Gastric Band Fact Sheet

The objective

Gastric band surgery aims to reduce the amount of food that can be eaten through the use of an adjustable silicone band on the stomach, therefore promoting weight loss in obese patients. This procedure is reversible as it does not involve permanent alteration to the intestines or stomach, unlike other forms of obesity surgery such as gastric bypass.

The procedure

The operation is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic and takes about one hour.

The procedure is normally done laparoscopically (‘keyhole surgery’) and the surgeon will make a series of small incisions across the upper abdomen, using laparoscopic instruments (including a special telescope with camera) to position the silicone band and secure it around the upper stomach. Band types differ but most can be adjusted through a balloon that is attached to a ‘reservoir’ (placed near the breastbone) and inflated with liquid, dictating how much volume the stomach can take.

A ‘stoma’ - an artificial opening into the intestine - is formed where the band is positioned on the stomach. This controls how quickly and how much food can pass through into the stomach.

The outcome

There may be some discomfort after surgery, and you will have an intravenous drip attached to allow fluids into your body. It should be possible to start taking sips of water soon after the operation.

You will normally be required to stay in hospital for 1-2 nights and may need a few days off work. You should feel able to resume most activities within two weeks.

The surgery should result in you feeling full, and remaining so, after eating only a small quantity of food, being satisfied with eating very small meals. Expect to see weight loss within a few weeks. After two years, most people have lost at least 50 percent of their excess weight.

The risks

All general anaesthesias carry associated risks, but complications particular to gastric banding may include infection occurring in the lungs, stomach, or near the reservoir site.

About one in 10 patients will need further surgery due to problems with the band, including erosion, slippage, leakage of the reservoir, and infection that has not been managed through antibiotics.

Being obese makes any surgery more risky. According to the British Obesity Surgery Patient Association, the death rate associated with gastric band insertion is around one in 2,000 operations, the main cause linked to pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).

Some people will fail to lose weight and may require bypass surgery.

The costs

Gastric band surgery is free on the NHS, but patients may have to wait 2-3 years. Privately in the UK, expect to pay around £4,000 - £8,000. Abroad, expect to pay from around £3,050 (Belgium).

The availability

Gastric banding is available at private specialist obesity surgery clinics in the UK as well as abroad. It is available on the NHS for patients with morbid obesity who have not been able to find other ways of managing their weight.

The popularity

This surgery is popular with women and men who have morbid obesity (BMI of over 40), are at risk of health complications due to their weight and have not been able to lose weight through non-invasive methods such as diet and exercise.