Lap Band Weight Loss Surgery

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band - The Newest And Safest Option

2007-03-09T10:22:00.000-08:00

Alternative Weight Loss

Approved as recently as 2001 by the FDA, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery is fast becoming accepted as the safest and least invasive form of weight loss surgery.

Lap band surgery is a form of purely restrictive weight loss surgery and uses a small inflatable band around the upper portion of the patient's stomach to restrict the quantity of food that the patient can consume and also to slow the emptying of food from the stomach so that the patient has a constant feeling of being full. Like many surgeries today, lap band surgery is often performed laparoscopically and operations typically take about one hour, with patients being required to remain in hospital for no more than one night following surgery.

A normal stomach will have a capacity in excess of 1000 ccs but laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery typically reduces this to as little as 15 to 30 ccs. This very much reduced stomach size limits the intake of foods severely and forces the body to begin burning off its fat reserves, thus creating weight loss.

One beauty of this particular form of weight loss surgery is that the surgeon is able to adjust the restriction on the stomach post-operatively through a port which is embedded in the wall of the abdomen just under the skin. This allows the surgeon to monitor the patient's progress and to either increase or restrict further the amount of food that an individual can consume. This feature of lap band surgery not only leads to a safer recovery, but also results in a healthier long term weight loss.

Patients must of course adhere to a strict diet following surgery and for some 18 months will be restricted to consuming less than 800 calories per day. Between 18 and 36 months patients will normally increase their intake gradually until they are consuming about 1200 calories each day. Patients will also need to learn to drink fluids in small quantities throughout the day, avoiding fluids with meals, and will need to take nutritional supplements for the remainder of their lives.

Most patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery will experience a weight loss of approximately 60% of their excess weight, which is slightly less than would typically be seen in other forms of gastric bypass surgery.

Although there are many advantages to lap band surgery it is not without its problems, including such things as a malfunction or slippage of the band, problems with the adjustment port, erosion of the band into the wall of the stomach and infection. Perhaps its biggest problem for many patients though is the fact that weight loss tends to be fairly slow and, of all the procedures performed today, lap band surgery requires the greatest effort on the part of the patient in order to lose weight and to maintain that weight loss.

Although lap band surgery is certainly a very popular option, it is not for everybody and patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery need to be disciplined when it comes to following a strict diet and, ideally, should be prepared to undergo and enjoy an exercise program.

For more information on the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure, and on gastric bypass surgery in general, please visit http://www.gastricbypassfacts.info/

Lap Band - Seven Crucial Facts You Need to Know

2007-02-28T22:10:00.000-08:00

Myth 1: Lap Band Surgery is an easy way to lose weight
People tend to view Lap Band as an easy solution for a lifetime weight problem. Instead it should be viewed as a commitment one makes to change their life for the better. It is for people who have tried diets and exercise yet nothing seems to help. It might be a difficult life change, but it is worth it because it is the safe way for overweight individuals to successfully lose the pounds.

Myth 2: The surgery prevents proper nutrition
Not true. Many doctors will prescribe vitamins and supplements to take after the surgery in order to help the recovery process. Individuals can still get proper nutrition, but since the stomach is restricted, you must change the way your body was accustomed to getting daily vitamins and minerals.

Myth 3: Even if you lose the weight, you will gain it back
The secret is making a lifelong commitment. If you make the commitment to lose the weight and change old eating habits, you will of course lose the weight. If you continue to eat like you used to, then your chances of losing a large amount of weight decreases.

Myth 4: The surgery results in unhealthy rapid weight loss
Weight loss does not occur overnight, that just would not be healthy. You will lose about 2-3 pounds a week, if you follow a doctor's eating and exercise plan. And of course it will depend on your starting weight and your weight loss goals.

Myth 5: You will have to eat only a liquid diet
You won't be on a liquid diet forever that is only during the recovery process after surgery. Of course you shouldn't continue to eat the supersized fast food meals like before, but you can eat solid foods. The idea is to eat smaller portioned meals, three times a day because the smaller amount will still give you a full feeling.

Myth 6: The follow-up care is not important
The follow-up care is the most important part because changing your eating habits and old lifestyle is what leads to healthy weight loss. If you really care about losing weight, then the follow-up care will be a breeze.

Myth 7: You can lose the weight without a drastic lifestyle change
If you are drastically overweight, then your lifestyle probably wasn’t so healthy before. Of course you have to change your lifestyle if you want to change your body. Losing a large amount of weight is no easy task, but with a positive attitude and a commitment to change your life for the better, weight loss is an attainable goal.

