We are delighted to be able to offer the LAP-BAND gastric restrictive procedure as an alternative to gastric bypass surgery. The LAP-BAND offers another approach to weight loss surgery for patients who feel the Gastric Bypass is not right for them.

These two surgeries are very different in their technique, complexity, risk, rate of weight loss, and types of complications. Our intention is not to steer you toward one or the other but to supply you with the information you need to make your own descision. Weight loss surgery still has controversy and at present there is no one "best surgery". You must take part in the descision about the type of surgery you want just as you must take part in your post-operative care and the lifestyle changes that are necessary after surgery. The links within this website are intended to guide your descision making, if you have specific questions that aren't answered by this information please e-mail and we'll do our best to get the information that you need.

BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System FACT SHEET

The BioEnterics LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System (INAMED Health, Santa Barbara, CA) is the newest surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, thereby restricting the amount of food that can be consumed at one time.

Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. Since there is no cutting, stapling, or stomach rerouting involved in the LAP-BAND System procedure, it is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries. The surgeon makes several tiny incisions and uses long, slender instruments to implant the device. By avoiding the large incision of open surgery, patients generally experience less pain and scarring. In addition, the hospital stay is shortened to less than 24 hours, including overnight hospitalization. Patients can typically resume normal activities within 1 week, which is quicker than with other surgical alternatives.

The LAP-BAND System is an adjustable silicone band with an inflatable inner surface. It is connected to an access port below the skin surface by thin, kink-resistant silicone tubing. The port allows the surgeon to adjust the size of the LAP-BAND System to meet individual patient weight loss needs by adding or removing saline to inflate or deflate the band. This impacts the amount and consumption rate of food. Adjustments to the band, which are performed during simple outpatient visits, are determined by the patient’s weight loss, the amount of food that can be comfortably eaten, the exercise regimen, and other issues surrounding the patient’s health, as well as the amount of fluid already in the patient’s band.

Because no permanent changes are made to the body’s physiology, the procedure can essentially be reversed. If necessary, all of the system components can be removed from the body with no damage to the digestive organs. The stomach will generally return to its original form and capacity once the band is removed.

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Placement of the LAP-BAND is still major surgery and has accompanying risks. The LAP-BAND will require careful adherence to a nutritionally sound diet and clearly is not for everyone who is considering weight loss surgery. There continues to be debate regarding the “perfect” weight loss surgery and there are critics of the LAP-BAND method just as there are critics of each of the other weight loss surgery techniques. . .We invite you to visit the link to the LAP-BAND website www.lap-band.com.

The evaluation process for the LAP-BAND will be identical to that which is required of our patients for Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass. As the device has only relatively recently been approved by the FDA, your insurance company may not yet recognize this method for its importance and value. This may necessitate an appeals process but we pledge our best effort at assisting you. For a consultation please go to our patient information form and forward a completed form to us. We will respond by e-mail and update you when an appointment can be arranged. We are enthusiastic about this addition to our services and look forward to working with you.