About LAP BAND Surgery

LAP-BAND surgery is a safe and effective weight loss procedure that is ideal for patients who may face a higher risk of gastric bypass post-op complications. During a thorough LAP-BAND surgery consultation at his Dallas, Texas bariatric surgery center, Dr. Barker will discuss the LAP BAND procedure in detail and go over the risks and benefits of surgery.

During LAP-BAND surgery, a silastic (silicon and plastic) band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch. The procedure is usually performed laparoscopically. Unlike in gastric bypass surgery, the upper part of the stomach remains connected to the lower, larger part of the stomach through a small outlet created by the band. Food passes through the outlet slowly. This limits the amount a person can eat, reduces appetite, and slows digestion. Patients who undergo LAP BAND surgery at our Dallas, Texas bariatric surgery center will be asked to adhere to a strict meal plan. They will be required to chew their food thoroughly and swallow slowly.

This operation can be performed laparoscopically, and is commonly referred to as a "lap band." The first gastric band was patented in 1985 by Obtech Medical of Sweden (now owned by J&J/Ethicon) and is known as the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB). An American company, INAMED Health, later designed the BioEnterics LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System. The LAP-BAND System was introduced in Europe in 1993. Neither of these bands were initially designed for use with keyhole surgery. The LAP-BAND System received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in the United States in June 2001.