Adjustable Gastric Banding - Weight Loss Surgery

Adjustable Gastric Banding Checklist

The following checklist will provide you with an overview of information regarding adjustable gastric banding surgery. If you do not see the information you need provided below, please contact a cosmetic surgeon for more information.

Background of Adjustable Gastric Banding
The background of Adjustable Gastric Banding, or AGB, dates back to the original gastric stapling techniques cosmetic surgeons have used to help patients lose weight. It is a relatively new procedure, but is becoming quite common.

Best Candidates for Adjustable Gastric Banding
The best candidates for AGB are generally between the ages of 18 and 55, and those who have been obese consistently for at least five years. The best candidates will also be in otherwise good medical health.

Uncertainty and Risk of AGB Surgery
Although the uncertainty and risk involved with this procedure is minimal, there is uncertainty and risk with any operation. Complications that have been reported include infections around the stomach band and potential bleeding or injury to the spleen.

Planning for Weight Loss Surgery
Planning for surgery is a collective effort shared by you and your doctor. Planning for surgery usually involves understanding the procedure itself and making sure you’ve planned for enough time to recover properly.

Preparing for Adjustable Banding Surgery
Preparing for surgery involves specific steps, including a pre-op exam and managing your diet and general intake carefully. Your doctor will get you started on preparing for surgery.

Where Weight Loss Surgery is Performed
Where the surgery is performed is a constant. These surgeries may be minimally invasive, but they are almost always performed at a hospital to allow your medical professionals to handle any unforeseen circumstance.

How Adjustable Gastric Surgery is Performed
How surgery is performed is quite complicated. A few small incisions are cut and the band is placed inside your abdomen. The band is then blown up and the apparatus activated.

Anesthesia associated with Weight Loss Surgery
Anesthesia is administered in a consistent manner with this procedure. Since the operation involves implementing a device inside your abdomen, general anesthesia will be given to patients.

Post Weight Loss Surgery
In terms of post-op care, you will need to stay in the hospital for at least two days following the procedure, and there is long-term post-op management to follow as well.

AGB Weight Loss Surgery Candidacy

If you’re considering Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery, or AGB, you have many factors to consider. One of the components you need to make a decision in regards to is whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure. As such, prospective patients have common questions in regards to AGB, and three of these common questions are, “How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for AGB surgery?”, “How will I be evaluated for AGB surgery?” and “Will my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?” Each of these answers is provided below in a general sense, but for more specific information, contact a medical professional.

How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for AGB surgery?

Generally speaking good candidates for AGB should be between the ages of 18 and 55, be at least 100 pounds overweight or a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 35 in order to be eligible for the procedure. Patients should also have an otherwise clean bill of health, as any underlying and irreversible medical procedures will remove you from consideration for this procedure because of undue risk.

How will I be evaluated for AGB weight loss surgery?

There are pre-op exams that need to be completed before any surgery can be performed. Specifically, these pre-op exams include an upper G.I. series, EKG, chest X-ray, gallbladder ultrasound and blood and urine analysis. Assuming all of these tests come back with positive results, you will be approved for the procedure.

Will my insurance help offset the costs of weight loss surgery?

There is no definite answer to this question, which means that you need to consult with your surgeon and your insurance company in order to make appropriate financial plans. Generally, insurance companies will cover procedures that are considered medically necessary, but they will not cover medical costs for procedures that are deemed elective in nature. Contact your insurance company and get any answer or determination in writing prior to proceeding in order to avoid any problems after the surgery is complete.

Overall, potential candidates for AGB have several questions. Three of the most common are, “How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for AGB surgery?”, “How will I be evaluated for AGB surgery?” and “Will my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?” Although general answers are provided above, your best source of particularized information is from a cosmetic surgeon.

The AGB procedure is a new and exciting innovation that will allow you to finally tackle your weight problem once and for all. There’s never been a greater opportunity to add to the quality of your life, so contact a cosmetic surgeon today.

