For patients who want an effective weight loss solution without permanent changes to the stomach or digestive tract, Lap-Band® surgery offers a unique combination of adjustability, reversibility, and proven results. Unlike sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, which permanently alter the structure of the stomach or intestine, Lap-Band® surgery uses an adjustable silicone band placed around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that limits food intake and slows the passage of food, helping patients feel full sooner and eat less overall.
At Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center, our board-certified Lap-Band® surgeons have extensive experience with both laparoscopic band surgery and band plication, a technique that enhances the restrictive effect of the Lap-Band® without stapling or permanently altering the stomach. We have been serving patients in the Atlanta area since 2013, and our MBSA and AAAHC-accredited facility in Johns Creek is equipped with the latest minimally invasive surgical technology. Our 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio ensures that every patient receives attentive, personalized care from consultation through recovery.
We accept most major insurance plans and offer self-pay options at competitive rates. Find out if you're a candidate and request a consultation with our team today.
Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center offers two related laparoscopic band surgery options: standard Lap-Band® surgery and band plication. Both are performed minimally invasively and require no cutting, stapling, or permanent removal of any portion of the stomach.
During the Lap-Band® procedure, your surgeon places a soft, adjustable silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach. This creates a small pouch above the band that can hold only a limited amount of food, and a narrow opening through which food passes slowly into the larger portion of the stomach below. The result is that patients feel full much sooner and for longer after eating, which reduces overall calorie intake.
The band is connected to a small access port placed just beneath the skin on the abdomen. After surgery, the band can be tightened or loosened over time by injecting or withdrawing saline through this port during a simple in-office visit, with no additional surgery required. This adjustability allows your surgeon to fine-tune the restriction to your individual needs as your weight loss progresses.
Band plication combines the Lap-Band® with a technique called stomach plication, in which the surgeon folds portions of the stomach and sutures them in place, further reducing the stomach's capacity without stapling or removing any tissue. This added restriction means patients experience faster satiety with even smaller amounts of food, potentially accelerating weight loss results compared to standard Lap-Band® surgery alone.
Because it involves no stapling or permanent tissue removal, band plication carries a similar risk profile to standard Lap-Band® surgery and retains the same advantages of adjustability and reversibility.
Key advantages of Lap-Band® surgery and band plication include:
Lap-Band® removal surgery may be recommended for a number of reasons, including band slippage, erosion, port complications, insufficient weight loss, or a patient's decision to convert to a different bariatric procedure, such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. Removal is performed laparoscopically and, in most cases, can be done on an outpatient basis. Because the band does not involve any permanent changes to the stomach, removal generally restores the stomach to close to its original configuration.
If you have an existing Lap-Band® from a prior procedure and are experiencing complications or considering removal or conversion, our team at Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center is experienced in Lap-Band® removal surgery and can help you explore your options.
Candidacy for Lap-Band® surgery follows the same general criteria as other bariatric procedures, typically including a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one serious obesity-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. Candidates should also have a history of unsuccessful attempts at sustained weight loss through non-surgical means and must be committed to long-term dietary and lifestyle changes after surgery.
Lap-Band® surgery may be a particularly good fit for patients who prefer a reversible option or who do not wish to undergo a procedure that permanently alters the digestive tract. Use our BMI calculator to get started, then find out if you qualify for a consultation with our team.
The cost of Lap-Band® surgery depends on several factors, including your insurance coverage and individual treatment plan. Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center accepts most major insurance plans, and because we are a free-standing outpatient surgery center rather than a hospital, our costs are often significantly lower than hospital-based care. Self-pay options are available at competitive rates. Our team is happy to help verify your insurance coverage and walk you through the financial aspects of your procedure before you move forward. Contact our office to learn more.
Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center in Johns Creek is one of the Atlanta area's most trusted providers of Lap-Band® and band plication surgery. Our board-certified surgeons have been helping patients achieve meaningful, lasting weight loss since 2013, and our team is here to support you at every step of the journey.
To get started, call our office at (678) 691-6257 or request an appointment online. We serve patients throughout Metro Atlanta and welcome those traveling from Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and beyond. We look forward to helping you take the first step toward a healthier life.