Dr. Wade Barker, the premier Dallas Lap Band surgeon, has performed over 1100 Gastric Bypass surgeries and Lap Band surgeries in Dallas. He hopes to educate the greater public about the Lap Band procedure as well as healthy lifestyle techniques. For more information, check out http://www.wbarkermd.com.

Personal Space: Life After Lap-Band Surgery

2007-02-19T14:06:00.000-08:00

Have I become invisible or are people just aiming right at me? It seems to me that in a crowd these days, whether at the grocery store or 5th Avenue in New York City, people will walk right into me if I don’t step out of the way. Or they stand so close to me I have to step backward in order to breathe.

Now, I have never felt that I have such a small area of personal space. A busy street or mall never bothered me. I could walk through the crowd at a museum or a concert without being trampled. Only since losing 110 pounds have I begun to notice how the shrinking personal space has begun to bother me.

When I weighed 277 pounds I always felt emotionally invisible; that no one truly saw me or knew I was there. But while I felt emotionally invisible, I knew I was always physically there. I didn’t get bumped into, people didn’t stand so close to me that I felt the need to step away in order to maintain personal space. In the mall or on a San Francisco street, people gave me a wide berth. Bus passengers would hesitate before sitting down next to me judging just how much space they would have for their ride home.

When a thin person sees a fat person, regardless if the fat person is attractive or not, a bit of uneasiness runs through the thin person; “If I wasn’t working out everyday that could be me.” “Thank goodness I don’t look like that.” “Ok, salad again for lunch.”

According to ABC News, the American public spends $33 billion on the ever elusive quest for non-fatness. The billions are spent on fat-free products, exercise equipment, gym memberships, and weight loss programs. Spent on anything and everything not to become that fat person they see on the bus. So it is no surprise that when the one thing they work so hard to avoid is right in front of them they steer clear of it.

As a newly thin person I see the overweight person. I wish I could stop them and tell them how I did it-- that I was once overweight and have broken free.

But I can’t. So instead I make eye contact. I smile. I sit next to them on the bus without hesitation.

But it is a different life I am in now. Today I feel like I am physically invisible when walking those crowded streets, and that people are going to literally walk right into me if I don’t step out of the way. I feel like they no longer see me; or maybe they are just no longer ill at ease. Maybe I am now like everyone else and I need to get the hell out of the way if I don’t want to get run over.

Robin McCoy was banded on February 3, 2004. She has reached her weight loss goal of 110 pounds. Robin is Vice-President and Senior Writer for Lapband Lifestyle, a resource and support group for LapBand patients.

http://www.lapbandlifestyle.com/robin@lapbandlifestyle.com

Gastric Bypass and Lap-Band: Two Solutions to Morbid Obesity

2007-02-13T23:20:00.000-08:00

Donna Lambert is a 31 year old school teacher living in Columbus, OH. All her life she had struggled with weight, and her life for the past ten years had revolved around the daily struggle. “I would try some new program or diet, lose 5 or 10 pounds during a month, then watch them come back with maybe an extra 2 or 3 as a bonus.” Donna was one of the approximately 9 million adult Americans who are morbidly obese (bmi of 40 or higher). If all of these were placed in one state, it would be the 12th most populous in the country. It affected every area of her life, and like many others she spent a fortune giving to the thriving (and for the most part useless) weight-loss industry.

It has only been in the last couple of decades that surgical solutions have been created for the treatment of morbid obesity which are safe enough to make it common practice. The two most common procedures are laparoscopic gastric bypass and the lap-band procedure. Both procedures have pros and cons, and Donna weighed her options carefully before deciding to have the gastric bypass surgery. “I knew the risks were a lot higher and that it would take longer for me to get back to work, but the success rate is a lot higher and I didn’t want to have to keep going back under the knife for readjustments.” Indeed, the average weight lost in the two years after gastric bypass is 75% to 80% of excess weight, versus 50% in the lap-band procedure. After consulting with her doctor over her best options, Donna had the gastric bypass surgery in June of 2005. She spent two day in the hospital following surgery for observation and by the beginning of the next school year was back in front of her elementary class.

There will probably be more than 150,000 gastric bypass surgeries and nearly as many lap-band procedures done in the U.S. this year. It is a last resort, and can only be done when the patient’s bmi (body/mass index) is about 40, which qualifies as morbidly obese. For people like Donna, it is a solution she is thankful for when all else has failed. “Weight is no longer a consuming issue in my life. It is no longer the first thing someone notices about me, and is no longer a wall between me and a life. I have never regretted having the surgery, and will always be thankful it was there.”

