Approximate Cost : $16,000
  Recovery: approx 1 week
  Possible complications: Bruising at port site,
  gastric band slippage or erosion, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain

Lap Band Laparoscopic Gastric Banding in Canada

  The lap band (laparoscopic band) is an adjustable gastric (stomach) band designed for weight loss in overweight and obese patients. It is a inflatable silicone ring which is placed around the top portion of the stomach. The band creates a small pouch that fills with food quickly and and makes the passage of food slow down, allowing the patient to feel full quicker and eat smaller portions.

  The lap band (laparoscopic band) can be filled or defilled via a small access port placed just under the skin. The lap band is filled or defilled with saline: when the saline is introduced the band expands, placing pressure around the outside of the stomach. A surgeon 'fills' the lap band over several sessions until they feel optimal weight loss can be reached. If too much restriction is felt the band can be 'defilled'.

The lap band (laparoscopic band) is considered to be a less invasive method of weight loss than other surgical weight loss techniques like gastric bypass surgery ('stomach stapling'), and the band can be removed at any time. The laparoscopic approach to the surgery also has the advantages of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay, and quicker recovery. Numbers vary, but manufacturers claim 300,000 bands have been placed wordwide.

  To discuss your particular situation in more detail, consult with a
a lap band (laparoscopic band) clinic:

> The Surgical Weight Loss Centre