Gastric Band Surgery

Prior to surgery you will meet with a dietitian for approximately 45 minutes to discuss pre and post surgery dietary requirements. At this stage most patients commence on a very low calorie fluid diet for 1 - 2 weeks prior to surgery.

You will also have a consultation with our psychologist regarding the required life style changes you can be expecting and discuss how to deal with them. This appointment is usually for 60 - 90 minute duration.

Your gastric banding surgery will usually be scheduled at least two weeks following these initial consultations. Once a date is confirmed, your surgeon will give you hospital admission forms for completion prior to attendance for surgery.

Prior to surgery you will be notified of the period of fasting required and notified of the time to arrive at the hospital, usually an hour and a half to two and a half hours prior. Once in the operating room, you will be given a general anaesthetic intravenously.

During your surgery the surgeon will be accompanied by an assistant and scrub nurses who monitor your health and wellbeing throughout the surgery.

The surgery itself takes around 60 – 90 minutes. Insertion of the lap band is minimally invasive as it is performed laparoscopically which means that access is gained through 5 small keyhole incisions in the abdomen, the largest of which measures around 4 - 6cm.

The band is placed around the upper part of the stomach and fixed into place with one or two sutures (stiches), and the port is attached firmly to the muscles of the abdomen for future access for lap band adjustments.

On completion, the incisions are closed using a "glue" or dissolvable sutures. The wound is covered with steri-strips and a small dressing.

Once the lap band procedure has been completed you will be taken to recovery and monitored while the anaesthetic wears off, before being taken to your room where you will stay at least one night before being released and able to return home.

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