The LAP-BAND® System

The safest, least invasive and only adjustable and reversible surgical weight loss treatment for obesity available in the United States, the LAP-BAND® System helps achieve sustained weight loss by placing an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach to reduce its capacity.

The silicone elastomer ring is designed to be placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline on the inner surface. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch and leaves the larger part of the stomach below the band. This reduces the food storage area in the stomach since the pouch above the band can only hold a small amount of food. The band also controls the stoma (stomach outlet) between the two parts of the stomach. The size of the stoma regulates the flow of food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach. When the stoma is smaller, you feel full sooner and a feeling of satisfaction helps you keep from feeling hungry between meals.

Dr. Bagan places an access port beneath the skin; tubing connects that port to the LAP-BAND®. Later, he can change the stoma size by adding or subtracting saline inside the inner balloon through the access port. This adjustment process helps drive the rate of weight loss. If the band is too loose and weight loss is inadequate, adding saline to the LAP-BAND ®can reduce the size of the stoma to further restrict the amount of food that can move through it. If the band is too tight and weight loss is too fast to be healthy, Dr. Bagan will remove some saline to loosen the band and reduce the amount of restriction.

The LAP-BAND® system has been developed in partnership with leading bariatric surgeons around the world and eliminates many of the known, associated operative risks of other weight loss surgeries. In addition, it offers unique benefits compared to other surgical weight loss options. The LAP-BAND® System is usually placed laparoscopically, or by using "keyhole" surgery, which offers the advantages of reduced pain, length of hospital stay and recovery period. There is no cutting or stapling of the stomach or bypassing the intestines. If for any reason the LAP-BAND® needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form.