Gastric Banding

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center is the only healthcare facility in the Rockford area that offers gastric banding as a tool for weight loss in those who are obese. Dr. Vafa Shayani, independent surgeon affiliated with OSF Saint Anthony, offers the procedure to obese adults who meet certain criteria.

Lap-Band Gastric Banding: Another Tool in the Obesity Battle

Many people wage a courageous battle to lose weight – and keep it off. Yet, despite repeated attempts and various diets, success has been elusive. Now there is one more weapon available to fight obesity. The Lap-Band® system is a minimally invasive procedure. The gastric adjustable banding surgery is not for those who want to lose 10 or 15 pounds. It is intended for those who are severely obese, have serious weight-related health problems and have not had success with diet and exercise plans. High blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, heartburn, asthma and certain types of cancer are all associated with obesity.

Advantages of the Banding System

With the gastric banding system, stomach size is reduced. People cannot take in the same amount of food, and the feeling of fullness lasts longer. Weight loss tends to be gradual, which can reduce the risk associated with rapid weight loss.

Gastric banding is not as invasive as gastric bypass and has a lower complication rate. Many patients can go home from the hospital the same day and may be able to return to work within a week. The banding is adjustable and can be tailored for an individual’s needs.

“Once patients lose weight, their joint pain eases,” Dr.Shayani reports. “Some are able to get off their medications or prevent the need for medicines to control blood pressure or type 2 diabetes."

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if I am eligible for Lap band surgery?
   1. You must be at least 18 yeas old.
   2. You must have a body mass index of at least 40, or 35 with two serious health conditions, such as diabetes, or hypertension.   Visit http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.
   3. You must have been overweight for more than five years.
   4. You must have had serious weight loss attempts with only short-term success.
   5. You are not suffering from any disease which would have caused your excess weight.
   6. You must be willing to make healthy diet and lifestyle changes.

2.  Will my insurance pay for surgery? Many insurance companies will pay for the surgery.  Each individual plan is different.  Some insurance companies have their own requirements that you must meet before they will approve surgery.  When you come in for your initial consultation, we will work with you to determine your individual course of action to become qualified for surgery.  However, some insurance plans will not cover the procedure.

3. How much weight will I lose?

Weight loss varies from patient to patient.  The goal is to lose about one to two pounds per week or about 50 to 100 pounds in one year.  Gradual, continual weight loss is the goal. 

4.  How long is the recovery time?

Most individuals return to work and light exercise in about one week.  However, the recovery time varies with each individual and will be discussed when your surgery date is set.

5. Will I feel full when I eat?

The gastric band works through a combination of portion control and elimination of hunger. As a result, despite eating very small amounts, a person should not battle hunger throughout the day. One of the components of "healthy eating with a band" is to never "deprive" yourself.

6. How is the band adjusted?

Adjustments are typically done in the office and often take less than 10 minutes.  Occasionally, your physician may require the assistance of an x-ray in order to fill your band properly.Typically, a fine-gauge needle is passed through the skin to the port where saline can be added or removed.

7. What about pregnancy?

Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycles may become more regular. Many patients who have failed to become pregnant before losing weight find that they are able to conceive. As a general rule, it is not good for a patient to gain a whole lot of weight during pregnancy,  nor is it good to lose a whole lot of weight during that time. Accordingly, the decision to empty the band might have to be individualized. It is very important for a patient to let us know if and when they know about their pregnancy so we can closely monitor their weight and their overall health.

8. Will I need to take vitamins?

Since the amount of food you will be eating is decreased, we encourage our patients to take a multivitamin and calcium on a daily basis.

9. What happens if I become ill?

If your illness requires your to eat or drink more, the band can be loosened by removing the saline.  When you are better, we can begin tightening the band again.

10. Can the band be removed?

Although the Lap-Band(R) System is not meant to be removed, it can be laproscopically removed in some cases. Following band removal, the stomach generally returns to its original shape. It is important to note that after the removal of the band, many patients may gain some or all of their lost weight.

Essential Lifestyle Changes

Deciding to undergo the gastric banding procedure requires a firm commitment. Prior to being considered for the surgery, patients must complete six months of a dietitian or physician-supervised diet and undergo evaluations by a psychologist, dietitian and other specialists.

Gastric banding is a successful tool in weight loss, but patients must make the commitment to adjust their diets and to exercise.

The decision to undergo gastric banding is not a sign of failure. Most patients have tried everything – diets, medication, exercise – with limited or no success. Gastric banding is not an easy fix or magic bullet, but it is a great tool and a treatment that shows success for many people.

Free seminars about gastric banding are offered once a month at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center.  Please click on the "Classes and Events" tab for dates, times and locations.

Visit the LAP-BAND® System Web site for additional information.

For an appointment with Dr. Shayani or more information, call (815) 227-2274.