Adjustments
LAP-BAND® System Adjustments
When the LAP-BAND® System is first placed, your physician usually leaves it empty. This gives you the chance to get accustomed to your band during the first few weeks after the procedure. It also allows healing to occur around the new band site. These first few weeks are a critical time when you need to avoid vomiting and/or putting pressure on your new small stomach above the band.
Click here to view the LAP-BAND® System adjustment animation.
Being able to adjust the LAP-BAND® System gives you control. If the band is too tight, your surgeon can "loosen" it by taking out some of the fluid. If the band is too loose, your surgeon can tighten it by injecting fluid into your access port. Only a clinician trained and authorized by Allergan Health can adjust your band. Never let an untrained clinician or a non-medical person do it, and never try to adjust your own band. You could cause adverse reactions or damage your band.
You may feel a pricking sensation during an adjustment, as the physician will use a fine needle to inject or withdraw fluid from your access port, which is located under the skin. The feeling is similar to the pinprick you feel when you give blood. Sterile saline is used to adjust the LAP-BAND® System. Saline is just like your body’s natural fluid, similar to tears.
During each adjustment, only a very small amount of saline will be added to or removed from the band. The exact amount of fluid required to make the stoma the right size is unique for each person. An ideal "fill"should be just tight enough to let you gradually lose weight. That means you should still be able to eat enough to get the nutrients that you need while still reducing the overall amount you can eat.
Adjustments are done either in the doctor’s office or hospital using a palpation method (simply pressing down on the skin to locate the access port) or via X-ray equipment (fluoroscopy). The physician may also use flouroscopy to guide the needle into the port or use it after the band has been adjusted to evaluate your pouch size and stoma size. As you take a drink of a special liquid (usually called barium), your physician will be able to watch it travel down your esophagus into the small upper stomach pouch, through your stoma, and into your big lower stomach.
The first time the band is adjusted is usually four to six weeks after the initial procedure, although the exact time will vary from patient to patient. During the first year, most patients get between five and eight adjustments. Sometimes, small adjustments are made in later years. To get the best results, you may need more than one adjustment. The most common reasons for adjustments are not being able to eat without feeling uncomfortable or vomiting, being able to eat without feeling restricted, or not losing weight.
You can download and read the post-op LAP-BAND® System patient booklet below.
