Adjustable gastric banding (also known as “Lap Band” or “Realize band”) is considered by many to be the least invasive surgery for weight loss. Lap band procedure in Iran involves placing an implant, a soft silicone ring with an expandable balloon in the center, around the top part of the stomach. It effectively creates a two-compartment stomach, with a much smaller top part above the band. A person eats enough food only to fill the top part of the stomach. Over time, after the meal, the food passes through the opening of the band into the remainder of the stomach, and digestion occurs normally.
The size of the pouch outlet is adjusted by adjusting the volume of fluid in the balloon through the access port. The access port is situated under the skin usually in the upper abdomen and is easily accessible by the treating doctor with a special needle.
Since the insertion of the adjustable gastric band in the lap band procedure in Iran does not involve any stapling, resection or shortening of any part of the stomach or intestines, the function of the digestive system remains intact. All ingested food will still be absorbed by the body the same way that it was before the operation. Weight loss is achieved by helping induce an early feeling of satiety after eating considerably smaller amounts of food than before the surgery. It is most important to avoid foods of high caloric content, such as ice cream, custards, and chocolates.
Why might I need a lap band procedure in Iran?
Lap band procedure in Iran is used to treat severe obesity. It’s advised for people who have tried other weight-loss methods without long-term success. Your doctor may advise lap band procedure in Iran if you are severely obese with a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Your doctor may also advise it if you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and a health condition such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes.
How to get ready for a lap band procedure in Iran?
Your healthcare team will need to make sure that a lap band procedure in Iran is an appropriate option for you. Weight loss surgery isn’t advised for people who abuse medicines or alcohol, or who are not able to commit to a lifelong change in diet and exercise habits.
Before having surgery, you’ll need to enroll in a bariatric surgery education program. This will help you prepare for surgery and life after surgery. You’ll have nutritional counseling. And you may have a psychological evaluation. You’ll also need physical exams and tests. You will need blood tests. You may have imaging studies of your stomach, or have an upper endoscopy.
If you smoke, you will need to stop several months before surgery. Your surgeon may ask you to lose some weight before surgery. This will help make your liver smaller, and make the surgery safer. You’ll need to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood-thinning medicines in the days before your lap band procedure in Iran. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery.
What happens during the lap band procedure in Iran?
Lap band procedure in Iran surgery usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
- You will have general anesthesia for your surgery. This will cause you to sleep through the surgery, and not feel pain.
- Your surgeon will use laparoscopy. He or she will make several small cuts (incisions) in your upper abdomen. The surgeon will then insert a laparoscope and put small surgery tools into these incisions.
- The surgeon will put an adjustable gastric band around your upper stomach and then tighten it to make a small stomach pouch.
- The surgeon will put a small port under the skin of the abdomen. A tube is connected between the port and the band.
- If you have a hiatal hernia, your surgeon may repair that at the same time as your gastric band surgery.
What happens after the lap band procedure in Iran?
You’ll likely go home the day after the gastric band surgery. You will be on a liquid diet for the first week or two. Your surgery team will give you a schedule of types of meals over the next weeks. You’ll go from liquids to pureed foods, then soft foods, and then to regular food. Each meal needs to be very small. You should make sure to eat slowly and chew each bite well. Don’t move too quickly to regular food. This can cause pain and vomiting. Work with your medical team to figure out what’s best for you to eat. After your stomach heals, you will need to change your eating habits. You’ll need to eat small meals for your small stomach.
People who have weight-loss surgery may have trouble getting enough vitamins and minerals. This is because they take in less food, and may absorb fewer nutrients. You may need to take a daily multivitamin, plus a calcium-vitamin D supplement. You may need additional nutrients, such as vitamin B12 or iron. Your medical team will give you instructions.
You’ll need to have regular blood tests every few months in the year after lap band procedure in Iran. This is to make sure you don’t have low blood iron (anemia), high blood glucose, or low calcium or vitamin D levels. If you have heartburn, you may need medicine to reduce stomach acid.
