Laparoscopic banding of the stomach today is a very popular procedure. It allows people who are overweight to reduce their uncontrollable appetite by reducing the amount of food consumed. The procedure is the application of a special bandage to the stomach under the esophagus, which can significantly reduce its initial size.
The main reason for the appearance of excess weight
Losing a beautiful figure is quite simple. Excess weight quickly builds up due to a sedentary lifestyle and stressful situations. Sometimes the main factor in gaining unnecessary pounds becomes a family predisposition. However, despite this, in all cases of obesity without exception, we can talk about the main reason for the appearance of such a condition, which lies in the violation of eating behavior or overeating. There is no such hormonal failure or slow metabolism that would themselves, without the presence of an uncontrollable appetite, cause the development of the process of gaining excess weight.
Of course, nutritionists recommend such patients to reconsider their lifestyle, move more, not overeat and balance their nutrition. However, this does not solve the problem. Obese patients themselves are well aware of what they need to do to bring their body weight to normal. However, in most cases they cannot do this on their own. This fact is not unfounded. It is confirmed by various studies in which groups of obese patients participated. Patients initially worked with specialists (psychotherapists, nutritionists and physiotherapists). However, in the course of the experiment it turned out that such patients can get rid of excess weight by only 1.5-2%, keeping the results for six months.
In such situations, when an obese person understands that he is not able to cope with his illness on his own, he should go to a clinic where specialists will propose effective methods of resolving the problem and surgery - bandaging the stomach.
The essence of the procedure
Gastric banding clinics work according to the method developed in 1986 in America. Its creator was the surgeon Lyubomir Kuzmak, who is of Ukrainian origin. The main idea of the procedure is to put a ring on the upper part of the stomach, which at the same time takes the form of an hourglass. However, unlike a time meter, the food intake is divided into two parts that are different in volume. The upper one, located above the ring, has a meager capacity. Its volume is equal to only fifteen to twenty milliliters. This is the volume of one tablespoon. Between the small and large part of the stomach there is an artificially created narrowing, the diameter of which is approximately 1 cm.
A person who underwent a bandaging of the stomach, after surgery, is able to eat very little. Food entering the small ventricle and filling it is delayed in the area above the ring. Here, the digestive organ receptors transmit a signal to the brain, confirming a feeling of fullness. The patient can eat quite a bit, for example, a quarter of an apple. However, he will feel an overflow of the stomach. This condition allows you to achieve the main goal of the operation, which consists in a sharp decrease in the amount of food eaten, and, therefore, in reducing the number of calories entering the body.
Using a special tool
Surgeons use a special ring to give the stomach an hourglass shape. This is a complex device used only in cases when bandaging of the stomach is performed (see photo below).
On its inner side, the ring is equipped with a hydraulic system in the form of an inflated cuff. Another part of the device used during the banding operation is called the “port”. This part is connected to the cuff by means of a small tube. The port is located under the skin of the abdomen. It is necessary in order to fill the installed system with a salt solution or liquid. Such manipulation reduces the inner lumen of the ring. And, on the contrary, the removal of a certain volume of liquid from the system leads to its expansion. Such adjustment is made based on the needs of the client. The procedure is carried out two months after the operation, when the ring is firmly fixed in the tissues. In technical terms, such an adjustment is very simple. The port is punctured directly through the skin with a thin needle, injecting approximately 5 ml of liquid into it. According to patients, this procedure is painless and lasts only 3 to 5 minutes.
Indications for surgery
Who is recommended for bandaging the stomach? Feedback from experts suggests that such procedures are shown to those clients whose body mass index exceeds 40. But there are some exceptions to this rule. The operation is performed and with a body mass index of 35, if an obese patient suffers from varicose veins, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and disease of the joints of the legs.
In addition, the specialists of the Gastric Banding Clinic warn that only people with a high degree of organization and self-discipline, who have a great desire to change the existing lifestyle and are able to regularly visit a doctor, should agree to such a procedure.
