The Gastric Band surgery will be carried out in a specialist state hospital in Prague. (Not the private clinic for plastic surgeries).
Gastric Band surgery is not an instant solution to weight loss. Having a gastric band fitted will assist in decreasing overall daily food intake and can help you achieve a sustainable weight.
The Gastric band works by causing a feeling of fullness when eating and will enable you to reduce your daily intake of food and calories. The gastric band will make you eat less, it will reduce the sensation of hunger and will progressively aide weight loss.
This is achieved by placing the band around the uppermost part of the stomach, dividing it into two sections, with a small opening between sections which allows food to pass through. The section above the band forms a small pouch that fills with food quickly.
Having the gastric band fitted will lead to a healthier lifestyle and lower the risks of obesity related illnesses However changing your eating habits is an important part of the gastric band surgery process. The gastric band will help you to achieve substantial weight loss and reduce the risk of obesity related illnesses. To achieve the maximum benefits from having the gastric banding, post-operative discipline is an important part of the process.
You will need to go on a diet immediately after the gastric band surgery. You will obtain a detailed dietary plan with essential and important advice from your specialists. After the gastric band surgery you can consult the plan with a dietologist recommended by your doctor.
Generally it means that following the gastric banding you will only be able to consume liquid food within the first four weeks such as soup, tea, coffee, unsweetened drinks, fruit and vegetable fruits, yoghurts etc. You will need to reduce the amount of fluids consumed and not eat or drink large amounts at once.
The following two weeks you will be able to eat small portions of mushy, mixed food.
Next the diet will be replaced with common food. Please consult your doctor for more detailed information.
These slow changes of eating habits are important for your recovery. During this process the gastric band will be, thanks to body tissue, firmly placed on the appropriate part of your stomach. Consuming large portions or frequent consumption of solid food increases the risk of dislocating (moving) the gastric band out of its position or the possibility of gradual upper stomach pocket stretching. The consequence might be reduced weight loss and in some cases necessity for re-operation.
Following the gastric banding you might find some food hard to eat. You will need to chew your food more carefully than before the gastric band surgery. Keep in mind that even after the gastric banding there is no quick solution to reduce your weight. The results depend upon your ability to respect recommendations concerning your diet and exercise routine.
Gastric Band Surgeon - Dr. Stanislav Černý M.D
View Dr. Stanislav Černý M.D. Curriculum Vitae
Side effects and risks of the gastric band
As with all surgery the gastric band surgery might represent certain risks. Make sure you get from your obesitologist or GP relevant information about possible complications that might be associated with gastric band surgery.
Medicines:
Consult your doctor for advice concerning any medicine you regularly use. Whilst you are losing weight a lower dose might be necessary.
Vitamins:
During the first period of rather fast weight loss, vitamin supplements are recommended. Drinking vitamin drinks is recommended for the period of several months after the gastric band surgery.
Pregnancy:
During the initial phase of weight loss the body is starving to a certain extent. Pregnancy is not recommended at this time. If you become pregnant the solution can be a complete gastric band removal.
Physical activity:
It is important to change not only your eating habits but also your level of physical activity. Generally speaking you should continuously increase your physical activity.
Regular check ups:
After the gastric banding it is necessary to have regular check ups. In the first phase following gastric band surgery a check up every four weeks is usual. Later the visits repeat but with longer intervals. Within the first 18 months after the surgery it is possible to fill the gastric band continually with liquid through a small injection port placed under your skin. To achieve weight stabilisation visits are usually needed on a yearly basis.
Complications
This is when problems occur during or after the operation. Most people are not affected. The possible complications of any operation include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic, excessive bleeding or developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (DVT). Complications specific to a gastric band operation are listed here.
» Infection - antibiotics are usually given during surgery to prevent infection. If an infection doesn't respond to antibiotics your band may need to be removed.
» Damage to other organs in your abdomen - you may need further surgery to repair any damage.
» Band problems - your band may slip out of place, leak, or work its way through the stomach wall. If this happens, your band may need to be repositioned, removed or replaced.
» Gallstones - there is a risk you may develop gallstones if you lose weight quickly. These can be painful and you may need surgery to remove them. Your surgeon may advise removing your gallbladder when you have your operation.
There is a chance your surgeon may need to convert your keyhole procedure to open surgery. This means making a bigger cut on your abdomen. This is only done if it's impossible to complete the operation safely using the keyhole technique.
Around one in 10 people with a gastric band may need another gastric band operation in the future. It's also possible you may fail to lose sufficient weight or regain weight you have lost. If this happens your surgeon may recommend you have gastric bypass surgery.
For further information about Gastric Band surgery please contact us.