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Success Story spotlight: Debbie

December 17, 2020

Have you tried to lose weight but you can’t seem to lose a pound? Or perhaps you have managed to lose weight following a new diet, but once you began to adjust to a normal eating plan, you gained all of the weight you lost and more. This story is all too relatable for countless individuals, Debbie included. She decided she was ready to take the leap and try the Lap-Band® Program, designed for individuals who have tried to lose weight multiple times but are unable to maintain long-term weight loss.  

Growing up

The pressure to lose weight is felt at a very young age by countless individuals, and it can have negative consequences. Debbie was told that “She’d be so cute if she lost a little bit of weight” growing up. 

Choosing Lap-Band

“We’ve all been at the place where we’ve done diets,” Debbie says. While individuals can lose weight on diets, Debbie explained that “the weight tends to come back and every time you step on the scale it goes up.” Understanding she needed a little assistance, she decided to talk to a Lap-Band Specialist. “It was time for me to do this for myself,” she says. The Lap-Band Program was an attractive option because the surgery is performed laparoscopically as an outpatient procedure. Debbie was able to go home the same day as her procedure, allowing her to focus on healing and starting her weight-loss journey. 

Seeing results 

Debbie lost 84 pounds in a year and a half with the Lap-Band Program, and she’s still going strong! One of her primary goals was to be able to go off her blood pressure and blood sugar medicine, and the Lap-Band Program helped her do that. The joy that she gets from seeing the scale drop a pound or two is indescribable. 

Advice 

Debbie describes the Lap-Band Program as a blessing. Even if you’re scared, like she was, she encourages you to talk to a specialist: “You will not regret your decision to have the Lap-Band Surgery.” 

*Results and patients’ experiences may vary. 

The Latest

Important Lap-Band® System Safety Information

The Lap-Band System is indicated for weight reduction for patients with obesity, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. It is indicated for use only in adult patients who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have this surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

The Lap-Band System is not recommended for non-adult patients (patients under 18 years of age), patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant.

The Lap-Band System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill, or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin, should be used with caution and may contribute to an increased risk of band erosion.

Placement of the Lap-Band System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body. Most common related adverse events include: Band slippage, pouch dilation, stoma obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal dilation, cholelithiasis, incisional infection, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required. Rapid weight loss may result in complications that may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation.

Important: For full safety information please click here or talk with your doctor.