What to Expect with the Lap-Band System
There are two main types of weight loss surgery: Lap-band and Gastric bypass. Each surgery allows the patient to lose weight more easily. Each of these surgeries has their pros and cons. Both of these procedures will change your life and the way you look at food forever. No matter what type of weight loss surgery you decide to have you must also make a commitment to weight loss in order for the procedures to be completely successful. This is especially true with the Lap-band procedure. The Lap-band surgery requires more patient will-power and participation with medical up-keep and maintaining of the device.
Lap-band
Lap-band is a restrictive bariatric surgery which enables the patient to no longer consume large amounts of food. This is the least invasive of the bariatric surgeries. It is generally performed laparoscopically and the hospital stay is generally less than 24 hours. A restrictive banding system like Lap-band, the most commonly used banding system, will allow you to lose weight slightly slower than gastric bypass. Weight loss for a Lap-band patient typically takes 3 years to be completed. During those three years you have to periodically return to your bariatric doctor to have the band tightened or loosened. This is done through a permanent port that is placed just under the skin on your side. Saline is added to the port or taken away depending on whether it is being tightened or loosened. A strict low calorie, high protein diet must be followed along with exercise to have weight loss success with the Lap-band system.
Common Complications with Lap-band
There are several complications associated with Lap-band surgery. These include band slippage, nausea and vomiting, gastro-esophageal reflux, pouch dilation, stoma obstruction, port infections and even allergic reaction to the band material. There are a number of other complications associated with the Lap-band systems that occurs in less than 10% of patients. All possible complications should be discussed with a bariatric doctor before making a decision to have Lap- band weight loss surgery. This is a life long commitment to weight loss and needs to be a well thought out decision.
While the Lap-band weight loss surgery is less invasive it does require a longer term care by a bariatric doctor to adjust and monitor the banding system. The weight loss is slower than other bariatric surgeries and results may be less dramatic. Patients must work with their doctor to keep the device adjusted properly for maximum weight loss. In some cases the device will need to be replaced or removed. For more information on the Lap-band weight loss system and procedure checkout the site attached below.
https://www.lapband.com/get_informed/about_lapband/risk_information/
Disclaimer
The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on Brighthub.com. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.
This post is part of the series: Weight Loss Surgery
Weight Loss Surgery has been around for more than 40 years. It maybe the answers to your weight loss problems. This series will answer all the questions you have about Weight Loss Surgery and even some you may never have thought of.
