One
of the fastest growing forms of bariatric (weight loss)
surgery is the LAP BAND® procedure. As on June 2006,
over 300,000 people worldwide have undergone the LAP-BAND®
procedure.
The
goal of the procedure is to help severely overweight
people achieve long-term weight loss. The idea is to
create a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach
with a controlled and adjustable stoma, without stapling,
thus limiting food intake.
You
will undergo an extensive work-up to determine whether
this operation is indicated and safe in your case. The
preoperative screening will consist of complete blood
tests, imaging studies, a gastroscopy and consultations
with various specialists.
What
is LAP-BAND® Surgery?
Laparoscopic
adjustable gastric banding, more commonly called LAP-BAND®
Surgery, helps with weight loss by restricting how much
food the stomach can hold. The name LAP-BAND® comes
from the surgical technique used (laparoscopic) and
the name of the product used (gastric band).
The
LAP-BAND® procedure involves placing an adjustable silicone
band around the upper part of the stomach which creates
a smaller pouch at the top of the stomach and leaves
the larger portion of the stomach below the band. The
band is a hollow ring filled with saline that can be
adjusted with more or less saline to create a smaller
or larger opening. With LAP-BAND® Surgery, there is
no cutting or stapling of the stomach and there is no
intestinal rerouting.
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How does the LAP-BAND® promote weight loss?
The
smaller gastric pouch that is created by the gastric
band limits the amount of food that can be eaten and
slows the emptying process from the stomach into the
intestines. The smaller stomach pouch and slower digestion
rate lets you feel full sooner and feel full longer.
The band can be adjusted to let in more or less food
as needed.
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How
is the LAP-BAND® adjusted?
During
surgery, an access port is placed beneath the skin that
is connected to the gastric band by a tube. Saline can
be easily added or removed by the surgeon thru the access
port using a thin needle. This process is called inflating
or deflating. If weight loss is too small and the band
is too loose, saline is added to reduce the opening.
If the opening is too tight, saline can be removed.
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What
band do you use and how good is it?
Our
surgeons use Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band which is
the best Gastric Band and has been found to be the safest
band in the long-term use. This is also the most expensive
band. Many hospitals in Europe and UK cut down the cost
by using bands that have been only recently introduced
and cost only half as much as the Swedish band. Long
term follow up of these recently introduced bands is
not known and these newer bands have a higher tendency
to perforate through the stomach and then they need
to be removed. However, we are committed to provide
you the best quality.
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What
are the advantages of LAP-BAND® Surgery?
Lap-Band Surgery is a promising new weight loss procedure
with many advantages over other obesity surgical options.
Since it's approval by the FDA in 2001 it has become
the fastest growing bariatric (weight loss) procedure
in the United States.
Minimal
Trauma
- Least
invasive surgical option
- No
intestinal re-routing
- No
cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel
- Reduced
pain
- Shorter
hospital stay
- Quicker
recovery
Fewer Risks and Side Effects
- Significantly
lower mortality risk than other obesity surgery
procedures
- Low
risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with
gastric bypass
- Reduced
risk of hair loss
- No
“dumping syndrome” related to dietary intake restrictions
Adjustable
- Allows
individualized degree of restriction for ideal,
long-term weight loss
- Adjustments
performed without additional surgery
- Supports
pregnancy by allowing stomach outlet size to be
opened for increased
nutritional needs
Reversible
- Removable
at any time
- Stomach
and other anatomy are generally restored to their
original forms and
functions
Effective Long-Term Weight Loss
- Almost
300,000 cases performed worldwide
- Standard
of care for hundreds of practices around the world
- Academic
publications with up to 7 years of follow-up
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Am
I a good candidate for Lap-Band Surgery?
Lap-Band Surgery may be right for you if:
- Your
BMI is more than 40 or more than 35 with obesity
related health conditions
- You
weigh twice your ideal weight or are at least 100
pounds overweight
- You
are between the ages of 18 and 60
- You
have been overweight for 5 years or more
- You
have been unable to lose weight thru diet and exercise
- You
do not have an illness that has caused you to be
overweight
- You
do not drink too much alcohol
- You
are committed to making changes in your diet and
lifestyle
If you are interested in weight loss surgery and want
get the expert opinion about your candidacy for the
surgery, fill up the obesity surgery eligibility form
and send it to us.
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How do I know what kind of surgery is the best
for me?
Your
surgeon will work with you to determine what type of
surgery is best for you.
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How
long is the average recovery period after Lap Band surgery?
You
would need to stay in the hospital for about a day or
two. Typically, it'll be about a week before you can
go back to work, and about a month to six weeks before
you can start exercising again.
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How
much weight and how fast can I expect to lose weight
with Lap-Band Surgery?
Based
on the average weight loss seen in other Lap-Band patients,
you can expect to lose about 1-1/2 to 2 pounds per week
and about 50% of your excess weight within the first
year of surgery. Your individual results may be more
or less than the average because weight loss is dependent
on a combination of factors including your starting
weight, your diet after surgery, and the amount of exercise
you do.
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Is
the rate of weight loss with the Lap-Band safe?
The
Lap-Band device helps you lose weight safely and steadily.
With Lap-Band it may be possible to lose 2 to 3 pounds
per week, but it is more likely that you will lose about
1-1/2 to 2 pounds per week. The rate of weight loss
experienced with Lap-Band Surgery is considered a safe
amount.
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What
health conditions show improvement with Lap-Band Surgery?
Most
Lap-Band patients find that their obesity related health
conditions either improve or disappear completely as
they lose weight. If you have medical conditions such
as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension),
obstructive sleep apnea, and knee pain, it is likely
that you too will see your health improve as you lose
weight.
