SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR THE SEVERELY OVERWEIGHT
The Galway Clinic is the only private hospital in Ireland to provide laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery to treat the severely overweight. The surgeon has over five years of experience using the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure.
This operation has been performed successfully on hundreds of thousands of patients in Continental Europe and increasingly in the USA since 1994.
The criteria require extensive preoperative assessment and counseling. We adhere strictly to international guidelines and provide continuous aftercare.
What is Gastric Banding?
For patients who satisfy the criteria the ‘lap-band’, as it is known, is placed via keyhole surgery across the uppermost part of the stomach. This creates a small stomach pouch that results in early fullness (satiety) after eating small amounts of food. Attached to the band is a tube that connects to a small port. This is placed under the skin on the tummy wall. It allows the doctor to adjust the volume in the band, thereby making the amount of food that can be consumed less or more, according to the ongoing degree of weight loss.
Contrary to other operations for weight loss the ‘lap-band’ does not require dividing or removing part of the stomach or bowel.
Other operations, such as “bypass” procedures may have significant short and long term side effects such as diarrhea etc. The risks of side effects are extremely low using the gastric ‘lap-band’.
Am I a candidate for the “Lap-Band”?
If your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 40 and/or if you suffer from complications of being severely overweight and your BMI is greater than 35, then you may be a candidate. Your BMI can be measured by a qualified dietician or general practitioner. Once these criteria are met you will undergo a long interview process by a qualified doctor. You will be seen by the surgeon and fully evaluated by a psychologist to determine suitability. Depending on your age, overall medical state etc., you will require extensive preoperative investigations. These are done to decrease any risk of surgery to a minimum.
What does it cost?
Hospitalization involves admission the day before surgery, a night in high dependency unit after surgery and one to two days in hospital thereafter, depending on your overall medical condition. The cost involves hospital, theatre and high dependency fees, use of equipment at operation, surgeons and Anaesthetic fees. It will also depend on risk assessment – essentially the heavier the patient the greater the risk.
We have operated on patients with a BMI of over 70 and frequently with a BMI of over 50 with excellent outcomes to their overall wellbeing. We do not consider this as a cosmetic procedure, rather an operation designed primarily to improve the patients overall health problems by weight reduction following surgery.
For a Quote or more detail on the Cost or any other aspects of this procedure please ring:
091 720135
or through the switchboard at the Galway Clinic, Suite 27.
Mr. Oliver J. McAnena, M. Ch, FRCSI
Dr. Eavan J. O’Connor M.B.