LAP-BAND® Weight Loss procedures in Orange County

presented by the Coastal Center for Obesity for residents of Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Corona, Corona Del Mar , Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Las Flores, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Trabuco Canyon, Tustin, Tustin Ranch, Westminster, and Yorba Linda

Lap-Band apparatus picture The LAP-BAND^® operation is a less invasive alternative to the gastric bypass operation. It has been in use in the United States since FDA approval in 2001 and in many other parts of the world since 1993. It has become the primary weight-loss operation in many countries outside the United States. Studies have shown the LAP-BAND® operation to be safe and effective for weight loss.

Understanding the LAP-BAND® operation

The LAP-BAND® is an adjustable band made from silicone. The LAP-BAND® is placed around the top of the stomach forming a very small pouch (15cc or 1/2oz). The LAP-BAND® is connected to a port which is implanted under the skin of the abdomen. By adding or removing saline from the port, the band tightness around the stomach can be adjusted. When food is consumed, it quickly fills the small stomach pouch, satisfying hunger. Over time, the food empties from the pouch through the band into the remainder of the stomach. Weight loss occurs because the small stomach pouch restricts the quantity of food that can be consumed.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band

Lapband Diagram - Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band

Am I A Candidate?

Guidelines for weight loss surgery have been set by the National Institutes of Health. The guidelines state that candidates should have a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or greater. Candidates may have a BMI of 35-39.9 if other medical problems associated with obesity are present.

Hospital Course

Patients report to the hospital the day of surgery. Surgery usually takes about one hour. Patients begin drinking liquids and walking soon after surgery. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital on the day of surgery or the day after surgery.

After Surgery

The postoperative diet consists of liquids and protein shakes for two weeks. A slow transition onto solid food is begun starting two weeks after surgery. Patients attend a nutrition class 2 weeks after surgery to learn how to transition onto solid food and to learn the rules of good nutrition and eating after LAP-BAND® surgery.

Office appointments will be made every 4-8 weeks the first year after surgery and less often thereafter. Follow-up is extremely important after LAP-BAND® surgery. Frequent follow-up has been shown to result in better weight loss. This is because bad eating habits (cheating after LAP-BAND® surgery is not difficult) can be frequently addressed and changed and because the band can be tightened as needed.

Weight Loss

Studies have shown that weight loss after LAP-BAND® Surgery surgery averages 55-65% of excess weight within two years^1-3.

It is important to remember that these weight loss results are averages. Patients can lose more or less weight than the average. The operation is only one part of the weight loss process. Good eating habits and exercise are extremely important to maximize weight loss after surgery. Patients who are able to commit themselves to good eating habits and regular exercise after surgery generally lose more weight that those who can't.

Impact of LAP-BAND® Surgery on Medical Problems

Many medical problems are associated with obesity. Examples include diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pain and arthritis, heartburn, asthma, depression, infertility, urinary stress incontinence, lower extremity swelling and headaches. Studies have shown that all tend to either resolve or improve after surgery^4-6.

LAP-BAND® Financing available:

Coastal Center for Obesity’s LAP-BAND® patients can now finance all costs associated with LAP-BAND®. LAP-BAND® can help you take control of your hunger, lose dangerous excess weight and keep it off.

Call 888 527 5222 or email us: coastalinfo@coastalobesity.com

Read the Woman's World article about LAP-BAND® Surgery

Bibliography and LAP-BAND® references

1. O'Brien PE, Brown WA, Smith A et al. Prospective study of a laparoscopically placed, adjustable gastric band in the treatment of obesity. Br J Surg 1999;85:113-118.

2. Dargent J. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: lessons from the first 500 patients in a single institution. Obes Surg 1999;9:446-52.

3. Belachew M, Legrand M, Vincent V et al. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. World J Surg 1998;22:955-63.

4. Alvarez-Cordero R, Ramirez-Wiella G, Aragon-Viruette E et al. Laparoscopic gastric banding: initial two year experience. Obes Surg 1998;8:360.

5. Dixon JB, O'Brien PE. Gastroesophageal reflux in obesity: the effect of LAP-BAND® placement. Obes Surg 1999;9:527-31.

6. Dixon JB, Chapman L, O'Brien P. Marked Improvement in asthma after LAP-BAND® surgery for morbid obesity. Obes Surg 1999;9:385-9.