The Lap-Band port allows the adjustment of the circumference of your band around your stomach by the adding or removing of a small amount of sterile saline solution.

The port is a small device that attaches directly to the Lap-Band. The port is located just under the skin and your doctor can adjust it with a syringe. This makes it quick and simple to make minor adjustments without a surgical procedure.

Port leaks are very uncommon.. You may notice a decreased restriction and a higher appetite if you have a leak. Your Lap-Band Surgeon can easily detect leaks and replace the port if needed and it won’t cause a set back on your weight loss. It is amazing how such a small device can have such a huge impact on weight loss and help so many people live a much improved healthy life style.

How the Procedure Works

Lap Band surgery is technically called laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The goal of the surgery is to help the patient achieve significant weight loss by limiting the amount of food that the stomach can hold at one time. Other bariatric surgeries involve actually changing the size of the stomach, or bypassing portions of the stomach altogether. Lap Band surgery is different, because it does not cut the stomach at all.

Instead, this surgery makes the stomach smaller by placing a silicone band around the upper portion of the organ. The band is a hollow tube that is filled with sterile saline, which makes it completely adjustable. It creates a pouch where the food that the patient eats enters to begin the digestive process. The pouch has an opening that allows the food to flow slowly into the rest of the stomach. This opening can be made smaller or larger depending on the patient’s needs by changing the amount of saline in the band. The band is put in place laparoscopically, which reduces much of the trauma on the body caused by stomach stapling or rerouting procedures.

After the patient is under anesthetic, the physician will begin the procedure by making several small incisions into the abdominal wall. The instruments for the surgery are inserted through tubes placed in these incisions. One such tool is a camera that shows the physician what is happening inside the body. Using small surgical instruments, the band is put in place and secured around the stomach. Once it is in place, the instruments and tubes are removed, the incisions are closed, and the surgery is complete.

Weight Loss After Surgery

The weight loss surgery creates a small gastric pouch at the top of the stomach. This pouch limits how much food the patient can eat. It also slows down the rate at which the stomach can empty into the intestines, effectively slowing the digestion rate. This allows the patient to feel full for a longer period of time.

Sometimes patients who have Lapband surgery do not experience enough weight loss or lose weight too rapidly. Either problem can be resolved by adjusting the band to allow more or less food through the opening. Adjusting the LapBand device is simple, because an access port is placed just underneath the skin during the surgery. A thin needle can add or remove saline from the band through this port whenever the patient’s doctor thinks it is necessary, and this procedure takes just a few minutes to do.

Weight loss for patients who have Lap Band surgery occurs for two reasons. First, the patient is eating less due to the smaller size of his stomach and the fact that he is feeling full longer. Second, patients who have this procedure done must carefully consider what they eat for its nutritional value, because they are eating much less than they did before. This helps to control weight as well, since healthy foods are chosen over junk foods. Because of the minimally invasive nature of this weight loss surgery, coupled with the high rate of success for patients who have it done, many obese individuals are choosing Lap Band surgery as their permanent weight loss solution.

Laparoscopic weight loss surgery is designed to induce weight loss by limiting food consumption. The adjustable gastric band is the safest surgical procedure for weight loss, unique because it is adjustable and reversible. When doing research for lap band Toronto surgery, be sure to visit the CIBO Weight Loss Clinic.

It will be most important for you to:

• Maintain a liquid diet for 3 weeks until the band heals in place
• When you are back on solid foods, remember to chew, chew, chew!
• Eat several small meals throughout the day with only one or two ounces of lean protein per day and one or two servings of fruit
• Make sure to take the recommended supplements ( vitamins such as A, D, E, Calcium, Iron and B1, B12)
• Attend every check up to the lap band surgeon for adjustments (fills) – usually every 6-8 weeks

If you follow the above carefully, you will enjoy a smooth transition into your new, and healthier, lifestyle. Make sure to follow all of the instructions provided by your surgeon.

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.

