Common Questions on LAP-BAND® System

Question: Is there any clear benefit of getting LAP-BAND® Surgery versus Gastric Bypass surgery?

Answer: Read thet Gastric Bypass Surgery page

Question: Can I have the LAP-BAND® removed upon losing the weight?

Answer: No, the band is made to remain there your entire life. Research confirms that the majority of patients will regain the weight back if they remove the band.

Question: Will I need to have adjustments during my life?

Answer: Patients may require some tweaking to the band volume every two years following the incremental adjustments necessary at the start. Typically, patients will return for adjustments in their initial year post-op up to 8 tims and may schedule an adjustment just once or twice during the second year. Patients may not have to have an adjustment in the third year at all. Each person is unique in that aspect.

Question: How do I know if the band tightened too much?

Answer: Yes, the band may be overtightened. As a patient you will know as it will become very difficult to eat solid foods without vomiting the food or experiencing uncomfortableness. Moreover, when the band is very tight, patients generally gain weight due to them consuming more liquids or softer foods that pasl through the band with ease. These foods normally have a higher fat and sugar content. When patients begin this erratical eating method, they areactually getting more calories than if the band was loose to start offr. It is not uncommon for the band which is too tight to give heartburn and coughing to some patients.

Question: What is the LAP-BAND®  made of?

Answer: The LAP-BAND® is designed from silicone and titanium.

Question: Is it possible for a person to reject the band?

Answer: Yes, it is possible to have a negative reaction to any foreign object in the body. However, clinical research has shown that to be an rare occurrence.

Question: Do adjustments hurt?

Answer: There are a lot less nerve endings in the skin of the abdomen and patients claim that the band adjustments are virtually painfree.

Question: Are adjustments done in the doctor's office?

Answer: Yes, adjustments are completed in the LapBand doctor's office.

Question: How long has the LAP-BAND® been around?

Answer: LAP-BAND® was first used on a patient in Belgium in 1994. In June 2001,the FDA approved the LAP-BAND® for patients in the U. S.A., Europe, Australia and Mexico have been using it since the early mid-1990's.

Question: How much weight loss should I expect with the LAP-BAND® Surgery?

Answer: In the first 1-2 years you should expect to lose 1-2 pounds of weight weekly. In the long term, you should expect to take off 50-70% of your excess weigh.

Question: If following surgery, and I get to a weight loss peak, what do I do?

Answer: The so called "peaks" are a common process of losing weight. During the first year or two post-op, a weight loss peak normally means that you should come in and have some fluid inserted in the band to makeit more restrictive. At times, these peaks are due to overtightening of the bandt. If the Band is too tight, weight loss will resume after a little fluid is taken out of the Band.

Question: What if I am unable to handle the demands post surgery?

Answer: Weight loss surgery will require many changes in a person's life like the daily foods they eat and leading a moe active lifestyle. it is not uncommon for patients to be sad, angry and frustrated when dealing with many changes at one time. Patients need to be patient with themselves.

Question: I'm worried that post-op, my behavioral eating will come back.  How do I defeat this?

Answer: Make an appointment with the behavioral nurse or other specialists to discover options to coping with emotions in techniques other than consuming foods.

• Question: What is the purpose of support groups?

Answer: There are lots of advantages to going and joining support groups such as;

1. To listen to others who have related problems like yours
2. To celebrate uplifting modifications in each person's life post surgery
3. To read about information on bariatric lifestyles
4. To provide motivation and guidance to follow the rules that do work for people over a lifetime
5. To meet people firsthand who have had successful outcome and are willing to help others
6. To discuss with a group who can relate to your journey from experience
   
   

Question: How much pain will I feel following the LAP-BAND® Procedure?

Answer: The majority of patients feel a mild to moderate pain. A normal answer by patients post-op is that it feels like they a couple hundred sit-ups without a rest and their stomache muscles are sore.  The pain is mostly felt above the port site incision. Howve, you will be more thanable get out of bed, walk, and move around post surgery.

Question: Can I drink after the procedure?

Answer: There is a high probability that you can drink clear liquids on the day of procedure or the day following surgery.

Question: How much time will I be in the hospital when eligble for same day release?

Answer: Beginning from the time youarrive at the surgical floor to recovery, it goes on average 6-8 hours. Although, times and clinics may vart.

Question: What is the minimum age and maximum age for being qualified for LAP-BAND® Surgery?

Answer: The age range can be as low as 18 while the top age is 75 years old, but it is subject to the individual doctor’s choicee.

Question: How much time off from work will I need to recover?

Answer: Depending on the surgery type and the doctor's preferences, a large number of patients take 3-5 days off their job for the LAP-BAND® surgery. Once again, it will differ among patients.