JourneyLite^SM is a national network of specialized outpatient surgery facilities, where experienced bariatric surgeons, along with a team of licensed, certified healthcare professionals, provide surgical intervention for the treatment of the disease of obesity.  Our team is dedicated to providing the safest and least invasive weight-loss surgery available today.  The surgeons who practice at our facilities only perform laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), commonly referred to as the LAP-BAND^® System. Because this is the only bariatric surgery the surgeons perform, they’re experts in this procedure.  At JourneyLite, the bariatric surgeons have undergone specific training to qualify to perform laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and they bring compassion to every patient in the treatment of their disease. 

Many individuals seeking surgical treatment for obesity do so because they wish to seek relief from their comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension; they understand that diets do not work effectively long-term.  In fact, if you are obese, weight-loss surgery may be an option to help you lose the excess weight and to maintain your weight-loss for life.   

In addition to our qualified surgeons, JourneyLite employs specially-trained nursing staff, certified bariatric nurses, allied health, and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) affiliate associate professionals, all with a heart to help those that suffer from the disease of obesity.  Nationally, our organization employs members of the ASMBS, National Association of Bariatric Nurses (NABN), Bariatric RN Credentialing Task Force, members of the ASMBS Foundation National Advisory Board, WLS Lifestyles magazine Editorial Advisory Board and the ASMBS Foundation’s Walk from Obesity National Chair and National Vice-Chair. 

Our aftercare and JourneyLite Support^SM programs are specifically geared to helping you make the connection with how you think, feel and interact with food, and how to change your old behaviors.  For life.  We provide compassionate care to those suffering from obesity and relish in every success story in which we have the honor to participate. 

Every JourneyLite employee has your best interest at heart and is committed to helping make your journey a safe and effective one.

Unlike more radical procedures like gastric bypass, duodenal switch or the gastric sleeve, the gastric banding (LAP-BAND or REALIZE band) procedure does not require cutting, stapling, rerouting of the intestines or partial removal of the stomach, which increases the risk factors for leaks, septicemia, and death.  Complications occur less frequently with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and current medical studies and literature recognize the procedure as being safe and effective.¹   

To date, over 300,000 devices have been distributed worldwide, allowing thousands of patients to lose weight, keep it off and reduce their health risks. Benefits of this safe and least invasive procedure are now well-known in the U.S. and abroad.

With the LAP-BAND System, your surgeon inserts an inflatable gastric band through small, laparoscopic incisions and positions the band around the upper portion of your stomach.  This positioning creates a small stomach pouch and narrow passageway into the lower part of your stomach.  Because the band is a restrictive procedure, it is intended to allow you to feel full and satisfied longer, while you actually eat less and lose weight.  The gastric band is adjusted by adding or removing a saline solution through a tiny tube that connects the band to a small access port placed beneath the surface of the skin of the abdomen.  Your surgeon can tailor your weight loss to meet your specific needs, as the diameter of the band can be modified to meet your individual needs, which can change as you lose weight.  For example, pregnant patients can expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, while patients who are not pregnant and who are not experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.  Unlike gastric bypass or other more invasive procedures, the LAP-BAND System is completely reversible and adjustable.  For life.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has many advantages over other weight loss surgeries, including:

Minimal Trauma

• Least invasive surgical option
• No intestinal re-routing
• No cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or small bowel
• Small incisions and minimal scarring 
• Reduced pain, length of hospital stay, and shortened recovery period

Fewer Risks and Side Effects

• Lower risk of nutritional deficiencies, unlike those associated with gastric bypass or duodenal switch
• Reduced risk of hair loss and lean muscle mass
• No “dumping syndrome” related to dietary intake restrictions

Adjustable

• Allows individualized degree of restriction for ideal rate of weight-loss
• Adjustments performed without additional surgery              
• Supports pregnancy by allowing band diameter to be expanded to accommodate increased nutritional needs
• Only surgical option designed to help maintain long-term weight loss

Reversible

• Removable at any time
• Stomach and other anatomy are generally restored to their original forms and functions

Effective Long-Term Weight Loss

• More than 300,000 LAP-BAND System devices placed worldwide
• Standard of care for hundreds of surgeons around the world  
• Number-one selling adjustable gastric band for weight loss worldwide 
• Academic publications with up to 10 years of follow-up

JourneyLite is a leading provider of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for good reason:

• Many of the bariatric surgeons who practice at JourneyLite facilities are among some of the most experienced LAP-BAND System surgeons in the nation
• JourneyLite facilities are specially-designed and equipped to meet the specific needs of weight-loss surgery patients 
• Our licensed, certified healthcare professionals and staff are specially trained in caring for the physical and emotional needs of obese individuals 
• We provide compassionate care and understanding in the treatment of the disease of obesity
• JourneyLite’s aftercare and support programs will prepare you for long-term success
• We are committed to being with you throughout your entire journey.  For life.

