Lap Band Diary

In North America, the rate of obesity has been steadily climbing over the years. This has lead many professionals to declare a national health crisis. A person is considered obese if they have more than 20% extra body fat than one should have for their particular gender, height, or age. This extra accumulation of fat can lead to serious health consequences. There many weight loss products on the market that often don’t help one gain the needed results to live a healthier lifestyle. One method of weight loss that many obese people are choosing is weight loss surgery.

There are many factors that contribute to obesity. They can include a lifestyle of very little physical activity, genetic predisposition, poor diet, eating disorders, certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, not learning the proper way to eat as a child, emotional issues such as depression and low self esteem, as well as poor metabolism. Whatever the reason for the cause of obesity, one must consider the health implications of obesity.

The following health problems associated with obesity has become a major factor determining factor when considering weight loss surgery.

Heart Disease: People who are obese are at a higher risk of chest pain, angina, heart failure, and a heart attack.

Stroke: Excess fat increases the risk of a stroke due to narrowing of the arteries caused by high blood pressure, lack of exercise, and high fat diet.

Diabetes: Researcher shows that obesity is linked to diabetes. Diabetes is serious illness that requires a lifetime of medications.

Cancer: Obesity has been linked to a number of cancers such as kidney, gall bladder, breast, prostate, and colon cancer.

Liver Disease: Research has shown a connection between body mass index (BMI) and the extent of liver damage. Generally, the higher the BMI, the worse the liver disease. This is also true for gall bladder disease.

Respiratory Problems: Obese people are at a higher risk of lung conditions that affects their ability to breathe normally. Laboured breathing also puts added strain on the heart.

Joint and Bone Problems: Obesity is associated with an increase in conditions such as arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Weight loss surgery is a serious decision that patients make with their doctors and other health professionals. It is normally provided to people who are at a high risk of developing a disease or serious medical condition. It is not a cosmetic procedure, but often a lifesaving surgery. Candidates must be at least 100 pounds over your ideal weight and ready for a permanent weight loss solution. Most times one will elect to have weight loss surgery after they have tried more traditional means of weight loss such as diet and exercise.

Because obesity can affect people in a variety of ways, it is important to consult with a doctor about the risks and benefits. Candidates have to be willing to make serious life changes. If you are an obese person who has tried most traditional weight loss programs, and have failed to achieve healthy weight loss, surgery may be a good option. Make sure before you have surgery that you consult with your regular physician. Weight loss surgery is not a quick fix to losing weight. One has to be committed to a long term healthy lifestyle.

With lap band surgery becoming more and more of a standard treatment for obesity, people are starting to consider it as an alternative to failed diet and exercise plans. The procedure itself is far less risky and easier than the previously used gastric bypass surgery, which is still used in extreme cases, and has made it a possibility for many people to lose weight even when they have failed in all other attempts.

What Is Lap Band Surgery?

Basically, in this procedure a small incision is made and the band is inserted and fastened around the top part of the stomach. Later, when the port is healed, the doctor will inflate the band to squeeze off a part of the stomach, creating a little pouch at the top. The amount of food that will fit into this pouch is very little, usually just a few mouthfuls.

The band can be inflated more or deflated to provide just the right amount of pressure on the stomach for optimum weight loss for the patient. The procedure itself takes around an hour to perform and has become a simple process with the latest techniques and technology.

How Long Is the Hospital Stay?

Each patient is different, but the majority of patients will be able to leave the hospital 24 hours after the surgery. This is obviously dependent on whether or not the lap band was the only surgery performed, since some patients prefer to combine this with another surgery, such as a hernia repair. It will also depend on whether or not there are any complications. The most common problem is infection, which is always an issue with any operation. Another issue may be a latex intolerance, in which case the band would need to be removed.

After 24 hours, if the doctor feels that the lap band patient is recovering well, he will be discharged. While you can go home at this point, it`s not recommended that you drive, lift anything heavy or head back to work for at least another four to six days. Most people need to take at least a week off from work to recuperate from the surgery.

Recovery from Lap Band Surgery

For the first few days after your surgery, you`ll only be able to drink clear fluids, like juice or broth. Avoiding solid foods will let your system recover and give your body time to heal. Once you start eating again, it`s a good idea to begin with soft, bland foods to avoid potential irritations. Vomiting is to be avoided at all costs since it can stretch the pouch formed by the band and make the band less effective in the long run.

