Q. What is the recovery time?
A. Most patients go home the same day and return to work within a few days. Patients can resume an exercise program within a month.
^ Top
Q. How much weight will I lose?
A. Weight loss results vary from patient to patient. It is very important to set achievable weight loss goals from the beginning. Our patients typically lose 10 pounds a month, or 100 pounds in the first year. Remember that you should lose weight gradually. Losing weight too quickly creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems. The main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.
^ Top
Q. Does the Lap-Band limit physical activity?
A. The band does not hamper your invovement with physical activities including aerobics, stretching, or strenuous exercise.
^ Top
Q. How is the band adjusted?
A. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port to add or subtract saline. This processnormally takes only a few minutes and most patients say it is nearly painless.
^ Top
Q. Can the band be removed?
A. The band can be removed. Surgeons report the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed. After removal, patients may regain their original weight, or more.
^ Top
Q. Will I need plastic surgery for the surplus skin when I have lost a lot of weight?
A. Because the weight loss with adjustable gastric banding is more gradual than other surgical weight-loss options, your skin has more time to adjust to your new size. Plastic surgery is an option for patients who have lost significant weight and are left with “extra” skin. As a rule, you should not consider plastic surgery for at least a year, possibly two, after the operation because sometimes your skin will mold itself around your new body tissue. It is best to give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more surgery.
^ Top
Q. Will I feel hungry or deprived with the Lap-Band?
A. The 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 will vary 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 band is a tool to help you change your eating habits.
^ Top
Q. What will happen if I become ill?
A. One of the major advantages of the band is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, our office can adjust the band. The band can be tightened when you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again. If the band cannot be loosened enough, it may have to be removed.
^ Top
Q. What about pregnancy?
A. Becoming pregnant can become easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After pregnancy, the band may be tightened again and you can resume losing weight.
^ Top
Q. What if I go out to eat?
A. Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Eat slowly. Finish at the same time as your table companions. You might want to let your host or hostess know that you cannot eat very much.
^ Top
Q. Can I eat anything in moderation?
A. After your stomach has adjusted to the band, you may eat most foods. Because you can only eat a small amount of food, it is important to include foods full of important vitamins and nutrients. If you eat foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of empty calories, such as milkshakes, the effect of the Lap-Band may be greatly reduced or even cancelled. Some patients experience difficulty eating doughy breads, and meats, such as steak and pork chops.
^ Top
Q. What about alcohol?
A. Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss.
^ Top
Q. Will insurance pay for it?
A. Many insurance carriers are paying for the procedure, while some are not. It will depend not only on your provider, but your specific policy. If insurance does not cover the expense, there are financing options available. See Insurance and Finance Information.
