SPIDER® Gastric Band

SPIDER Gastric Band is a minimally invasive surgical method used to insert a gastric band.

Stomach banding, also known as gastric band surgery, is when a surgeon inserts an adjustable device around the top portion of the stomach in order to treat obesity and help a patient lose a significant portion of excess weight. The device may be adjusted over time to ensure comfort and effectiveness. The band creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach which restricts or slows the passage of food. Patients may feel fuller with less food and eat smaller portions leading to weight loss.

This surgery is usually performed as a laparoscopic gastric band surgery, where a surgeon utilizes several incisions to introduce long rigid instruments into the abdomen to perform the surgery. With the advance of SPIDER Surgery, the surgeon may make one small incision, usually hidden in the belly button and introduce multiple flexible instruments through that incision in order to complete the same procedure.

How is SPIDER surgery different from traditional
laparoscopic surgery?

Traditional laparoscopic surgery usually requires multiple incisions. SPIDER Surgery can reduce this number, in many cases to a single incision.

Potential benefits of SPIDER Gastric Band

Patients may benefit from excellent aesthetic results, minimal pain and a quick recovery by utilizing the SPIDER minimally invasive surgical method.

How does SPIDER work?

A SPIDER procedure begins when the surgeon makes one incision, usually inside the umbilicus (belly button), and inserts the SPIDER Surgical System. Once the SPIDER is in the patient’s abdomen, the surgeon opens it up, like an umbrella. The surgeon then inserts a camera and other necessary instruments through the SPIDER device or next to the SPIDER through the same skin incision. When the surgeon has completed the procedure, he or she closes SPIDER and withdraws it through the same incision.

What happens in a SPIDER Gastric Band procedure?

The surgeon opens up a small space behind the upper portion of the stomach and creates a small tunnel through it. A portion of the gastric band is pulled through this tunnel so that it becomes wrapped around the upper portion of the stomach. The band is positioned and closed around the desired portion of the stomach. A few sutures or stitches (usually two or three) are placed in the stomach tissue near (but not into) the band to help keep it in place. All instruments are removed from the abdomen, and the small incision is closed after the band tubing is connected to a port site placed just under the skin (subcutaneously) for future adjustments.

To learn more or to find a surgeon offering SPIDER Gastric Band, request more information here.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Patients should speak with their doctors about those risks and what they should expect individually in terms of the surgery, incisions, and recovery time. Your surgeon may utilize more than one incision if deemed necessary during the surgical procedure.

This information has been reviewed by an independent physician.