Stomach Bands

The Stomach band operation (otherwise known as Gastric band or Lap Band) is a weight loss surgery that reduces the size of your stomach through the fitting of an adjustable band. The Gastric Band or LAP-BAND is fitted laparoscopically (keyhole), by placing a small inflatable band around the upper part of the stomach.

The resulting small upper stomach pouch and a narrowed outlet, limits the stomach's capacity to intake food and increases the feeling of fullness. These two after effects result in weight loss.Listen to some success stories

Lap band surgery – the procedure

An adjustable gastric band or LAP-BAND is placed around the upper stomach creating a pouch.  When food passes into the stomach, the pouch will fill very quickly, ensuring that any food you eat will pass slowly into and through the narrow opening which the band creates in your lower stomach. The food you have consumed will then pass as normal through your digestive system.

The Stomach band operation will usually require an overnight stay in hospital and will be carried out under general anesthesia normally via keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery. The full operation normally takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Four / five tiny incisions to your upper abdomen will need to be made in order to fit the band in the upper part of your stomach with the use of a special telescope and camera. The band will be secures in place.

The lap band / gastric band is adjustable and will dictate how fast food will enter your stomach.  Adjustments are made by adding/removing fluid from the lap band. The band is normally adjusted by your surgeon six to eight weeks following your initial operation by injecting / removing saline solution into a small port which is located just under your skin.

The National Obesity Surgery Centre operates in a number of locations throughout the UK, and therefore we can help patients nationwide. UK locations are currently based in London, Manchester, Sheffield, Gloucester, Glasgow, West Midlands and Chichester.

After the operation

Immediately after the procedure you’ll be required to stick to a liquid only diet for about two weeks. This will gradually progress through softer foods and then onto “normal “ foods but in small portions.

You will have lots of support to help you through this – our post op. nurse will contact you daily for the first week and then our nutritional support team will take over. They will guide you through the dietary requirements so that you feel confident about your new way of eating and living with the gastric band.

Our team of cognitive behavioral therapists will keep you motivated and help you address issues around food that you may want to work through.

Contact the National Obesity Surgery Centre about our Gastric Band procedure

If you think the NOSC LAP-BAND  may benefit you and want to speak to one of our dedicated weight loss advisers, please call us on 0845 618 7276.

If you already have a lap band fitted, but need help and advice about your diet and how to manage your weight loss, we can help you. We have a specialists advice service for patients who have had the lap band procedure elsewhere, but require additional support from a dedicated team of experienced advisors. We can also offer a gastric band adjustment service. Please view our page for patients who have existing gastric bands.

If you are a doctor or medical professional and want more information about how the National Obesity Surgery Centre can benefit you and your patients, please view the page on our NOSC membership programme.