LAP-BAND
Obesity can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. It can also affect your life expectancy.
LAP-BAND® provides a conservative and reversible option for people who need to lose weight to improve their quality of life.
Learn why many people in the Houston, TX, area come to Dr. Matthew St. Laurent for gastric banding.
How LAP-BAND Works
During the LAP-BAND procedure, an adjustable silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. By inflating the band with saline, a bariatric surgeon can adjust the upper stomach pouch as needed.
The upper stomach pouch effectively means that the patient's stomach size is reduced. With a smaller stomach, patients will feel fuller faster during meals. They will also consume less food during each meal.
Limiting the amount of calories consumed every meal and each day results in gradual and sustained weight loss. This is known as restrictive weight loss as it restricts the amount of calories the patient eats.
Here's a Closer Look at LAP-BAND Surgery
FDA Approved
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The LAP-BAND System obtained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001. The FDA approved the expanded use of LAP-BAND in 2011 to address the needs of more patients affected by obesity.
Is LAP-BAND Right for Me?
BMI of 40 or Higher
LAP-BAND surgery is recommended to treat people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher. A BMI in this range is classified as Class 3, which is considered severe obesity.BMI of 30 with Comorbidities
LAP-BAND is also performed on people with a BMI of 30 in addition to an obesity-related comorbidity such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea.Previous Struggles with Losing Weight
If you've attempted to lose weight for an extended amount of time but have had little success, bariatric surgery procedures such as LAP-BAND could help you achieve the results you're looking for.Healthy Enough to Undergo Surgery
LAP-BAND is more conservative than other bariatric procedures, but it is still a surgery. During your visit to our Houston area practice, we can assess your health and determine if gastric banding is the right solution for you.Calculate Your BMI
Talk to Dr. St. Laurent About Gastric Banding
LAP-BAND offers a simple solution for people who have struggled with weight loss. The gastric band limits your calorie intake while reducing sensations of hunger after meals. Dr. St. Laurent can evaluate your candidacy for LAP-BAND during a visit to our practice serving the Houston, TX, area.
Dr. St. Laurent is board-certified surgeon who has performed more than 4,500 bariatric surgeries. Consistently named one of America's Top Surgeons by the Consumers Research Council of America, Dr. St. Laurent is committed to helping people all over Texas take great strides forward in their health journey.
To learn more about gastric banding and your other weight loss surgery options, contact our practice online. You can also reach Northwest Endosurgical by phone.
Call Us Today
(281) 921-1890
Quality Care Reviews for Our Bariatric Center Serving Houston, TX
Rob Tate
2020
I have never met a staff more caring and friendly. The quality and time the staff spent with me to explain everything in great detail make this my go to place to start my journey.
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Ann Donaldson
2019
Dr. St. Laurent is very thorough in his explanation and takes the time to answer every question. The staff is excellent and makes me feel safe and successful on my journey. They’re a great team!!
View On GoogleBenefits of LAP-BAND Surgery
Effective Weight Reduction
The most obvious benefit of LAP-BAND surgery is the loss of weight. Losing excess weight can help lower blood pressure, relieve strain on your joints, and help treat type 2 diabetes. However, gastric banding offers several additional benefits worth considering.
A Reversible Procedure
LAP-BAND surgery does not permanently modify part of the stomach or the small intestine. The gastric band can be adjusted and removed as needed. Other weight loss surgeries are not as conservative.
Avoids Open Surgery
LAP-BAND surgery is a laparoscopic procedure, meaning that it only involves a few small incisions in the abdominal area. Surgical tools are inserted into these incisions to place the gastric band, meaning there is no need for open surgery with a large scar. The laparoscopic approach helps minimize post-operative discomfort and leads to faster recovery times.
Risks of LAP-BAND Surgery
Band Slippage
It's possible for the gastric band to slip out of position, which changes your stomach capacity. Treating this problem requires professional adjustments.
Band Erosion or Intolerance
Band erosion refers to a rare complication in which the silicone band erodes the outer tissue of the stomach. It's also possible your body will not tolerate the implanted object well, resulting in the buildup of scar tissue. Band intolerance may lead to nausea, vomiting, and reflux.
Weight Loss Plateaus
While LAP-BAND can be effective, it may not achieve as much weight loss for you as gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery.
LAP-BAND Pros and Cons
Dr. St. Laurent provides a succinct breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of LAP-BAND surgery. When you visit our Houston-area practice, our team will be able to compare different weight loss surgeries and give you an honest assessment about which one may be right for your long-term health, wellness, and weight loss goals.
