The Bariatric Center at USMD Hospital at Arlington specializes in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, also known as lap-band surgery.

It works like this:

• Small incisions - just big enough to give the surgeon access - are made.
• The surgeon inserts a small, inflatable silicone band around the uppermost part of the stomach, making the stomach pouch smaller .

• Lap-band surgery is less invasive than other forms of weight-loss surgery since the stomach itself is not actually cut. Like other minimally invasive procedures, fewer complications are likely to arise and recovery time is shorter.

Minimally Invasive Approach
During the procedure, surgeons use laparoscopic techniques (using small incisions and long-shafted instruments), to implant an inflatable silicone band into the patient's abdomen. Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch that limits and controls the amount of food you eat. It also creates a small outlet that slows the emptying process into the stomach and the intestines. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. In turn, this results in weight loss.

Safest and Least Traumatic Procedure
Since there is no cutting, stapling or stomach re-routing involved in the LAP-BAND System procedure, it is considered the safest and least traumatic compared to other weight-loss surgeries. The laparoscopic approach to the surgery also offers the advantages of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay and quicker recovery. If for any reason the LAP-BAND System needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form.

Adjustable Treatment
The LAP-BAND System is also the only adjustable weight-loss surgery. The diameter of the band is adjustable for a customized weight-loss rate. Your individual needs can change as you lose weight. For example, pregnant patients can expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, while patients who aren't experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.

To modify the size of the band, its inner surface can be inflated or deflated with a saline solution. The band is connected by tubing to an access port, which is placed well below the skin during surgery. After the operation, the surgeon can control the amount of saline in the band by entering the port with a fine needle through the skin.