Lap Band Surgery - What is It?

Lap band surgery is a procedure which causes significant weight loss and allows patients to begin a normal healthy life. It is recommended for patients who have a significant weight problem and who are unable to lose weight through dieting alone. The surgery is performed by a bariatric surgeon who specializes in weight loss procedures.

Patients who have undergone lap band surgery see significant weight lose results almost immediately. Basically, the surgery makes the patient's stomach smaller so the patient will eat less and feel less hungry between meals.

Bariatric surgeons must be board certified to insure the patient's health and safety before, during, and after the lap band surgery. Bariatric surgeons are experienced not only in bariatric surgical procedures but also in the patient's after care which is needed to ensure successful weight loss.

Lap band surgery begins with the patient undergoing general anesthesia. After the patient is unconscious, the bariatric surgeon uses his scalpel to make very small 1cm incisions around the stomach area. The lap band is inserted into the patient's abdomen through these incisions. The lap band is made out of silicone and is an adjustable belt designed to fit around a patient's stomach.

The bariatric surgeon adjusts the lap band to fit around the upper stomach area of the patient. This creates a small pouch which will become the patient's new stomach. The patient's new stomach is significantly smaller than his old stomach which will reduce the amount of food that it will take to make a patient feel full.

After the bariatric surgeon creates the new stomach, he uses a small balloon that comes attached to the lap band to accurately adjust its size. This balloon is also used after lap band surgery. By inflating or deflating the balloon, a patient can adjust his food intake in order to achieve his weight loss goals. The bariatric surgeon can do this during a normal office visit; the procedure only takes a few minutes.

Lap band surgery usually takes around thirty to sixty minutes depending on the patient needs. After the weight loss operation is completed, the patient is wheeled into the recovery area where he is tended by nurses who specialize in post-operative bariatric care. After waking up, the patient is sent to his hospital room to rest. Lap band patients rarely need to stay in the hospital longer than a day or two.

Bariatric surgery, like all surgeries, carries the potential for some risks, including bleeding and infection. A patient must weigh the risks of surgery with the significant health risks associated with long-term obesity. These risks include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic diseases which can significantly affect the quality of life and quickly shorten a patient's normal life span.

Lap band surgery is not for everyone. It is important to consult your bariatric surgeon to find out if lap band surgery is right for you. The benefits of weight loss surgery often outweigh the risks and allow a patient to enjoy a healthy active life for years to come.