Gastric band not functioning

Gastric Band not functioning as you hoped for and you would like to explore the option of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy? Something we are seeing commonly. Patients have had a gastric band before and it has been removed or would like it removed. They are now battling weight regain and come along to discuss a sleeve gastrectomy. 20% of our new patients have had a band already by another surgeon.

It can be a tricky problem. When bands are inserted, the stomach is usually sutured up over the band to stop it moving around. If the band is removed, it is commonly just cut and pulled out and these stomach sutures are left in. This causes a problem if a sleeve gastrectomy needs to be performed in the future. Basically it is difficult to safely staple through a doubled-over stomach with sutures still in place. If your band has been removed, we often end up performing a Laparoscopy to have a look and (hopefully) remove all these sutures. We generally come back after 3 months to perform a Sleeve Gastrectomy when all the swelling has settled down.

If you are not satisfied with your Gastric Band and are considering a Sleeve Gastrectomy, we usually try to remove the band and all the sutures in the same procedure, which then sets things up for a sleeve in the future.

It is very rare that we will take your band out and proceed to a sleeve in the same sitting. To make a booking or discuss your surgical options ring 9386 2624.