FAQ ABOUT The LAP-BAND System

Lap band is a surgical band which is placed around the stomach. And about lap band surgery you can ask any type of question about the topic of lap band surgery. We are available to answer all your questions. Here are few questions and you will find out that whatever you want to ask? You will find the right answers and these questions are:

Is the LAP-BAND permanent treatment?

Lap band system is not permanent. although it is not meant to be removed, one of the unique characteristics of the LAP-BAND is that it can be removed surgically in a manner very similar to how it was inserted (laparoscopically, using a few small incisions).and Dr. Philip's report is that that the stomach generally returns to its natural shape once the band is removed. After the removal of lap band, though, you may go back to your original weight.

Is the LAP-BAND surgery safe?

Don't worry The LAP-BAND procedure is considered However, you should discuss this directly with Dr.Philip, who is our consultant. In lap band surgery less pain, less scarring and a quicker recovery.

How many times have your surgeons performed the LAP-BAND procedure?

Our surgeons are very experienced laparoscopic surgeons with the guidance of Dr.Philip. They have performed thousands of laparoscopic procedures, hundreds of LAP-BAND procedures and are all FDA-approved for LAP-BAND surgery.

Where can I find additional information on LAP-BAND ® surgery system?

About this topic we are the best advisor of lap band surgery procedure because our web-site is an educational web-site. And we always try to provide the right information 24*7 hours. So we provide the list of that website that have a great store of information about lap band surgery. We think you will find the list helpful in starting your research.

How overweight do I need to be to consider the LAP-BAND?

You should be at least 60-100 pounds overweight to consider the LAP-BAND System. A better measure for determining your eligibility, however, is your BMI (Body Mass Index), a calculation based on your height and weight. The LAP-BAND is generally recommended for patients with a BMI of 30-60.

Can I take sugar, natural or other eatables in regular diet? Or will I get sick from eating sugar, natural or otherwise?

You can take sugar, natural and other eatables after surgery as a regular diet. But after the advice of your surgeon. And there are no problems with "dumping syndrome" after the LAP-BAND procedure because your stomach and intestines have not been bypassed or significantly altered. Gastric bypass patients, on the other hand, are instructed to avoid refined sugar, which can cause dumping: an unpleasant experience which can include sudden rapid heart rate, abdominal pain, cramps, sweating and diarrhea.

Will I be able to drink alcohol after surgery?

Alcohol has a high number of calories and it breaks down vitamins. But an occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage is not considered harmful to weight loss.

How soon and how often can I walk after my operation?

We encourage patients to walk as soon and as much as possible after their surgery. As we can say that you will start walking and light exercise within one week after lap band surgery.

How long will I need to stay at the Center following my surgery?

As the LAP-BAND surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, almost all patients are released the same day as their surgery.

Will I feel much pain after the procedure?

Patients are given pain medication for use at home following surgery. Most individuals experience only mild discomfort, which is generally relieved by the pain medicine.

What pre-operative tests maybe required?

We may require that you complete the following tests prior to surgery:

Complete blood count (CBC)

Electrocardiograph (EKG)

Upper GI.

How quickly can I get the LAP-BAND surgery?

Self-pay patients have about one week from the date of their initial surgical consultation to the date of their surgery. Patients looking for the insurance coverage for the procedure of lap band surgery, however, generally wait about 3 weeks between the consultation and their surgery date due to the length of the insurance company's approval process.

What is the average excess weight loss and improvement of related health conditions for patients?

On average, LAP-BAND patients have lost about 50% of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. Most of patients' associated medical problems, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, have improved or disappeared completely after their LAP-BAND procedure. Potential results and weight loss expectations can be discussed in further detail with you during your initial consultation.

Have you ever had any patients die?

No, none of our patients have died.

Will I need to have a blood transfusion during surgery?

No, most of the time blood loss is minimal.

Will I have any problems with gas post-operatively?

Gas is common during the first post-operative week; some patients complain of "needing to burp, but nothing comes up". This problem can usually be alleviated by walking and drinking fluids as soon as you can after surgery.

What is the time process of lap band surgery?

Only 30 - 45 minutes are enough for lap band surgery process.

Can you tell me about some patients who have completed your lap band surgery process?

