Five or six little incisions will be made with one slightly larger, this is to place the port and will be approximately an inch long.

Most wounds are closed with dissolvable stitches and will not require stitch removal. Some surgeons glue the skin together, it is purely down to surgeon’s preference.

Weight loss surgery is performed to control weight either with restrictive changes in the configuration of the stomach or malabsorptive techniques by modifying the intestinal tract.

Laparoscopic surgery carries some risks and complications but on the whole is regarded as a much safer procedure with a quicker recovery rate and reduced pain, infection risk and anaesthetic time than that of open surgery.

Gastric band

The gastric band is a restrictive procedure.

A silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch above the band, about the size of a golf ball.

This results in an egg timer effect when the band is adjusted to the correct restriction for you.

This facilitates weight loss as less food is allowed to empty out of the pouch, and at a slower rate.

The band will need adjusting from time to time, this is done via the port ( button like) which is connected to the band by a small thin tube.

The port is positioned and stitched in place beneath skin and fat. The position of the port is placed at the surgeon’s preference.

The operation takes approximately 1 hour and will require 1 night in hospital.

The band can be removed, however, we like to consider this as a tool for long term weight loss and management.

Overeating and poor eating habits can cause nausea and vomiting, this may jeopardise your potential to maximise weight loss and may result in band slippage.

You will require regular follow-up and must be ready to commit to the program of care we have planned for you.

Surgery is not a quick fix or magic cure, you are investing in your future and you will need to work very hard with the band, therefore there are no guarantees.

You may require several adjustments before you experience adequate restriction.

Drinking fizzy drinks and chewing gum is not recommended especially in the early weeks as this encourages the intake of air and you may find that trapped wind is extremely painful and it is difficult to burp through a swollen band.

Risks and complications
Like any surgical procedure there are risks and complications, they are rare and everything possible is done and in place to prevent them happening.
The most recognised and documented are: