Pre-Surgical Exams

Prior to lap band surgery you doctor will go over the risks associated with the bariatric procedure.  He will also inform you of what you will need to do to get yourself mentally and physically prepared.

For instance, there will be a serious of physical exams that you will have to undergo to make sure you are in optimum health.  These tests can include but are not limited to chest X-rays, gallbladder ultra sound, upper G.I. series, EKG, and blood and urine analysis. You may have to pay for these tests up front, so be sure to ask you doctor if this is the case.

You bariatric physician will also ask you a few questions to make sure you are well aware of what you will have to do to facilitate your weight loss goals.  Before the surgery he will reiterate that the lapband operation is a tool and will not make the pounds melt away—there will be work required on your part.

People who understand this are more likely to successfully lose weight after their   operation.

The Day of Lap Band Surgery

You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day before your surgery as your stomach has to be completely empty to ensure that procedural risks are minimized.  Once you arrive at the hospital you will be prepped for surgery and a general anesthetic will be utilized.  The operation will take roughly 2-3 hours, after which you’ll spend approximately an hour in recovery.  Although you probably won’t feel like it, medical assistants will urge you to walk around to prevent blood clots, respiratory problems and bedsores.  They will also run a number of tests to make sure the lap band has been placed correctly.

The hospital stay can range from 24-72 hours, so be prepared.  Length of stay will depend on how successful the surgery was and if there were any complications.

After being released from the hospital, you’ll probably have to take it easy a bit, but most people find that they are able to resume normal activities within a week or so.  Observing a liquid diet for a few weeks is usually par for the course, followed by meals of puréed and blended foods.  Once you begin eating more solid foods you will be instructed to chew it thoroughly and avoid drinking fluids with meals.

Long Term after Care

You’ll have to see a doctor for routine follow up visits for quite some time after the procedure.  During these visits, the doctor will check on your progress, look for any potential problems and ensure steady and adequate weight loss.

If you are having a hard time coming to grips with lifestyle changes, a doctor’s visit is the best time to bring it up.  Combating obstacles can make all the deference between weight loss and a loss of time, effort and money.

Success Depends on You

Remember, 50 percent of people who have lap band surgery find success with it.  That means that for every person who loses weight there are those who do not lose the weight they desired.  As cliché as it sounds, part of your operation’s success has to do with attitude and the willingness faithfully pursue one’s goals.

In the end, losing weight after the lap band procedure is up to you.  This is a good thing however, as you will adopt a healthier attitude, increase your quality of life and leave your life destiny in your own hands.

However, before you sign on the dotted line and allow your child to undergo a lapband surgery procedure, you should ask yourself if this is indeed the only method left to combat obesity. You must consider how the surgery will affect the child’s lifestyle because once the surgery is done, the child’s eating habits will have to change dramatically. You can’t monitor your child eating while at school, it would be very difficult, but probably not impossible. So your vigilance and attention will be necessary whether you plan to change your child’s diet with or without lap band surgery.

It is wise to consult a dietitian and/or your family doctor to assess your child’s condition. If possible, do try to incorporate ample exercise coupled with good healthy food in your child’s daily habits to reduce his weight. If this is something you’ve already tried, then maybe considering lap band surgery is your next step.

Prior to leaving the lap band surgery clinic, you will be visited by the dietitian who will impart valuable knowledge about your diet after going through the Adjustable Gastric Lap Band surgery. The dietitian will tell you that you are to adhere to a strict clear liquid diet, and if you fail to follow this simple instruction for at least 4 to 5 days, you may suffer from band erosion or slippage which would be harmful to your health.

Love coffee, tea or other caffeinated drinks? I’m sorry to say that you are recommended against drinking these types of drinks for the first 90 days after your lap band procedure. Carbonated drinks like Coca Cola and Diet Coke are also a huge no-no. If you do not heed this warning, you will suffer from gas and bloating which will affect the result of your surgery.

In a nutshell, it is vital to follow a proper diet after your lap band procedure and if not, your efforts will all be for naught. Make sure you listen to your lap band surgeon and adhere to all their recommendations to ensure a smooth transition into your new, healthy lifestyle.

Now patients hoping to have lap band surgery can be nearly scar free with this single incision option, which was featured recently on the Today Show.  The new technique, Trans-umbilical Gastric banding (TUGB), will possibly improve healing and recovery time as well as a better cosmetic result (no scars).

See the full press release here.

The different types of weight loss surgery

There are five different types of weight loss surgery that a person can opt for. Those types are:

•    Vertical Banded Gastroplasty – The stomach is divided into two parts with surgical staples. The upper part is the smaller part so that the intake of food can be reduced. A small opening is placed between the two parts so that food can slowly move into the larger section. There is also a band placed around the opening so that it doesn’t enlarge. There are some complications involving wearing of the band and the staple line breaking down. It is rare, but stomach juices may leak outside of the stomach or infection could result.

