LAP-BAND® SURGERY
About LAP-BAND® Surgery
LAP-BAND® surgery involves implanting an adjustable gastric band designed to help you lose weight, improve weight-related health conditions and enhance quality of life. It reduces the stomach capacity and the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. The LAP-BAND® is a silicone ring designed to be placed around the upper part of the stomach. This ring is adjustable through a port under the surface of the skin which is connected to a balloon encircling the inner surface of the silicone ring. Sterile saline is introduced through the port by a provider in our clinic in an outpatient setting, thereby reducing the diameter of the stomach opening. This procedure creates a new, smaller stomach pouch that can only hold a small amount of food, and you feel full sooner. As a result, you will eat less and lose weight.
Weight Loss after Lap-Band® Surgery
Those who pursue laparoscopic Lap-Band® surgery on average report a loss of 40% of excess weight on average in the first year.
Ongoing success is a combination of multiple factors including routine follow-up visits with your care team, monthly support groups, diet and exercise changes, and mental health care.
Please speak with your surgeon at your consult about your specific expected outcomes.
Advantages of LAP-BAND® Surgery
- Minimal trauma.
- Least invasive surgical option.
- No intestinal re-routing.
- No cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestine.
- Small incisions and minimal scarring.
- Reduced pain and shorter recovery.
- No dumping syndrome; (dumping syndrome is associated with the gastric bypass).
- Outpatient procedure.
- Reversible procedure.
Ongoing Maintenance after Lap-Band® Surgery
Those who have a Lap-Band® in place will require ongoing follow-up and maintenance to maintain the optimal function of the lap-band in aiding your weight-loss journey.
If you currently have a Lap-Band®, whether placed at our facility or elsewhere, please do not hesitate to reach out regarding management of your band or to discuss other options for continued success
Being in my mid-50s, change is not something I undertake casually. I had LAP-BAND® surgery with Dr. Michaelson in 2011 because I knew it was time to prioritize my health. My insurance covered the procedure, and I was able to lose 50 pounds in the first eight months. Unfortunately, by 2017, I had gained back all of the weight, plus some. I was still determined to win my lifelong battle with obesity and returned to Dr. Michaelson for a second procedure. This time I had a gastric sleeve revision, which I paid for out of pocket, so you know I believe in my surgeon! To date, I have lost 64 pounds, and I am continuing to slowly lose.
The revision was by far the best decision I have ever made for myself. I feel absolutely amazing! I traveled from Alaska for surgery on a Tuesday and flew home on Friday.
I was back at work on Monday with no issues at all. I’m loving life post-revision!