iBand
iBAND: Is this the weight loss surgery patients have been waiting for?
If you are looking for a fast long-term weight loss solution the new iBAND or imbricated lap band procedure may be worth considering. This is an innovative procedure known as iBAND or Banded Gastric Plication can be one of the safest and most effective solutions available today for patients considering weight loss for the first time or as a revision procedure. Austin bariatric surgeon Dr. Sashi Ganta is one of the few surgeons in the nation offering this procedure.
What is an iBAND (Imbricated Lap Band)?
The iBAND also known as banded gastric plication is a recently introduced weight loss procedure that combines the advantages of a gastric sleeve plication such as fast effective weight loss similar to sleeve without cutting or removing the stomach with the safety and long term weight maintenance results of the Lap Band. The iBAND has the potential to be the best of both worlds - safety and fast effective long term weight loss. (Since long tern results are not available, the iBAND is considered investigational at this time.)
Lap Band Procedure - an adjustable gastric band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch. The tightness of the band is controlled by adding or removing sterile saline solution by a simple injection under the skin in the office. When the band is properly adjusted, patient feels less hungry and able to eat a small portion of food.
Gastric Plication or LGCP - involves separating the outer curvature of the stomach from the surrounding fatty tissue and then folding the stomach into itself. The folds are secured with permanent sutures thereby eliminating the stomach's capacity to expand. Unlike a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve there is no cutting or removing the stomach.
iBAND - When performed together these procedures create on small stomach pouch at the top of the stomach and a narrow, sleeve-shaped lower stomach that cannot expand. The result is that you will not be able to eat large portions of food and you will feel satisfied for longer periods of time between meals with less hunger.
iBAND / Banded gastric plication the Best of Both Worlds?
Lap band procedure is considered to be the safest weight loss surgery. The lap band is reversible, adjustable, and does not cause major nutritional complications. However, long-term studies show that some lap band patients experience a slower rate of weight loss and experience a weight loss plateau before reaching their weight loss goal. Lap band patients also require frequent follow-up visits in the first two years to adjust the band in order to achieve effective weight loss.
On the other hand gastric sleeve and gastric bypass cause greater initial weight loss and a faster weight loss than the lap band. However, these surgeries have a higher risk of serious complications compared with the lap band and are less safe than the adjustable gastric banding surgery for most patients.
Benefits of Banded Gastric Plication
- Minimally invasive procedure
- No stapling, No cutting, No removing of the stomach or intestines
- Need for fewer follow-up visits and lap band adjustments
- Potential for significant short-term and long-term weight loss
