Category: Weight Loss

Countless individuals have found success with the Lap-Band® Program. The procedure is performed laparoscopically, and there is no rerouting of the stomach or intestines, so patients are able to recover quickly and start their health journeys. The procedure is adjustable, which makes it a great option for many people who need to lose a significant amount of weight. Along with the procedure, aftercare programs that offer counseling, coaching, education, and support are proven to help achieve the best long-term weight-loss results. Just take it from Michelle, who lost 162 pounds with the Lap-Band System. 

Making the change

Michelle knew she needed to make a health change when she lost her husband to esophageal cancer. The numbers on the scale were climbing, and she feared for her life. She had two young children at the time, and she knew they couldn’t lose another parent. “It’s life or death for me,” she says. “I really believed it was, because I didn’t have a life before Lap-Band.”

Choosing the right option

There are several bariatric procedures to choose from. However, unlike other options, Lap-Band is both reversible and non-anatomy altering. “I chose Lap-Band because I didn’t want any of my organs detached and reattached,” she says. The Lap-Band is also adjustable, which has allowed Michelle to maintain her weight loss for six years.

Living a better life

With significant weight loss comes big life changes, and Michelle is no stranger to that. Many individuals notice improvement in comorbid conditions once they lose weight with Lap-Band. They are able to enjoy their life again; their energy levels improve, they feel good about their body, and they are able to participate in activities they couldn’t for many years. Michelle knew it was a big deal when she realized she could sit comfortably in a chair again, fit in a restaurant booth, and ride on a rollercoaster.

Taking the leap

Taking the first step is perhaps the most difficult one. “I know there are people out there that feel exactly the same way I did,” she says. You may feel like there is nothing that can help you or that you can’t make the change. “Yes, you can,” says Michelle. “If I can do it, you can do it.”

If you are in the Louisville, Kentucky area, visit www.lapbandoflouisville.com to meet with Michelle’s surgeons who offer the full Lap-Band Program with state-of-the-art aftercare.

*Results and patient’s experiences may vary. 

Before you have the Lap-Band® Procedure done, you will need to commit to making a life change. While the Lap-Band is a non-anatomy altering, reversible procedure, it still requires lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle and a specific way of eating. Thankfully, there are great resources to help you adjust following your procedure. 

Dietary Changes

Immediately following the Lap-Band Procedure, you will need to follow a specific dietary plan provided to you by your specialist or dietitian. This plan will not only include the specific foods you may choose from, but portion recommendations and instructions on how to cut food into small pieces and chew them. Immediately following surgery, you will be required to follow a liquid diet for several days. Then you will move to soft foods before slowly adding in foods that require minimal chewing. Once you’ve passed the 42-day mark, or your specialist approves it, you may begin incorporating normal foods into your diet. Your specialist will provide you a list of safe foods and ones that are not recommended. 

Lap-Band Patients will need to commit to choosing high-quality foods. Because your new stomach pouch is so small, you don’t want to fill it with junk foods that lack the necessary nutrients your body needs. Skip foods or drinks high in sugar, fat, and excess calories, and instead choose lean proteins, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. You will also want to avoid high-calorie, sugary drinks. Stick to water and sugar-free fruit juices. 

Chew Slowly

Not only will you need to adjust the foods you are eating, you will need to cut your food into small pieces and chew slowly. Your food needs to be mush in order to accommodate your new stomach opening. This will not only help you avoid stomach irritation, but it will lower your chance of minor complications with the band, such as slippage, stomach blockage, or an expanded stomach pouch. Taking small bites and chewing slowly will help you feel satisfied and full without overeating. 

Avoid Snacking

It’s best to avoid snacking between meals. It is one of the primary reasons for weight gain or no weight loss. You should stick to three small meals per day. Your Lap-Band should be adjusted so that three meals per day properly fills you. If you often find yourself hungry between meals, there is a chance that your band is too loose and you need to have it adjusted. 

Stay Active

You will want to stay active after the Lap-Band Procedure. Exercise is a healthy part of any weight-loss program, and there are no exercise restrictions with the Lap-Band. 

