Both the LAP-BAND® System and the Swedish Band are "Adjustable Gastric Banding" devices and function essentially in the same manner. We use the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System because it has been approved by the FDA for use in the United States (June 2001).

ObesityCare.com's mission is to provide information about severe obesity and the treatment there of. Our service is informational only. To find a doctor who can do your gastric bypass surgery or lap band procedure, we recommend using ObesityDirectory.com. It is a nation wide directory (United States) and all of the bariatric surgeons listed are members of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). See similar questions...

Though we perform the Lap-Band on some of our local patients, we do not offer it to our foreign patients since it must be adjusted several times after surgery, and it may be very hard for them to find someone willing to adjust it back at their homeland. See similar questions...

Like every operation, there is a risk. Because you may already have health-related problems, there is an increased risk of complications. Your doctor should thoroughly screen you to make sure that there are no surprises on the operating table. See similar questions...

Many treatment facilities have a network of support groups in their area and we highly recommend that you participate in them. Ask your doctor. We suggest that you contact any bariatric treatment center to get more information about diet plans, weight loss products and supplements required a after specific bariatric surgical procedure. If you have forgotten who your doctor was just choose another practicing near you, they would be happy to help you. See similar questions...

For the first three weeks you have a liquid diet, which will include yogurt. This is important to allow the band to heal in place. See similar questions...

this point, if you've had a prior gastric bypass or stomach stapling then you are not a candidate. There are only a few surgeons in the WORLD that attempt that, and we are waiting for long term results to see if it is safe and effective. We also would not place a LAP-BAND® System in someone who has had and anti-reflux procedure such as a nissen fundoplication. There are no problems with patients who've had prior gallbladder surgery, appendectomy or hysterectomy. See similar questions...

The LAP-BAND makes you eat less and feel full in two ways - first by reducing the capacity of your stomach and second by increasing the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you should feel full. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food and then chew it well, you should not feel hungry or deprived. Remember that the LAP-BAND is a tool to help you change your eating habits. See similar questions...

It is the policy of INAMED to follow surgeon selection and training guidelines established by The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). The LAP-BAND surgeon certification requires that the surgeon have advanced laparoscopic and bariatric (weight-loss) surgery experience. See similar questions...

This is a fairly common feeling, especially for patients with bands that are tight to begin with to facilitate maximum weight loss, or for patients who have just had an adjustment. During the day the water content in the body changes, causing the band to feel tighter some of the time. Some women have also noticed that the LAP-BAND feels tighter during menstruation. See similar questions...

After the stomach stapling surgery, most doctors recommend you exercise to help you lose the weight more quickly. Regular exercise can usually proceed after 6 weeks, but consult your doctor. If the lap band surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients typically spend less than 24 hours in the hospital. It takes most patients about a week to return to work and a month to six weeks to resume exercising. In the case of open surgery or if there are complications, recovery may take longer. See similar questions...

The placement of the Lap Band creates a small pouch in your stomach, in the size of a tangerine and is capable of holding about 4 oz of contents. After surgery you will receive a “Card” that mentions your surgical status. You can use this card in restaurants to order smaller, kid size meals at the respective prices. This card is accepted at many restaurants. See similar questions...

The Lap-Band gastric band is made of a silicone elastomer. The material is considered non-biodegradable and biocompatible. This means that the material will not degrade and will not cause a threatening reaction, its composition is fully compatible with human tissues. It is worth mentioning that the body reacts to any non-biological component; however, this reaction is normal and it only forms fibrous tissues around the band causing no damage to either the band or the body. See similar questions...

Although the lap band is not meant to be removed it can be. In some cases this can be done laparoscopically. Lap band surgeons report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the lap band is removed. After the removal, though, you may soon go back up to your original weight. You may also gain more. See similar questions...

Lap band adjustments are often carried out in the X-ray department. They are done there so the reservoir can be clearly seen. When X-rays are used, your reproductive organs should be shielded. Sometimes lap band adjustments can be done in an outpatient clinic or office. Local anesthesia may or may not be needed. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the reservoir to add or subtract saline. This process most often takes only a few minutes. Most patients say it is nearly painless. See similar questions...

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) must be greater than 35 Kg/m2, (approximately 80 pounds over ideal body weight), with medical conditions associated with obesity or 40 BMI or greater with no medical conditions associated with obesity. See similar questions...

Yes. This is what we call "Revision Surgery." Those are more difficult surgeries, and we do have the expertise of doing them. Revision surgery has higher risk than a first operation. Of course, we have first of all to identify the reason(s) of regaining the weight before deciding on doing a revision surgery. See similar questions...

Lap band refills vary from person to person. The band will need adjusting 3 - 4 times in the first year and normally yearly thereafter. See similar questions...