At Winnett Specialist Group, we are dedicated to helping you achieve long-term weight loss and better health through personalised, evidence-based care. Led by Dr Jason Winnett, a specialist bariatric surgeon with over 20 years of experience, our Melbourne-based team offers a range of weight loss procedures, including Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND® surgery). This is a minimally invasive option performed across several Melbourne locations and is only recommended after a comprehensive medical assessment to ensure it is safe and suitable for each patient.

📞 Considering Lap Band Surgery?

If you’re considering your options or just want to understand what might be right for you, we’re here to help. We’ll start with a thorough medical assessment and talk you through whether Lap Band is the right fit. Get in touch with us here to speak with our team in Melbourne.

 

WHAT IS LAP BAND?

The LAP-BAND® System, more commonly known as Lap Band surgery, is a weight-loss surgical procedure utilising an adjustable band placed around the top portion of the stomach that works by inducing a feeling of fullness by triggering signals to be sent to the brain.

An individual will feel full on a much smaller amount of food with this type of gastric band in place. The LAP-BAND® helps patients gradually lose excess weight without any stomach cutting or stapling, like some other bariatric surgeries. This makes it a much more desirable surgery in many cases since it is less invasive and has a faster recovery time because there is less trauma inflicted on the body.

This procedure has been used since 1994, with over 850,000 Lap Band surgeries performed worldwide.

 

HOW DOES LAP BAND WORK?

The LAP-BAND® System consists of a hollow band, known as a medical prosthesis that is placed around the upper part of the stomach. This is done laparoscopically so it is a minimally invasive procedure. The band applies a constant very gentle pressure (that is adjustable) to the area that triggers feelings of satiety. Nerve endings within the stomach register the pressure as being “full” and communicate this to the brain.

The result is a sensation of feeling satisfied with less food. Less caloric intake with no change in energy output from general day-to-day activities enables one to burn more net calories and lose weight.

The gastric band is attached to an access port – which is surgically placed on a patient’s abdomen – and this is inflated with saline solution. The volume of this solution can be very easily adjusted by your surgeon during a post-surgery consultation. Adjusting this volume will increase or decrease the pressure the band exerts on the stomach. Thus, an increase in pressure through an increase in the volume of saline solution will cause a patient to feel fuller on less food.

In most cases, the LAP-BAND® System is surgically inserted and ‘configured’ using a laparoscopic procedure that is completed under general anaesthesia.

The procedure is performed using long, thin instruments inserted through a few tiny incisions (usually 0.5 – 1.5 cm).

 

WHO IS LAP BAND FOR?

The LAP-BAND® System is recommended for individuals with a BMI – Body Mass Index – that is greater than 35. Patients with additional complications due to obesity (such as sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension) can undergo this procedure with a BMI of 30 or greater.

HOW LONG DOES A LAP BAND LAST?

Lap Bands can remain in place for many years. In most cases, they only need to be removed or replaced if complications arise or weight loss goals are met.

 

LAP BAND ADVANTAGES

Minimal Trauma

  • The least invasive surgical option
  • No intestinal re-routing
  • No cutting or stapling of the stomach
  • Minimal discomfort, hospital length-of-stay and recovery period
  • Academic publications with up to 17 years of follow-up

Fewer Risks and Side Effects

  • Significantly lower mortality & complication risk than other obesity surgery procedures
  • Low risk of nutritional deficiencies compared with other obesity surgery procedures
  • No “dumping syndrome” related to dietary intake restrictions, compared to other obesity surgery procedures
  • Standard of care for hundreds of practices around the world

Adjustable

  • Allows individualised adjustment for long-term weight loss
  • Adjustments performed without additional surgery
  • The stomach is still allowed to expand naturally to ensure complications regarding pregnancy are kept to a minimum

Reversible

  • Removable at any time
  • Once the Lap Band is removed, the stomach and surrounding organs typically return to their former dimensions without losing their functionality.

 

LAP BAND RISKS

While the LAP-BAND System is less invasive than other bariatric procedures and poses fewer risks as a result, it does come with its own set of inherent risks.

Possible complications include:

  • Medications used in the surgery carry with them an inherent risk.
  • The surgical procedure itself comes with it an inherent risk.
  • The patient’s ability to tolerate a ‘foreign object’ implanted in the body.

SPECIALIST IN LAP BAND SURGERY

Dr Jason Winnett is widely regarded as a leading specialist in LAP-BAND® surgery in Melbourne. With over 20 years of experience in bariatric surgery, he has performed hundreds of Lap Band procedures and continues to provide long-term support for patients after surgery.

His expertise includes not only initial Lap Band placements, but also ongoing adjustments, band maintenance, and revision surgeries for patients experiencing complications or seeking improved results from previous procedures.

LAP BAND SURGERY IN MELBORNE

Winnett Specialist Group offers LAP-BAND® surgery at several locations across Melbourne, including East Melbourne, Sydenham, Williamstown and Werribee. Our team provides personalised care for every patient, starting with a full medical assessment to ensure the Lap Band is the most suitable option.

With a strong focus on long-term outcomes, we support you through every stage of the process. This includes access to experienced dietitians, psychologists and other health professionals who work closely with you before and after surgery. Our goal is to help you achieve sustainable weight loss in a safe, supportive environment.

If you’re ready to take the next step or want to learn more, get in touch with us today by completing the form or calling us on P: (03) 9417 1555.