Gastric banding for obesity is the most common bariatric procedure performed worldwide. Patients considering gastric banding for weight loss have two options to choose from, Lap band and the Realize band. The LAP-BAND®Adjustable Gastric Banding System or the REALIZE Band is a silicone band that is surgically placed around the upper part of the stomach to reduce the amount of food a patient can accommodate in the stomach. The band has an inflatable balloon that is accessed via a port implanted under the skin on the abdomen. When the band is appropriately adjusted patients gain the ability to control portion size and realize long-term weight loss.

Traditional Laparoscopic placement

Gastric band placement involves surgery and typically performed using the standard laparoscopic approach. In the standard laparoscopic approach 5 or more small incisions are made on the upper abdomen the largest one being 1 ½ inches. This approach is much better than the open surgery but still leaves visible scars and the associated healing.

Single Incision Lap Band placement

Is an advanced laparoscopic approach in which the surgeon operates exclusively through a single entry point instead of the typical five or more incisions. Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery leaves the patient with less scarring and though not yet proven in scientific studies, has the potential for less post operative pain, quicker recovery time and reduced risk of wound site infections. Very few doctors in the country are using this technique in placing the LAP-BAND®for the surgical treatment of obesity.

Until now, single incision gastric band placements have utilized a single 1 ½  incision below the patient’s left rib for the entire procedure. This approach reduces the number of incisions but still has a visible scar in the upper abdomen at the port. Very few surgeons along with Dr. Ganta are using this technique in placing the LAP-BAND®for the surgical treatment of obesity.

Trans-umbilical Lap Band Placement
Dr. Ganta's Approach

Dr. Ganta is believed to have performed the first trans-umbilical LAP-BAND® procedure in the state of Texas without leaving any visible scars on the abdomen. This remarkable new technique, pioneered by Dr. Ganta, involves complete navigation and placement of the LAP-BAND®via the single incision at the belly button and leaving no visible scars on the abdomen. The port is tunneled via the belly button incision into the standard location and secured in the standard fashion. Dr. Ganta is one of the first surgeons in the U.S. to use this almost scarless approach for LAP-BAND®placement. This new technique of Trans-umbilical Gastric banding (TUGB) allows patients to have significantly improved cosmetic results and possibly less pain and a faster recovery.