Digestive Problems With Stomach Banding

Stomach banding is a surgical method used to help you lose weight. A band is placed around the upper part of the stomach creating a small pouch for food. A narrow opening is created between the pouch and the lower part of the stomach to control how fast food is digested. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that side effects occur less than five percent of the time in patients who receive the Lap-Band system.

Function

• Stomach banding is commonly known as the Lap-Band system or gastric banding. Gastric banding controls how much food is consumed, and increases the time it takes for food to be digested.

Benefits

• Gastric banding can decrease the possibility of developing diabetes, high-blood pressure and heart disease. Banding is also a great way to help you develop healthy eating habits.

Effects

• Most patients report experiencing nausea and vomiting after the procedure. Some patients also say they have abdominal pain and heartburn. Slippage of the band can also occur.

History

• The Lap-Band system has been used in Europe since 1993. The procedure was approved by the FDA on June 5, 2001 (see Resources).

Misconceptions

• Stomach banding is commonly thought to be a weight loss tool for anyone who is overweight. Gastric banding, however, is only considered if you are an adult who is at lease 100 lbs. overweight.

Statistic

• The UC San Diego Medical Center states that their patients lose 50 percent of their excess weight within one year of receiving the gastric band (see Resources).