How is the Lap Band System placed in the stomach ?

The Lap Band System is usually placed by laparoscopic surgery, requiring general anesthesia. First, the surgeon makes a small incision in the abdominal wall and inserts several thin, hollow tubes. Then he passes thin surgical instruments through the tubes. A camera is inserted through one of the tubes allowing the surgeon to see the inside of the abdomen. The image that the camera takes is shown on a television-like monitor. This surgical technique is called “laparoscopy” and is considered to be minimally invasive.

After a small tunnel is made behind the upper part of the stomach, the Lap Band is placed around the stomach to form a ring, and then closed to keep it in its place.

Am I candidate for Lap Band Surgery?

This video shows how the Lap Band System is placed and adjusted.

Because of the technique used, there are several remarkable advantages of this type of surgery:

1. Incisions of a laparoscopic surgery are smaller than those of an "open" surgery.
2. After laparoscopic surgery patients feel less pain and have fewer complications (Read Before and after Lap Band Surgery )
3. Recovery and return to normal life is sooner than with “open” surgery.

What are all the advantages of the Lap Band System?