Lap Band Surgery

Lap Band Surgery is a weight-loss procedure where a prosthetic band is placed around the upper stomach, creating a small pouch that limits the amount of food the patient desires to eat. The procedure is performed with laparoscopic instruments, meaning the surgery is minimally invasive with relatively insignificant recovery times.

The Lap Band "Adjustable Gastric Banding System" is the newest and the only Adjustable and Reversible surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States, It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed.

The LAP-BAND® System is a surgically implanted device used to help a person lose weight. If you are considering weight loss surgery and want to know more about the LAP-BAND® procedure, review the following quick facts and stats.

The Lap Band "Adjustable Gastric Banding System" is the newest and the only Adjustable and Reversible Laparoscopic Surgery Solution for morbid obesity in the United States, It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed.

• Minimally invasive
• Reduced surgical trauma and pain
• Fully reversible
• Average operating time for LAPBAND® Surgery:45 minutes

 

 

 

 

Technique

We perform the Lap Band procedure through several small incisions with the aid of a fiberoptic camera and specialized instruments. This minimizes post-operative pain and recovery. During the surgery, we place an adjustable gastric band around the top part of the stomach to create a small (20cc) gastric pouch without cutting the intestines. A small
section of tubing connects the band to the adjusting port that we place under the skin in the abdominal wall allowing easy access for adjustments in the office. The inner lining of the
band is a balloon that we fill with saline to narrow the stomach opening, thus limiting the
amount of food that can pass.

We add saline via the access port with a needle and syringe.

We hide the port beneath the skin so it will not limit your activity level. Adjustments involve
placing a needle into the port and adding or withdrawing saline. This allows patients to
have an individualized weight loss program, which we customize to their situation. Patients
say the adjustments are minimally painful. The schedule of adjustments varies with each
patient. Typically, we do the first adjustment six weeks after surgery and as needed after
that so you get full on small amounts of food and lose about 1-2 pounds per week.

Weight loss occurs because small amounts of food make you feel full. It also decreases
the background hunger that is so typical of dieting. Patients say they lose their obsession
with food and are satisfied with smaller meals. The Lap Band stays in forever. It does not
have to be removed.