Professor Mitiku Belachew was born in June of 1942 in a small village near Ghion, Ethiopia. The exact date is unclear as his birth wasn’t registered until he entered school for the first time at the age of 12. That’s when his village’s Chief ‘tapped’ him to attend school. Until then he had been his village’s goat shepherd, a revered and important position for the vitality of his family and village. From his straw hut with a dirt floor he ascended through schools in Ethiopia to win a spot in Medical School in Liege, Belgium. He ultimately became a surgeon.

Dr. Belachew went on to become the Chief of Surgery at the Hospital Center Régional De Huy. Coming from a land of hunger and famine, he specialized in treating severe obesity or the ‘plague of the developed world’, as he described it. Among the earliest surgeons to master laparoscopic surgery he lamented that he did all of his surgery via a scope except to complete bariatric surgery with the original gastric band. He wanted a laparoscopic solution. Unlike many of his peers with the same idea, he said; “Let’s work together to make it happen.” Nearly 2 years (1992-1993) were dedicated to the development of the laparoscopic technique with brand new evolving instruments, scopes, and operating room equipment.

Collaborating with the company that developed the Lap-Band® (BioEnterics Corp, a division of Inamed), a lengthy series of animal labs was completed as prototypes evolved. This effort culminated in the first human laparoscopic placements of a gastric band, The Lap-Band® System, on September 1st, 1993 at the CHU, Huy, Belgium. Read the “History of Lap-Band®: from Dream to Reality.” Prof. Belachew went on to host numerous international Lap-Band workshops and traveled the world teaching the surgical technique and presenting his data. He proctored every surgeon in the U.S. clinical trial and served as a monitor until FDA approval in 2001.

Dr. Belachew hosted the Third World Congress of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) in Bruges, Belgium in 1998 as the President of the Belgian Chapter of IFSO. His final professional presentation was as the honored keynote speaker at the 2003 IFSO congress in Salamanca, Spain. He opened his talk to approximately 3,000 attendees with the following; “Thank you for your warm welcome and introduction. How ironic and sad that in the time it took you to introduce me, to speak about my career treating severe obesity, in my home country of Ethiopia more people died from starvation today than are in this auditorium.” In the stunned silence that followed he outlined his unlikely path from his humble village to that podium. He was most proud of having maintained his autonomy as a surgeon; to have chosen what was best for his patients, with no obligations or commercial influence. (He never benefited financially from the development and commercialization of the Lap-Band. He volunteered his collaboration to help his patients.) He closed his keynote lecture with the surprise announcement that he was retiring and returning to Ethiopia.

After retirement, Dr. Belachew spearheaded fundraising to build and equip a primary school. Then when the first students aged-out, he did it again to build a secondary school. He taught laparoscopic surgery in hospitals all over Ethiopia. At the age of 67, along with several college friends, he climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, suffering a few frost bitten toes. “Worth it” he said. Mitiku was well known as a quiet gentleman. When he really wanted to be heard he spoke very softly. Always the diplomat and statesman, he changed the course of countless arguments among colleagues with “the wine is good.” He became quite the wine connoisseur, completing a formal sommelier certification late in life. How many times did he say: “Life is too short to drink bad wine.” Demanding of excellence he frequently said: “You must be serious about your work.” But he also added; “One cannot be serious all the time.”

Mitiku died April 8, 2021 at the age of 78 in Huy, Belgium in his former operating room. While he would not want a ‘fuss’ made, to those of us who were impacted by his expertise, humanitarianism, and mentorship, he deserves international recognition and praise.

Thank you, Dr. Belachew.

–Vern Vincent, Lap-Band® Clinical Specialist and Medical Affairs

Are you looking for a little bit more information about the Lap-Band® Program before you decide to find a surgeon in your area to schedule a consultation? We get it! It can be a scary decision, but it’s time to take control of your life. Learn more about how you can take control for a lifetime with the Lap-Band Program.

How it works

The Lap-Band Program is a safe weight-loss procedure that allows patients to maintain their weight-loss long-term. A soft silicone band is placed around the upper stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This reduces the stomach’s capacity, helping you to eat smaller meals and feel fuller faster. The band is adjusted through a port that is placed under the skin and connects to the band with a tube. The band can be either tightened or loosened by removing or adding saline solution through the port.

