LAP-BAND® System Overview
Obesity is a national epidemic, and one that has social, economic, and serious health implications. This problem is well-recognized and affects us all.
Patients that come to Dr. Lee have often struggled with obesity and the related medical, social, and psychological problems for a very long time. Although her patients are well aware of the national statistics, the way that obesity is shadowing their own personal life is far more poignant to them. Her patients do not need news stations or magazines to tell them about the social stigma, about the high costs of medications and doctor visits to treat the medical problems due to the obesity, the chronic pain or lack of sleep, the ups and downs of losing weight on a medical diet only to gain it back, etc. They don't need to read that information because they experience this dilemma daily.
What they do find interest in reading are the studies that show that surgical weight loss is effective and sustainable. They read with interest that surgical weight loss gives them a way to achieve significant weight loss and keep it off. The stories about patients getting off medications, resolving other medical problems, leading healthier and happier lives are what catch their attention.
The Lap-Band® System is a safe and effective way to lose weight and keep it off. By placing the Lap Band around the stomach, a small upper pouch is created. This reduces the stomach capacity and is designed to create a sense of satisfaction and fullness after a small meal. The system is adjustable and can be tightened or loosened to reach just the right amount of fullness for each patient while assuring adequate nutrition and a healthy diet. The goal is a slow, steady, and healthy weight loss rate. Comprehensive diet and exercise instructions to maximize safety and efficacy is provided and modified if needed to each patient. Close follow up and adjustments with Dr. Lee are very important. The ultimate goal is to achieve significant weight loss and see obesity related comorbidities improve or even resolve.
Gastric banding is minimally invasive, adjustable, reversible, and a less risky alternative to more invasive surgical weight loss procedures. It achieved FDA approval in the USA in 2001, but has been used in over 300,000 procedures worldwide. Gastric banding does not involve any cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestines. This procedure has very low rates of perioperative complications and mortality.
Any surgical weight loss option, even the Lap-Band® is only to be used for obese adult patients with a BMI (weight in kilograms/height in meters2) over 40 or a BMI of at least 35 with at least one severe obesity related health problem such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc. This is because any surgical procedure carries risks and potential complications, so it is not appropriate for everyone. You will receive very detailed information regarding the full benefits, risks, and complication as well as alternatives in your visits with Dr. Lee; but a brief list of some potential complications include band slippage, erosion, obstruction of the stomach, dilation of the esophagus, infection, death, nausea and vomiting, unsatisfactory weight loss, need for reoperation, and others. Our program has a top weight capacity of 350 pounds.