Types of Lap Bands
Lap bands, or gastric bands, are adjustable cords-usually made from silicone-that are designed to help patients lose weight. Installing a lap band is a type of restrictive bariatric surgery, meaning it alters a patient's digestive tract so that less food is consumed. According to HealthWorldNet.com, lap bands work by constricting the stomach, sectioning it off so that its overall capacity is reduced. (See References 2) This means less room for food, making patients feel fuller sooner than they usually would.
The Easyband
As of 2009, the Easyband is the newest type of lap band in development. Traditional bands utilize a balloon mechanism that the patient inflates or deflates with a saline solution to adjust the band (inflate to tighten, deflate to loosen). The Easyband is instead equipped with a microchip and a small motor, which allows the patient to make the adjustments by simply using a remote control device. The Easyband is available in England and Europe and has not yet been approved in the U.S.
The Swedish Band
Professor Dag Hallberg developed the first type of lap band-the Swedish band-in 1984. The Swedish band wraps around the upper portion of the stomach and can be adjusted as needed to allow food to pass down to the lower portion of the stomach for digestion. Unlike other types of lap band, the Swedish band features a balloon system that is integrated throughout the band itself, making it more flexible.
The Lap-Band
The Lap-Band is perhaps the most well known and widely used type of lap band, and the brand name is often used as a synonym for gastric bands in general. Dr. Lubomir Kuzmak patented the band in 1985; and since 2001 (when it received approval from the FDA), the number of Lap-Band procedures that have been performed exceeds 350,000. The band can be tightened or loosened by seven to eight millimeters.
The Midband
According to SurgicalTeam.com, Dr. Vincent Frering developed the Midband in an attempt to improve upon the Swedish and Lap-Band systems. (See References 1) It is designed to be as soft as possible, and features no sharp or otherwise irregular edges. This helps ensure that the Midband does not damage the inner walls of the stomach, even if the band rubs against them. The Midband is shorter than other types of lap bands and features a larger balloon.
Tags: gastric bands, other types, portion stomach, type band, Types Bands