History of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND, REALIZE band)
We are fortunate to offer two types of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Bands (LAP-BAND, REALIZE band). Both bands have extensive experience in Europe and Australia since the early 1990's. Both bands demonstrate similar clinical evidence of sustainable weight loss. Both band companies have excellent support for patients and surgeons. Both band companies are innovative and continue to refine the design. Cincinnati Weight Loss Center offers both gastric band procedures because we think patients benefit when they have a choice.
Worldwide, gastric banding is the number one bariatric operation performed. In the United States, gastric bypass has historically been the most common procedure but that is rapidly changing as more patients choose gastric banding due to its lower risk and the healthy, sustainable weight loss it creates.
LAP-BAND (Allergan) - FDA approved June 2001
In the 1980s, Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak invented the first gastric band with an adjustable balloon along the inner circumference. The Bioenterics Company improved upon this original design and Dr. Mitiku Belachew (Belgium) placed the first LAP-BAND in 1993. Bioenterics was purchased by the Inamed Company which was purchased by Allergan.
REALIZE band (Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson) - FDA approved September 2007
Ethicon purchased the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band and markets the device in the U.S. as the REALIZE band. They have a detailed patient website called mySuccess that contains a lot of helpful information and recipes and helps patients track their success.
Technique
We perform the gastric band procedures through several small incisions with the aid of a fiberoptic camera and specialized instruments. This minimizes post-operative pain and recovery time. During the surgery, we place the band around the top part of the stomach to create a small (20cc) gastric pouch without cutting the intestines. A small section of tubing connects the band to the adjusting port that we place under the skin in the abdominal wall, allowing easy access for later adjustments during office visits. The inner lining of the band is a balloon that we fill with saline to narrow the stomach opening, thus limiting the amount of food that can pass through. We add (or remove) saline easily in the office via the band's access port with a specialized Huber non-coring needle and syringe. We hide the port beneath the skin so it will not limit your activity level. Adjustments involve placing a needle into the port and adding or withdrawing saline. This allows patients to have an individualized weight loss program, which we customize to their situation. Patients say the pain level during an adjustment is minimal. The schedule of adjustments varies with each patient. Typically, we do the first adjustment four weeks after surgery and as needed after that so you get full on small amounts of food and lose about 1-2 pounds per week.
Weight loss occurs because small amounts of food make you feel full. It also decreases the background hunger that is so typical of dieting. Patients say they lose their obsession with food and are satisfied with smaller meals. The gastric band stays in forever. It does not have to be removed. You can see an animated video about the Allergan LAP-BAND® here.
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