Gastric band operation Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, September 2008.
Answers to questions about gastric band operation
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Can my gastric band be removed after I reach my recommended weight, or will I have it for life?
- What can I eat to help lose weight after gastric band surgery?
- Will I need surgery after weight loss to remove excess skin?
Can my gastric band be removed after I reach my recommended weight, or will I have it for life?
Your gastric band can be removed at any time, but if you do have it removed, you are likely to regain weight.
Explanation
The gastric band operation is reversible. The usual plan is for the gastric band to stay in place permanently so that you are more likely to lose weight and maintain any weight loss.
Taking the gastric band out would let your stomach go back to its normal size, meaning if you don't stick to a sensible eating plan, you will regain weight. If the band needs to come out for any reason, this can sometimes be done using keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, but might require open surgery.
If you are worried about your gastric band, or are thinking of having it removed, contact the surgeon who did the operation or your GP for advice.
Further information
- British Obesity Surgery Patients Association (BOSPA)
08456 02 04 46
www.bospa.org - Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)
020 8503 2042
www.aso.org.uk
Sources
- Surgical interventions in obesity management. Association for the Study of Obesity. www.aso.org.uk, accessed 31 March 2008
What can I eat to help lose weight after gastric band surgery?
Following a healthy balanced diet will help you to lose weight after your gastric band operation. Having a gastric band will help reduce the amount of food that you can eat, and ideally, your diet should contain foods which are high in fibre and low in fat and sugar.
Explanation
A gastric band operation is a type of weight loss surgery where the amount you can eat in a meal is reduced using a band.
As part of a balanced diet, it's important that you eat a variety of foods to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs.
To help with your weight loss, you should eat regular meals and not skip breakfast. If you go for long periods without eating you are more likely to eat more when you eventually do eat.
Healthy snacks can help if you get hungry between meals. These include foods such as fresh fruit. You can also buy juiced or tinned fruit as a healthy option. Tins of fruit should be in fruit juice rather than in syrup, as syrup contains a lot of sugar.
Foods that are high in fibre are a good source of energy and will keep you feeling full for longer. Foods that are high in fibre include wholegrain bread, brown rice, pasta, oats, beans, lentils, cereals, fruit and vegetables.
You should also reduce the amount of fat in your diet. You can do this by choosing low-fat varieties of dairy products, and by trimming the fat off meats. You can also bake, grill, poach or steam food rather than frying or roasting as this way you don't need to add any extra fat.
Another way to help you lose weight is to reduce the amount of sugary foods you eat and fluids you drink. Many products, including fizzy drinks, sweets, biscuits, jam, cakes and pastries contain added sugar.
If you would like more information on what you should eat to help you lose weight, contact your GP for advice.
Further information
- British Obesity Surgery Patients Association (BOSPA)
08456 02 04 46
www.bospa.org - Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk
Sources
- Guidance of the use of surgery to aid weight reduction for people with morbid obesity. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2002, Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 46. www.nice.org.uk, accessed 31 March 2008
- Changing lifestyle for weight management. Association for the Study of Obesity. www.aso.org.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
- Starchy Foods. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
- Fats. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
- Sugars. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
Will I need surgery after weight loss to remove excess skin?
The amount of excess skin you will have if you lose a lot of weight, and how much of a problem the excess skin causes, varies from person to person. If you lose a lot of weight very quickly, you may decide to have surgery to remove some excess skin.
Explanation
Most people who have a gastric band operation will lose weight. Most people lose weight at a steady pace after a gastric band operation, however some people lose a lot of weight quickly and they can sometimes be left with folds of excess skin. Excess skin can build up and hang in areas such as the face, abdomen, armpits, thighs and back. Some people find this excess skin embarrassing, and the excess skin can become irritated and painful, and can sometimes become infected.
Cosmetic surgery can help to reshape parts of your body in order to improve its appearance. For example, excess skin on the abdomen can be removed by having a "tummy tuck" (abdominoplasty), or "body contouring" surgery.
You may get further complications if you have a tummy tuck - you should discuss your options with your doctor to decide what's best for you. It's essential that you tell your doctor that you have a gastric band, as this can affect what treatment is most suitable for you.
Further information
- British Obesity Surgery Patients Association (BOSPA)
08456 02 04 46
www.bospa.org
Sources
- McLatchie GR, Leaper DJ. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Surgery. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2007:554-556
- Larsen M, Polat F, Stook FP, et al. Satisfaction and complications in post-bariatric surgery abdominoplasty patients. Acta Chirurgiae Plasticae 2007; 49:95-98. www.clsjep.cz
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Mr Stephen Pollard, MA, MS, FRCS, BSc; Spire Leeds Hospital, Leeds, and by Bupa doctors. It has also been reviewed by BOSPA. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: September 2008
Gastric band operation factsheet
Visit the gastric band operation health factsheet for more information.
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