Not only is the procedure safe and low risk, it is the least invasive bariatric procedure available for patients. The procedure is performed laparoscopically, and unlike other bariatric procedures, there is no cutting or rerouting of the stomach or intestines involved. This means that the procedure is also reversible; the same cannot be said for bariatric procedures like gastric bypass and the sleeve gastrectomy.

Before moving forward with the procedure, you must undergo testing to ensure that you are healthy enough to qualify for the procedure. You will meet with your surgical team to discuss the procedure, ask any questions, and make sure you are ready to make a lifelong commitment.

Recovery

The Lap-Band Program is unique because the procedure is performed in an outpatient facility and patients can typically go home the same day. Other procedures require at least an overnight stay in the hospital. Patients may feel sore following the Lap-Band Procedure, but pain is easily managed with pain medicine. As the stomach heals, which can take upwards of four to six weeks, patients will slowly transition from liquids to soft foods to solid foods. This is to make sure the new stomach structure heals properly. Patients can engage in light exercise following the procedure but should wait until they have the okay from their surgeon to start participating in more strenuous activities, like weightlifting. Other than that, patients can resume their daily lives fairly quickly and start their weight-loss journeys.

Aftercare

Contrary to some myths, undergoing the Lap-Band Procedure is not taking the easy way out; patients still work very hard to lose weight and maintain their weight loss. This is true for all bariatric procedures. Participating in an aftercare program, in which patients regularly talk to their surgical team, is highly recommended. Patients should look to their Lap-Band Team for support and to discuss any complications. It’s also important to stay in touch with your Lap-Band Support Team so they can perform adjustments to your band as needed.

To get in touch with a Lap-Band Surgeon, visit: https://www.www.lapband.com/find-a-surgeon/.

Eating high-quality, nutrient dense foods is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for individuals who have undergone a bariatric procedure, such as the Lap-Band® Weight-Loss Program. Once you have the Lap-Band in place, you will not be able to consume as much as you could previously. In order to get all the nutrients you need in a day, you will need to focus on consuming power foods that are high in necessary nutrients, like fiber, protein, calcium, and vitamins. Not only will power foods make you feel good, they will fill you up, they will help keep you healthy, and they can help prevent certain diseases. On the contrary, low-quality foods that are high in sugar, fat, and calories can cause you to crash and they offer little, if any, nutritional value. Because you can only eat a small amount, it is crucial that you do not fill up with low-quality foods.

Check out our list of power foods to eat after bariatric surgery.

Water

Hydration is absolutely crucial after bariatric surgery. Not only will water help keep you full and sated, it may aid in weight lo ss efforts. Sugary, carbonated beverages may irritate your stomach after bariatric surgery, and over-consumption can lead to weight gain, so stick to water.

Salmon

Not only is salmon delicious and satisfying, it’s good for you. You’ll get plenty of protein, healthy fats, and omega-3 fatty acids when you add salmon to your diet. Bonus: omega-3 fatty acids may play a positive role in reducing obesity. If salmon isn’t your favorite, try tuna or lean meat like chicken.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is a great source of calcium and protein, and it’s also low in fat. Cottage cheese is an especially great option if you’re still recovering from bariatric surgery and are not yet able to consume solid foods. It makes for a great breakfast or served alongside fruit as a light lunch.

Berries

Fruit has gotten a bad rap as of late due to its sugar content (despite those sugars being natural), so it’s best to enjoy fruit in moderation. If you’re craving some sweet, delicious fruit, a handful of berries will give you the nutrients you need, like antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and more. Studies show that they can help lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar, fight inflammation, and even protect against some types of cancer.

Nuts

While nuts can get a bad reputation for being relatively high in fat and calories, they are a great power food when consumed in moderation. If you need to reach for a snack during the day, a small handful of nuts is a great option and will provide you with some protein and fiber to tide you over until your next meal. If you’re missing that crunch you used to get from potato chips, sprinkle some nuts on your salad or your morning yogurt.