For many weighing their options between the two procedures, the deciding factor is insurance coverage. Most health insurance plans will now cover gastric bypass when it is a factor in other health problems. This is usually the case with morbid obesity, which is a known cause of such problems as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The lap-band procedure, however, is rarely covered by health insurance companies. It is a reversible procedure, and its success rate is a little lower.

A year or two down the road of weight-loss another concern often pops up after having gastric bypass surgery. Due to the rapid weight-loss, the recipient of surgery is often left with excessive loose skin and often desires cosmetic surgery in order to correct this. This is the case with Donna Lambert, who has nearly arrived at her target weight of 129. “ I am looking at $14,000 to $25,000 worth of cosmetic surgery. It will be well worth the money, though.” Donna has had no major complications since her surgery, and is living a healthy, happy life in Columbus.

More information and a support forum can be found at http://www.weightloss-surgerysupport.com/.
Mike and Crystal Watson live in Arlington, TX. Among their websites is http://www.weightloss-surgerysupport.com/, a support forum for those who have had or are considering weight-loss surgery.

Gastric Banding Surgery - The Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

2006-12-27T16:57:00.000-08:00

The use of staples to section off part of the stomach and create a smaller stomach to facilitate weight loss was born out of the experience of the Russians who developed a number of instruments to staple various parts of the body as a quick method of dealing with casualties during the Second World War. American surgical instrument manufacturers then adapted and refined the instruments used by the Russians to create many of the surgical stapling instruments that are used today.

One of the earliest forms of stomach stapling was referred to as a horizontal gastroplasty and involved the use of a straight stapler fired horizontally across the top of the stomach. In this case a number of staples were removed from the instrument before firing to create a gap in the line of staples and thus a small whole between the newly formed small top section of the stomach and the main stomach cavity, which restricted the passage of food through the digestive system. This unfortunately proved unsuccessful as over time the stomach wall stretched and the small hole quickly became a large hole through which food could pass with ease.

A number of attempts were made to find a way of solving this problem but none were successful until 1982 when Dr Mason, who was then the Professor of Surgery at the University of Iowa, noted that one section of the stomach wall along the line of least curvature was thicker than other parts of the wall and was less likely to stretch. He therefore created a very small stomach pouch by placing a vertical line of staples along this section of the stomach wall to create a vertical sleeve. He then placed a polypropylene band around the base of the sleeve to provide a permanent and fixed opening (stoma) between the newly created stomach pouch and the remaining bulk of the stomach.

Dr Mason's vertical banded gastroplasty is still commonly used today, although many surgeons have now replaced the polypropylene band with a silicone ring to control the opening between the stomach sections. As a purely restrictive form of weight loss surgery it remains popular because it avoids many of the nutritional problems which are so often associated with malabsorption techniques or combined surgery such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass which, incidentally, was also developed by Dr Mason working with a colleague (Dr Ito) in 1967.

Vertical banded gastroplasty is essentially an open form of surgery although a small but growing number of surgeons with experience of minimally invasive surgery are now undertaking this procedure laparoscopically.

For further information on gastric banding surgery please visit Gastric Bypass Facts today

Weight loss Program - Burn the Fat, feed the muscles

Learning More About Gastric Bypass Surgery And The Laparoscopic Gastric Band

2006-11-25T23:02:00.000-08:00

For many people losing weight is not simply a casual struggle but is a lifelong battle against those unwanted pounds. If you have struggled to lose weight you will know only too well how disheartening the process can be. You try one diet after another, counting every calorie and depriving yourself of all your favorite foods. You join a slimming group to benefit from the help and support of others and even join your local health club, but all to no avail. Perhaps your diet and exercise program works for a while but, as soon as you ease off, the weight comes back and before you know where you are you're into a cycle of coming on and off diets several times a year.

Today, more and more people in just this situation are beginning to learn about gastric bypass surgery and, in particular, new techniques such as laparoscopic gastric band surgery.
As the number of people who are not simply overweight but are obese grows gastric bypass surgery is becoming increasingly popular, as it provides a fast and, with the patient's help, permanent solution to the problem of extreme weight loss. Now, if you're not familiar with the term gastric bypass then learning more about gastric bypass surgery is easier than ever as more and more people are turning to surgical intervention for extreme weight loss and information is now readily available on every aspect of surgical weight loss.