In which cases does a gastric banding receive negative reviews? With a body mass index in excess of 50. This is a fairly high degree of obesity. Why, in such cases, is not bandaging the stomach? After ringing, such patients are not able to refuse excessive food intake. In such cases, specialists suggest an operation to remove part of the stomach, as well as the small intestine.
Contraindications
Who doesn’t have gastric banding? Feedback from experts suggests that this procedure is not recommended:
- patients under the age of 18;
- with serious diseases of blood vessels, lungs and heart;
- chronic alcoholics;
- in the presence of pathologies of the esophagus, duodenal ulcer or stomach;
- pregnant;
- having the diagnoses of "chronic pancreatitis" and "portal hypertension";
- with cirrhosis of the liver;
- passionate sweet tooth and those who are not able to follow the necessary nutritional plan;
- having chronic infections that can contaminate the site of the operation;
- with autoimmune pathologies of connective tissue;
- in the case of continuous use of hormonal steroid drugs.
Preparation for the banding procedure
Before surgery to install a special ring on the stomach, you will need to pass tests, the list of which is standard in preparation for general anesthesia. 10-14 days before the intervention, it is recommended to switch to a diet that allows you to reduce liver volumes. During this period, the patient's diet should include:
- low fat cottage cheese and milk;
- chicken meat;
- vegetable soups and broths;
- vegetables and fruits.
The use of vegetable and animal fats at this time is possible, but their volume should be reduced to a minimum. After the evening meal on the eve of the operation, you can no longer eat or drink. If the patient needs medication, then this question is discussed in advance with the doctor.
Operation technique
Can conventional surgery and gastric banding be compared? Not. The fact is that the operation to install a special ring on the stomach is performed according to the laparoscopic (minimally invasive) method. It involves carrying out this procedure without opening the abdominal cavity. During the operation, the specialist makes only a small incision. A light source and a video camera are introduced into the abdominal cavity through it. Additionally, the patient is made four more small incisions. They are needed to enter instruments into the abdominal cavity, without which the procedure is impossible. The surgeon sees the area of operation on the monitor, which displays the image captured by the video camera.
This technique is characterized by a high level of reliability, allowing the specialist to work on those parts of the body that are not available during normal abdominal surgery.
Advantages of Laparoscopic Technique
Most of those who did bandaging of the stomach leave positive reviews about this operation. After surgery, instead of a large scar, five small scars remain on the body. In addition, laparoscopic gastric banding receives reviews as a virtually painless procedure. This allows the patient to stay in hospital less time. The recovery period after such an operation is short enough, which allows a person to return to their usual lives much earlier.
How do specialists evaluate laparoscopic banding of the stomach? Reviews of doctors suggest that most of them accept this method. Experts note a clear decrease in the number of postoperative complications. Indeed, when performing this procedure, there is no large incision, and, therefore, there is no bleeding, and the likelihood of infection and the development of hernias is reduced. The method allows to practically eliminate such complications of a conventional surgical operation as pneumonia and exudate of the lungs, increased blood coagulation, etc. In addition, when the procedure is performed, there is no violation of the integrity of the gastrointestinal tissue.
Women who decided to bandage the stomach, reviews after the operation are also positive. And this is not surprising. After all, such a method not only eliminates the disease, but also gives an excellent result from an aesthetic point of view. In order to verify this, it is worth looking at those who have already resorted to the method of bandaging the stomach (before and after photos are presented in the article).
The attractiveness of the method of laparoscopic embalming lies in its reversibility. After the operation, the ring can be removed for one reason or another. In this case, the anatomy of the stomach will be fully restored within a short period of time.
Postoperative period
A patient who has undergone a gastric banding procedure should adhere to some doctor's recommendations. For example, in the evening and in the morning after surgery, he should not eat and drink a large amount of liquid. Water should enter the body in only small portions. It is enough to periodically take one or two sips. Basically, they are needed just to moisten the oral cavity. Doctors recommend starting drinking only 4-5 hours after surgery. If there is no problem with swallowing, then the liquid can be consumed without restrictions only the next day. You can drink everything that does not contain gas and sugar, for example:
- plain water;
- warm weak tea or coffee;
- mineral water.
