If you’re to the point where you want to learn more about the surgery, congratulations! Being a well-informed patient is one of the best ways you can help yourself achieve your weight loss goals. To understand how the REALIZE Personalized Banding Solution works, we need to review some simple anatomy. Below is more information about the digestive system and adjustable gastric banding surgery. We’ve also provided an animation that should help to make it all clear.

The food you eat goes from your mouth, down the esophagus, and into your stomach. Once food collects in the stomach, strong digestive juices break it down so that the small intestine can absorb its nutrients. While food is in the first part of the small intestine, it is mixed with bile from the gallbladder and other juices from the pancreas. Food moves along the small intestines, where nutrients in the food are absorbed and turned into energy to fuel the body. After nutrients are absorbed, the remaining food that is not needed to fuel the body moves into the large intestine (also called the colon). From here, the excess food is eliminated from the body as waste.

The more you know about the surgical procedure, the less anxiety you are likely to experience on the day of surgery. Gastric banding is a specific type of bariatric surgery that limits food intake by causing you to feel full after eating a small amount of food. During gastric banding surgery, an adjustable band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach. The band divides the stomach into two portions: one small and one large portion.

Since the stomach is divided into smaller parts, most patients feel full faster, thereby decreasing their need for large amounts of food to satisfy their hunger. No part of your stomach is stapled or removed during surgery. Likewise, the intestines are not rerouted and can continue to absorb nutrients from food.

The REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band is implanted using laparoscopic surgery through several small incisions while you’re under anesthesia. A laparoscopic procedure involves smaller incisions and less tissue trauma than open surgery which results in shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures. ²¹

To perform laparoscopic surgery, a small incision (less than 1/2 inch) is made near the belly button. Carbon dioxide (a gas that occurs naturally in the body) is introduced into the abdomen to create a work space for the surgeon. Then, a small laparoscopic camera is placed through this incision into the abdomen.

The camera sends a picture of the stomach and abdominal cavity to a video monitor. This gives the laparoscopic surgeons a good view and access to key structures in the abdominal cavity. A few additional small incisions are made in the abdomen. The surgeon watches the video monitor and works through these small incisions using long handled instruments to complete the procedure. The surgeon creates a small circular tunnel behind the stomach, inserts the gastric band through the tunnel, and locks the band around the stomach.

The REALIZE Band is made of strong, flexible silicone and has a soft balloon that fits around the stomach. The balloon can hold up to 9 cc (1.8 teaspoons) of sterile saline which is medical grade saltwater. The amount of saline in the balloon controls the tightness around the stomach. 

The balloon’s tightness affects how much food you are able to eat during a meal and the length of time it takes for food to leave your stomach pouch to travel through your digestive system. How does this help you achieve your weight loss goals and improve your quality of life? You’ll feel fuller sooner and stay fuller longer with the REALIZE Band.

The band’s tubing is connected to the REALIZE Port. The port is made from an implant-grade medical plastic and silicone. It is usually fastened (or sutured) on the left or right side, about 2 inches below the rib cage. The exact location will depend upon your body shape and your surgeon’s decision. The REALIZE Port is attached during the gastric band procedure.

The REALIZE Band is intended for long-term use. At this time, no evidence suggests that the REALIZE Band will need to be replaced, except in the event of a complication.

Because gastric banding surgery does not permanently change the anatomy of the stomach and intestines, the REALIZE Band can be removed if necessary. Please keep in mind that reversal surgery is not simple, and weight gain is usually observed in people who have their bands removed and do not continue a healthy eating regimen.

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