Facts about Gastric Band Surgery you Didn’t Know

If you’re considering gastric surgery, it’s best to do some research to make sure you’re confident this is the surgery you want, and to know where is best to have it done. A lot of European patients prefer to get gastric band surgery in Poland since the country is known to offer a lot of cheap services. Gastric band surgery is a procedure that is recommended for patients with a BMI of 40 or above where medicine, diet and exercise have failed.

It is also administered to patients with a BMI of 30 and above in instances where conditions such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes or asthma are concerned. Before the procedure, expect to undergo a screening process that will monitor your psychological health. Should a bariatric psych evaluation fail, you may not be overruled as a candidate, but the procedure may have to be postponed.

Your surgeon will also be careful to test your candidacy by checking if you have a heart condition, liver disease or blood clots.

As soon as your candidacy has been approved, you will be expected to adjust to certain lifestyle conditions. This may include sticking to a bariatric diet, working towards weight loss, quitting smoking and going through a counselling session.

How Does it Work?

There are two options for gastric band surgery abroad, including the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery and the vertical banded gastroplasty. The vertical banded gastroplasty (AGB) is hardly performed due to its minimal weight loss and tends to have complications.

AGB, on the other hand, is a common bariatric operation and is known to be the least invasive. The gastric band uses a silicone band to reduce the size of the stomach by portioning off part of the tummy. The pouch that is left can only hold little amounts of food.

Saline can be injected through the surface of the skin to either tighten or loosen the band. The surgery is meant to make you feel fuller for longer and encourage you to consume little amounts of food. Note that unlike bypass, this surgery does not interfere with the absorption of food.

Recovery

Did you know that you’ll need some recovery time after you’ve had gastric band surgery? Make sure you choose a cosmetic surgeon who offers a quality level of after care.

Although you will not be expected to consume solid food until at least six weeks after your surgery, full recovery is expecting in four weeks. With exercise, low consumption of liquids and proper diet, this operation is expected to offer permanent weight-loss results. As you heal, just like is the case with all other surgeries, it is normal and common to lose hair and suffer from a dumping syndrome, where you may be allergic to sugary food.

Note, however, if this procedure is not done right or fails to work, you may develop serious health complications that could eventually lead to death. Bariatric surgery in itself is safer than the complications that accompany obesity. When seeking plastic surgery abroad, be careful to check the credibility of the surgeon.