Learn More about the LAP-BAND® System
One of the primary reasons why many people are unable to lose weight is because they have difficulty controlling their appetites. By undergoing surgery with the LAP-BAND® system at Dr. Matthew St. Laurent's Houston, TX-area practice, you can begin eating less and achieve your weight loss goals. If you are interested in learning more about the LAP-BAND® system, contact our practice today to schedule a consultation with Dr. St. Laurent.
What Is LAP-BAND® Surgery?
LAP-BAND® surgery is a procedure in which a patented LAP-BAND® device is placed around the stomach to create a smaller pouch for food to enter. This in turn makes people feel full sooner, so they eat less and pounds begin falling off.
Video: LAP-BAND® Overview
This animation provides a visual demonstration of how the LAP-BAND® is placed. After making an incision in the abdomen, Dr. St. Laurent will insert the REALIZE Band through a device called a trocar that serves as a passageway for surgical instruments. Once placed around the stomach, the REALIZE Band can be inflated with saline to compress the stomach.
Benefits of LAP-BAND® Surgery
The biggest benefit of LAP-BAND® surgery is that it does not require significant modifications to the stomach or intestines. As such, it can easily be reversed should you decide you no longer need your LAP-BAND®. This procedure also has the following benefits:
- Is minimally invasive
- Allows for slow and steady weight loss over a period of time
- Permits adjustments to be made during subsequent office visits
- Requires a shorter hospital stay and recovery period
- Results in fewer nutritional deficiencies than other types of bariatric surgeries
- Does not cause dumping syndrome
LAP-BAND® Surgery Before and After
Looking at before and after pictures of these LAP-BAND® patients will give you an idea as to what your results might be after surgery. Keep in mind that not everyone will experience similar results.
How Is LAP-BAND Surgery Performed?
This procedure will be performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Dr. St. Laurent will make several small incisions in your abdominal area between ¼” and ½” in length. This will permit him to insert a laparoscope, which is a tiny camera that will allow for more precise placement of the LAP-BAND®.
The LAP-BAND® will be wrapped in a circular fashion around the upper portion of your stomach to form a pouch. A small tube known as an access port is attached to the band and is left just underneath the skin. Dr. St. Laurent may then add or take away saline to loosen and tighten the band during your follow-up visits. Immediately after the surgery, the band will not be inflated, as you will need to have time to recover before this is accomplished.
To read our procedure guide, click here.
Preparing for LAP-BAND® Surgery
Prior to your operation, you may need to do the following:
- Seriously limit your intake of solid foods
- Adhere to a liquid protein diet for up to ten days ahead of time
- Stop taking certain medications
- Refrain from smoking
You should also arrange to take time off from work and have someone help you with ordinary household chores for the first few weeks after being released from the hospital.
LAP-BAND® Surgery Recovery
At first, your diet will be restricted to only liquids or soft foods, with solid foods being added back in gradually over time. You may have irregular bowel movements while you adjust to your band as well. There is an increased risk of dehydration, so you must make a conscious effort to drink plenty of water to prevent this from occurring.
How Much Does LAP-BAND® Surgery Cost?
No one estimate is accurate for everyone, which is why Dr. St. Laurent waits until after the consultation to discuss financing and payment information.
Is LAP-BAND® Surgery Right for Me?
You may be a good candidate for LAP-BAND® surgery if you have the following characteristics:
- You are more than 50 pounds overweight
- You have a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher, along with certain obesity-related health conditions
- You are committed to changing your eating habits long term
- You are concerned about the permanent effects of non-reversible bariatric surgeries such as gastric sleeve
Why Choose Dr. St. Laurent?
After your LAP-BAND® procedure, you’ll need to continue seeing a bariatric surgeon for an extended period of time. As such, trusting your care to Dr. St. Laurent makes perfect sense, as he specializes not only in bariatric surgeries, but in treating obesity-related disorders as well. His philosophy involves treating the total patient, and not just checking the progress of your surgery.
During your consultation, Dr. St. Laurent will obtain a health history and talk with you about your weight loss goals. You can also view before and after photographs of real patients and see an actual LAP-BAND® for yourself.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Weight loss surgery doesn’t have to involve drastic changes internally. The LAP-BAND® procedure is safe and effective and can even be reversed. Contact our practice today to schedule an appointment and learn more.
