Gastric Band Surgery

The patient is placed supine on the operating table with the feet bent 30 degrees downwards. The operator works between the patient's legs, which are in the reverse Trendelenburg position.

First, the abdomen is hygienically prepared. A small incision is made above the umbilicus and the abdominal cavity is entered using a Verres needle or an optical trocar, depending on the surgeon's experience. The optical trocar provides a safer access as the layers can be seen one by one. The first incision is made approximately six fingers below the breastbone and in the midline. The optical camera enters through this incision. The intra-abdominal pressure is inflated to 15 mmHg with carbon dioxide gas, which prevents injury to organs.

A total of five trocars (cannula through which the instruments will pass) are inserted through the incisions.

The anesthesiologist inserts a nasogastric tube with an inflatable balloon at the end into the stomach and the balloon is inflated with 2.5 cc of serum. This balloon helps the surgeon to identify the area to dissect. Dissection of the lesser curvature is performed close to the stomach wall and the laterjet nerve is protected. The gastric fundus is grasped with a grasper and pulled downward and the phrenogastric ligament is stretched and dissected. The dissector advanced through the retrogastric tunnel opens the area where the band will be placed. The silicone band is placed into the abdomen through the outermost 10 mm trocar and passed behind the stomach. The band is placed around the stomach and tightened.

The anesthesiologist checks the correct placement of the band by inflating the oral gastric calibration tube. If the band is in the correct position, the band is locked and adjusted. The balloon part of the band is calibrated by filling it with an external syringe and the required pressure is provided.

To prevent the band from slipping, the band is secured with four or five sutures passing through the serosa of the stomach. The connecting tube is removed from the outermost port and reassembled after cutting it to the appropriate length. The port is attached to the fascia with four or five sutures depending on the band. Thanks to this port, the fullness of the band and the opening at the exit of the gastric pouch can be easily adjusted from the outside.

After surgery, the first filling procedure is performed after 1.5-2 months in relation to the follow-up of the patient's weight loss. Gastric band is an effective method to achieve long-term weight loss. This method allows the patient to return to normal life in a shorter time. Gastric band surgery is an ideal solution, especially for patients who have a high body mass index and have failed with other weight loss methods. Since the surgery does not change the anatomy of the digestive system, it can be easily removed when desired. This is a great advantage for patients.