If desired, a sugar substitute may be added to the liquid. This will sweeten them and improve the taste. Such fluids are recommended to be taken three days before the first stool (after an enema or on its own). Over the next two weeks, you can switch to sweet vegetable or fruit juices and nonfat milk.
The recommendations of specialists also relate to the motor activity of patients. In the evening after the operation, it is important for them to get out of bed. This must be done at least once. To do this, you will need the help of relatives or staff of the clinic, where they do bandaging of the stomach. Getting up on your own is not worth it, as your head may feel dizzy. If the patient remains in an upright position and does not experience any problems, then he is allowed to walk without any restrictions. It is worth remembering that the active regime after surgery will help prevent blood clots in the leg veins and protect against the development of pneumonia.
In the process of rehabilitation after surgery, breathing exercises must be performed. If you want to clear your throat, it is simply necessary. Balloons or rubber toys can be inflated to support active breathing. Such manipulations are preferably done several times within an hour. Breathing exercises are very important, as they will help to avoid pneumonia.
After bandaging the stomach, it is necessary to prevent stagnation of blood in the lower extremities, since when lying in bed for the first three days, there is a high probability of blood clots. Simple exercises for the legs, consisting in flexion and extension of the feet, will help in this.
Sometimes after bandaging the stomach, patients suffer from nausea and vomiting. Such conditions should be avoided by asking the medical staff for a remedy for these symptoms.
How does a person who has had a stomach bandage feel? Patient reviews suggest that sometimes after surgery in the abdominal cavity pain occurs. If the prescribed painkillers are not enough, then it is worth reporting this to the medical staff of the clinic.
As a rule, after the operation, patients note a violation of the functioning of the stomach, manifested by difficulties in gas discharge, as well as lack of stool. A similar situation is observed during the first three days. If after this period the work of the intestine has not recovered, then it is necessary to carry out its additional stimulation.
As for the bladder, problems with it, as a rule, do not arise. But if they did appear, then this should be said to the doctor.
Multidisciplinary Medical Center
Gastric banding operations are offered by clinics in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of our country. Numerous positive feedback from patients deserves the medical center "UMK-Health." It is located in the city of Yekaterinburg. This is a private clinic of a multidisciplinary type, providing high quality medical care for the diagnosis of diseases, as well as treating patients with their hospital stay. In their activities, the center’s specialists adhere to the following principles:
- systematic and comprehensive service;
- the effectiveness and safety of treatment;
- customer - oriented approach ;
- professionalism;
- maintaining comfort and service at a European level.
The modern clinic is a complex complex. It is designed and built on the principle of “smart home”. A well-known German company that previously built clinics in Israel, Germany and Switzerland was involved as a contractor.
The directions of the therapeutic activity of the center are great. Among them, UMMC-Health (Yekaterinburg) offers gastric banding to its patients. Clients of the center leave reviews about this operation, as a rule, positive. After all, LapBand bandages made in the USA are installed here. This is the most reliable and proven device used in such procedures for more than twenty years.
What else attracts those who decided to get rid of obesity to the UMMC-Health clinic (Yekaterinburg)? Gastric banding (expert reviews confirm this) is often performed if patients have such pathologies as a hernia (abdominal wall or esophageal opening), cholelithiasis, etc. This requires surgical treatment, which is performed simultaneously with the laparoscopic procedure. All manipulations are carried out by experienced highly qualified doctors who have been trained in the most famous clinics in the world.
The Ekaterinburg Medical Center is the only one in Russia that uses a multidisciplinary approach to its patients who are obese. It is concluded that reducing the weight of patients is not only the task of surgeons. This process is also monitored by nutritionists and endocrinologists, cardiologists and psychotherapists. Such attention of the staff creates the most favorable conditions for eliminating the existing problem.
According to patients who resorted to the method of bandaging the stomach (before and after photos are presented below), an operation performed by the specialists of the UMMC-Health Center allows subsequently reducing body weight to 5-7 kilograms within a month.
In addition, this procedure stabilizes the course of many pathologies, including diabetes. Also, patients note normalization of cardiac activity, an improvement in blood pressure and sleep.