What is gastric banding?
Gastric banding is a surgical procedure that involves fitting a band around the upper part of your stomach. It is usually only recommended as a last resort for people who are morbidly obese (those with a BMI of over 40), or those with a BMI of between 30-40 who also have a condition that poses a serious health risk, such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), or heart disease.
If you are very obese, gastric banding can be used as a way of helping you to lose weight by controlling the amount of food that you eat.
How does gastric banding work?
Once the gastric band is in place it can be adjusted externally (outside the body) at any time by a surgeon. This means the band can be made either tighter or looser, depending on the amount of food your surgeon wants to restrict you from eating.
Your surgeon can make the band tighter by adding salt water (saline) into the band. This slows down the amount of food that can pass through your stomach - meaning your stay feeling full for longer. To loosen the band, some of the salt water fluid is removed, meaning food passes through quicker to your digestive system. Generally, a gastric band is loose to start and then tightened when you are used to eating less food.
A gastric band is designed to remain permanently within your stomach. However, it can be removed, and in the majority of cases leaves you with no permanent changes to your stomach. The procedure to fit a gastric band can involve a certain degree of complication, for example there is a risk of infection, and in rare cases, leaking into your stomach may occur.
Is gastric suitable for everyone?
Having a gastric band fitted is not suitable for everyone. If you have a particular condition, for example an illness related to your heart or lungs, your GP and surgeon may feel the procedure is too risky to carry out.
NHS treatment
Gastric banding is usually only available on the NHS if you meet specific criteria as set out by your local PCT:
- You are aged 18 or over.
- You have tried all other conventional methods of weight loss, such as exercise and diet, but have failed to lose any significant amount of weight.
- You don't have any medical or psychological reasons for not carrying out the procedure.
- You understand the long-term commitment to having a gastric band fitted, for example you continue to reduce your food intake and maintain a regular exercise regime.
Funding for gastric banding varies across the country depending on your local PCT. PCTs can only set aside a certain amount of money for this type of surgery, up until the end of the financial year (April). If you are recommended for surgery, as a treatment for obesity, you'll be considered on a case-by-case basis. Gastric banding usually costs around £7,000 if done privately.
If you feel you qualify for gastric banding on the NHS - as all your attempts so far to lose weight have failed - you will need to discuss all possible options with your GP or surgeon.
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