The Lap-Band Procedure
The surgery occurs while the patient is fully anesthetized, and is performed through a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique using only small incisions. Dr. Doucette performs the procedure using a tiny video camera and specialized instruments inserted through the small incisions.
During the gastric banding procedure, the LAP-BAND® is placed around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch above the band. The band has a small balloon attached to it which is filled with saline by the surgeon to achieve the appropriate amount of restriction. The band can be resized by the surgeon by adding or removing the saline.
Afterwards, when patients eat, the food fills the top stomach pouch created by the band, giving the feeling of fullness with less food. The food will slowly filter through the restricted opening into the rest of the stomach where it will continue to be digested normally.