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What is the Lap-Band?
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What is the Lap-Band?
The Lap-Band weight loss surgery involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the top part of the stomach to create a small upper stomach which restricts the amount of food eaten at one time. All food must pass through the narrowed outlet created by the band before reaching the lower stomach, so patients have a feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of solid food. However, liquids pass easily through the banded area and may wash food through more quickly, so caloric liquids must be avoided and a solid-food only diet is recommended for achieving optimal results. If the patient eats too fast or too much, or does not chew well, vomiting may occur. The band can be adjusted tighter or looser with the addition of saline injected through a port located under the abdominal skin. The Lap-Band procedure does not bypass any intestine, so calorie absorption is not changed. Thus, weight loss is highly dependent on how motivated the patient is to follow dietary and exercise recommendations. The advantages of this procedure over Gastric Bypass or Duodenal Switch include a lower risk of surgical complications and long term nutritional deficiencies, and easy reversibility.
Visit the Lap-Band web site for more information.