Lap Band - Weight
Loss Surgery in Pasadena
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If you live in the Pasadena area and are considering lap band
or other weight
loss surgeries, the Plastic Surgery Institute of California
is the first call to make. The Plastic Surgery Institute of
California offers an array of surgical weight loss methods,
including lap-band,
o-band and gastric
bypass procedures. In addition to our Pasadena
weight loss surgery center, we also offer conveinent surgical
weight loss centers in Beverly Hills and Huntington Beach.
Call today to find out how our staff can help you look and
feel your best.
The Lap
Band surgery, often used for weight loss, is a fairly
straightforward procedure that is accomplished by placing
the Band, which is a belt-like section of plastic, around
the upper stomach. This converts the stomach, in essence,
into an hourglass. However unlike an hourglass, the upper
portion and the lower portion of the stomach are not the same
size. The upper portion is much smaller and is called the
pouch. Part of the stomach is then used to form a tunnel or
"Belt Loops" around the Band to help prevent the band from
slipping down to the middle of the stomach. (Note: Another
effective, less
invasive surgical weight loss alternative that is being
requested more and more these days is the sleeve
gastrectomy. Call our offices to find out why it may be
the right option for you.)
The Lap
Band procedure creates a calibrated narrowing at the bottom
of this tiny pouch, so that it fills up with small amounts
of food and empties slowly like an hourglass.
The band is connected to the port, which is placed outside the abdominal muscles but under the skin and fat so that it is not visible. The band is adjusted and restricts the amount of SOLID food that can be consumed before one feels full.
The adjustment is accomplished by placing a special needle into the port (which is buried under the skin) to increase or decrease the amount of saline fluid contained in the balloon. The Band is pictured in its normal position on the upper stomach at right.
There are several key features that make the Lap-Band
an attractive surgical technique for weight loss:
- Laparoscopic placement
- No division or anastomosis of stomach or bowel
- It is removable
- Adjustable
The first two of the features above probably reduce the risk of surgery, which is especially important when operating on patients who suffer from morbid obesity. The fact that there is no cutting or repositioning of any intestine brings the risk of leak or obstruction to very low levels (not impossible, as outlined in the risks section below). The fact that the procedure is almost always done laparoscopically may allow decreased stress on the vital organs (heart, lungs, etc.) and may allow quicker recovery in comparison to open procedures.
Risks specific to Lap-Band surgery include:
- Band Slippage
- Band Erosion
- Band and/or PortSite Infection/Flipping
Testimonials:
"I just had the lap band put in on back in May of 2008. It was a fairly easy surgery and it as worked well in helping my with my weight loss goals and with my overall appearance. It has been a great tool to help me lose the weight I have been trying to lose for the last 15 years."
- Sharon, Age 52, Newport Beach, California
"At about 40 everyone in my family seems to gain weight. I have watched my
parents, brothers and sisters all struggle with losing weight.
I opted for the gastric
band/lap band procedure and I could not be happier. Simply
put, it helped me lose that stubborn weight easily and keep
it off for over three years. "
-Nick, Age 44, San Marino, California
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Does the Lap Band Procedure Really Work?
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Band Surgery Center in Beverly Hills
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Band Surgery Center in Huntington Beach
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