Gastric bypass surgery is a process by which a surgeon creates a new compact version of your stomach designed to restrict the amount of food that you can eat. At the same time, in some types of gastric bypass surgery, part of the small intestine is also bypassed so that you are restricted in the number of calories that you can absorb from the now limited quantity of food that you are able to eat. Surgery has also advanced considerably in recent years and many forms of weight loss surgery, including the laparoscopic gastric band procedure, are designed to be minimally invasive reducing the risks of surgery and recovery times considerably.
Although there are some risks involved with gastric bypass surgery, there are also many benefits in addition to the obvious benefit of losing weight. For example, many patients find that their quality of sleep is improved considerably and those with diabetes find that the condition is very much improved, if not indeed cured. Yet others find an additional benefit in the reduction of high blood pressure and other heart and circulatory problems.

If you are severely overweight then it is important to educate yourself on both the benefits and risks of gastric bypass surgery so that you can decide whether or not this particular route might provide the answer to your weight loss problem. If you think that it might just be the answer, then discuss it with your doctor and see what he says.

Visit GastricBypassFacts.info for more information about laparoscopic gastric band surgery and other aspects of weight loss surgery.

Alternative Weight Loss

Bariatric Lap Band - A Popular Choice But Do You Need Bariatric Surgery?

2006-11-22T11:31:00.000-08:00

Have you thought about whether bariatric surgery might be the answer to your weight problem, or to that of a loved one?

Bariatric surgery is more commonly referred to as weight loss or gastric bypass surgery and essentially changes the structure of your stomach, and sometimes your entire digestive system, to limit the amount of food that you can eat and digest.

Although surgery offers a quick and immediate solution to the problem of losing weight, it is far from a simple process and, apart from the fact that not everyone will qualify for surgery, bariatric surgery, even in relatively limited format such as bariatric lap band surgery, is certainly not the best solution for everyone.

The fact that you are overweight, or even obese, is not enough of a reason to qualify you for bariatric surgery and you will certainly be required to start out by trying a healthy and balanced diet combined with a structured exercise program before you will be considered for any form of weight loss surgery.

So, assuming that you have tried traditional diet and exercise without success, how do you qualify for surgery? You may be considered a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery if you are not simply quite a bit overweight but are severely or morbidly obese. This usually means that you have a Body Mass Index, or BMI, in excess of 40 or between 35 and 40 and have one or more related health problems (often referred to as co-morbid conditions) such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Body Mass Index is calculated based upon a person's height and weight and, in very general terms, a BMI of 40 means that you will be at least 100 pounds overweight if you are a man and 60 pounds overweight if you are a woman.

Assuming that you qualify as a suitable candidate, the next thing that you need to consider is the fact that bariatric surgery, even in minimally invasive forms like bariatric lap band surgery, carries risks and will also result in the need for considerable changes to your lifestyle, which can be very psychologically challenging.

The implications of undergoing surgery need to be fully researched and understood before any decision to undergo bariatric surgery is taken and the starting point of course should be to discuss the possibility with your doctor.

Please visit GastricBypassFacts.info for more information about bariatric lap band surgery or
for further information about many of the issues surrounding gastric bypass surgery.

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Lap Band Surgery - Get A Second Opinion Before You Decide

2006-11-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

Many people are aware of the dramatic change that lap band surgery, and other forms of weight loss surgery, can have on an individual's quality of life and the fact that, in many cases, it can quite literally save lives. Morbid obesity is being seen increasingly today in the West, in particular in the United States, and some of the success stories seen in the media are truly amazing.

However, if your doctor tells you that lap band surgery, or another form of weight loss surgery, is your best choice you should discuss this in detail with him and then – get a second opinion.
Now this might seem like an odd thing to say but, while weight loss surgery can certainly be extremely effective, it is by no means an easy option and is not something to be undertaken lightly. More importantly, it is not something that you should embark upon without having as much information as you can gather to hand and, while gaining that information from one doctor is a start, it is always advisable to get additional information and another view from an independent doctor.

While weight loss surgery changes lives in great ways, it also brings with it a huge change in lifestyle. Surgery will severely limit what you can eat and how much you can eat and there will be a number of side effects that are far from glamorous, such as having to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the remainder of your life and the fact that you can easily make yourself sick. One doctor may well give you an extensive overview but may not cover everything that you need to know and may also have his own particular view of weight loss surgery which may color his opinion. In most cases you will find that a second doctor will agree with the first but, in some cases, this will not be so.

A second opinion before embarking on weight loss surgery is simply a good idea to ensure that you have the information that you need upon which to base your decision and to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for surgery. If both doctors agree then you will probably do well and make the necessary lifestyle changes without too much difficulty.

