Q. Where will my surgery take place?
A. If you see a surgeon at McIndoe Surgical Centre they will be able to perform the Gastric Band/Lap Banding procedure at our hospital. We have three spacious operating theatres each with their own anaesthetic room and recovery area. All our patients rooms are en-suite and located on the ground floor of the hospital.

Q. Does health insurance typically cover a gastric band / lap banding procedure ?
A. Typically health insurance will not cover the gastric band / lap banding procedure and patients self fund this operation.

Q. Who is responsible for the payment?
A. Ultimately, the patient is responsible for covering the cost of the gastric band / lap banding package themselves.

Q. How much weight can I expect to lose?
A. On average people lose around half of their excess weight within two years of surgery. Average actual weight loss is around half a stone per month, though this varies with each patient. Most people can expect to lose a significant amount of weight loss within nine to 12 months. These figures are a guide. For further information, speak to your consultant.

Q. How will the weight come off?
A. You will have dietitian appointments and receive tailor-made advice on your gastric band diet following the operation.

Q. What is the recovery like following surgery?
A. Every patient heals differently. To enjoy the benefits of the surgery we would recommend our patients listen to their consultants' advice on recovery and recuperation. Gastric Band/Lap Banding surgery is performed laparoscopically, therefore patients typically spend less than 24 hours in the hospital. It takes most patients about a week to two weeks to return to work and a month to six weeks to resume exercising.

Q. How is the band adjusted?
A. Adjustments to the gastric band are made by injecting a saline solution using a very fine needle into the port reservoir just under your skin. The majority of our patients say the adjustment is almost painless and it is completed in a couple of minutes. The gastric band can be inflated and deflated in this way, until the right level of restriction is achieved. It can take several adjustments to find the right level of restriction, the exact number being tailored to each individual patient. These will be carried out in our outpatients department, and the first one is usually six weeks after gastric banding.

Q. Where is the port placed, will I feel it?
A. The port is usually placed on the left side of your abdomen, as you lose weight you may be able to feel the port with your fingers however it is unlikely that you will be able to see it. Once the port area has healed it will not restrict any movement or exercise.

Q. What dietary advice should I follow?
A. After having a Gastric Band/Lap Banding your food intake will decrease, allowing you to eat smaller portions of food and achieve a feeling of fullness far more quickly. Immediately after your procedure you will need to adhere to a liquid only diet, followed by a soft food diet before you can resume to eating "normal" food. When you do begin to have a varied diet it is extremely important to chew your food thoroughly and to follow the diet rules set out by your dietician. You will have regular communication with a dietician where you can discuss your diet and food choices. It is extremely important NOT to overeat, as the band has reduced the size of your stomach, once the stomach is full with food if you try and eat more, the food will start to be rejected and therefore can produce a feeling of nausea. Therefore once you have reached the level of satisfaction, your band is telling you to stop eating. Regular contact with your dietitian for help and advice is very important.

Q. What will happen if I become ill following gastric / lap banding?
A. One of the major advantages of the gastric-band is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened. This can be done by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be tightened. This can be done by increasing the amount of saline. If the band cannot be loosened enough, it may have to be removed.

Q. Is the gastric / lap band procedure reversible?
A. Yes, the procedure can be reversed; however, the gastric band is placed with the intention that it is a tool for life. The McIndoe Surgical Centre has a team of experts on hand to ensure you keep focused and have a positive weight loss journey.

Q. Will I have excess skin after gastric band surgery?
A. Every patient's skin elasticity is different and not everybody is left with excess skin following weight loss surgery, however, it is a possibility which should be discussed with your consultant during the process of deciding whether surgery is right for you.
If excess skin becomes an issue for you, McIndoe Surgical Centre has specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeons who offer various procedures for patients who have lost a large amount of weight.

Q. Will I be able to become pregnant if I have a gastric / lap band fitted?
A. As you lose weight being able to conceive can become easier as your menstrual cycle may regulate. The band may need to be loosened for the duration of your pregnancy as you will need to eat more. Visit your consultant to discuss the best plan for you and your baby. The band can be tightened following pregnancy to resume losing weight.

Q. Will I be able to fly following my gastric lap band procedure?
A. Some patients state that they feel the band is tighter when they are flying. This is due to the fact there are tiny air bubbles in the band. When you are on the ground at normal pressure you won't feel anything, however as the air pressure increases when you are flying the bubbles may expand, thus making it at little more difficult to swallow solid foods. When you are back on the ground you should return to normal. Every effort is made to remove air bubbles from the band. However it's not always possible to remove them entirely. The gastric band does not set off airport security or x-ray systems.

Q. What are the possible complications?
A. As with all surgery there are risks involved, below is a list of possible complications following gastric band surgery.

Lung problems
Spleen injury
Band slippage
Bleeding after surgery
Wound infections
Blood clots
Blockages
Some patients find that after a year or two of rapid weight loss they are left with excess skin.

This is not a definitive list and symptoms will vary with each patient. Please ask your consultant for more information.