Discover Washington Lap Band Surgery at Samaritan Healthcare

Lap Band surgery, also know as the Adjustable Gastric Band procedure is sometimes called a Laparoscopic Band. This is a restrictive procedure that makes the stomach smaller. The bariatric surgeon makes five small holes in the abdominal wall where he can insert a scope with a camera connected to a viewing screen. Instruments are also put through the scope. The surgeon wraps a a silicon-like band around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch about the size of a golf ball or less. The band is connected to a piece of tubing that is tunneled underneath the skin, and a port is attached to the tubing and is sewn to the abdominal wall. The port is covered by abdominal fat and skin. Patients eat less because they fill up quickly. If patients are able to eat too much food at one time, the Surgeon or his Physician Assistant inserts a needle into the port and injects a solution that makes the lap band tighter, which makes the stomach opening smaller. The lap band fluid can also be removed if needed. It is difficult to get complete nutrition because only a small amount of food can be eaten, so a good daily multivitamin is recommended. With a properly adjusted gastric band, patients will typically lose 1/2 to 2 pounds a week.

Learn more about your Washington lap band surgery options with Samaritan Healthcare Center for Weight Management by attending a weight loss surgery seminar today!