgeons will introduce themselves and take time to review your medical history. They’ll discuss your specific goals for the Lap-Band surgery and ensure everything is clear regarding your expectations.

Next, you’ll meet the anaesthetist, who will explain the type of anaesthesia that will be used and answer any questions you have about managing pain during and after the procedure.

A nurse will also be on hand to take your vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature, while being available to answer any additional queries you may have.

Your surgeon will take ample time to address any concerns or anxieties you might have about the surgery, explaining potential risks and ensuring you fully understand the procedure. Feel free to ask as many questions as necessary until you’re confident and informed.

Finally, you’ll be guided to a comfortable waiting area, where you can relax before the procedure. This space is likely to feature soft seating, calming music, and informative materials about the Lap-Band procedure to help ease your mind.

Preparing for Your Lap Band®

While you’re consulting with the doctor, the surgical team will be preparing the operating room for your Lap-Band surgery, ensuring that everything is sterile to minimise the risk of infection.

Once your consultation is complete, a nurse will likely guide you to a private changing room where you’ll be provided with a sterile surgical gown to wear during the procedure.

You may also be asked to remove any jewellery or accessories that could interfere with the surgery, ensuring a smooth and safe operation.

Entering the Surgical Suite

Entering the Surgical Suite

A nurse will likely assist you as you walk to the surgical suite, which will be a brightly lit room equipped with advanced medical technology.

Once you’re comfortably positioned on the operating table, the nurse will attach monitoring devices to track your vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, throughout the procedure to ensure your safety.

The anaesthetist will likely reintroduce themselves and be available to answer any last-minute questions you may have about the anaesthesia and the process of going to sleep during the surgery.

Technical details of Lap Band® ​

Before the surgery begins, your doctor will likely review the details of the procedure with you one final time. 

This final confirmation ensures that everyone is aligned, giving you a chance to voice any last-minute concerns or anxieties you may have.

With your IV line in place, monitoring devices attached, and the surgical team ready, your doctor will ensure you are comfortable and feel safe before proceeding with the Lap-Band surgery.

The Steps Of The Lap Band® ​ Surgery

1. Administering Anaesthesia

The first step in the Lap-Band® surgery is administering general anaesthesia. 

This ensures that you are completely asleep and pain-free throughout the procedure. 

General anaesthesia is crucial for maintaining Your comfort while allowing the surgeon to focus on the delicate work ahead.

2. Creating Small Incisions for Laparoscopic Access

Lap-Band® surgery is typically performed using a laparoscopic technique, which is minimally invasive. The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen—usually about four to six tiny incisions, each about 1 to 2 centimetres long. 

These incisions allow for the insertion of a laparoscope, a thin tube equipped with a camera, and other surgical instruments.

The laparoscope projects real-time images of the abdominal cavity onto a monitor, giving the surgeon a clear view of the stomach and surrounding organs.

3. Placing the Band Around the Stomach

Once the laparoscopic instruments are in place, the surgeon carefully wraps a silicone adjustable gastric band around the upper portion of the stomach. 

This creates a small pouch that can only hold a limited amount of food, resulting in quicker satiety and reduced food intake.

The band is connected to a thin tube that leads to a port placed just beneath the skin. This port allows the surgeon to adjust the tightness of the band by adding or removing saline solution after surgery. This is key for personalising the treatment based on your weight loss progress​

4. Securing the Band and Creating the Stomach Pouch

After the band is placed, the stomach is divided into two sections:

Upper pouch: This small pouch holds a minimal amount of food, about 15 to 30 millilitres.

Lower stomach: The rest of the stomach remains, but food passes through it much slower due to the restricted passage between the pouches.

The band ensures that the upper part of the stomach feels full more quickly, which helps control portion sizes and ultimately leads to weight loss.

5. Inserting the Access Port

Once the band is secured, the surgeon inserts an access port just beneath the skin, usually near the abdomen.

This port is connected to the gastric band through a small tube. The surgeon can adjust the band’s tightness by injecting or withdrawing saline solution through this port during follow-up visits.

6. Checking Placement and Adjustments

After the band is positioned and the access port is in place, the surgeon checks to ensure that everything is aligned correctly. 

This involves monitoring the placement of the band and ensuring that the passage between the upper and lower parts of the stomach is appropriately restricted

7. Closing the Incisions

Once the band placement is confirmed, the surgeon will remove the laparoscopic tools and close the small incisions with sutures or surgical staples. 

The incisions are then covered with sterile dressings, and you’ll be moved to a recovery area.

8. Post-Surgery Recovery and Follow-Up Adjustments

After the surgery, you’ll be closely monitored as you wake up from anaesthesia. Most patients go home within 24 hours, but you’ll need to follow strict dietary guidelines and have regular follow-up appointments to adjust the band and monitor your progress.

Conclusion :

Lap-Band® surgery is a highly effective weight-loss tool that involves several precise steps, from laparoscopic incisions to the placement of the adjustable band. 

By understanding the surgical process, you can better prepare for the procedure and feel more comfortable with the journey ahead. 

Remember, the success of Lap-Band® surgery requires a commitment to post-operative care and lifestyle changes, so regular follow-up appointments and a healthy diet are key to long-term success.

Your after Care With Auralia

We are a CHKS and ISO Approved Private Hospital in Ireland

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All patients receive three post-op consultations, but if you feel you require more support, we can facilitate you without any extra cost.

Lap Band® after care FAQ

Following your visit to Auralia, you will be given pre- and post-operative instruction to guide you on how to be well prepared for your Lap Band® and what to do afterwards. This will also contain the clinic's contact details.

You will also be given your Auralia surgeon’s emergency mobile number for calls after hours. During work hours, you should contact the hospital.

If you suspect anything is wrong outside of business hours, you are welcome to call the emergency number of your surgeon and speak with them directly, day or night.

Alternatively, you can drop straight into the clinic during working hours.

Absolutely not! You are entitled to as many appointments as you feel you need with your surgeon, following your Lap Band®.

Absolutely! From the time you have your Lap Band® with your Auralia surgeon, you are entitled to see them for appointments for as long as necessary.

If the surgeon no longer works for Auralia, you would still be entitled to see one of our surgeons for free.

Lap Band® Surgery With Auralia

Want to lose weight and considering a Lap Band® surgery? Get in touch with our expert team to get more insights and guidance to make your journey a success

Your Weight Loss Journey With Auralia

Step 1.

Free, No Obligation Consultation Booking

To start your surgery process, firstly book your consultation by calling us on (01) 612 0551 or filling a consultation form here.

Step 2.

Meet Our Team

Once you have booked your consultation, you will meet with your patient care co-ordinator then your surgeon to discuss your weight loss goals, your health status, concerns and the procedure details.

Step 3.

Book Your Surgery

After your comprehensive consultation, your patient care co-ordinator will work with you to book a convenient date for your procedure.

Step 4.

Pre Op Assessment 

Prior to your surgery date, you will have your pre-op assessment where we will go through your medical history with you, and instruct you how to prepare for your surgery day to avoid any risks.

Step 5.

Surgery Day

On your surgery day, you’ll have a dedicated medical team to take care of you. The surgery duration depends on which procedure you will have, and you will leave on the clinic same day or in few days depending on your specific case.

Step 6.

After Care

You will enjoy unlimited aftercare appointments and surgeon reviews as much as you need to ensure your safety and satisfaction with the results.

You will get access to the Auralia’s after care App to assess you further in your recovery period.

Furthermore, you will also have your surgeon’s emergency number so you get access to him any time 24/7.

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