For anyone who has spent years struggling with their weight and all the health issues that come along with having to carry too many extra pounds, lap band surgery could be the answer. Less invasive than gastric bypass, it`s also a reversible option which appeals to many, and the hospital stay is short and easy as long as there are no complications.

Lap band surgery is a fairly drastic measure for overweight people to take and it requires discipline to stay on top of your weight loss after the fact. Post-surgery support is immensely useful for lap band patients and can help them get through the difficulties they may face after having the procedure done.

Why Patients Need Support

Having surgery, even a minor one like lap band, can be traumatic and scary. Afterwards, a patient may wonder if what they are feeling and experiencing is normal. They can ask their doctor, of course, but many people also like to hear from peers, those who have already gone through the same thing.

Lap band patients who have varied means of support are almost always more successful than those who try to go it alone. This is simply because it can be difficult to motivate yourself at times and having others around you to rally and give a boost is a huge help.

Support comes in many forms. Having someone to talk to about food and diet is very helpful for someone who is new to the lifestyle. For those who aren`t used to working out, having others to go to the gym with can be a great motivator. Often, family and friends just don`t work out as the best motivators, since they will tend to be more forgiving of behavior than those who aren`t emotionally attached to the patient.

Where to Find Support

Part of the weight loss process following lap band surgery is having someone to be accountable to. This might be a friend or family member, but often, people do best when they have a support group of people who understand what they are going through, other patients, for example.

Many hospitals that offer this type of weight loss surgery will hold support groups where those who have lap bands can meet and discuss their experiences. It can be very helpful for a newbie to hear what others have gone through and how they dealt with things like diet restrictions and exercise. Everyone has been through the same thing, so this can be a very useful type of support.

Another kind of support that can be very useful is a partner or partners in training. Since exercise is a vital part of losing weight even with a lap band in place, being motivated to go to the gym or head out for an hour of jogging every day can be difficult. That`s why it is very helpful to have an accountability partner to share ups and downs with. Simply knowing that someone else is going to know if you don`t work out is often enough to keep patients on track.

Online groups have formed for post-surgery lap band patients, as well. These should not be used to diagnose problems, but they can be very useful for patients who aren`t sure if what they are experiencing is normal or not. Discussing this with others online provides an arena for support that doesn`t require face to face interaction and is available 24-7, and anywhere in the world. Online groups are particularly popular for those living in more isolated areas or people who don`t have many friends to interact with face to face.

It`s important to have people that have been through the same experiences after a procedure like lap band surgery. There are many options available to the post surgery patient who needs someone to talk to, but perhaps the best thing to do is research these options before the surgery so as to have them at the ready afterwards.

Typically , the process is reserved for the morbidly overweight, so if you simply wish to lose some inches off your waist, surgery may not be a choice for you. Morbidly obesity is outlined as people who have tons of pounds to lose. Most frequently than not, they have health issues related to their gain that makes the weight reduction highly required. Sadly , there are some risks related to traditional stomach bypass operations. In a few cases, major infection could result with perilous results.

The capability for health issues due to starvation was also a major issue. When the lap band was made, the manufactures looked to minimize plenty of the risks that were inherent with this type of bariatric operation stomach bypass surgery. For example, starvation was significantly minimized a well as downtime. Also, as it concerned no cutting or stapling, there are less post operative complications than with other gut bypass related surgeries. This isn’t to assert the lap band procedure does not carry any risks, so it’s best to chat with a doctor about potential issues before undergoing any major, elective operation.

The band, which attaches to the stoma, permits someone to eat less but sustain a sense of being full.

It’s also reversible, meaning it can be removed with virtually no complications for the recipient, something that couldn’t be related for the old school stomach bypass surgeries.

These advancements have made this actual type of gut bypass surgery safer. As the lap band is adjustable, it can be altered to match the patient’s wishes any time after surgery. It may also be entirely removed laparoscopically. The infirmary stay is mostly extraordinarily short as well, and folks can get on with their lives reasonably quickly after surgery. Folks who select the lap band strategy also shed the pounds far faster than people who go the normal diet and exercise route alone. They also find it less complicated to lose pounds and to keep it off for good.

