OBESITY SURGERY

Facts About Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is the most widely used weight loss surgery in Australia.
The surgery is performed through small incisions and with long-shafted instruments. There are no major cuts to the abdomen.
The gastric band, like a belt, is fastened around the top of the stomach.
The stomach and intestines are not cut or re-routed.
The band is adjustable and reversible.
The band presses on the stomach creating sensations of fullness.
The band can be adjusted to increase or decrease hunger sensations.
Only small amounts of food can be eaten at once because of the tiny pouch above the band.
Patients can lose up to an average of 27kg of their excess weight in 12 months.
Gastric banding can be significantly more effective than non-surgical treatments.
Patients have shown maintenance of their weight loss 3-8 years after their surgery.
Effective weight loss can lead to either complete control or improvement in obesity related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Most patients stay in hospital for only one day.

Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is usually performed through small incisions in the tummy using a camera. This minimally invasive surgical technique results in less discomfort and time off than traditional abdominal surgery. During the 60-90 minute procedure, a band, much like a wristwatch, is fastened around the upper stomach to create a small pouch which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. In addition to the band, an access port, connected by tubing, is placed in the abdomen wall. This port allows for the size of the band to be increased or decreased with saline. The procedure does not involve cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestines, providing the option to reverse the treatment.

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery was first introduced to Australia in 1994. Since then, it has become the most widely used weight control surgery in the country. In 2008 alone, more than 12,000 laparoscopic gastric banding procedures were performed in Australia.

How Gastric Banding Works

The laparoscopic gastric band assists weight loss and weight control in two ways:

Creating a sense of fullness. The band presses on the stomach, which makes the brain think that the stomach is full and therefore requires no more food.
Satisfying hunger sooner. The band creates a smaller stomach pouch, so that less food is required to feel satisfied. Also, because the band has reduced the size of the passage through which food passes, it takes longer to digest.

Health professionals are also available to provide long-term support for patients who choose to undergo laparoscopic gastric banding. This team usually includes a general practitioner, possibly a specialist to manage any obesity-related diseases, a dietician, a psychologist and where necessary, an exercise expert.

View a 3-D animation of the laparoscopic gastric banding procedure.
View a 3-D animation of the laparoscopic gastric band in place.

Cost of gastric banding surgery for weight control

If you've tried everything to overcome obesity and lose weight but failed, ask your doctor about long-term weight control solutions. There are many factors that come into play with each individual procedure, which varies the costs of gastric banding.

The majority of gastric banding procedures in Australia are covered under private health insurance.

All final costs of gastric banding will depend on the costs associated with:

Your gastric banding surgeon and assistant surgeon
The anaesthetist
The hospital where the gastric banding surgery is carried out
Post-procedural medication i.e. pain relievers etc. purchased from the pharmacy

Speak to the people at the Melbourne Institute of Obesity Surgery (MIOS) and they will establish the final costs of the treatment with you.