Aftercare

Aftercare is absolutely crucial after the Lap-Band Process, whether you are having your Lap-Band adjusted or simply following up with your specialist. Staying in contact with your Lap-Band Team will help you stay engaged in your weight-loss program. 

As the weight begins to come off, you will notice changes to your body. Many individuals experience increased energy and are able to do things they couldn’t previously, whether it be daily activities or specific exercises. The weight-loss journey can be an emotional one, and we recommend building a strong support system consisting of your family, friends, and Lap-Band Team.

Source: 

• Lap-Band Surgical Aid in the Treatment of Obesity: A Decision Guide for Adults

If you’re considering the Lap-Band® Procedure, you probably have a long list of questions. There are plenty of stories out there, but you don’t trust any random person, and you know that everyone is different. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Thankfully, we’re here to answer the questions you might not have otherwise read about.

Are you wondering if you will have a scar after the Lap-Band Procedure? It’s a great question. Scars can cause people a lot of distress. They may feel self-conscious and want to cover their scars up. However, with their large amount of weight loss after the gastric banding procedure, patients may want to show off their new bodies in a bikini at the pool or in a crop top on vacation. However, if they have a huge scar, they might want to cover up. It’s important to know what to expect before you go into the procedure so you can prepare.

Because the Lap-Band is performed laparoscopically, it is less likely to have a large scar as compared to other bariatric surgeries that aren’t performed laparoscopically and instead use a large incision. In a laparoscopic surgery, several small keyhole cuts are made. A laparoscope—a thin, lighted tool—is inserted to show what’s going on during the procedure. You will be left with a few small scars. In an open surgery, there would be a large eight- to ten-inch incision, and therefore a large scar.

Your scarring will depend upon how badly your skin scars and how well you take care of the small incisions after your surgery. If you closely follow your specialist’s instructions and care for your incisions, you should be left with minimal scars. You will want to keep your incisions clean, dry, and dressed as long as necessary. Once they form a scab, do not pick at them—let them heal naturally. Stay hydrated and well-rested to promote healing. Avoid smoking, direct sunlight, and alcohol. If you notice anything weird about your healing incisions—redness, pus, fluids—talk to your doctor immediately because you may have an infection. If you are especially concerned about scarring, talk to your doctor about creams, ointments, or lotions you can use.

Every case is different. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your questions and concerns about scarring. They will discuss your unique circumstances with you so that you will understand the full process before undergoing the Lap-Band Procedure.

Lap-Band® can be a successful tool for many people. Nina was one of those individuals who found success with the procedure. There are numerous benefits to the procedure that make it a great choice for many individuals.

Weight loss

Nina Brown was 360 pounds when she decided it was time to make a change. She learned about the Lap-Band and decided to take control of her health. “I can’t believe I looked like that and treated my body like that,” she says. “That’s not me now, not at all.”

Nina lost 220 pounds with the Lap-Band and has kept it off for 6 years now. “I got to a point where I had to make myself happy, not because of what I looked like, but because of what I felt like. I had to address what I felt like inside and outside,” she says.

Less invasive

The Lap-Band is a minimally invasive procedure. It is also customizable and reversible, unlike other bariatric surgeries. This means there is less time spent in the hospital after the procedure, and there’s less recovery time. Those factors appeal to many individuals, including Nina. “Lap-Band is the least invasive of the weight-loss surgeries, which is the number one reason I chose it,” Nina says.

Improves health conditions and lifestyle

The Lap-Band has the power to help individuals change their lifestyle for the better. Not only will you learn from your team about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, but you’ll be able to achieve that lifestyle. You may notice that weight-related conditions and diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, improve. “After my surgery, maybe a couple months out, I was able to get off blood pressure medication. My achy joints were cured and I was healthier,” Nina says. She now enjoys swimming and running. She can play at the park all day with her son, and simple things have become easier, like breathing while she walks. “I never lived life before the Lap-Band surgery,” she says. 

Nina never thought she’d do so well with the Lap-Band and get such great results, but the motivation from her support team—especially those at LapBand of Louisville—kept her going, and she is grateful she took the opportunity Lap-Band offered her.

*Results and patient’s experiences may vary.