Avocados

There’s something to be said for all those avocado toast lovers out there! The fruit is loaded with good-for-you nutrients like fiber, potassium, and healthy fats. They’re incredibly versatile, too. You can toss them on a salad, blend them in with sauces to get an extra nutrient kick, or eat them on their own with your favorite seasoning.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens like spinach and kale make a great side on any plate because they’re low in calories but loaded with vitamins and minerals. Plus, you can easily dress them up with homemade dressings, nuts, more veggies, or fruit.

For more nutrition tips, visit our blog.

There is a lot of misinformation surrounding bariatric surgery, and it’s likely that some of what you’ve heard is mere hearsay. But if you’re ready to pursue bariatric surgery to change your life for the better, what you really want to understand is whether or not bariatric surgery is safe.

Surgery requirements

It’s important to understand that bariatric surgery isn’t offered as the first weight-loss option for people. It is often only turned to when individuals are unable to lose weight despite repeated diet and exercise regimens. Many people choose bariatric procedures to improve their health because they are at an elevated risk of life-threatening diseases like heart disease, certain cancers, and Type 2 diabetes. They may already have some health problems related to weight, such as high blood pressure. Regardless, patients are unable to undergo bariatric surgery unless they meet certain guidelines.

Surgery risks

There is always a risk when you undergo surgery under anesthesia, whether it’s for a broken bone or bariatric surgery. Risks of surgery include: excess bleeding, infection of surgery site, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia. While death is extremely rare, it is important to note that there is risk of death with even the simplest surgeries. With bariatric surgery, you may also experience leaks in the gastrointestinal system. Before undergoing bariatric surgery, your surgery team will conduct thorough tests to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery. You may have to change your habits before surgery, such as eliminating smoking and drinking.

Risks depending on type of bariatric procedure

There are several different types of bariatric surgery—among the most common being gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding (the Lap-Band® Procedure). The risk of complications goes up depending on how complicated the surgery you choose is. For instance, during gastric bypass surgery, a small stomach pouch is cut and part of the small intestine is cut and sewn directly into the pouch. During a sleeve gastrectomy, a majority of the stomach is removed. The Lap-Band Procedure, however, does not require any cutting or rerouting of the intestines or stomach, making it a safer, simpler procedure with fewer complications and lower mortality rates. A band is laparoscopically placed at the top of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach pouch. It also does not take as long to perform as other bariatric procedures. The procedure is typically performed in less than an hour, and you can usually return home the same day. It boasts the shortest recovery time of all the bariatric procedures. If for any reason your Lap-Band needs to be removed, it is easily reversible, unlike other bariatric procedures.

Safety conclusion

Despite some risks, bariatric surgery is still considered one of the safest surgeries patients can undergo, especially when you consider the technological advancements made in recent years and the improved aftercare programs. It is also important to note that taking on surgery risks may mitigate the consequences of morbid obesity, such as diabetes, heart disease, and other weight-related health conditions.

There are a few questions you must ask yourself before you pursue bariatric surgery, such as, How will my life change? Am I ready to make a lifetime commitment to a healthier lifestyle? Which bariatric procedure is the right choice for me? Along with those questions will come more specific sets of questions, especially related to food. Many people wonder if they’ll still be able to consume the foods they love and if they’ll still be able to meet their nutrition requirements when consuming less food. Read on to learn whether or not you’ll need to take supplements after bariatric surgery to meet your nutrition requirements.

Limited food capacity

It is difficult to obtain the amount of nutrients we need each day, and that’s without having a restrictive or malabsorptive bariatric procedure completed. This is why many individuals (who haven’t had bariatric surgery) opt to take a basic multivitamin. However, after bariatric surgeries that restrict the amount of food consumed, it is incredibly difficult to consume enough nutrients in the day because patients simply do not have the capacity for the nutrient-dense food they need.

Malabsorption

While it is true that each bariatric surgery option you pursue results in the inability to eat as much food as you once could, not all procedures are linked to malabsorption. Malabsorption is when your digestive tract is unable to properly absorb nutrients from food. This typically happens because the digestive tract is cut and rerouted, bypassing some of the small intestine. When the small intestine is bypassed, food touches less of the absorptive surface and the nutrients cannot be extracted and absorbed by the body. Additionally, the food does not mix with bile and enzymes as much, which is a necessary part of nutrient absorption. As a result, individuals may find themselves low in B vitamins, iron, calcium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Some procedures, like biliopancreatic diversions and the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch are categorized as malabsorptive procedures because that is primarily how patients lose weight: through malabsorption.

