Standard Gastric Band with unique rehabilitation pathway

The gastric banding is a method of weight loss to reduce the amount of food taken by a patient. It is one of the most effective methods of treatment pathological excess weight.

Stomach band process

During the procedure, a surgeon puts the upper part of the stomach on a silicone cuff or gastric band. It narrows the stomach cavity and regulates the speed of food movement through it.

Part of the stomach above the band stretches, causing a feeling of satiety. The band size can be further regulated. The size of the band is determined individually for a particular patient.

Obese patients lose less excess weight after banding than after stomach bypass or sleeve resection. 20-30% of patients need re-operation in 10 years due to bandage wearing out or insufficient weight loss.

Patients with body mass index (BMI) under 40 kg/m2 can undergo the stomach banding. Features of the procedure are the following:

• the success rate of the surgery: 100%
• operation time: 1 hour
• in-hospital stay: 2-4 days
• loss of excess weight: 40-50%
• reversibility: possible.

• Simplicity

The operation is performed laparoscopically. It means that surgeons do not cut the abdomen during the procedure. They make 5 punctures in 0.5-1 cm of size.

The gastric band is a low traumatic operation. The risk of postoperative complications is low.

Among the possible complications are:

1. gallstones
2. sagging of the skin
3. constipation
4. diarrhea
5. heartburn.

There is no need for rehabilitation and prolonged postoperative observation of a patient. Laparoscopic gastric banding is performed under general anesthesia.

• Reversibility

100% is reversibility of the operation. Unlike many serious interventions, the bandage can be easily removed at any time.

• Duration

Stomach band surgery lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
• alcoholism, drug addiction
• age of a patient is under 18 years
• frequent or continuous intake of NSAIDs by a patient (including aspirin)
• unwillingness or inability to follow the diet
• allergic reactions to the bandage material
• emotional instability or any psychological impairment of a patient.

Doctors determine how much is lap band surgery for each patient individually. The price depends on the patient's condition and related disease treatment. As the price is calculated in each particular case, some clinics in this listing do not represent prices for the operation. However, the lowest price of gastric band starts from $5,000.

In some cases the gastric band cost is covered by insurance. However, this and other insurance terms you should specify in your insurance agent.

The price of the gastric band usually involves:

• consultation with a specialist before and after the procedure
• the surgery itself
• in-hospital stay.

Some hospitals include the transfer from/to an airport and meals in the stomach band surgery cost. Specify this info before choosing a clinic.

• Location of a hospital. The gastric band cost varies in different regions due to the economic policy and average living wage. So, you will spend 3-4 times less money and save up to 75% in Asian countries like Thailand or India. The lap band price also may differ from city to city — the more significant metropolis is, the higher the cost is.

• Surgeon's experience. High qualification of a surgeon plays an essential role to avoid unfavorable complications and side effects. Study doctors' CVs to choose a surgeon with vast experience. Highly-skilled specialists practice in the best clinics worldwide and cooperate with their international colleagues to provide the most innovative methods.

• Presence of related diseases or complications. If you have some illnesses related to obesity, you probably will be prescribed some additional procedures that may increase the gastric band surgery cost. Moreover, in severe cases of obesity, some patients face complications after the procedure and need other surgery. This option also boosts your expenses.

1. Choose country near your native one. Usually, flight tickets to the far places are expensive enough. If you want to cut down your expenses significantly, choose a clinic in that state where it is cheaper to get.
2. Choose a country that provides a lower cost for the same procedure and services. The lowest lap band surgery cost is represented in Turkish clinics, where the price is 2 times lower than in Spain. You may get two gastric bands in Turkey and only one in Spain at the same price.
3. Refuse additional services. A lot of medical facilities offer extra assistance. For example, medical staff often provide patients with excursions, massages, yoga, and other services. Backing out of additional services you may save a significant amount of your money.

If you are looking for the cheapest gastric band, pay your attention to Turkey. This country is among the leaders in bariatric surgery, including stomach banding procedure. The affordable lap band cost is the primary reason why thousands of patients choose Turkey for the operation.

Submit a request on Bookimed website. Our Medical Doctor will contact you. S/he will answer all your questions regarding stomach band surgery cost, top bariatric doctors, and clinics.