The gastric band is a way to reduce the appetite of a patient. By reducing the size of a stomach, and by that reducing the eaten portions and lose weight. The other common names of a gastric band are: lap-band, A band and LAGB (laparoscopic adjustable gastric band).
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Why gastric band?
For the people who have problems with losing weight, it is a great way to eat less without any mineral or vitamin deficiencies. There is no risk of malabsorption, as the stomach still functions naturally. The patient recovers fast and with minimal scarring. This procedure can significantly improve patients quality of life.
How is it gastric band done
The gastric band surgery is performed similarly to any other laparoscopy. There is camera inserted along the band to the stomach through little cuts in the skin. The gastric band, which is usually a ring made of silicon or other such material, is placed on the stomach and clipped to the right size. The patient is under full anesthesia, so there is no pain involved. Gastric band insertion is performed in 30 – 40 min.
Gastric band candidates
If Your BMI is more than 40 You may qualify for the procedure. It is an excellent way of slimming down for anyone, who previously tried to lose weight in any other way with no or minimal results. It is also possible to undergo the procedure if Your BMI is lower than 40, but You have serious health issues connected to Your weight. The person who qualifies for an operation cannot have any serious mental problems (such as anorexia etc.) and be addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Gastric band prices
This depends on the country, and on the specific clinic’s policies. Western Europe with countries such as UK or Germany, as well as Japan, Australia and USA are considered to be the most expensive in terms of liposculpture prices. Eastern Europe is less expensive region. Specifically, Poland has a good reputation as a safe country known for very good medical professionals. It is advisable to meet a surgeon from the chosen country and/or clinic to determine the specific cost of the procedure.
Country | Treatment | Travel | Accomodation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Poland | 2 900 GBP | 60 GBP | 190 GBP | 3 150 GBP |
Czech Republic | 3 300 GBP | 70 GBP | 300 GBP | 3 670 GBP |
Before the gastric band
Before the procedure, You will have a meeting with Your surgeon who will talk with You and answer Your questions. You will also have Your medical tests done. In this kind of the procedure it is usually EKG, blood count (CBC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol, creatinine, electrolytes, prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Cardiac catheterization, Chest X-ray, Colonoscopy, Flexible sigmoidoscopy, Mammogram, Pap smear, Pelvic ultrasound, abdominal ultrasound and Pulmonary function tests. For the safety of the procedure, it is required to avoid any food for 5-7 days and stay on a liquid diet before the procedure. This way the organs get smaller, which is safer for surgery.
After the surgery
Usually, 1 night in the clinic is a requirement for this sort of procedures. For the first 3 days, it is advisable to have someone to help You with everyday tasks and the procedure will require staying abroad for 7 days. You can go back to work after one week. After the operation, You should avoid alcohol and unhealthy foods and drinks. Doctors advise to walk and exercise as soon as possible after the operation, as operation alone is not enough to achieve big and lasting weight loss. You should drink at least 1,5 l. Of water in the days after the surgery.
Results of the operation
Depending on of the diet and exercise the patient do after the operation, he can lose 50 % or even 80 % of excess body fat.
Complications after operation
Like after every operation there is a risk of complications such as infection, deep venous thrombosis, damage of organs and migration of the implant. There is also the risk connected to anesthesia.
Gastric band abroad
If you want to learn more about gastric band abroad, don’t hesitate to call Medical Tourism Foundation. We will help you to organize your whole stay abroad. We can arrange for you taxi transfer and place in a hotel. We have also knowledge about the gastric band so we can explain you the procedure step by step.