How long does the procedure take?
The LAP-BAND® System procedure takes about 25-50 minutes and is done as an outpatient about 80% of the time. This is done under a general anesthetic, and requires five small incisions.

What is the typical recovery?
Most patients require a few days to recover, and have resumed normal activity by 1-2 weeks. Those patients that have had both the LAP-BAND® System and laparoscopic gallbladder surgery say that the LAP-BAND® System was much easier to recover from. In fact, our patients are discharged home on anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve instead of narcotics.

What can I expect to eat after surgery?
Patients are placed on a liquid diet or as we suggest "anything through a straw" for the first two weeks. The next two weeks incorporate soft food. Four weeks out from surgery patients begin on regular food, being careful to avoid thick meats and breads. It is important to take small bites and to chew food thoroughly. Equally important, one should not drink while eating, to avoid washing all of the food particles that you've taken care to break down, resulting in you being able to eat more. Patients can drink unlimited amounts when they are not eating. Most people take in 800-1200 calories per day.

What is an adjustment?
An adjustment is an office procedure that takes a few minutes to do. Most people (>90%) state that it doesn't hurt at all. By adjusting the LAP-BAND® Adjustable band, we control how fast the pouch empties. The slower it empties the longer you stay full. How many adjustments will I need?
As you lose weight, the fat around the stomach diminishes and causes the LAP-BAND® Adjustable band to become looser. This is usually evident by the patient wanting to eat more, and becoming hungry between meals. Additionally, your weight loss curve usually flattens out. Most people require around 3-5 adjustments over the lifetime of the LAP-BAND® System.

What about becoming pregnant?
Most women of child bearing years find that with weight loss their menstrual cycles become more regular, and that it's easier to become pregnant. There are also less complications with pregnancy and delivery. If a patient who has had a LAP-BAND® System procedure becomes pregnant, we simply deflate the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric band and allow them to consume whatever calories they need for mom and baby to grow. Once they have completed breast feeding we tighten the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric band back up.

Can I have a LAP-BAND® System if I've already had prior stomach surgery?
At this point, if you've had a prior gastric bypass or stomach stapling then you are not a candidate. There are only a few surgeons in the WORLD that attempt that, and we are waiting for long term results to see if it is safe and effective. We also would not place a LAP-BAND® System in someone who has had and anti-reflux procedure such as a nissen fundoplication. There are no problems with patients who've had prior gallbladder surgery, appendectomy or hysterectomy. Patients who have had large ventral hernia repairs with mesh would be on case by case basis.

How much weight can I expect to lose?
Most patients lose 1-2 pounds per week for the first year and a half. Typical weight loss is 60-65% of your excess body weight. This is calculated by subtracting your ideal body weight from your current weight and then multiplying that number by .65.

What are the risks?
The LAP-BAND® System procedure has been shown to be somewhat safer than gastric bypass. Complications such as slip and erosion occur about 1.5% and less than 1% respectively. Both can be repaired laparoscopically as an outpatient Temporary gastric obstruction occurs immediately after surgery and has a frequency of 2-5%. This is usually treated with IV fluids and observation. Once the swelling goes down patients do fine. The final complication specific to the LAP-BAND® System is problems that can arise from the port. Rarely, the port can flip over or develop a leak, which requires a simple outpatient procedure to resecure or replace the port. The risk of death from a LAP-BAND® System is the same as someone undergoing a general anesthetic (around 0.05%).

How Do I Get Started?
First, patients make an appointment to attend one of our free seminars.