Image Guided Adjustment (aka Flouroscopy)

Fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray) is used to guide the adjustment process visually. The fluoroscopy is painless and the amount of radiation exposure to the patient is minimal (not dangerous). It is especially helpful to place the access needle into the adjustment port in difficult circumstances.

The adjustment is "guided" by having you swallow a water soluble contrast agent (Barium), which can be seen. The band is then adjusted while you and the doctor are looking at the X-ray viewer until the desired degree of restriction is obtained. The degree of appropriate restriction is determined by both the visual information and the verbal feedback from you

Patients are awake during the procedure and enjoy seeing the process. The combination of "how it looks" and "how it feels" allows the adjustment to be precise in a single session. This method also receives a high patient satisfaction rate due to the reduced need for follow-up adjustment visits, reducing the amount of disruption into your daily life. This method also reduces the incidence of over tightening of the band. (Another benefit of image guided adjustments cited by many surgeons is the ability to identify abnormalities related to the gastric band. )