Good aftercare is the key to Success with your Gastric Band
The gastric band is widely regarded as the safest and most effective long term weight loss procedure. Indeed, we consider it to be the best surgical option for most patients.
In order to achieve the best possible results from your gastric band you need to commit during your first 12 months after surgery to attend regular band adjustment clinics in order to get your band at just the right 'fill volume' for you personally. Although ILOST surgeons operate from the UK we have a network of first class band adjustment clinics in the United States, and overseas, who we can refer you to for your aftercare.
You should plan to have your band adjusted 6-10 times over and 8-12 month period in order to get it working optimally. We recommend that the first band adjustment is performed under x ray in order to demonstrate to the doctor/nurse making the adjustment that the band is correctly positioned and, equally importantly, to give you peace of mind.
We encourage all patients to resist the temptation to have their band over adjusted, by which we mean you need to avoid having your band too tight. Over tightening the band is one of the most common causes of band complications. In the right hands your risk of over adjustment is minimised. We will recommend clinics who are experienced in band adjustment in order to reduce the risk of this.
Consequences of an over tightened band
Some patients are under the misunderstanding that band patients lose weight by routinely vomiting. This is not the case, and is a symptom of an over tightened band. Equally, patients who struggle to swallow water after an adjustment have an over tightened band.
It's important to avoid this as the consequences can be both painful and expensive. Typically short term vomiting and nausea might occur but the bigger problem can be that, over time, it can lead to pouch dilatation (a stretched pouch above the band). This usually results in revisional surgery, at the patient's expense, to remove the band.
At ILOST we will ensure you are referred to the best clinics for your aftercare. Complete our assessment form to enquire about a single incision gastric band with an ILOST surgeon.
Access port training kit