After losing weight, it’s possible to regain some of the weight that you lose. To avoid this, make sure to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise. The sleeve may widen (dilate) over time. This will let you eat more. But keep in mind that if you eat all you can, you can regain the weight. You may want to join a weight-loss surgery support group to help you stick with your new eating habits.
You’ll need to have life-long medical visits to check for problems with the band and have band adjustments as needed.
How much weight can you expect to lose?
The weight will be lost gradually and should commence immediately after lap band procedure in Iran. The amount of weight loss will depend partly on the amount of fluid injected into the balloon to provide a feeling of satiety. More importantly, the amount of weight loss in the long term will depend on the patient, i.e. on how carefully the patient follows the recommendations regarding eating habits, diet, and exercise. The recommended rate of weight loss we would like to see is 0.5 – 1.0 kg per week. On average it is expected that 50-60% excess weight will be lost long term.
This also means a long term commitment to follow up by your bariatric clinic as data clearly shows the importance of follow up for successful weight loss.
Lap band surgery side-effects and risks
Whilst the laparoscopic approach has helped decrease the length of hospital stay by decreasing the postoperative recovery period, the insertion of the gastric band is not without complications because of the weight of the patient and his/her premorbid condition. As with any surgical procedure, there are associated risks to the patient. Whilst your surgeon will endeavor to minimize risks, complications may occur which may have permanent effects.
The following items are the problems that might occur after the lap band procedure in Iran:
- Vomiting / Regurgitation
- Infection of the Port
- Infection of the wound and/or band
- Leakage
- Slippage of the band and pouch enlargement: This is a major long-term concern that occurs in approximately 3% of people. The band may slip and the pouch (the part of the stomach above the band) may become too large. This problem can arise months or years after the procedure. This is a rare complication as, at operation, the band is placed in a special tunnel and special measures to fix the band securely are performed. However, it can occur if the rules of eating and ignoring the signs of fullness are not adhered to. If this occurs, a re-operation may be necessary.
- Band Erosion: This is an uncommon (approximately 2%) but major complication which may occur some months or years after the operation. The band may erode from the outside of the stomach into the stomach. It is more common in patients in whom the band is over inflated but may also occur in bands that have an acceptable volume of fluid. It again emphasizes the need for appropriate follow-ups by the team in our clinic. If this complication were to occur the band needs to be removed by either endoscopy or reoperation.
- Reflux
- Acid Erosion of Teeth: The tooth surface is composed of mineral (calcium)which is susceptible to acid attack. If the fluid around the tooth changes such as constant sugar ingestion, ingestion of acidic foods, poor cleaning technique or stomach acids from gastric reflux/regurgitation, calcium will be dissolved from the tooth. The result is tooth decay. This can be prevented quite easily by good dental hygiene practice (eg simply brushing your teeth well after reflux or regurgitation occurs and at least three times a day after meals).
- Gallstones
- Hernia in the Incision
- Flabby Skin: This can occur especially if you have lost a lot of weight or lose it very quickly. It usually occurs on the arms, breasts, abdomen and thighs. Exercise during weight loss can reduce the amount of flabby skin and help tone up your body. About 20% of patients have surgery for this condition. Excessive skin folds can become a problem, especially in summer. Rashes and other skin conditions can be of great concern especially under the breasts and abdomen.
- Nutrient Deficiency: Some of these late complications can occur so it is important that you are aware of them. Iron, Folic Acid and B12 Deficiencies – These deficiencies may occur in many patients after surgery for weight reduction. They are usually a result of an imbalanced diet due to the small amount of food being consumed. We recommend that you follow the dietary instructions from our dietician and if necessary take a multivitamin supplement. Levels of vitamin B12, folate and iron should be checked annually.
The cost of lap band procedure in Iran
Performing a gastric band surgery in Iran costs around $3000. A price that includes performing the procedure in highly-advanced hospitals, by board-certified & well-experienced specialists, diet plans, and before & after operation consulting. Performing the very same surgery in other countries, on the other hand, like the United States is around $15.000 and £8000 in the United Kingdom.
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