Contact our Long Island, New York center to discuss the LAP-BAND® System and bariatric surgery with our team of specialists.
Laparoscopy Bariatric Center
at Syosset Hospital, the Center for Surgical Specialties, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.
221 Jericho Turnpike
Syosset, NY 11791
(516) 714-5431
Serving Long Island, New York and the Tri-State Area— The LAP-BAND® System
One of the most successful and innovative weight loss options available at our practice on Long Island, New York is the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System. The LAP-BAND® System is a minimally invasive surgical treatment designed to help morbidly obese patients lose significant amounts of weight and start on a path to healthy living. Here is a brief introduction to this revolutionary solution for patients with morbid obesity. Please contact The Laparoscopy Bariatric Center on Long Island, New York to schedule a bariatric surgery consultation.
Causes of Obesity
More than 300,000 people die each year due to obesity and complications associated with being overweight. Many of these individuals suffer from morbid obesity, having a Body Mass Index (BMI) significantly above what is considered healthy. BMI is calculated by comparing a person's height to his or her weight. A person who is considered overweight typically has a BMI between 25 and 29.9. The classification “obese” is applied to those with a BMI of 30 or more, and a BMI of 40 or higher is considered "morbidly obese."
One of the most important things to know about obesity is that it is a disease. Some of the most common causes of obesity are:
- Heredity – Half of all children in families with two obese parents can be classified as overweight.
- Metabolic disorders – Endocrine dysfunctions, such as hypothyroidism, can cause obesity; fortunately, these medical conditions are often correctable.
- Environment and social stressors – These can significantly impact eating behaviors and lead to excessive weight gain. The prevalence of fast food with high fat and sugar contents, as well as decreased aerobic activity due to longer working hours, play societal roles in massive weight gain.
Once one or all of these factors have established themselves, obesity can generate many health complications and increase the risk of developing serious, life-threatening conditions.
Contact our Long Island, New York LAP-BAND® System bariatric surgery staff for more information.
Health Risks Associated with Obesity
Individuals who are 45 percent or more above their ideal weight have 30 times the risk of developing Type II diabetes. People who are over their ideal body weight by 20 percent or more are 10 times more likely to develop high blood pressure. Other risks of obesity include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Coronary artery disease
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Cancer
- Sleep Apnea
- Infertility
Though diet and exercise are the most common and effective methods of combating obesity, sometimes they are not enough. At our practice serving New York, Long Island, and the Tri-State Area, our experienced physicians can use the LAP-BAND® System bariatric surgery to minimize the health risks of obesity by aiding the patient in losing significant amounts of weight, and keeping it off.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is designed to be less "open" than traditional forms of bariatric surgery. It is a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedure that involves making small incisions and performing the surgery with thin, narrow medical instruments and a video camera, which relays live video of the inside of the body to a monitor. Our bariatric surgeons use the images displayed on the screen to conduct the surgery. Among the many benefits of laparoscopic surgery: the patient experiences a shorter recovery period, less post-operative pain, and minimal scarring.
The LAP-BAND® System
The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System is designed to surgically limit a patient's ability to consume food, in addition to curbing his or her appetite. The LAP-BAND® System procedure, also known as gastric banding, creates a smaller stomach chamber, which is more easily filled up with smaller portions of food and gives the patient a feeling of "fullness" much faster. The procedure has some similarities to other types of bariatric surgery, but is very different in a variety of ways. Chiefly, surgery with the LAP-BAND® System is reversible: the band can be removed at any time. Also, the band can be adjusted without additional surgery, if the patient desires or requires it. These are just two of the benefits of the LAP-BAND® System that make it somewhat advantageous over other forms of bariatric surgery.
The adjustable gastric band itself is made of silicone elastomer and consists of an inflatable tube that contains a saline solution. The band is placed on the upper portion of the stomach, reducing the size of the stomach pouch that will hold food. The amount of saline inside the band can be increased or decreased, allowing for greater or lesser food intake.
Surgery with the LAP-BAND® System
Here at our Long Island, New York practice, bariatric surgery with the LAP-BAND® System is performed laparoscopically. This state-of-the-art technique requires only a few small incisions be made in the abdomen. A tiny camera and long, narrow surgical instruments are inserted through these incisions, allowing our doctors – Dr. Alan Geiss or Dr. Colin Powers – to perform the procedure while viewing the inside of the body on a video monitor. As a result, scarring is minimal and post-operative discomfort is noticeably reduced. Also, laparoscopic surgery using the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band typically results in shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times.
Once our surgeon has made the incisions and has a clear picture of the abdomen, he will carefully insert the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band and place it around a small section of the upper stomach, near the esophagus. Dr. Geiss or Dr. Powers will then adjust the constriction of the band by injecting or removing saline to create a smaller or larger stomach pocket. Once the band has been placed and secured in the body, the incisions are closed. The entire procedure should take no more than an hour to perform.
Recovery after Placement of the LAP-BAND® System
Patients should be aware that although laparoscopic surgery using the LAP-BAND® System is minimally invasive, it is still a surgical procedure, and they should plan to take it easy during recovery. Most patients feel strong enough to return to normal daily routines after about five to seven days. Our physicians will provide a comprehensive nutritional and activity guideline that details our post-operative instructions. Following these guidelines is a vital part of the effectiveness of the LAP-BAND® System. Remember, the LAP-BAND® System is not a quick-fix for obesity: it is a surgical tool to help patients lose weight when nothing else will work.
LAP-BAND® System Results
Every patient is unique, and the results of the treatment will vary from person to person. Most patients, if they follow the post-operative guidelines, will lose about one to two pounds a week in the year following their surgery. However, patients should be aware that the amount of weight loss will depend on the positioning of the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band itself, as well as the patient's willingness to alter his or her eating habits and commit to a radically new lifestyle. Many of our patients who have followed the program guidelines and have adjusted their lifestyles accordingly have shared their success stories with our weight loss surgeons, and some have allowed us to display LAP-BAND® System before-and-after photos so patients can see the results.