Why is Lap-Band different?

The answer to the question of whether or not you’ll require daily supplements is dependent upon the bariatric procedure you proceed with. The Lap-Band® Program is different than other bariatric procedures because there is no cutting or partial “amputation” of the stomach or intestines. This means that patients are not at risk of malabsorption. Lap-Band is categorized as a limited-capacity procedure because it limits the amount of food patients can consume, so nutrient deficiencies may result. However, they can be resolved by taking a daily multivitamin. Other expensive supplements, such as the ones recommended after gastric bypass and the sleeve gastrectomy, are typically not needed after the Lap-Band Procedure.

To see a comparison of the Lap-Band Procedure and other bariatric procedures, visit https://www.www.lapband.com/why-lb/.

Each year on March 4, we recognize World Obesity Day. Recognized internationally, the day is designed to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and provide individuals with obesity helpful information and resources. There is an unfair bias toward individuals with obesity and the false assumption that obesity is caused by factors entirely in our control, such as laziness and overeating. There are countless factors that play a role in the disease of obesity—many of which are not in our control.

Genetics

Genetics play a role in obesity. For example, if an individual’s parents both have obesity, the child is more likely to also struggle with obesity. The way fat is distributed and your metabolism are affected by genetics. We also learn eating and exercise habits from our families, meaning that individuals may be more likely to pick up unhealthy habits if they’re surrounded by them growing up.

Lack of accessibility

The lack of accessibility to resources can play a role in obesity in more ways than one. This includes environmental, social, and economic factors. Some people do not have access to a safe environment that allows them the space to exercise. There may not be an accessible fitness center in town and there may not be sidewalks or bike trails. Other individuals do not have access to healthy foods, whether that is because they cannot afford healthy foods or because there is a lack of resources nearby. Many people do not have access to affordable health care to help them treat their obesity either. These same individuals may also not know how to cook healthy foods or have the resources to learn. This lack of resources is an unfortunate reality that many organizations, like the World Obesity Organization, are aiming to fix.

Illnesses and medications

There is a whole list of illnesses and medications that can cause people to gain weight and struggle to lose it. Steroids and antidepressants, which are commonly prescribed, are linked to weight gain. Similarly, certain illnesses make exercising difficult, if not nearly impossible.

Lifestyle choices

Making unhealthy food choices—such as eating a diet high in fat and sugar—or overeating can lead to weight gain. A sedentary lifestyle is also linked to weight gain. However, it is important to remember that this is not the only factor that contributes to obesity.

There are other factors that can make it more difficult for individuals to maintain a healthy weight, such as stress, poor sleep habits, and yo-yo dieting. To access weight-loss resources, visit our blog.

Obesity has an impact on the quality of life, but it can also make you more at risk for life-threatening diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. February is National American Heart Month. It’s a good idea to review the link between obesity and heart disease, review your heart health, and make any necessary changes.

High blood pressure

Obesity is associated with a rise in blood pressure. That’s because individuals with obesity need more blood to supply the body with oxygen and nutrients. This requires more pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension can increase your likelihood of having a heart attack. It may also lead to an enlarged left ventricle and increase your risk of heart failure.

High cholesterol

Not only does obesity make you more likely to have high levels of bad cholesterol—including triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol)—it may also lower your levels of good cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (or HDL cholesterol) is important. It actively works to reduce your levels of bad cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease.

Type-2 diabetes

Individuals with obesity are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, which is the impaired ability to tolerate glucose. In turn, type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk for developing heart disease. In fact, it’s reported that individuals with type 2 diabetes are “two to four times more likely to develop heart failure than someone without diabetes.” You can learn more about diabetes and heart disease in our blog here.

Am I at risk?

Are you worried that you might be at risk for developing heart disease? A quick way to determine if you are at risk because of your weight is to check your body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. A BMI above 25.0 for adults is a sign that you may be overweight. A higher waist circumference is associated with more abdominal fat. If your waist circumference is above 35 as a woman or above 40 as a man, you may be at risk of developing heart disease.