Lap band surgery, or any other form of weight loss surgery, is serious business and anybody considering this option should get at least a second opinion before deciding to proceed.
Visit GastricBypassFacts.info for further lap band surgery information and other details on gastric bypass surgery

Alternative Weight Loss

If You Are Considering Lap Band Bariatric Surgery Then You Need To Find A Good Surgeon

2006-11-16T01:15:00.000-08:00

If you study the statistics for lap band bariatric surgery the one thing that will perhaps surprise you more than anything else is the wide variety in success rates for different surgeons. This really is one area where "practice makes perfect" and surgeons with greater experience encounter far fewer problems during surgery and far less by the way of post-operative complications.

One of the best ways to locate a doctor with experience in lap band bariatric surgery is to contact the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. The Society was formed in 1983 to help support surgeons in this particular field and aims to establish a center of excellence amongst its members.

When considering a particular surgeon you need to do your homework. You need first to know that your surgeon holds the necessary qualifications from an accredited medical school and that he has an excellent set of references which he is happy for you to see. He should also be prepared to review your case with you in detail and should be happy to discuss the advantages, disadvantages and risks with you without glossing over the subject.

There are always risks involved in any surgery and a good surgeon will not only face squarely up to this fact but will also have a detailed plan of exactly how he would intend to deal with any problem that arises.

A good surgeon should also be concerned not only with the immediate prospect of surgery but with your ongoing care not just for weeks but for years after surgery. This means that he will have a strong follow-up program in existence and will be more than happy for you to speak to patients about their particular experience. This is not only an excellent preparation for your own surgery but also acts as yet another reference for the surgeon.

In essence there are three things to look for when choosing a surgeon.

First, he should hold qualifications in the field of bariatric surgery from an accredited medical school.

Second, he should have considerable and demonstrable experience of working in the field. Demonstrable here means the ability to demonstrate to you that he knows what he is doing through a thorough and detail review of your own case and by "showcasing" his work through his existing follow-up patients.

Third, he should be recognized for his work by other professionals in the field of bariatric surgery. Recognition by one's peers is very important and can often be taken as an excellent form of reference.

Please see GastricBypassFacts.info for more information about lap band bariatric surgery or indeed for information about gastric bypass surgery in general.

Alternative Weight Loss

Lap Band Success Rate

2006-11-10T17:08:00.000-08:00

Lap band weight loss surgery has been performed internationally since its introduction in the mid 1990s and, in many countries, it has now become very much the preferred method of weight loss surgery. It was not however licensed for use in the United States until June 2001 and it is only now that sufficient statistics are becoming available to allow us to assess just how good a treatment it is for those seeking a solution to morbid obesity.

At this early stage the lap band success rate is looking pretty good, which is excellent news for the 15 million Americans who are now classed as being severely obese. Weight loss achieved using lap band surgery compares favorably with other forms of surgery and there are also fewer complications, both during and after surgery, with those complications that do occur proving less serious than in other forms of weight loss surgery. Lap band success is also being seen in the terms of the reduction of associated (co-morbid) conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension.

On average patients are spending less time in hospital with an overnight stay for lap band surgery compared to a stay of 2 to 3 days for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y surgery and 3 to 4 days for the open Roux-en-Y procedure. In addition, recovery time is much improved with lap band patients resuming their normal activities within about a week compared to 2 to 3 weeks for Roux-en-Y patients.

As a purely restrictive form of surgery, early post-operative weight loss for lap band patients is less dramatic than that seen in open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y patients but is nonetheless still impressive with patients achieving similar weight loss in the longer term.

In one early study involving 271 US patients undergoing lap band surgery the average weight loss achieved 3 years after surgery was 47% of excess body weight, while a second US study of 63 patients showed an excess weight loss of 53%. Several studies involving larger groups of patients from both Italy and Australia over a similar 3 year period show excess weigh loss ranging from 49% to as high as 68%.

In most cases of weight loss surgery attention tends to be focused on weight loss when assessing just how successful a procedure is and it is easy to think that an operation which produces a 50% weight loss must be more successful than one that produces a 45% weight loss. In reality of course both can be equally successful as the true question is whether or not patients lose sufficient weight to meet their expectations and see an overall improvement in their general health, life expectancy and quality of life. Lap band success therefore needs to be measured in terms of the overall package of benefits that it delivers to its patients.

Of all the surgical options available today lap band surgery is the least invasive and involves the shortest period of hospitalization and fastest recovery. It is also the only adjustable form of surgery currently available and is the easiest form of surgery to reverse. Perhaps most importantly, it avoids many of the problems associated with stomach stapling and re-routing of the intestinal tract which makes it very much safer than other forms of weight loss surgery.
It is still early days of course and time will tell but, if early lap band success is anything to go by, it would seem safe to say that lap band weight loss surgery is set to follow the pattern seen internationally and it may well soon become the preferred option in the United States.
For further information about lap band success please visit Gastric Bypass Facts today

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The Risks Of Gastric Lap Band Surgery

2006-11-07T00:11:00.000-08:00

Weight loss surgery has advanced considerably in the past 50 years and modern forms of surgery such as gastric lap band surgery are certainly a lot safer and carry far fewer complications than early forms of open gastric bypass surgery. Nevertheless, there are risks and these should be fully discussed with your surgeon before embarking on surgery.