This is usually because the lap band can help an individual with an amazing weight to lose stay on course by helping them feel full and eat less. Alongside diet and life changes, the lap band can help folks who are serious about weight reduction shed pounds and lead more healthy, happier lives. So far as it is going, lap band procedures are nearly as safe as any major surgery. Associated gut bypass hazards are significantly reduced by the proven fact that no cutting or stapling is concerned. The lap band system is also reversible and less than 1% of patients report any totally serious concerns. If you have an interest in lap band surgery do your homework and consult with a licensed surgeon with experience in the field before making any firm calls. By taking time to research the process you’ll make an educated call and greatly decrease any risks related to lap band surgeries. This can make sure that you get the outcome you have dreamt of, that the body of your dreams.

When it comes to finding out information regarding the costs of the lap and surgery, the best place to look is online. There are many lap band resources where users can share all their personal stories including how much they paid for the surgery, where they got the procedure done and who was their doctor. All this information is shared on forums like Lap Band Talk and Lap Band Forum. However, most of these forums don’t focus as much on the costs of the surgery as they do on other topics like follow up diet and support talks for example.

To find out the costs of the lap band surgery you should contact some of the lap band clinics in your area. In general, the surgeon prices will be affected by where that doctor is practicing. If it’s in the United States, the costs range from $20,000- $27,000 where as in Canada the procedure is offered for just around $18,000 CDN, which really comes out to $14,500 USD. Other options include Mexico and India, where the surgery can be done from anywhere from $6,000 - $14,000 USD.

As you can see, the price range for the lap band, or adjustable gastric banding procedure, is cheaper than the other types of weight loss surgery, with the classic gastric bypass cost being more expensive at around $28,000 - $32,000 USD in the United States. Plus, that type of surgery is much more dangerous and has less success rate when compared to the gastric banding (lap band) procedure. Remember if you’re considering any type of weight loss surgery to do all the proper research, and if you’ve decided on the lap band surgery make sure you find a lap band clinic that fits your needs and your price range.

We live in an increasingly unhealthy society. Many Americans eat at fast food restaurants at least three times a week, and for many it’s more. Days are spent sitting at desks rather then participating in any kind of active labor, and nights are spent in front of the television where we use technology to sluff off the stress of the day.

One of the consequences of this lifestyle is a serious health risk that is touching the lives of two-thirds of Americans today: obesity. It has become one of the biggest (and deadliest) problems facing our country today, and it only seems to be getting worst. But what can be done? Most will try and fail at a multitude of diet programs, and more fat you have to lose, the harder it is sure to be for you to succeed.

That’s why over 3000 surgeons are recommending, as well as regularly performing, the Lap-Band procedure, a revolutionary weight loss surgery that has improved the quality of life of over 350,000 people globally. It is safe, effective, and can help you to lose between 35% and 50% of your excess fat within the first year alone.

Here’s How It Works:

The Lap-Band is a minimally invasive surgery, that is performed laparoscopically. That means that a small camera, or ‘laparoscope’ is inserted into a small incision, in order to watch where the gastric band is placed. It is wrapped tightly around the stomach, near the top.

Saline is then injected into an access port located on the other end of a tube attached to the gastric band. This inflates the band, which creates a small pouch which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed.

This method is much safer then gastric bypass, which actually cuts out and then reroutes a part of your intestines, and can cause serious complications. It also takes considerably less time to perform (around an hour), and in most cases you will be able to go home within the same day, in order to recover in comfort. Most patients discontinue pain medications within 4 or 5 days.

You may be wondering if you qualify for the Lap-Band system, and there are a few requirements you will have to meet to be authorized by your doctor to receive this weight loss surgery. First, most doctors will require you to have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 40. If you BMI is below this, then you will have to base it on co-morbidities, or conditions that have been caused by your obesity, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. In these cases, you can often receive the Lap-Band if you have a BMI of 35 or higher.

The Lap-Band method is being used by thousands of doctors all over the world. A gastric band is a safe alternative to other weight loss surgeries, and it can change your life forever. So, if you have a substantial amount of weight lose, and nothing has seemed to work for you, you may be a good candidate for this procedure. Talk to your doctor about the Lap-Band system today.

Can you believe it? The video below is a story about one of the most successful lap band stories ever recorded. This is the story of CIBO clinic founder Tom Saridis, who had the lap band surgery and in total lost over 260 pounds! Then, he went on to found one of the most successful lap band clinics in Canada because he was dissatisfied with the lack of post surgery support he received while he was trying to recover from the surgery.

Below is a video of Tom’s amazing story!

The video talks a bit about Tom’s story and the CIBO clinic before describing a few details on the lap band surgery & how it can help people struggling with obesity. It’s a really great video be sure to check it out!