If you are worried about your heart disease risk, talk to your doctor.

How often do you pay attention to food cues? Do you understand what causes you to reach for a snack or a second portion of dinner? Food cues are any kind of stimuli that trigger a food-related response and can include “viewing or smelling of food stimuli, advertisements, or any cues or situations associated with food-related memories.” For instance, this would include a fast-food commercial that plays during your favorite television show at night and encourages you to order up some French fries and a cheeseburger for delivery. Food cues, when listened to over hunger cues, can put you at risk of developing obesity.

Mindless eating

Food cues cue you to eat whether or not you are actually hungry. This encourages mindless eating behaviors. Because you aren’t hungry and you aren’t really paying attention to how much you are eating, mindless eating is associated with weight gain. If you are wondering why you can’t seem to be losing weight when you follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly, excessive snacking due to food cues may be the culprit.

Awareness — four types of food cues

Food cues present themselves in a variety of ways, and it’s important to understand how they present themselves so you can get to the heart of what triggers you to eat when you aren’t hungry. Cues may be visual, auditory, olfactory, or mental. A visual cue could be a picture of a delicious meal or a commercial for a restaurant. Auditory cues are anything you may hear related to food, whether it’s the sound of bacon frying or coffee percolating. Olfactory cues come into play when you smell food. Mental cues often have to do with your emotions. You may be cued to eat because you are stressed, bored, sad, or feeling out of control. Food cues are quite literally everywhere. You can’t watch television without seeing them and every time your coworker orders takeout, you’re cued too.

Make a list of the food cues that impact you the most. For instance, perhaps you aren’t impacted by olfactory cues, but a picture of food makes you salivate. If mental food cues affect you the most, determine which emotion triggers you the most. Do you grab a candy bar when you’re sad and stressed? Does boredom send you running to the kitchen? Understanding the emotional that cues you can help you overcome that response.

Ignore the external

It’s important to understand that food cues are predominantly external. Instead of listening to external stimuli that tells you when to eat, pay attention the internal hunger response. That may be a growling stomach, hunger pangs, or lightheadedness and tiredness associated with lack of food. Similarly, pay attention to internal cues as you eat so that you can stop eating when you are full. Your brain takes some time to process, so eat slowly.

Once you are aware of what is cueing you, take some time to think about whether or not you’re truly hungry, or if you’re just responding to an advertisement. Give it a few minutes; oftentimes, if you do not indulge your craving immediately, it will go away. Drink some water and distract yourself with another activity to take your mind off the food cue response.

For tips on mindful eating, check out our blog.

Is the scale stuck in one spot? If you can’t get that stubborn number to go down, you might be wracking your brain to figure out what you’ve been doing wrong. If you are struggling to lose weight, there may be a number of reasons.

Excessive snacking

Do you eat several big meals per day and still snack throughout the day? You may be consuming more calories than you realize. Especially if you are snacking mindlessly, you may be taking in hundreds of calories each snacking session.

Stress

Some stress can be a good thing because it motivates you to complete tasks, but too much stress is a problem. Not only can it take a toll on your well-being, it can cause your body to hold onto fat. Stress may cause you to overeat and choose unhealthy foods. It may also cause you to lean on food as emotional support.

Slow metabolism

Our metabolisms tend to slow as we age, and it may be slower if you have a high percentage of body fat. Muscle burns calories, so if you have higher body fat content than lean muscle content, you may not be burning as many calories as you could be. If you regularly skip meals, you may also be slowing your metabolism. Eating too-few calories or skipping meals can slow your metabolism and send your body into starvation mode. Not sleeping enough can also slow your metabolism. You may also have a slow metabolism due to genetics.

Medications

There are several medications that may make it more difficult to lose weight. Such medications include those for allergies, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, epilepsy, birth control, and more. If you are concerned about your medication causing weight gain, speak with your doctor.

Health conditions

You may have health conditions that cause you to hold onto weight. You may have problems with your thyroid, such as hypothyroidism. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known to cause insulin resistance and because it messes with an individual’s hormones, it may lead to fat accumulation.

