Approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) in June 2001, the Lap-Band System is an innovative tool designed to assist
in long-term weight loss through a non-invasive surgery that offers lasting results
without the permanent surgical alteration of digestive organs.
Safer. Least Invasive. Adjustable. Reversible.
In February 2002, the FDA named the Lap-Band System
as one of the Significant Device Breakthroughs.
During the procedure, the surgeon makes a few small incisions. Using a camera and
thin, long-shafted laparoscopic instruments, the surgeon places a round silicone
adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach and secures it in place with
several sutures. Once it is in place, the band squeezes the stomach like a belt
or rubber band, creating a small gastric pouch in the upper stomach, permitting
only a small amount of food to pass through.
Once it is in place, the band serves
three
functions by:
- Limiting and controlling the amount of food that is consumed.
-
Delaying emptying of the new "smaller" stomach into the intestines.
-
Creating the sensation of fullness sooner and for a longer period
of time so that overall hunger is decreased.
At DayOne's state-of-the-art surgical facilities the procedure is safely performed
on an outpatient basis with
no required overnight hospital stay. The Lap-Band
placement procedure itself takes approximately 30-45 minutes. After the band has
been placed, you will spend about 4 hours in our recovery suite. Once you have received
medical clearance to leave, you will walk out of our facility and continue recovering
in the comfort of your own home
that same evening. Recovery times may vary,
but you can generally return to work and normal activities within 4-7 days.
One of the greatest advantages of the Lap-Band System is that it can be easily adjusted
without any additional surgery.
Adding saline solution through the ‘port’
attached under the skin makes the band tighter, reducing the capacity of the stomach
and how much you can eat. Removing saline makes the band looser, increasing your
stomach capacity. The adjustable nature of the Lap-Band means that we can tailor-make
a weight loss program that meets your individual needs and goals.