If you’ve had the Lap-Band® Procedure for a year or longer, by now you know that your life looks drastically different than it did one year ago. However, if you’re still considering the procedure and how your life will change, this blog is for you. Read on to learn more about what you can expect one year after the Lap-Band Surgery.

At about six months after you have the Lap-Band Procedure, your stomach will be healed. Your first adjustments will happen four to six weeks after surgery, and you may have had one or two more adjustments around the six-month period. At the one-year mark, you may have stabilized and will no longer require adjustments to your band to increase or stabilize weight loss. If you have plateaued and aren’t losing weight for more than three weeks, and you aren’t at your goal weight, you may require another adjustment to the band.

You will see results fairly quickly after having the Lap-Band Procedure. So what does weight loss will look like one year after the procedure? With the Lap-Band, patients lose weight slowly and steadily. After just one year, most patients have achieved their weight-loss goals. Studies show that 46% of excess weight is lost after one year passes. If patients had comorbid diseases related to excess weight when they had the surgery, the conditions have typically improved or reversed by this point.

The six months following the procedure may be difficult for some as they adjust to new life patterns, including eating new foods, eating less, chewing slowly and mindfully, and being more active. By one year, patients have typically adjusted to their new, healthier lifestyle. The Lap-Band is a great tool for weight loss, but it requires a commitment to lifelong change. Even after drastic weight loss one year after the procedure, patients will still need to maintain their commitment to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Source:

• Dixon John, O’Brien Paul. Health Outcomes of Severely Obese Type 2 Diabetic Subjects 1 Year After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. Diabetes Care, Volume 25, Number 2. February 2002.

Many people that are about to embark on the Lap-Band® Procedure, or are at least weighing the options, wonder if excess skin removal will be necessary once they’ve lost a majority of their weight. Many patients will lose weight in excess of 100 pounds, which can cause excess skin around the belly. Some individuals may become so frustrated with their excess skin, that they feel as if the way they feel on the inside does not match how they look on the outside.

If you have excess skin following bariatric surgery, you can opt to meet with a plastic surgeon and talk about having loose skin removed. Plastic surgeons can complete a series of surgeries to trim excess skin from different areas of the body called body contouring. While many consider plastic surgery to be a cosmetic procedure, it can actually be considered a practical procedure for individuals with excess skin. The loose skin can become uncomfortable—causing rashes and chafing. Sometimes, it can become a medical necessity to have it removed because of infection. Body contouring can be done on the tummy area, chest, face, thighs, and upper arms. The surgeries are both a time and money commit, and patients need to mentally prepare for the surgeries because they require months of recovery. However, the procedures are highly effective in removing excess skin and helping to reshape the tissue.

It is important to note that loose skin after weight loss is most common when weight is lost very quickly and drastically. Because the Lap-Band helps you lose weight more gradually than other bariatric procedures, you may not experience saggy skin. It also depends largely upon your body; everyone is different, and age and skin quality plays a role. One of the ways in which you can help prevent saggy skin during weight loss is to not only focus on gradual weight loss that will give your skin adequate time to contract and adjust, but to build muscle and take care of your skin. Use sunscreen, don’t smoke, avoid high alcohol consumption, and follow a healthy diet.

It’s important to note that, if you do experience excess skin after major weight loss, it is your decision whether or not you elect to have it removed. You should wait approximately one year after you’ve lost most of your weight to give your skin enough time to adjust and tighten. If you aren’t satisfied after one year, then talk with a doctor.

Source:

• https://www.menshealth.com/weight-loss/a26424334/loose-skin-after-weight-loss/

The Lap-Band® is a great tool for weight loss, but it is not a cure. It requires a major commitment and lifestyle change to achieve and maintain success. If you’re thinking about the Lap-Band Procedure or you’ve just had it done, these seven tips will help you stay on a successful path to weight loss.

Eat only when you’re hungry

After the Lap-Band, your stomach can only hold about one cup of food. If you’re mindlessly eating when you aren’t hungry, you will fill up your stomach pouch quickly, instead of filling it with the necessary nutrients you need at meal time.

