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  1. Breast Enlargement
  2. Breast lift
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  1. Botulinum Toxin
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• Obesity
  1. Gastric band
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What it is
The gastric band is an inflatable silicone prosthetic device used for obese patients to help them to lose weight. Surgery is performed to restrict the size of a person's stomach by attaching an adjustable band around the top part of the stomach, so that the patient is only able to eat small portions of food - up to an ounce at a time - before they are full. As the patient's calorie intake is greatly reduced, they lose weight. The band is permanent, so as the patient adjusts to a new way of eating, with greater portion control the weight is unlikely to go back on.

What it involves
Whilst the surgery is invasive, it is minimally so. The operation is carried out under general anesthetic, using a procedure called a laproscopy (keyhole surgery). A couple of small incisions are made around the stomach area, one for a lens with a camera attached and the second for the operating instrument. Then the area is usually pumped out with carbon dioxide to create a viable working area so the band can be attached.

Over a period of time following the operation restriction is increased. The band is adjustable, so can be tightened or loosened for optimum effectiveness and if necessary, the procedure is reversible. Adjustment is done by passing a fine needle through the skin into the access port and either drawing out or adding in the saline. This is carried out without anesthetic and only takes a couple of minutes.

Expect to lose between 1 - 3 lbs a week for the first year following the operation.

Questions to ask
Do I need to be over a certain size before I have this operation?
A gastric band is typically used for obese patients. The definition of obesity is if you have a BMI (body mass index) of over 40.

Will I need to lose weight before surgery?
It will depend on your surgeon. He will guide you. Doctor's like to see that you are making an effort to lose weight and want you as fit as possible before operating.

Are there any things I need to consider after the op?
You'll need to consider your diet, increase your liquid intake and eat small portions of food so your body gets used to the change.

Am I too sick for surgery?
If you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, joint or back pain this procedure can actually help as dramatic weight loss can improve all of these conditions.

Things to look out for
Risks of Anesthetic
Because of the patient's size all obesity surgery is considered high risk. Obese patients have a higher risk heart attack, stroke and not coming out of the anesthetic. Make sure you've discussed all of these risks with your surgeon before embarking on surgery and are happy to proceed armed with all the information you need.

Infection
Usually treated with antibiotics

Band slippage .
This can be fixed with a further laproscopy.

Nausea/Vomiting
It can take a little while to get used to the change and if you eat too quickly or try to eat too much, you can feel sick.

Cheating the band
It is possible to cheat the band. It may not be a suitable procedure if you consume a lot of your calories in alcohol. And if you're truly determined you can liquidise your food and eat extra calories that way. It's best to eat solid food that will fill you up quickly.

Does it hurt?
Typically, the operation will usually take around 45 minutes, you'll be in hospital for less than 24 hours. Be back at work within a week and able to resume regular exercise within 6 weeks.

There is minimal scarring, just the incision points from the laproscopy.

Expect to pay

£4000 - £7000

Pictures of success