Yes, we encourage you to come to one of our FREE Informational Seminars where you will be able to ask other LAP-BAND patients questions about their experience with the surgery and our program or we can provide you with some names and phone numbers of patients who would be willing to talk to you about their surgery.

Will my insurance pay for the LAP-BAND?

About 50% of insurance plans will cover the LAP-BAND procedure with a Letter of Medical Necessity from our surgeon. However, you should check with your health plan beforehand to find out if you are covered. Please read detailed information on the insurance coverage process under "Insurance Information". If your plan does not cover the LAP-BAND surgery, we will be happy to discuss with you the more convenient "Self-Pay" option and the financing programs available to help you manage the costs. Remember that even if you pursue the self-pay option initially, you can still apply for insurance coverage / reimbursement after you have had the surgery.

How is the LAP-BAND® different from gastric bypass surgery?

The LAP-BAND® is a silicone band that is placed around the stomach, creating a small upper stomach pouch that prevents a patient from eating excessively. And read about lap band surgery for more information. Gastric bypass surgery involves permanently changing the shape of the stomach by surgically reducing. Its size to an egg-sized pouch, and then bypassing a portion of the digestive tract with the new smaller stomach. This type of surgery has both a restrictive and a malabsorptive effect, and unlike the LAP-BAND, it is essentially irreversible. Generally, gastric bypass patients stay in the hospital 3-4 days following surgery, and recovery takes approximately 2-4 weeks. Due to the nature of the procedure, gastric bypass surgery has a higher rate of severe complications following surgery and a significant mortality rate.

What formalities will I have to complete for lap band surgery?

The first step is submitting a completed Registration Form to us, and then a member of our staff will contact you to schedule a surgical consultation. If you are approved for surgery after your initial consultation, you will need to complete various pre-operative testing requirements. Once the results of all of the testing has been evaluated and medically cleared by the physician, your surgery date will be scheduled.

Do you remove the gallbladder during surgery?

No, we do not remove the gallbladder on a routine basis unless we conduct a gallbladder ultrasound and it indicates otherwise. Your surgeon will discuss this with you further during your consultation.

How long will I be in recovery following my surgery?

Following surgery, patients are monitored in a recovery room for approximately 3 to 6 hours before being discharged from the Surgical Center. Recovery times vary depending upon the individual patient.

Tell me about diet, nutrition and exercise?

To know about diet, nutrition and exercise please read our diet plan.

How is the LAP-BAND® adjusted?

Lap band surgery is a quick and relatively painless outpatient procedure. You will be x-rayed during the procedure so that the band reservoir can be seen clearly. Then, a fine needle is passed through the skin into the port to add or remove saline. Adding saline tightens the band, further restricting the amount of food you can eat before you feel full and satisfied. Local anesthesia is used.

How long will it take to have an adjustment?

The adjustment usually takes only a few minutes and you will be able to leave the Center immediately following the procedure. You will be placed back on a liquid diet for a few days following the adjustment in order to give your stomach some time to adapt to the change.

Will I be able to get pregnant after LAP-BAND surgery?

During the first year after surgery: A fast rate of weight loss during pregnancy is thought to be harmful to the developing baby. Therefore, we would like for you to use some form of contraception to avoid pregnancy during the first year following surgery. If you become pregnant, however, during this first year, we will leave your LAP-BAND in place without saline in order to ensure adequate nutrition for the baby's growth. After the first year: Many women find it easier to conceive following substantial weight loss. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After the pregnancy, the band can be made tighter again and you can go back to losing weight.

What are the risks and complications involved with the LAP-BAND procedure?

To know about risk of lap band surgery read our content which is especially about risk of lap band surgery.

What will happen to me if I become ill?

One of the major advantages of the LAP-BAND system is that it is adjustable. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened by removing saline from it (it can also be removed if it cannot be loosened enough). Once you have recovered from your illness and want to start losing weight again, the band can be tightened again.

What is the first thing I need to do if I am interested in the program?

The first step is to schedule a consultation with our office. If you are approved for surgery after your initial consultation, and you have been medically cleared by the physician, your surgery date will be scheduled. Please note that the timing for the completion of these steps and the scheduling of surgery varies from patient to patient based on whether or not you are paying for the operation yourself (approximately 2 weeks).