Eat slowly and chew well

The Lap-Band works best when you’re not in a hurry. The band sends the signal to your brain that you are satisfied and done eating, but you need to give it time to do so. Eating slowly will not only help you eat less, but it will help you enjoy your food more. Your food needs to be mush for it to pass through your band safely. If you don’t chew well, you could feel sick. Eat a small forkful, then set your fork down. Chew slowly. Once you’ve finished chewing, then you can pick your fork back up and take another bite.

Stop eating when you feel satisfied

The Lap-Band will help you feel satisfied sooner. Listen to your band. It will let you know when you are satisfied and don’t need to eat anymore. If you ignore it, you may eat more than the one-cup limit, which could cause band slippage or your food to get stuck in your band. 

Stay active

Exercise is a key part of any weight-loss plan. It will help you feel better and can help you achieve your goals sooner. Find out what sort of physical activity you love, and be sure to ease into a new exercise routine slowly.

Don’t eat between meals

The Lap-Band works best when there is no snacking between your three meals per day. Avoid impulse snacking. It is a huge deterrent to weight loss. If you need a snack because you are increasingly physically active, choose a low-carb, low-calorie, high protein snack. If you notice yourself often reaching for a snack, it could mean that your band needs to be adjusted. Talk to your doctor.

Only eat high-quality foods

Because your stomach pouch can hold less with the Lap-Band, you will no longer be able to eat as much as you could previously. It’s crucial to eat nutrient-rich foods, rather than filling up on high-calorie, sugary, or fattening foods. Not only will junk food not give you the nutrients you need like whole foods will, but the empty calories won’t satisfy you.

Drink only low-calorie liquids

Liquids can “trick” the Lap-Band. They slide right through your band, and are not restricted like solid food is. Consuming sugary liquids, like sodas, fruit juices, and high-calorie smoothies, can set you back on your weight-loss goals. Instead, choose water or calorie-free beverages.

With all the diets on the market right now, it can be hard to keep track of what’s what. The truth is, fad diets do not work and it is time for a break up.

When a new diet craze hits the market, everyone is talking about it. There are commercials and advertisements, and special products take over the grocery stores. It seems like there is always a group that falls for the gimmick, hoping that it will be the miracle cure they’ve needed all along to lose weight. As this happens, the dietitians sit back and continue to preach the same advice they’ve preached all along: losing weight and maintaining it is a result of eating less and exercising more. The reason people don’t always listen to dietitians is because they want a quick fix. They want to reach their body goals in a month; they don’t want to put in the required time it takes to lose weight. For some people, no matter what they’ve tried, they can’t lose weight, so they will try any fad diet that pops up in the hopes of finding success. People can be deterred by the strict commitment to a life-long change.

On the other hand, fad diets only require a few weeks of time to provide incredible results (or so “they” say). However, by now we know that fad diets are not the answer. Quick fix diets can leave you malnourished and weighing more than you did when you started. Fad diets also focus more on the size of your body than the health of your body. This means that promoted fad diets may not be all that heart-healthy or easy on your body. More often than not, they are detrimental to your health (for more reasons than one). They can cause nutrient deficiencies, and severely restricting your necessary caloric intake and the combination of exercising more can cause your to pass out. Weight cycling—a result of getting on and off fad diets—is unhealthy for your body. Maybe more than anything, fad diets don’t address the behaviors that you require to lose weight and keep it off. On the contrary, a diet prescribed by a dietitian is a safe, healthy way to lose weight and maintain it. Changing your behavior for the long-term is what works, and exactly what the Lap-Band® helps you do.

It’s time to break up with your fad diet for good and try something that will work for you in the long-run.

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Are you hoping to transform your life? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything and just can’t lose the weight or keep it off? The Lap-Band® System is the tool you need to make that important life change. It’ll help you feel better both physically and emotionally, and help you gain confidence, self-esteem, and empowerment. 

The Lap-Band is a minimally-invasive, non-anatomy altering procedure which places a band around the upper portion of your stomach. The band creates a smaller stomach above it, and leaves the stomach below intact. The smaller stomach opening leaves you feeling fuller quicker and longer. Unlike other weight-loss procedures, there is no cutting and no rerouting of your intestines. The band reduces the amount of food you can eat in one sitting, allowing you to gradually lose weight and keep it off for the long-term. And because the procedure is completed laparoscopically with just a couple small incisions, you can begin your recovery immediately. Many patients go home the same day as their procedure.