Yo-Yo dieting

If you are constantly trying the latest diet trend, it may be more difficult for you to lose weight and maintain that weight loss in the long-term. Yo-yo dieting (losing weight and gaining it back again) can be detrimental to your health for a number of reasons. You may lose muscle and gain fat, change your gut health, increase your appetite, and increase your chances of harmful diseases like heart disease and diabetes. It can also be incredibly frustrating to be in a cycling of losing a lot of weight and then gaining it all back. Instead of following fad diets, it’s best to follow a nutrient-rich diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and get plenty of sleep.

This is in no way a comprehensive list. There are countless other reasons you may be unable to lose weight. It’s best to speak with your doctor to determine a healthy weight-loss plan. There may be factors outside of your control, such as genetics, causing you to hold onto excess weight. If a healthy diet and regular exercise have repeatedly not worked for you, it may be time to reach out to a Lap-Band® Surgeon here.

Are you ready to consider weight-loss surgery? There is plenty of research to comb through, so we’ve created a quick guide to help you understand your options before making your choice.

Gastric bypass

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (gastric bypass) procedure consists of two components, requiring cutting and rerouting of the organs and hundreds of staples. First, the top of the stomach is divided from the rest of the stomach, which creates a small stomach pouch. Then, the first portion of the small intestine is divided. The stomach pouch created in the first step is attached to the bottom end of the small intestine that was just divided. Finally, the remaining portion of the divided intestine is attached to a different portion of the small intestine. This means that stomach acids and digestive enzymes will eventually mix with ingested food.

After surgery, the stomach pouch is smaller, which means that smaller meals (and fewer calories) are consumed. Because one segment of the small intestine doesn’t have food going through it, it is presumed that overall, there is less calorie and nutrient absorption, requiring expensive supplements. Gut hormones change in response to the new food stream, which can promote the feeling of fullness and suppress appetite. These changes provide advantages such as long-term, significant weight loss, increased energy, and maintenance of weight loss.

Sleeve gastrectomy

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, or “the sleeve,” removes 80% of the stomach. The remainder of the stomach is approximately the size of a banana. The procedure is irreversible and involves cutting and stapling the stomach. The smaller size of the stomach means it can hold much less, so food consumption is significantly limited. Gut hormones are also changed, which can induce feelings of fullness, curb appetite, and control blood sugar.

In the sleeve gastrectomy procedure, the intestines do not need to be rerouted, unlike with gastric bypass surgery. However, patients will experience a similar change to gut hormones, which can increase feelings of fullness and suppress appetite. The sleeve results in fairly quick and significant weight-loss. Patients must stay in the hospital to recover for approximately two days. Patients who undergo this surgery are at risk for malnutrition and require long-term supplements and vitamins to avoid possible deficiencies.

Lap-Band® (gastric banding)

The Lap-Band Procedure the safest of all bariatric procedures with the lowest complication and mortality rates. It is a much simpler procedure when compared to gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve. An inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. The band creates another, smaller stomach above the band, while the stomach below remains intact. The smaller stomach allows the patient to feel fuller faster and to stay full longer. The band is easily adjusted by filling the band with sterile saline (injected through a port under the skin). This in turn adjusts the size of the stomach opening. This leads to weight-loss that is gradual and lasting. Unlike gastric bypass, food is digested and absorbed normally, so typically only a multivitamin is required. The band is both reversible and non-anatomy altering.

Pros and cons

There are pros and cons to each bariatric procedure. Gastric bypass surgery and the gastric sleeve are much more complicated than the Lap-Band Procedure. A more complicated procedure requires a longer hospital stay, whereas the Lap-Band Procedure is performed in about one hour and patients can go home soon after. The Lap-Band is also the only procedure that is non-anatomy altering and can be reversed.

With gastric bypass surgery and the gastric sleeve, there is the risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, typically in vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and folate. Because the procedures aren’t reversible, patients may need to take supplements for the remainder of their lives.

To learn more about your options, talk to a Lap-Band Surgeon.

Sources:

ASMBS Informed Consent for Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
ASMBS Informed Consent for Informed Consent for Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
ASMBS Informed Consent for Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy