Gastric Band Adjustment & Management

Living Well with a Gastric Band

An adjustable gastric band (lap band) is a silicone ring placed laparoscopically around the upper part of the stomach during bariatric surgery. It creates a small pouch that limits food intake and promotes early fullness — but its effectiveness depends entirely on ongoing medical management and regular adjustments.

Dr Chong sees patients who have had their band placed by any surgeon — you do not need to be a patient of the original operating surgeon to receive band management care from Dr Chong.

What Is a Band Adjustment?

The band is connected to an access port — a small device placed just under the skin of your upper abdomen during surgery. By inserting a fine needle through the skin into this port, saline can be added or removed, changing the level of restriction.

• Adding saline tightens the band, creating more restriction and smaller portions needed for fullness
• Removing saline loosens the band, useful if it is too tight and causing symptoms

A band adjustment is a clinic-based procedure taking approximately 10–15 minutes. No anaesthesia is required and you can return to normal activities immediately.

How Do I Know If I Need an Adjustment?

Signs the band may be too loose:

• Able to eat large portions without any sense of restriction or early fullness
• Feeling hungry shortly after a normal meal
• Weight loss has plateaued despite good dietary adherence

Signs the band may be too tight:

• Difficulty swallowing even soft foods or liquids
• Food or fluid coming back up after eating (regurgitation)
• Waking at night with reflux or acid coming up the throat
• Chest discomfort when eating

If you are unable to swallow liquids, seek urgent medical attention — this may indicate band slippage, which requires prompt surgical review.

Long-Term Band Management

Beyond adjustments, Dr Chong provides comprehensive ongoing care for band patients including:

• Annual blood tests to monitor nutritional status (iron, B12, vitamin D, folate)
• Management of band-related complications: slippage, erosion, port problems, oesophageal dilation
• Coordination with surgeons for revision or band removal where required
• Dietary and lifestyle review

Consulting Locations

Gastric band adjustments are available at four Melbourne locations:

• Bayswater — Medi Weight Loss (preferred location for adjustments; no referral required)
• Box Hill — Epworth Centre for Bariatric Surgery
• Heidelberg — Heidelberg Weight Loss Surgery
• Williamstown — Victorian Bariatric Surgery Centre

Call Medi Weight Loss on (03) 9967 1996 to book your adjustment or discuss your band management needs.