Gastric lap band surgery carries a number of risks which are specific to this form of surgery but it also carries the same risks that come will all major surgeries. In addition, there are a number of general risks which accompany any surgery involving patients who are overweight.

The first and most serious risk is that of death occurring either during surgery or shortly after and directly related to surgery. At this early stage (gastric lap band surgery has been around for some 12 years now but has only been licensed for use in the United States since 2001) very few deaths have been reported and it is difficult to give a figure, although it is generally held that the risk of death from gastric lap band surgery is less than 1%.

It is interesting to note that in one study in Australia no deaths at all were reported amongst a group of 2700 patients who have undergone laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery since 1994. It should be said however that Australia has been in the forefront of pioneering the use of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band and that over 90% of all weight loss surgeries conducted in Australia now use this method. This is significant as, in interpreting data from this study, it should be borne in mind that the experience of the surgeon is a very significant factor in terms of both risk and complication. Surgeons with considerable experience of this technique (having performed at least 100 procedures) show a very much higher success rate.

Many of the risks during surgery are general rather than "lap band" specific and are common surgical risks associated with such things as your age, weight, reaction to anesthesia and the presence of disease (whether or not this is directly related to your weight problem). The main "lap band" specific risk during surgery is that of gastric perforation (a tear in the wall of the stomach) which occurs in about 1% of cases.

The vast majority of complications will occur following gastric lap band surgery and most patients (in one US study the figure was as high as 88%) will experience some form of complication in the weeks and months following surgery. Such complications will not necessarily be serious and will range from mild to severe.

Approximately half of all patients will suffer varying degrees of nausea and vomiting and in the region of one-third of patients will also suffer from regurgitation (gastroesophageal reflux). About a quarter of patients will experience a slippage of the band and about one patient in seven will experience a blockage of the passage between the two sections of the stomach.

Other moderate to severe problems following gastric lap band surgery can include erosion of the band into the stomach and twisting or leakage of the access port. Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), constipation and diarrhea are also quite common.

In a very small number of patients (less than 1%) a whole series of non-series complications may arise including (but not limited to) inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), migration of the stomach above the diaphragm (hiatal hernia), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), dehydration, abdominal pain, gas (flatulence), chest pain and infection.

In general gastric lap band surgery, particularly when performed laparoscopically, carries fewer risks and complications than other forms of weight loss surgery, but these risks are nonetheless significant and should be fully discussed with your surgeon and understood before any decision is taken to undergo surgery.
For more information on gastric lap band surgery please visit Gastric Bypass Facts

The Risks Of Gastric Lap Band Surgery

Lap Band Weight Loss Surgery

2006-11-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

Lap-band adjustable gastric banding is the latest entrant (approved by the FDA in 2001) in the sphere of surgical treatment of morbid obesity. This procedure induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach that causes lesser intake of food.

The procedure involves implanting an inflatable silicone band into the abdomen of the patient. This creates a new, small stomach pouch that controls the amount of food the person can consume. This also created an outlet between the rest of the stomach and intestines, which is narrow and leads to longer retention of food in the stomach. The process therefore brings about a feeling of fullness that is retained for a long time due to slow emptying of the stomach pouch. This leads to significant weight loss.

The process is usually done by laparoscopy; thus, the pain involved is minimal compared to other methods of surgical treatment. Laparoscopy, which involves minimum invasion, also leads to quicker recovery. The band's diameter is adjustable and can be tightened or loosened according to individual needs. The diameter of the band can be adjusted by inflation with a saline solution. The band is connected to a reservoir (placed under the skin) of saline solution by tubing. The surgeon can easily reach this reservoir by using a needle and adjust the diameter of the band by either increasing or reducing the amount of solution in the reservoir. This surgery has an edge over other surgeries as it does not involve any cutting/stapling of the stomach and can also be adjusted to patients need after surgery without any operation. Likewise, patients requiring more nutrition, for example, during pregnancy can have their bands loosened while patients not adequately benefiting can have their bands tightened. As of now, the lap band process is the only adjustable surgical treatment available in the US.

