About Lap-Band Surgery

Used to help those who are morbidly obese or have co-morbid medical conditions, the Lap-Band surgery is an adjustable gastric banding procedure that is completely reversible and minimally invasive. It's a restrictive weight loss surgery that reduces food intake and hunger by restricting stomach capacity.

How Will LAP-BAND Surgery Help Me Lose Weight?

The Lap-Band circles the stomach like a belt and creates a small pouch in the top region of the stomach and a small outlet that connects the pouch and lower stomach. Because of the pouch and the slower movement of food between the upper and lower regions of the stomach, stomach capacity is minimized and the feeling of fullness comes on faster, resulting in smaller meals.

More tthan reducing your intake, the procedure would also result in reducing your hunger between meals. The slow movement of food between the pouch and lower region of your stomach would cause a slower emptying process so that you feel full for longer.

In time, as you intake less food and less calories, you will lose a significant amount of weight.

Least Invasive of Weight Loss Surgeries

The Lap-Band surgery is a laparascopic rather than open surgery. Small incisions and advanced video camera technology aid surgeons as they implant the inflatable silicone band around the upper stomach. There is no cutting, stapling or intestinal re-routing so the trauma induced to the body is much lower than with other weight loss surgeries.

If you have Lap-Band surgery, you will also feel less post-operative pain than you would with other weight loss surgeries and your will recover faster.

Adjustable to Suit Your Body

As you lose weight due to the Lap-Band, your physiology may change. This weight loss procedure allows for adjustments as needed by inflation and deflation of the silicone band. Fluid that fills the band can be added to or removed during different phases of your weight loss management to best meet your physiological needs at any given time. This adjustability allows you to effectively manage and change your levels of weight loss.

How Do I Know if the LAP-BAND Surgery is Right for Me?

Before you have the Lap-Band surgery, you have to be positive that the Allergan? Advanced Platform Lap-Band System? is a good solution for you. Dr. Collier will give you comprehensive consultation to help you decide whether this type of surgery is aligned with your health needs. Read the indications below to get a better idea of whether or not Lap-Band surgery is right for you.

Indications

Consider the Lap-Band if:

You are at least 16 years old (certain growth factors must be considered if you are under 18)
Your BMI is over 40 or higher, roughly being equivalent to being at least 100 pounds (45 kilos) more than your ideal weight.
Your BMI is between 35-40 and you suffer from one or more associated serious co-morbid diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
You have been overweight for more than five years and your strong efforts to lose weight have only worked in the short term. (Note: Many insurance companies require proof that you?ve been overweight for five consecutive years to cover the surgery).
You don?t have any other disease that has a direct impact on your weight.
You're fully prepared to assume a healthier diet.
You're fully prepared to exercise regularly.
You're willing to continue working with the specialist who is treating you.
You don't drink alcohol in excess.

If your BMI is less than 35, Lap-Band surgery may not be right for you. However, Dr. Collier may still consider you for the operation if your health problems are directly related to your weight or if you have participated in nonsurgical weight loss programs and made strong attempts at weight loss without success. Ask Dr. Collier to discuss these criteria with you.

To check your BMI, use our BMI Calculator.

Contraindications

Do not consider Lap-Band surgery if:

You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease.
You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach.
That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel).
You have portal hypertension.
You have experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement.
You have cirrhosis.
You have chronic pancreatitis.
You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the Allergan? Lap-Band has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.)
You're addicted to alcohol or drugs.
You're under 16 years of age.
You have an active infection anywhere in your body that could contaminate the surgical area.
You're on long-term steroid treatment.
You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure.
You're unwilling to participate in some type of aerobic exercise activity.
You might be allergic to materials in the device.
You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device.
You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases.
Some physicians believe that patients with a "sweet tooth" or a history of binge eating may not do well with the Lap-Band. If this may apply to you, you will need to discuss this further with Dr. Collier.

To learn more about Kingwood Lap-Band surgery and consult with Dr. Collier, respected and experienced Houston area weight loss surgeon, call 281.367.2263. Dr. Collier serves patients throughout the Houston area, including The Woodlands, Conroe, Kingwood, Huntsville, Humble and Spring, Texas.