The Lap Band Adjustment Routine

The lap band procedure is one of the more popular bariatric surgeries.  With approximately 95% of patients receiving the procedure with non-invasive techniques and a 50% reduction of excess weight at the one year mark, that is not surprising.

One aspect of the lap band procedure that goes largely unmentioned is the lap band adjustment. The lap band is, basically, an inflatable belt that is put around the stomach.  As part of the procedure, a small port is imbedded in the abdominal wall to provide access to the belt.

It is this port that the a physician uses to perform adjustments to the band.  A small needle can be inserted into the port and used to either drain off fluid from the belt, which reduces constriction on the stomach, or to add fluid, which increases constriction of the stomach.

This is one way to help patients manage their weight loss with the lap band system.  It is common for the lap band to be adjusted, generally to add fluid, between 6-8 times over the first year and a half.

Fortunately for patients, follow up adjustments to the lap band are a relatively simple procedure.  This means that they can choose to have a lower cost surgery in Mexico and the follow-up adjustments performed by a physician in the U.S.