Some of the many health risks that are associated with obesity include the following:

• Increased risk for many types of cancer
• Increased chance of having type II diabetes
• Higher risk of developing heart disease
• Increased likelihood of having high blood pressure and stroke
• Higher chance of having joint ailments like arthritis
• Increased likelihood of having breathing problems

How Can Obesity Be Controlled?
Traditionally, obesity has been considered a result of overindulgence in food and lack of exercise. For some people, this is the case. Diet and exercise play an important role in controlling obesity, but in some cases, the extra weight gets in the way to starting a good diet and exercise program.

For those people, weight loss surgery, including lap band Toronto surgery, may be an effective option in getting excess weight under control. When the weight is gone, it’s possible to implement a good exercise plan.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery may be a good option for people who have not had weight loss success with non-surgical methods. Weight loss surgery can provide the best results for these individuals, including longer-term loss of weight.

The two most common types of weight loss surgery are lap band Toronto surgery and gastric bypass surgery. There are significant differences between these two weight loss surgery options, and it’s important that those considering weight loss surgery understand the risks and benefits of both options.

What is Gastric Bypass?
Gastric bypass is a weight loss surgery option that involves several steps, including the following:
• Stapling the stomach to reduce its size
• Bypassing much of the stomach and some of the intestines
• Surgically attaching the intestines to the smaller stomach pouch

This procedure makes it impossible for the patient to eat as much food as they normally would. The shortened intestine also means that the body cannot absorb as many nutrients from the food.

There are some advantages to this weight loss surgery option. They include a rapid loss of weight and a long history of successful use in the United States. Gastric bypass sometimes results in a higher total average loss of weight than is found in patients who have undergone a lap band procedure.

The disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery are significant. The procedure is extremely invasive. Gastric bypass surgery results in more complications than lap band surgery, and patients who have undergone gastric bypass procedures have a difficult time absorbing essential nutrients from their food.

In addition, there are several negative side effects associated with the gastric bypass procedure, including “dumping syndrome” and medical complications. Reversal of gastric bypass surgery is very difficult, and gastric bypass surgery has a mortality rate that is ten times higher than lap band surgery.

What is Lap Band Surgery?
Lap band surgery is a weight loss surgery option that involves placing an adjustable gastric band around the upper portion of a patient’s stomach. This procedure restricts the amount of food the stomach can contain, because it restricts the size of the stomach. It also increases the amount of time it takes for food to pass to the intestines.

The lap band procedure works because it limits the amount of food a patient can eat, slows digestion, and reduces the patient’s appetite. This procedure does not interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

Lap band surgery has many advantages, including being minimally invasive, adjustable, and reversible. There is a much lower risk for malnutrition. The short-term mortality rate for lap band surgery is one tenth the mortality rate for gastric bypass, making it a much safer weight loss surgery option.

The disadvantages of lap band surgery are that it results in slower weight loss than gastric bypass surgery, requires follow-up medical visits, and has a small risk of leaking or slipping.

Please note that the lap band is also known as the slimband, or slim band.

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.

The fact that the lap band is adjustable is what makes it unique and very safe compared to other morbid obesity weight loss surgeries, such as a gastric bypass. The lap band placement surgery is so minimal that it can be done in an hour, with the patient having a one-day hospital stay. During surgery, a small access port is placed under the skin in a muscle of the abdominal wall for easy access to inject or remove the saline fluid, otherwise known as “a fill”. After surgery, the patient needs to see their doctor regularly to ensure the band is not too tight or too loose. Adjustments are made over time to make sure the lap band is working effectively.

The adjustable gastric band is an effective tool if you are committed to using it properly. The lap band alone will not resolve obesity; success depends on regular follow-ups and new eating habits. When following the guidelines set out by your doctor, side effects (such as band slippage, port site pain or displacement, and leakage of the reservoir, tubing or band) are minimized. In general, potential complications of lap band surgery are not serious, but as with any surgery, there is risk.

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.