Lap band surgery

Lap band surgery is used to help you lose weight. It involves putting a small ring around the top part of the stomach. The ring slows the entry of food to the main part of the stomach and you will feel full after eating only a small amount of food.

Lap band surgery is also called laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), or adjustable gastric banding.

Visit our guide to bariatric surgery to learn more about the different types of bariatric procedures.

What is a lap band?

A lap band is a small ring that contains salt water. The band can be made larger or smaller by the injecting or removing salt water from the band.

Lap band surgery has a lower risk of serious complications than other types of weight loss surgery. It is also reversible, as the band can be removed and it does not require any stapling or removal of the stomach.

However, it is now performed less often in Australia and other weight loss surgeries, such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries, are more common.

Losing weight after lap band surgery can help:

• control type 2 diabetes
• lower blood pressure
• improve heart health
• improve your quality of life

You should speak with your doctor about what bariatric (weight loss) surgery is best for you.

You might consider lap band surgery if you have tried to lose weight by dieting and doing more exercise and have not reached a healthy weight.

Your doctor might suggest having bariatric surgery to help with weight loss if you have:

• a body mass index over 40
• a body mass index over 35 with obesity-related health problems such as diabetes or heart disease

While other types of bariatric surgery are done more commonly, your doctor might suggest you have lap band surgery if you are older or only have a small amount of weight to lose to reach a healthy weight.

To prepare for lap band surgery, your doctor will refer you for tests to make sure that lap band surgery is right for you. You may be asked to attend an information session to learn more about the surgery and what to expect afterwards.

If you are having lap band surgery, you may be given a meal replacement plan for at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Smoking affects your recovery after surgery and can increase your risk of experiencing complications. If you are a smoker, it's strongly recommended to quit at least 6 weeks before your surgery.

It's a good idea to arrange in advance for someone to take you home from hospital.

Your doctor will discuss with you the details of preparing for surgery.

The surgery is done under a general anaesthetic. Most people spend one day in hospital recovering.

The surgeon will use laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery to place the hollow doughnut-shaped band around the top part of the stomach. This will create a small pouch.

They will also put a small tube (port) under the skin of the abdomen. This connects to the band. Your doctor can easily add or remove salt water from the band through the port if needed.

If you have weight loss surgery, you will start having liquid foods only. Your doctor will advise you how to gradually transition to solid food.

A dietitian can advise you how to change your eating habits to keep healthy while losing weight after lap band surgery. Physical activity is also important after lap band surgery. A physiotherapist can guide you how to gradually build up your level of exercise.

You may need to visit your doctor to have the band adjusted. It may take a few visits to adjust the band to a size that works for you for weight loss while minimising undesirable side effects.

You may need to take vitamin supplements long-term.

The risks of lap band surgery can include:

• infection
• the ring moving or damaging the stomach
• nausea and vomiting
• heartburn

There's also a chance that the procedure won't help you lose weight. You can increase the chance of success by following your doctor's recommendations.

You should talk to your doctor about the risks of the procedure.

Speak to your doctor if you have any questions about your weight or if you are interested in finding out more about lap band surgery.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Australian dietary guidelines (Opens in new tab) can help you find healthy eating tips both before and after surgery.

For help to quit smoking call Quitline (Opens in new tab) on 13 7848 (13QUIT). Hours of service my vary between states and territories, you can check the website for details or request a call back.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

You can also find information on smoking cessation and healthy eating on the Health Translations (Opens in new tab) or Multicultural Health Communication Service (Opens in new tab) websites for resources in languages other than English.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Aboriginal Quitline (Opens in new tab) is staffed by Aboriginal counsellors. You can call them on 13 7848 if you need help to quit smoking.