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Lap Band Weight Loss Surgery

Lap Band Surgery Explained

2006-11-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

Lap Band surgery (also known as obesity surgery, laparoscopic banding, bariatric surgery, gastric banding) has emerged as a safe and viable option, with over 180,000 of the procedures having been performed worldwide.

This surgery, for morbid obesity, as been around for over 50 years - starting with jejunoileal bypass (a malabsorptive procedure) in the 1950s, followed by gastric bypass (malabsorptive-restrictive procedure) in the 1960s, and over the last 10 years gastric banding has been performed using a laparoscopic technique.

The Lap Band is a restrictive procedure which is less invasive than normal surgery. During the procedure surgeons implant an inflatable silicone band into the patient's abdomen. The band is placed around the upper stomach, which takes away the appetite of the person and helps them overcome their struggle with hunger. The procedure is adjustable, reversible and does not involve any cutting of the stomach, stapling or gastric bypass.

By creating a smaller gastric pouch the Lap Band limits the amount of food that the stomach can hold at any time. The inflatable ring controls the flow of food from this smaller pouch to the rest of the digestive tract. The person will feel comfortably full with a small amount of food and will continue to feel full for several hours - reducing the urge to eat between meals.

As there is no cutting, stapling or stomach re-routing involved in with the Lap Band procedure, it is considered to be the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries. The surgery also offers the advantages of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay and quicker recovery. If for any reason the Lap Band needs to be removed - it can be and the stomach usually returns to its original shape.

The Lap Band is an adjustable treatment - meaning that adjustments can be made after surgery - to suit individual requirements. The diameter of the band can be adjusted for individual weight-loss rates - as needs change. Should an individual become pregnant they could expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, just as other individuals who are experiencing slow weight loss can have their bands tightened. This can be undertaken as an outpatient procedure by injection or withdrawal of saline.

Prior to undertaking Lap Band Surgery they would be a preoperative screening consisting of complete blood tests, imaging studies, a gastroscopy and consultations with various specialists.
The cost of Lap Band Surgery varies - depending on which state you live in - varying between $17,000–$30,000.

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Lap Band Surgery Explained

Are You A Suitable Candidate For Gastric Lap Banding?

2006-10-30T22:08:00.000-08:00

Are You A Suitable Candidate For Gastric Lap Banding?

There are several different types of weight loss surgery available today including the relatively new procedure of gastric lap banding which is growing in popularity and is fast becoming the preferred choice for many morbidly obese individuals. But are you a suitable candidate for gastric lap banding?

In answering this question we will start by assuming that you are a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery in general and that your only concern therefore is whether or not you should consider lap banding. In very simple terms this means that you are over the age of 18, are morbidly obese with a body mass index (BMI) in excess of 40 (or in excess of 35 with one or more co-morbid conditions) and that you have already tried traditional weight loss methods (including possible drug treatment) without success.

It is often assumed that individuals facing weight loss surgery are simply overweight and it is easy to forget that people who are severely overweight are often suffering from a variety of other conditions, many of which arise out of the fact that they are overweight. It is these other conditions that often present an obstacle when it comes to choosing between different surgical options.

As gastric lap banding is a form of restrictive surgery in which the stomach is physically restricted in size to limit the quantity of food that can pass through the stomach and digestive system, it follows that this form of surgery is unlikely to be suitable if your esophagus, stomach or intestine are abnormal. Such abnormality may be either congenital or acquired and a common problem seen is a narrowing at one or more points along the digestive tract.
Problems within the esophagus or stomach which may result in bleeding (such as esophageal or gastric varices – a dilated vein) would also rule out gastric lap banding, as will difficulties at the site where the band is to be placed around the stomach, such as an injury, scarring or gastric perforation.

Problems may also arise if you suffer from any form of inflammation or inflammatory disease within the gastrointestinal tract like ulcers, esophagitis or Crohn's disease.

Finally, gastric lap banding is not suitable for pregnant women or where pregnancy is contemplated. Should pregnancy occur after gastric lap banding surgery the band can be deflated to allow for an increased nutritional requirement but, where loosening the band is not in itself sufficient, the band may need to be removed
.
One benefit of the gastric lap banding system is that the procedure is reversible and, should it prove necessary, the band can be removed returning the stomach to its original state. This can however also be a disadvantage of the system. Motivation is key to any form of weight loss surgery but becomes a particular issue in the case of gastric lap banding. If there is any doubt about your determination to succeed then this form of surgery may not be a good option for you.
To find out more about gastric lap banding please visit Gastric Bypass Facts

