Questions and Concerns About Lap Band Surgery

If you are overweight, and are having difficulty losing weight, you may consider having weight loss surgery. There are a few options you have as far as procedures; one option is to have the Lap Band surgery. Once you have decided to have Lap Band surgery, you will have a lot of questions and concerns.

You will want to know how the Lap Band works, first and foremost. The Lap Band is a band that is placed around the stomach, approximately one inch below the esophagus. Running along the inside of the band, is an inflatable balloon made of silicone. This balloon, is connected, via a tube, to a port located somewhere on the muscles of the abdomen. When the doctor injects saline into the port, it inflates the balloon making the opening to the stomach smaller. You end up with a small pouch for approximately an ounce of food.

The theory behind this is that the top portion of the stomach needs to be stimulated to let your brain know that you are full. Creating a smaller opening to the stomach, means that the food will stay there longer, working its way into the larger portion of the stomach, and therefore tricking your brain into thinking that you are full.

You will probably want to know about recovery time. In general, you will only need to plan on being in the hospital for the day of your surgery, and could be back at work within a few days. If you have a job where you are standing for long periods of time, you may need to take a week off for recovery time.

How much weight can you expect to lose? The Lap Band is designed to help you in losing weight, not do it for you. So, you are still in control of your weight loss. If you choose to not follow the guidelines, and eat ice cream all the time, you will find that you are not losing weight as you had hoped. On the other side, however, if you follow the guidelines, and eat protein, then vegetables, followed by any carbs, you will find that you are pretty consistent with your weight loss.

To learn more, speak with a New Jersey LAP BAND surgeon.