AGB Weight Loss Specifics

As you consider the possibility of having an Adjustable Gastric Banding (AGB) procedure done, you need to consider several sets of facts. As you gather these facts, you no doubt are encountering questions. Three of the most common questions asked by patients include, “Where are incisions placed for AGB surgery?”, “What are some variations to the common AGB surgery method?” and “What are some of the risks associated with AGB surgery?” Each of these questions is answered in a general sense below, but for more specific information, contact a cosmetic surgeon for a consultation.

Where are incisions placed for AGB surgery?

During surgery, small incisions are placed in your abdominal region. These are usually considered “closed” incisions, as surgeons will attempt to minimize the number of cuts that need to be made in this region to prevent unnecessary bleeding and scarring. If during the surgery it becomes apparent that an “open” incision will be necessary, your cosmetic surgeon will make that incision to ensure your safety.

What are some variations to the common AGB surgery method?

There are very few variations to the common AGB method, as the surgery itself has only been available since 1985. However, if there are variations that come about during a procedure, it usually involves how the device itself is fastened or tightened once it’s implanted into the abdominal area. Overall, though, the techniques for AGB are very standard and relatively uniform.

What are some variations to the common AGB surgery method?

There are risks associated with this surgery, but they are minimal in nature. The most common complication associated with AGB is the enlargement of the stomach pouch, which can occur if the stomach slips up through the band. However, modifications to the technique have been made to prevent this from occurring, and you shouldn’t have to worry about any significant risks with this extremely safe procedure.

Overall, three of the most common questions in regards to AGB surgery are, “Where are incisions placed for AGB surgery?”, “What are some variations to the common AGB surgery method?” and “What are some of the risks associated with AGB surgery?” You’ll find general answers above, but the best way to find out how this procedure will work for you is to contact a cosmetic surgeon. He or she will be able to specifically evaluate your situation, give you a full screening to make sure that this procedure is a match with your needs, and provide you with a complete set of accurate expectations in terms of the results of AGB surgery.

There’s never been a better time to take control of your weight and change your life. Go ahead and take that critical step that will improve your life - contact a cosmetic surgeon today for information.

AGB Preparations and Recovery

As you get ready for your AGB procedure, you no doubt have many questions. Specifically, several very common questions are, “What steps should I take to prepare for AGB surgery?”, “What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?”, “How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?”, “When can I pursue my normal activities again?” and “How long can I expect results to last?” Each of these questions is answered below, but for more individualized details, contact a cosmetic surgeon today.

What steps should I take to prepare for AGB surgery?
Your preparatory steps for AGB surgery will be specifically set out well ahead of time, and you will be subject to a rigorous pre-op exam that will determine whether or not you’re fit for the procedure.

What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?
The day of your surgery will be filled with several different emotions. You’ll feel a mix of excitement, fear, anticipation and nervousness. These are all normal emotions, and the surgery itself will seem almost anti-climactic, as you’ll be under anesthesia.

How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?
As is the case with any surgery where you’re under general anesthesia, you’ll feel very groggy and somewhat confused after you wake up from the procedure. You’ll soon regain your faculties, however, and you will remain in the hospital for a couple of days for observation. Beyond that period, however, you should be able to return to most of your normal activities within a couple of weeks.

When can I pursue my normal activities again?
You should be able to pursue most activities within one week of your surgery, but the definition of “normal” tends to vary. Basically, you should be able to return to work or school in a short amount of time, but if you’re planning on taking on a rigorous exercise program after your procedure, you’ll need to work with your doctor to make sure that you don’t get started too soon.

How long can I expect results to last?
AGB is intended to be a life-long corrective procedure. Therefore, if you follow the strict post-op guidelines in terms of diet, exercise, fluid intake and general lifestyle guidelines, there’s no reason to believe that you’ll ever need another corrective surgery for your weight.

If you’d like to know more about how bariatric surgery can change your life, contact a weight loss surgeon today for a consultation.