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What is the LAP-BAND system?
Rockland MD is now offering Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND® System). But just what is this procedure?
It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing an adjustable band around your stomach to make it smaller, so you eat less, safely lose weight and keep it off.
How does it work?
During the laparoscopic* procedure, the surgeon places an inflatable silicone ring around the upper part of your stomach. The newly created small upper stomach pouch limits the amount of food you can eat, and the narrowed stomach outlet increases the time it takes for your stomach to digest the food and empty. You feel full sooner, and stay full longer.
The band is adjustable, so it keeps your stomach the exact size you need to lose the optimum amount of weight at a healthy rate. An access port beneath your skin allows the surgeon to adjust the tightness of the band as needed by adding or removing saline.
*The laparoscopic procedure allows performing minor or major surgery using miniaturized surgical instruments.
How is the band adjusted?
The first adjustment is usually about 4-6 weeks after surgery; your physician will let you know exactly when you need to come in. Each adjustment is a simple procedure that’s performed without surgery during an office visit.
A thin needle is used to inject or withdraw saline from the band via the access port. The surgeon will take into account how much weight you have lost, the amount of food you can comfortably eat, your exercise routine, and the amount of fluid already in your band before determining if you need an adjustment.
What are the advantages of the LAP-BAND system?
Minimal trauma. The LAP-BAND® System is the least invasive surgical option for weight loss. There’s no cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel, and the laparoscopic technique means less pain, a shorter recovery time and minimal scarring.
Adjustability. Tightening or loosening the band ensures the right degree of restriction to achieve healthy, long-term weight loss. Should you become pregnant or ill, the band can be loosened to accommodate your nutritional requirements, then tightened again after you’ve given birth or recovered from your illness so you can easily get back on the road to weight loss.
Reversibility. Although the band is intended to be permanent, it can be removed if needed, and your stomach will return to its original form and function.
Am I a candidate for LAP-BAND surgery?
The LAP-BAND System is designed for people who are seriously overweight and have tried many times to lose weight without long-term success. It is not for someone looking to lose 20 or 30 pounds. Only people with a BMI* of 35 or more or who are at least 45 kilograms overweight should consider weight-loss surgery as a viable option.
*BMI is an anthropometric measure of body mass, defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. You simply have to take your weight (kg) and divide it by your height (in meters) and then divide the result by your height (in meters) again. For example: if you weigh 142kg, and you are 1.75m tall, your BMI is 46.
Before proceeding with surgery, the medical team of RocklandMD will do a thorough assessment to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Are there any risks?
All surgeries carry the possibility of risks and complications, most commonly bleeding and infection. Obese patients are also at higher risk during surgery.
During the procedure, there is a very small potential for injury of the stomach, oesophagus, liver or spleen or major blood loss. If this were to occur, which it rarely does, the surgeons may require moving from laparoscopic surgery to the conventional open approach. Heart, liver or kidney disease can increase the risks of the surgery.
Your surgeon will discuss those risks with you as part of your assessment.
RocklandMD's commitment
At Rockland MD, we understand that obesity is not the result of a lack of willpower: it’s a disease that requires treatment combined with compassionate care. Our integrated approach for the treatment of obesity combines a thorough assessment, the LAP-BAND® System procedure, and a comprehensive aftercare program. Our highly-qualified doctors and dedicated staff will never be critical or judgmental. They will do their best to make you feel comfortable, and will treat you with the utmost care and respect throughout the process
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The medical team of RocklandMD is always there to help and guide you.
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