Typically, the band is gradually adjusted, leading to gradual weight loss and ideal hunger control. The first adjustment is recommended at six or more weeks after the procedure. Your surgeon adjusts the band by adding or removing saline through the port under your skin, which is attached to the band. Because the band is adjustable and is reversible, it makes it a standout option in comparison to anatomy-altering weight-loss surgeries. You’ll learn to control your portion sizes and manage your weight with healthy behaviors, as the Lap-Band helps you throughout the journey.

On average, Lap-Band Patients lose between 40% and 50% of their weight after only one year. Weight loss can reduce the occurrence or severity of weight-related diseases, such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, and GERD. On top of that, the procedure is safer than other weight loss surgeries.

Of course, as with any weight loss procedure, there are some cons. The risks are small, but because a foreign device is in the body, there is risk of slippage or band erosion, as well as mechanical issues. If a patient with the Lap-Band significantly overeats time and time again, there is the risk in dilation of the esophagus. All of these risks lead to the potential to re-operate.* While there are slight disadvantages to the Lap-Band, the procedure offers lower risks than other weight-loss procedures, such as Gastric Bypass surgery.

To see if the Lap-Band procedure is right for you, call 1-800-LAPBAND.

*See Lap-Band DFU for full list of complications.

Sources:

• https://www.www.lapband.com/
• https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures
• Dixon John, O’Brien Paul. Health Outcomes of Severly Obese Type 2 Diabetic Subjects 1 Year After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. Diabetes Care, Volume 25, Number 2. February 2002.
• Dixon John, Schachter Linda, O’Brien Paul. Sleep Disturbance and Obesity: Cahnges Following Surgically Induced Weight Loss. Arch Intern Med/Vol 161. Jan 8 2001.
• Dixon John, O’Brien Paul. Gastroesophageal Reflux in Obesity: The Effect of LAP-BAND® Placement. Obesity Surgery 1999.

@2026 Medtimo Inc        All Rights Reserved                  Part Number 04-0462 Rev. A

If you’ve ever followed any specific weight loss plans, it’s most likely you probably never thought to incorporate sleep into the plan. Most likely, you probably thought about getting up earlier and actually sacrificing sleep to get an extra workout in, staying up longer so you could burn more calories, or skipping power naps in the middle of the day because you thought it made you lazy. Contrary to what you might have thought in the past, studies show that sleep plays an important role in weight loss and helping you stick to your health goals.

Far too many adults report that they don’t get enough sleep each night. It’s suggested that as many as one third of American adults receive under six hours of sleep per night. For some, poor sleep may be the missing link when it comes to reaching weight loss goals. Poor sleep has been linked to obesity through the years. While everyone’s sleep patterns and requirements differ, studies show that getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night is linked to weight changes. One review even concluded that inadequate sleep increased obesity risk by 55% in adults. Weight gain can also aggravate sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. As a result, sleep quality can decline even further.

Have you ever noticed that after a poor nights’ sleep, you wake up craving all the foods you know you probably shouldn’t be eating? That’s because ghrelin, a hormone that signals to your brain that you are hungry, is higher when you get less sleep. Leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, is lower when you don’t get adequate sleep. This makes you more likely to overeat or feel hungrier. Similarly, being deprived of sleep can dull the activity of the part of your brain that controls decision-making, the frontal lobe. At the same time, the reward centers of your brain are activated by food when you are sleep-deprived. This may cause you to indulge your cravings for foods that are calorie-laden, fattening, and full of sugar. Because your self control is inhibited, your caloric intake may increase.

Some studies show that inadequate sleep may lower your metabolism. One study even suggests that poor sleep can cause muscle loss. You may also feel less motivated to exercise.

All in all, your body performs at a higher level when you’re fully rested. Make quality sleep an important part of your routine, and you may notice fewer cravings, more energy, and a healthy weight change.

Sources:

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sleep-and-weight-loss#section5

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