How to Successfully Recover from Lap Band Procedure

2006-10-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

Lap band procedure is considered to be a minimally invasive procedure. This makes the recovery phase easier and less troublesome for patients. But they should still anticipate some side effects while recuperating from the lap band procedure.
Doctors who carry out lap band surgeries often lay emphasis on that these surgeries are not “quick fixes”. The patients do need recovery time and they do have to work hard after the surgery. The operation cannot work alone.
When the anesthesia has disappeared, the patient will sense some soreness in the abdominal area. The soreness can simply be relieved by taking painkillers. It’s important that the patient get out of bed and start walking. This is done to prevent respiratory problems or blood clot formations. X-rays are normally used to check that the lap band is in the right place.
Patients usually spend less than 24 hours in the hospital. It takes most patients about a week to return to work and after a couple of weeks return to normal activities. During these weeks, it is very crucial to follow the surgery guidelines for a quick recovery. After having weight loss surgery it is important that patients modify their eating habits. This is done to allow the stomach to entirely heal in the correct position.
Often it is recommended that patients meet both a dietitian and a therapist. A dietitian can suggest eating changes that will gradually improve the weight loss. It is frequently beneficial for weight loss patients to get into contact with a therapist as losing a large amount of weight can be demanding both physically and mentally. A number of patients experience euphoric feelings at losing weight, but others may become very unhappy or are getting ambiguous feelings.
During the first fortnight after this type of weight loss surgery, it is very important to care for the stomach as much as achievable. And that is the reason that patients are only able to eat and drink only thin fluids. Only a couple of ounces of lean protein are permitted each day and only one to two servings of fresh fruits are suggested. Additionally, foods that are in most instances off limits include cakes, chips, syrups, honey, cookies, pies, and pastries. Foods that can cause blockage after operation include rice, shrimp, pasta, seeded fruits, dried fruit, peanut butter, nuts and vegetables. Foods must be chewed thoroughly and liquids should never be taken with meals.
After the lap band operation there are demanding dietary guidelines for a minimum of five weeks that must be obeyed. After this period, patients should normally expect to add foods to their diet, but there are still limitations. Most patients need to eat several very small meals and should consistently eliminate certain foods.
Working out is recommended after the lap band procedure as it can assist weight loss and help the patient to gain muscle mass. It is recommended that the patients exercise about thirty minutes each day following surgery. This does not always have to be very exhausting exercise. An ordinary form could be enough. Patients should initially begin slowly and work up to more involved forms of exercise.

http://www.lapbandgastricsurgery.com/ provides information about the lap band procedure and cost of lap band surgery - between $ 15,000 and $30,000. But there are also alternatives for only $ 8,000. Normally this will include pre-op consultations, hospital fees, and post-operative follow up care.

How to Successfully Recover from Lap Band Procedure

Lap Band Surgery To Cure Morbid Obesity

2006-10-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

Lap Band Surgery To Cure Morbid Obesity

Although the term lap band is commonly used today when talking about gastric banding surgery, LAP-BAND® is in fact the registered trade-mark for just one form of gastric band developed by an American company and approved in 2001 by the FDA for use in the United States.
Gastric banding, which is a type of purely restrictive weight loss surgery (that is to say that it works solely by restricting the quantity of food which can be consumed), includes both vertical banded gastroplasty and adjustable gastric banding. In the case of lap band surgery we are looking only at adjustable gastric banding.
The lap band system comprised a silicone ring with an inflatable inner lining which is designed to be placed around the upper section of the stomach. The band is then connected by a length of tubing to an access port which is placed just below the surface of the skin during surgery.
The placement of the band high up on the stomach creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach to hold food, with the bulk of the stomach now being below the band. The placement of the band also creates a very small opening, or stoma, between the two sections of the stomach and the size of this opening can be controlled by introducing liquid (normally saline) into, or removing liquid from, the inflatable inner ring of the band through the access port.
During lap band surgery the inner band is normally only given a very minimal inflation producing a relatively large opening between the two sections of stomach. Although the term relative is used here it should be noted that the newly created small stomach pouch and the opening between the sections of the stomach are in reality both very small.
In the period immediately following lap band surgery, the inner ring will be gradually inflated until a point is reached at which weight loss is optimized and the patient is comfortable with the size and frequency of meals that he/she can eat.
Restrictive forms of weight loss surgery are generally easier to perform than other procedures and lap band surgery is often performed laparoscopically which results in a reasonably short stay in hospital and a fairly fast post-operative recovery. This type of surgery also avoids many of the nutritional problems seen in malabsorption surgery (gastric bypass surgery in which food is re-routed through part of the small intestine). Finally, lap band surgery is totally reversible and removal of the band will result in the stomach returning to its normal size.
For more information on lap band surgery please visit Gastric Bypass Facts today