About The Band

July 09, 2008

Wednesday
Open / Availability
Conroe Medical Arts Building
1501 River Pointe Drive #150
Conroe, Texas 77304

RSVP for this seminar

July 15, 2008

Tuesday
Open / Availability
Conroe Medical Arts Building
1501 River Pointe Drive #150
Conroe, Texas 77304

RSVP for this seminar

Approved by the FDA in June 2001, the LAP-BAND® System procedure is the newest and only adjustable and completely reversible surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight-loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. Since its clinical introduction in 1993, more than 200,000 LAP-BAND® System procedures have been performed around the world.

Minimally Invasive Approach

During the procedure, the surgeon uses laparoscopic techniques to make small incisions which enable the surgeon to implant an inflatable silicone band around the patient’s upper stomach. Like a wrist-watch, the band is fastened around the stomach to create a smaller pouch that limits and controls the amount of food the patient eats. It also creates a small outlet that slows the emptying process in the lower-half of the stomach and intestines. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of "fullness" and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. This results in the patient losing weight.

Least Traumatic Procedure

Since there is no cutting, stapling or intestinal re-routing involved in the LAP-BAND® System procedure, it is considered the least traumatic of all available weight-loss surgeries. The laparoscopic approach to surgery also offers the advantages of reduced post-operative pain and quicker recovery. If for any reason the band needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns back to its original form.

Adjustability

The success of the LAP-BAND® System is determined through its adjustability. It is the only surgery of its kind to offer this type of weight-loss management. Adjustments or fills are done to customize the weight-loss rate. Your physiology can change as you lose weight and the LAP-BAND® System offers this unique adjustability to conform to your individual needs. For example, pregnant patients can remove fluid from their band to allow for adequate nutrition and patients who aren’t experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.

Is The Lap-Band® Right For You?

The Allergan® LAP-BAND® System is not right for everyone. Dr. Collier will work with you to decide if this is the right treatment. Here are some of the things to consider:

Indications

The LAP-BAND® System may be right for you if:

» You are an adult (at least 18 years old).
» Your BMI is 35 or higher or you weigh at least twice your ideal weight or you weigh at least 100 pounds (45 kilos) more than your ideal weight.
» You have been overweight for more than 5 years. Your serious attempts to lose weight have had only short-term success.
» You do not have any other disease that may have caused you to be overweight.
» You are prepared to make major changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.
» You are willing to continue working with the specialist who is treating you.
» You do not drink alcohol in excess.

If your BMI is less than 40, the LAP-BAND® System may not be right for you. On the other hand, the surgeons may consider it if you have health problems that are related to obesity. Your surgeon may also have other criteria he or she uses. Ask him to discuss the criteria with you.

To check your BMI, use our BMI Calculator.

Contraindications

The LAP-BAND® System is not right for you if:

» You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease.
» You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
» You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
» You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel).
» You have portal hypertension.
» You have experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement.
» You have cirrhosis.
» You have chronic pancreatitis.
» You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the Allergan® LAP-BAND® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.)
» You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
» You are under 18 years of age.
» You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area.
» You are on long-term steroid treatment.
» You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure.
» You might be allergic to materials in the device.
» You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device.
» You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. Some physicians believe that patients with a "sweet tooth" will not do well with the LAP-BAND® System. If you eat a lot of sweet foods, the surgeons may decide not to do the procedure. The same is true if you often drink milkshakes or other high-calorie liquids.