•    Lap Band Surgery – A band that is inflatable is used to divide the stomach into a smaller section and a larger section. Just with Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, a small opening allows food to make its way to the larger part of the stomach for digestion. The band is inflated by injecting saline into a valve. Saline can also be taken away. People should be around 100 pounds overweight to receive this surgery and they need to be individuals who have failed at loosing weight through other means that have been supervised by a doctor. Risks are minimal, but some side effects such as heartburn and nausea may exist.

•    Roux-en- Y Gastric Bypass – This surgery is more involved in that the stomach is divided into two parts by surgical staples. However, the small stomach pouch is connected to the middle of the small intestine. This is so food goes directly into the small intestine. The amount of nutrients and calories that are absorbed by the body are reduced. That can have its pros and its cons. Some have been known to become nutritionally deficient. If food moves too quickly through the small intestine, “Dumping Syndrome” can occur.

•    Biliopancreatic Diversion – This is a procedure that is not used in the United States because it involves removing a part of the stomach and then connecting the remainder to the end of the small intestine. Basically, the food is deposited into the colon around the area in which bile and digestive juices are still mixed with the food. This is the least frequently used method because of nutritional deficiencies.

•    Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy – This is a procedure that only 15 surgeons worldwide perform. It restricts the amount of food a person can take in. There is no bypassing of the intestines, but the stomach is basically cut in half vertically rather than divided into two horizontal halves. The larger part is removed.

If you’re considering surgery

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, you now know of five different types of surgery. Yes, two of these are not performed as often as the others, but it is still good to know they exist in case these methods are available to you. Each has its pros, it’s cons and each have their own risks. Be mindful of all of it.

If you are considering weight loss surgery, Lap Band surgery may be an option for you. There are many reputable Lap Band clinics in Toronto, but before you make an appointment, make sure to do your research. Below are a few things to consider if you are thinking about undergoing Lap Band surgery for weight loss.

Cost

Lap Band surgery in Toronto and other parts of Canada can be very costly. You’ll have to research the different Lap Band clinics to find out specific information related to cost. In many cases, medical insurance will not cover the cost of bariatric surgery. Consider whether you’re willing to finance your own surgery through loans or credit cards should it be necessary.

Eligibility

Many different factors are considered by doctors in determining whether you are eligible for Lap Band surgery or not. In order to qualify for surgery, you must be between the ages of 18 and 55, and at least 100 pounds overweight. Alternatively, you may have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 35 and 40+ or (or a BMI of 35 with significant co’morbidity). You must be in reasonably good health and you must report any current or past medical problems. Patients with severe and permanent medical conditions are considered ineligible for bariatric surgery.

In order to determine if you are a candidate for Lap Band surgery several exams are required prior to scheduling surgery. Required tests include: EKG, Upper G.I. Series, Gallbladder Ultrasound, Chest X’Ray, Blood & Urine Analysis.

Risks

As with any type of major surgery, there are general risks associated with undergoing a major procedure. These risks can be worse for overweight patients.
Most of the common complications associated with lap band surgery will take place after the surgery. Most patients will experience one type of complication or other in the weeks and months following lap band surgery.

Common Complications
- Nausea & Vomiting: 50% of patients
- Regurgitation/Gastro Esophageal reflux: 1/3 of patients
- Slippage of the band: 1/4 of patients
- Blockage in the passage between the two sections of the stomach: 1 in 7 pages
- Difficulty in swallowing (dysphasia), constipation and diarrhea

More Serious Complications
- Erosion of the band into the stomach
- Twisting or leakage of the access port

Rare Complications
- Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) – less than 1%
- Migration of the stomach above the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Gas/flatulence
- Chest pain
- Infection

Commitment
Though the surgery can technically be reversed by removing the Lap Band, you must remember that Lap Band surgery is considered a lifelong commitment that is intended to help keep the weight off. With that being said, living with the lap band will require a total lifestyle change. Some of the changes you can expect include the following:

- You’ll have to learn new eating habits. While you are learning these new eating habits you can expect vomiting to occur.
- For up to three days following surgery, you will only be allowed to consume clear liquids in small amounts.
- Solid foods will be allowed only after clear liquids and soft foods are kept down.
- Progression to solid foods is slow and varies from one patient to another. Initially, one starts with 8 teaspoons of food, which must be eaten slowly. You must stop eating as soon as you start to feel full or you may vomit.

Average Weight Loss

It is difficult to estimate how much weight you will lose monthly or annually following Lap Band surgery, especially since results vary for everyone depending on your age, height, metabolism, level of activity, etcetera. However, patients who follow the new eating patterns carefully and exercise daily can hope to lose more than 30 kilos (or 65 pounds) in the first year.

Conclusion

If after considering all these factors you still think Lap Band surgery may be for you, the next step is to talk to a doctor about your situation. Research Lap Band clinics in Toronto and make an appointment to discuss surgery with a specialist.

CIBO clinic’s adjustable gastric band offers the safest, sustainable results in weight loss by reducing the amount of food your stomach can hold. You can lose weight without hunger and feel full longer with support before and after your Lap Band Surgery.