After weight loss surgery with the gastric band (LAP-BAND or REALIZE band), medical problems such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes (adult onset) and sleep apnea may be improved or, in some cases, completely eliminated.

It may not be necessary to lose all of your excess weight in order to achieve improvement with many of these medical conditions. Your surgeon will consider your individual circumstances and will be able to discuss how weight loss may positively impact your existing weight-related medical problems.

Weight loss varies from person to person and the amount of weight you lose depends on several factors. You will need to be committed to your new, healthier lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure, and the pounds will not come off by themselves. Gastric banding is a valuable tool to support you in achieving lasting results by limiting your food intake, reducing your appetite and slowing down digestion.

It is very important to work with your surgeon to set achievable weight loss goals from the beginning. A weight loss of one to three pounds a week in the first year after surgery is the goal. 

We have many options available for paying for your gastric banding (LAP-BAND or REALIZE band) procedure if you do not have insurance benefits.  Our finance specialists can discuss the cost of the procedure with you, as it varies slightly by location.   

We have relationships with several medical financing companies that will allow you to make monthly payments so that you can easily pay for your surgery over time.  This makes having the surgery you need easy to obtain. Our insurance verification specialists are the place to start your journey in this regard so that you receive the best information possible.

The IRS has recognized obesity as a disease; therefore, some medical expenses may qualify as a tax deduction.  You should consult with your accountant to see if you qualify. 

Right after surgery, you will only be consuming liquids.  Your surgeon will instruct you when to progress to soft foods, and then when to progress on to solid foods. As a JourneyLite program participant, you will receive a patient education manual that reviews all phases of your food intake, what foods to consume, and when, and the lifestyle changes necessary for you to be successful with your weight-loss journey. 

There will be some foods you will not be able to tolerate after LAP-BAND System surgery.  Your surgeon and dietitian will review these with you.

In order to be as successful as possible, you will need to make changes in what you eat, so that every bite is a healthy bite.  Our staff of professionals will guide you along the way and our JourneyLite Support classes will teach you how to read labels, cook healthy, modify behavior, and integrate a healthier way of living.

Yes!  Our program philosophy is to offer long-term support and education to all of our patients.  Our support groups are a “safe place” for you and we recommend you begin attending right away – even before you’ve had your surgery – so that you can get a true picture of the journey that lies ahead.  Through JourneyLite Support^SM, you’ll be able to talk with people that have already had surgery and ask them about their real, personal experiences. 

JourneyLite Support classes are unique because we understand that attending a support group and sharing personal experiences is not all there is to it.  Changing behavior is not easy and we’re sensitive to this fact.  At JourneyLite Support, we will give you the tools to help you modify your behavior.  In fact, at many classes, you’ll be sent home with specific assignments that will assist you in facing the issues you previously have been unable to conquer.  Of course, we’ll have fun as well.  Our support group schedule also includes guest speakers such as plastic surgeons, our bariatric chef, nutrition experts, and more!        

You must follow the instructions of your surgeon regarding return to normal activity.  Generally speaking, following a period of restricted activity – as may be directed by your JourneyLite surgeon – your gastric band (LAP-BAND or REALIZE band) will not hamper or restrict any physical activity, including aerobics, stretching, strenuous exercise or activities normally associated with work, such as lifting and climbing.            

We find that individuals losing weight feel better and increase their activity level significantly, as they are finally able to enjoy life to the fullest without the burden of excess weight that has kept them on the sidelines for so long.

Every person’s body is different.  Skin elasticity is based on many factors including genetics, age, whether or not you have carried a pregnancy (or multiple pregnancies), whether or not you have ever smoked, and your overall general level of health.             

As a general rule, plastic surgery should not be considered for at least two years after your LAP-BAND surgery so that you give your body time to settle in to its new shape.  To maximize the benefits of plastic surgery, surgeons recommend that you be within ten pounds of your ideal body weight.

Most surgeons who practice at our facilities require patients to take a chewable multivitamin daily.  You may need to supplement additional vitamins, minerals, or protein after your weight-loss surgery as you may not get enough of these from eating smaller meals.  Your surgeon will evaluate your bloodwork to monitor your health, and will advise you about your personal supplementation needs.            

Click here to be directed to our eStore, where you can purchase our recommended supplements.

Our eStore is stocked with nutritional supplements specifically designed to meet the micronutritional needs of bariatric patients.              

Click here to be directed to our eStore, where you can purchase our recommended supplements.