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What
diet and lifestyle do I have to follow after the surgery?
After
surgery, your surgeon will have you slowly advance thru
varying stages of the post-op diet. It is important
to follow your doctor's recommendations in order to
heal properly, be properly nourished, and avoid complications.
Your doctor will monitor your healing process, which
will take about 4 to 8 weeks.
With
the Lap-Band, you will need to sip fluids slowly, avoid
getting overfull, and keep portion sizes small. Your
surgeon will go over new eating behaviors and appropriate
food choices with you.
The
first week or two after surgery you will be on a full
liquid diet. This is to keep the stomach from working
too hard and to decrease pressure on the band while
the body heals.
The
first couple of days will be limited to clear liquids,
such as diluted apple juice, chicken broth, beef broth,
sugar-free gelatin, and artificially-sweetened non-carbonated
beverages.
Once
you are able to handle clear liquids, full liquids will
be added to your diet. Full liquids include cream broth
and soups, protein shakes, milk, yogurt, and sugar-free
puddings.
After
a couple of weeks, you will progress to pureed foods.
It is important to proceed slowly to see what your body
will allow. Keep your meals small and focus on high-protein
foods. Gradually you will be able to add soft foods
such as oatmeal and eggs.
After
4 - 8 weeks, depending on how your body is responding
and healing, you will be able to start eating normal
foods. It will be important to choose healthy foods,
eat slowly, chew food thoroughly, and to stop eating
when you feel full.
Exercise
after Lap Band Surgery
Exercise
is important in the recovery from any operation. Walking
is one of the most effective forms of exercise for this
purpose. A regular exercise program is highly recommended.
Begin with very short walks several times a day and
gradually increase the distance. Walking also improves
muscle tone while you are losing weight. Do not, at
first, engage in strenuous exercise. For example, do
not lift more than ten pounds at a time. About six weeks
after surgery, you should be able to tolerate all but
the most strenuous exercises.
Do
not sit or stand in one place for a long period of time.
Light housekeeping chores may be performed when you
feel you are able. Driving a car is usually permitted
one week after surgery. Sexual activities may be resumed
unless otherwise specified.
Most
people are able to return to light work after ten days
and to heavy labor after six weeks. The time of your
return to work will depend upon the physical demands
of your job and the rate of your recovery.
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How do I begin to undergo the Lap Band Surgery?
Having bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure
and is one that should be considered carefully. The
following steps can help you prepare you for surgery
and the changes that you will go through.
-
Educate yourself about bariatric surgery. Learn
everything you can about bariatric surgery.
- Make
lists of the following:
- A
complete diet history of all diet attempts.
- Medications
(both prescription and over-the-counter) and the
dosages you take.
- Foods
you like and those you can not tolerate.
- Medical
records, especially any recent cardiac stress testing,
to minimize repeat tests.
- Start
making important changes in your eating and exercise
habits. Doing this can help prepare you for the
life changes that you will need to make after surgery.
These are some of the necessary dietary and behavioral
changes that you need to start:
- Drink
at least 64 ounces of water daily.
- Switch
from caffeine to decaffeinated beverages
- Keep
a detailed written food diary.
- Eat
at least three meals per day and avoid snacking
in between. Don't worry about the calories for now,
focus on the behavior.
- Begin
a walking program if able.
- Stop
smoking. Smoking slows the healing process and may
cause respiratory problems after surgery. If you
need help, ask your doctor.
- Write
down your feelings every day to remind yourself
of your commitment to begin a new and healthier
lifestyle and the alternatives if you don't.
- Attend
support groups. Having an environment that is filled
with support and encouragement is necessary for
any patient that undergoes bariatric surgery.
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Please
guide me step by step to have Lap Band surgery done
in India
Having bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure
and is one that should be considered carefully. The
following steps can help you prepare you for surgery
and the changes that you will go through.
- Please
fill the enquiry form and weight loss surgery eligibility
form for our surgeon to asses if you are a good
candidate for the surgery.
- Your
case manager will get in touch with you with the
details and our expert surgeon’s opinion shortly
after we receive the filled forms.
- You
would need to undergo few pre operative screening
tests. It is advisable to get the tests done in
your country.
- About
two weeks before your LAP-BAND surgery, the surgeon
will have you begin a special diet. The pre-op diet
is important because it is designed to get your
body ready for surgery and make recovery easier.
You will need to lose fat around your stomach and
liver, as well as shrink the liver itself. The diet
helps reduce potential bleeding that can accompany
surgery by reducing fatty triglycerides from around
the liver and spleen. A primary part of the pre-op
diet is a protein supplement. Myocel, a protein
powder, is designed to lower the fat content of
the liver, maximize recovery, and promote weight
loss. Myocel can be mixed in with skim milk, water,
fruit juice, or fat-free yogurt. Foods that will
need to be decreased in your diet include high-sugar
foods, high carbohydrate foods (including bread),
fats (such as butter), fatty meats, fried foods,
whole milk products, and alcohol. Your diet will
be limited, but foods that may be included are yogurt,
fruit, cereal, eggs, oatmeal for breakfast and lean
meat or fish with green vegetables for dinner. Pre-op
diets may vary between surgeons and patients, but
you should always follow the recommendations of
your doctor. You would be asked to quit smoking
a few days before the surgery.
- You
can choose to combine the procedure with a spa treatment
or Ayurveda rejuvenation package or side trip in
India before the surgery.
- The
case manager would make a detailed itinerary for
you, with the quote.
- The
case manager keep in touch with you regularly with
the pre op diet plan and surgeon’s instructions
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