The Lap Band Surgery Experience: What to Prepare and Expect

Obesity is a well-known health issue experienced by so many people. It can lead to other serious illnesses that can negatively affect your life in the long run. There are many ways one can deal with it. I chose to get gastric band surgery, which has helped me manage my weight.

Also called lap band surgery, it is just one of the surgical options one can opt for to deal with their obesity. If you want to know more about this, and if you’re considering it, here’s more on what lap band surgery is about, what I prepared before doing so, and what you should expect should you do it.

What is Lap Band Surgery?

Gastric band surgery, also known as Lap-Band surgery, is a procedure where a gastric band is placed around your stomach. This will, in turn, limit the food that you can consume, making you feel full sooner. It is one of the several surgeries you can take to help lose weight, and this is one of the least invasive and, therefore, safer types. The procedure is also reversible.

Lap band surgeries are available in specific clinics, particularly the specialty ones like obesity clinics. If you currently reside in Perth or are nearby, you could do this procedure with Perth Obesity Solutions, the clinic I entrusted to undergo this surgery.

Why Get the Surgery?

This surgery is to help you lose weight. It helps you eat less, preventing further weight gain. Obesity has been a growing concern in Australia, with 67% of adults being overweight or obese in 2017-2018, and it could increase as it keeps going.

There is more than one way to lose weight, like a more appropriate diet and exercise. However, there are times when you may need a different approach; in my case, the usual fitness routine didn’t work for me.

You can get lap band surgery if you find weight loss difficult. Lap band surgery’s benefits include a safer and less invasive process, easier recovery than other weight loss surgeries, and is meant to be permanent. You can also reverse the procedure.

Before going on board with the surgery, double-check or see a physician to see if you qualify.

Who is Qualified?

Certain people can be eligible for gastric band surgery. There are qualifications one has to meet to ensure there will be fewer risks as possible, healthwise. Two main conditions can qualify you as a candidate: first, you must be over 18, and second, you should have had genuine unsuccessful attempts at weight loss.

You can check for the additional qualifications to undergo surgery afterwards. These qualifications typically are: have a BMI of 30-40, have a comorbid illness related to your obesity, and ideally, not be an alcoholic or pregnant.

What and How to Prepare for the Surgery

While the surgery only took about an hour, preparations had to be done as early as a week. I had to take care of myself, approach my doctor, ask what to consume in the days leading up to the surgery, and be well rested.

Ideally, if you have a job, it’s best to have the week off and be well-rested, so you may want to get a leave if you can. If you are a stay-at-home parent, it would be best to ask someone for help with the kids or the household. You should consult the clinic or tell your physician about the surgery and ask what and what not to eat or drink.

You need to be in a perfectly healthy condition. Be sure to get adequate sleep, ample time for exercise, and the like. Moreover, it helps not to eat anything after midnight the night before the day of the surgery, as it’s best to have an empty stomach during the procedure.

Day of the Surgery

Going to the clinic can be a nerve-wracking experience. I was nervous on the way, but I was eventually reassured that I was in good hands. You will be placed under anesthesia at the time of the surgery, and the surgeon will begin the procedure. You will feel some discomfort here and there due to the insertion and tightening of the band.

Adjustments will be made to the tightening of the band by adding or removing liquid to a port that connects to your band through a tube. Once this is all sorted, the procedure ends. It can take an hour or even less, depending on how it goes.

Recovery, Side Effects, and Weight Loss

The surgery will cause after-effects. I’ve felt pain in my abdomen or in parts to which my abdomen may be connected. However, these are only mild pains that can go away after a couple of days and can even be relieved by painkillers. You may be recommended a more liquid diet for the first two weeks after surgery.

The side effects I’ve had were nausea, vomiting, and minor complications from surgery, like wounds or infections, but these can be dealt with by adjustments to the band or additional treatments.

As for weight loss, the results may vary regarding your lifestyle. You need to maintain a healthy routine of proper sleep, enough exercise, and healthy food. Restricting what you can eat can also mean restricting nutrients, so it’s better to consistently eat healthy food, especially those that can help you lose weight.

You can lose around 40% excess weight in two years. I’ve been consistently having a healthy weight loss with a recommended healthy diet and enough exercise.

Afterword

Lap band surgery is one of the many options for weight loss. While not necessarily for everyone, it has worked excellently for me, and I have gotten significantly healthier. If you want to know if it may work for you, it’s best to consult your doctor, research, and make inquiries with clinics that offer the service.