At Duke Weight Loss Surgery Center we offer the Lap-Band® Procedure as an option for treating obesity.

The Lap-Band Procedure involves placement of an inflatable band around the top part of the stomach to create a small gastric pouch. Considerable experience has been obtained with this procedure, mainly in Australia, Mexico, and Europe.

This procedure is performed laparoscopically. Implantation of this device was approved by the FDA in 2001 so experience in the United States remains limited.

Only a few insurance companies have accepted the procedure for coverage, so most patients must self-pay. For your insurance company, the code for the Lap-Band operative procedure is: CPT 43770 and the ICD-9 code for the diagnosis of morbid obesity is 278.01

About the Device and Procedure

The device consists of a band, connection tubing, and a plastic access port.

The band has a plastic ring lining the inside that can be filled with water to narrow the stomach opening, thus limiting the amount of food that can pass over time.

The access port is used to add or remove water from the band, using a needle and syringe.

Surgical incisions needed for the laparoscopic ports

An area is cleared at the top of the stomach for passage of the band and the band is secured about the stomach by an interlocking mechanism.

After placement of the band, all instruments are removed from the abdomen and a small plastic access port is implanted just under the skin.

The band has a plastic ring lining the inside that can be filled with water to narrow the stomach opening, thus limiting the amount of food that can pass over time.

The amount of water in the plastic ring is adjusted by placing a needle into the plastic access port and adding or withdrawing fluid. Placement of the needle is minimally painful.

Complications and Expected Weight Loss

Complications from Lap-Band procedures are minimal.

However, management of the Lap-Band requires more frequent clinic visits to adjust how the band narrows the stomach.

Results of the Lap-Band procedure have been encouraging. However, weight loss is slightly less than for the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Most patients will lose between 60 and 100 pounds. The exact amount of weight you lose will depend on your compliance with the dietary instructions and your tolerance to adjustments to the tightness of the band.

Get more details about complications.

Get more details about expected weight loss.

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
  Health Services Center, 407 Crutchfield Street, Durham, NC 27704
• Durham Regional Hospital
  3643 Roxboro Road, Durham, NC 27704