Dear Patient:
TopSurgeons is a premier provider of surgical services on the West Coast. We offer Lap Band surgery, plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and dermatology services. The Lap-Band surgery is proven highly effective in helping morbidly obese patients lose excess weight.
Lap Band
When experience counts, come to the Lap Band experts. We successfully do more Lap Band procedures than anyone else in
California!
Fly in for surgery. New York, London, Paris, Munich. It doesn’t matter where you are – you can fly in for surgery at TopSurgeons and take a beauty holiday!
For millions of Americans, being overweight is more than just a problem of carrying around a few excess pounds. For this population, being overweight is a significant hindrance to living a normal life, and is a risk factor for serious health problems. This condition is known as morbid obesity.
Typically, the term “morbid obesity” is defined as being 100 pounds or more over one’s ideal weight, or, alternatively, having a BMI (body mass index) is 40 or greater. BMI is calculated according to the following formula: BMI = [Weight (lbs) ÷ height (in)²] x 703
The LAP-BAND is an implantable device consisting of an inflatable band (a silicone ring), which fits around the upper part of the stomach.
How Does Lap Band Work?
The LAP-BAND, once implanted, is inflated with saline solution through an “access port” placed under the skin. This causes the band to become tighter around the upper part of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach pouch. When you eat, the pouch fills up much more quickly because there is simply less physical space. It will take time for food to move from the newly-formed pouch to the rest of the stomach. You will therefore feel full faster and eat less.
Implantation of the LAP-BAND is a minimally invasive procedure. This means there are no large incisions necessary. Your surgeon uses a laparoscopic technique (hence the name “LAP-BAND”), which involves making a few tiny incisions and inserting a laparoscope (a tiny camera) to guide the placement of the band in the appropriate position as the surgeon views it on the video monitor. The band is then locked securely in place.
Adjusting the LAP-BAND
One of the most appealing features of the LAP-BAND is that it’s adjustable. Your doctor will insert a thin needle into the access port located beneath the skin, and either withdraw liquid to loosen the band or inject more saline to tighten the band, depending on your response to the therapy and your comfort level. If you find the band is so restrictive >that it causes significant discomfort, it will be loosened; if you find yourself eating too much and/or not feeling full, it will be tightened to allow further restriction of food intake.
When is the LAP-BAND Considered Appropriate Therapy?
The LAP-BAND should only be used in cases of severe or morbid obesity. The cutoff should be a BMI >30. It is not indicated for patients who are mildly or moderately overweight. The LAP-BAND is not indicated as first-line therapy; it should be considered only after normal measures of caloric restriction and exercise have failed.
No cutting or stapling of the intestines or stomach
No surgical bypass is created
Significantly less pain post-op
Lower risk of complications and mortality
Fully adjustable and removable
Clinically proven to maintain long-term weight loss.
After Your LAP BAND Surgery
You will be able to go home the same day, and will likely be able to return to work or school within one week. You will start to notice weight loss gradually, but the cumulative results will be impressive. Most patients lose 50-80% of their excess weight within the first year after Lap Band surgery. You need to follow your surgeon’s instructions closely so that your procedure will be a success.
A New Way of Eating
Your “new stomach” will require special treatment. In the first few weeks following Lap Band surgery, you will be placed on a liquid diet. After that, you will eat only soft or pureed foods, and then finally regular solid foods. You will find that you get full very quickly compared to before your Lap Band surgery. this is normal, and to be expected. When you eat, you should not drink a large quantity of liquids with your food. This will advance the food through the pouch and into the rest of the stomach, defeating the purpose of the pouch.
Other Lifestyle Changes
Most of what will be advised is common sense: you should have some sort of physical exercise or activity. Being sedentary burns fewer calories than being active. If you drink alcohol, you should limit your consumption for general health reasons, but also because alcohol has a surprisingly high amount of calories, and is absorbed directly through the stomach wall. The dietary modification and concurrent weight loss actually helps lower your blood cholesterol and triglycerides and can even reverse diabetes. If you diligently stick to a long-term regimen prescribed by your doctor, you will be pleasantly surprised at the results you will achieve.
See for yourself the difference our plastic surgery and dermatology procedures can make in our Before and After photos!
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