How Are Adjustments Made?

We strongly believe that the first adjustments should be performed under fluoroscopy X-ray control with a barium swallow to asses the stomach pouch and the passage of the contrast medium through the stoma.

First, we localize the access port under fluoroscopy and mark the skin, the prep the skin with Betadine and infiltrate local anesthetic to avoid pain.

Second, access of the port with special Huber needle and inject saline solution into the system.

Third, the patient swallows contrast solution (Barium) to visualize the stomach pouch above the gastric band.

Finally, the needle is removed.  The process most of the time is very simple.

How Much Fluid Is Placed?

The gastric band empty              The gastric band with saline instilled

In the first adjustment, no more than 1.5-2.0 cc of saline solution.  In the case of additional adjustments we never inject more than 1.0 cc at a time.  We prefer to have the patient adapt slowly to the new restrictive situation.  If the injected amount turns out not to be sufficient a further adjustment is done 4-6 weeks later.