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Facts about the LAP-BAND® System for Weight Loss
The LAP-BAND System is the only adjustable and completely reversible weight-loss surgery available in the United States today.
As you research your options about surgical weight-loss procedures, we want to emphasize that your comfort is of utmost importance to us. That’s why everything in our JourneyLiteSM surgical center is designed specifically with your needs in mind. From roomier gowns to wider hallways, chairs without arms, restrooms with handicap railings for support and ease of movement, and a soothing environment – it’s all designed to make sure that your comfort is always put first.
At JourneyLite, the surgeons who practice in our facilities specialize in the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure, most commonly referred to as the LAP-BAND System. All surgery is performed laparoscopically on an outpatient basis, so you will have surgery in the morning and should be discharged to go home a few hours later to enjoy the comforts of your own bed that night.
The bariatric surgeons affiliated with JourneyLite have helped many others just like you lose their excess weight, resolve their obesity-related diseases and associated conditions, and begin to live healthier, more productive lives.
Adjustable Gastric Banding: How it Works
The adjustable gastric banding procedure is the only adjustable and reversible weight-loss surgery available in the United States today and is performed by making several tiny incisions in the upper abdomen. Small instruments – including a laparoscopic camera – are inserted through these tiny incisions into the abdomen. A silastic band is securely placed around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage into the larger stomach. Once the band is in place and secure, the surgical instruments are removed and all incisions are closed.
How LAP-BAND Works:
In this video Dr. Helmuth Billy, explains how LAP-BAND works to affect weight loss. He briefly explains the procedure and how it helps you feel more full for longer.
Click here to watch the LAP-BAND animated video.
The banding procedure is designed to restrict food intake without interfering with the body’s normal digestive processes. Unlike gastric bypass and other more invasive, risky procedures, there is no cutting or rerouting of the small intestines, so risks of complications are greatly reduced.
Because the pouch can hold only about an ounce or two of food, the quantity of food eaten is greatly reduced and a feeling of satiety is easily obtained (the feeling of fullness). The narrow passage between the new, small pouch and the lower stomach allows food to empty slowly into the stomach where normal digestion occurs.
The diameter of the band can be adjusted by adding or removing saline from the band via a port that rests just underneath the skin. By adjusting the diameter of the band, the speed at which food empties into the stomach increases or decreases, thus allowing for continued weight loss long-term.
LAP-BAND Follow-up:
Dr. Billy explains why it is important to continue seeing your physician after surgery. He also explains how adjustments are done, to increase or decrease the amount of fluid in the band.
Advantages of adjustable gastric banding may include:
- weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week;
- adjustability;
- reversibility;
- less impact on the anatomy;
- low risk of complications;
- proven success;
- long-term control;
- a shorter recovery period; and
- normal digestion and absorption of food energy and nutrition.
Facts about the Surgical Approach
At JourneyLite, we understand your concerns about how surgery will be performed. To reduce risks of infection and other complications associated with the older, “open” surgical technique, every procedure the surgeons do is performed laparoscopically. All surgeons who practice at our facilities specialize in the laparoscopic surgical approach.
In the laparoscopic approach, several tiny incisions are made in the abdomen rather than making a larger, long incision along the midline of the belly, as is required with the open approach. A small camera and tiny surgical instruments are inserted into the incisions, allowing your surgeon to operate while viewing the procedure on a video monitor.
Laparoscopic surgery is far less invasive than open surgery, requires a shorter recovery period and most patients indicate very little pain associated with the surgery. With a laparoscopic surgery, most people return to work within one week of their procedure.
After LAP-BAND Surgery:
Dr. Helmuth Billy explains the recovery process after LAP-BAND surgery. He explains the post-op diet and some of the behavioral changes that are encouraged after the surgery for weight loss.
Facts about Preparing for Your Surgery
The surgeons and staff at JourneyLite understand that obtaining better health and a better quality of life are extremely important to you, so we’ve made the journey smoother for you by committing to walk with you each step of the way.
The first step in your journey is to attend a free pre-operative educational seminar. There you will learn the facts about why weight-loss surgery can be an effective treatment for obesity, how surgery is performed, associated risks and complications, what kind of weight loss to expect, and real life after surgery.
Click here to register to attend a free pre-operative educational seminar nearest you.
Step two will put you on the path to ongoing encouragement and support. Studies show that people who attend live support group meetings before and after their weight-loss surgery reach and maintain their goal weight more often than individuals that do not.
At JourneyLite, we understand the importance of surrounding yourself with success, so we encourage you to check the schedule of our JourneyLite SupportSM classes and begin attending right away. At JourneyLite Support, you will meet others who have traveled the path before you and blazed the trail! You will gain vital “first-hand” knowledge from their personal experiences, giving you invaluable perspective as to what to expect before and after surgery. In addition, our “Food and Feelings” coursework will allow you to finally make the connection that is critical to your long-term success.