How Much Does LAP-BAND Cost?
Factors Affecting Cost
The cost of LAP-BAND surgery is affected by several factors. The length of your hospital stay following surgery is one of the most significant price factors, particularly since recovery times can vary. Cost will also be influenced by your insurance benefits. After reviewing the percentage of cost covered by your insurance, our Houston, TX-area practice can also discuss financing options that can make gastric banding more affordable.
An Investment in Your Health
Since LAP-BAND can contribute to a healthier lifestyle, many gastric band patients feel it is a worthwhile investment. The procedure can help patients save money on medications and medical treatments for obesity-related conditions, and improve overall quality of life.
Contact Our Bariatric Center for More Information
Gastric banding has helped countless patients lose weight and improve their general health. Dr. St. Laurent has helped many gastric band patients in Southeast Texas achieve their wellness goals. Getting a gastric band may be just what you need to lose excess weight that will not respond to a healthy diet and regular exercise. For more information about LAP-BAND and other bariatric surgery procedures, contact our office online. You can also reach our office serving the Houston, TX, area by phone.
Give Us a Call Today
(281) 921-1890
"The most beautiful and professional people I have ever met. The team is courteous and organized. Your health concerns are thoroughly addressed. The procedure to improve your health is thoroughly explained, and they don't waste your time." Norma Rouchon, 2021
LAP-BAND Surgery Explained by Dr. St. Laurent
Watch as Dr. St. Laurent performs a LAP-BAND procedure and narrates the process. Many bariatric patients in the Houston area have achieved their health and weight loss goals thanks to LAP-BAND. We can help you determine if this is the right bariatric surgery for your needs. We can discuss LAP-BAND and other surgical weight loss options during your visit to Northwest Endosurgical.
The Surgical Procedure
Here is a simplified step-by-step look at the LAP-BAND process:
LAP-BAND provides a conservative and reversible option for people who need to lose weight to improve their quality of life.
Results of LAP-BAND Surgery
Rate of Weight Loss
LAP-BAND surgery allows individuals to lose weight gradually, with most patients experiencing incremental weight loss of about one to two pounds per week as their new stomach accommodates smaller amounts of food. When compared to rapid weight loss procedures, LAP-BAND is safer and offers longer-lasting results.
How to Ensure Success
In order to achieve optimal results and avoid complications, you will need to remain committed to a healthy lifestyle following surgery. This includes eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and making other kinds of healthy choices. Gastric banding combined with these lifestyle changes can help you shed excess weight and potentially find relief from obesity-related conditions.
Periodic Band Adjustments
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LAP-BAND patients will return to our Houston-area practice in order to receive band adjustments and to make any necessary corrections to the position of the band. We can discuss the scheduling for these regular adjustments during the consultation process.
LAP-BAND vs. Other Bariatric Procedures
LAP-BAND is not as complicated as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery. The stomach is not incised or permanently reduced during the procedure, nor is the small intestine altered or rerouted. However, some LAP-BAND patients are unable to reach their ideal weight. At that point, a revision surgery may be recommended to convert the band procedure into a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.
Gastric band surgery is not as commonly performed as other procedures at our Houston, TX-area practice. However, we want to cater to people who are still interested in conservative procedures that can promote sustainable weight loss when diet and exercise have failed.
Dr. St. Laurent can provide a more detailed explanation of the gastric band process and determine whether it's right for your needs. For a general comparison of bariatric options, we created a series of tables that note the differences between procedures, including the surgical process, potential complications, and weight loss results.
Goal-Oriented Bariatric Treatment in the Houston, TX, Area
Dylan M. Glass
2021
Dr. St. Laurent and his team take time to listening to patients and explain options while encouraging pro-active and timely decision-making. His office and staff treat people with human dignity, not like numbers. I have consulted with many doctors before over the years, and this was by far the nicest office with the best group you are going to find. A luxurious experience that truly helps people reach their goals, it does not get better than this.
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Claudia R
2021
Dr. St. Laurent and his staff are an amazing group of individuals who work above and beyond to help patients meet their needs. The atmosphere was clean and well organized. I truly appreciate Dr. St. Laurent for taking time out of his busy schedule to address all of my concerns and questions during my initial consultation. Thank you, Dr. St. Laurent and staff, for doing such an AWESOME job each and every day for the patients you serve!!
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