How long does it take to perform the LapBand Surgery?
A: Placement of the Lap Band takes 25 minutes, on average. You must also consider the anesthesiologist’s time, which would add another 30 minutes. The total procedure will take about an hour. In most cases the patients will be up and walking five to six hours after surgery.
Is the surgery very painful?
A: This surgery is minimally invasive—described as a “keyhole” surgery—with minimal pain. You will be given pain medication for any discomfort you may experience.
How many incisions will I have?
A: You will have four to six, 1 cm incisions.
Is this type of surgery reversible?
Yes, that is a huge advantage over other types of bariatric surgeries. To reverse the procedure, the silicone band is simply laparoscopically removed.
How long do I have to stay in the hospital?
A: You will be in the hospital for the evening prior to and the evening after surgery.
Does the Lap Band limit any physical activity?
A: No. In fact, Lap Band patients take part in all kinds of sports activities.
When can I go back to work? When can I start exercising?
A: You should be able to return to work three to five days after Lap Band Surgery as long as you do not need to lift, push or pull anything over 10 lbs for the first two to three weeks after surgery. You may begin light exercise only one week after surgery, initially walking then gradually increasing exercise as you lose weight.
When can I start driving a vehicle, after surgery?
A: We recommend that you rest for two to three days, then you resume driving.
Can I become pregnant if I am a Lap Band patient?
A: Yes. Obesity produces a hormone imbalance that can make it difficult to become pregnant. Many patients are able to become pregnant after they have lost some weight. The band may be emptied during pregnancy. Women with Lap Bands have had and are still giving birth to babies with normal birthrates.
What is the most common reason for retaining or regaining weight? What is the best way to avoid these two pitfalls?
The most successful patients focus on three key areas:
1. Protein
2. Water
3. Exercise
If you’re focusing on these three areas and you are not losing, you would probably benefit from another fill.
The most common reason for weight retention is not having the proper level of restriction. Another issue would be lack of exercise. Exercise is key in any weight loss program. Building muscle mass increases one’s metabolism. Another key to long-term Band weight loss maintenance is developing good habits during your weight loss phase; for example: exercise, eating slowly, watching your portion sizes, limiting treats, etc. Regular exercise such as walking four to six times per week for 30 minutes will help you lose the weight and keep it off.
Other than the obvious high calorie foods, are there foods Lap Band patients should avoid?
A: Each stage will be different. You should be sure to include high fiber and high protein foods. You will be eating a lesser quantity of food, but will still need to receive the same levels of protein and fiber as before. We recommend that you stay away from carbonated beverages because they will most likely make you feel uncomfortable; carbonation may cause distention underneath the band so that you may feel bloated.
Is it wise to drink prior to eating since it’s advisable not to drink with meals?
A: You should drink in-between meals. The general rule of thumb is nothing 30 minutes before or one hour after, but that varies. If you drink too closely to your meal, you may feel full with liquid, leaving no room for food. If you eat during or right after, you will be pushing your food through, thus, eliminating satiety. Plus, drinking water in-between meals helps you to lose weight.
How many meals should I focus on? Three meals or six smaller meals per day?
A: Focusing on three meals a day is ideal but not necessarily the norm. Some follow this regime; others have three meals per day plus a snack. Yet others eat six smaller meals throughout the day (200-300 kcal each). Those that eat three meals might eat a 300 kcal breakfast, 500 kcal each for lunch and dinner, and a 200 kcal snack.
Is snacking a no-no?
A: Snacking can definitely sabotage your weight loss and the usual snack foods are a no-no. High carbohydrate foods will give you calories without satisfaction. If you’re hungry you should try to have only protein. If you need something sweet, try some fruit (it has fiber). You can also increase you water intake as hydration is very important.
What is the average caloric intake during weight loss?
This depends on the person and the fill level. Here are some ranges:
Liquid stage 800 – 1200 kcal/day
Puree stage 1000 – 1300 kcal/day
Normal food (post-op/ pre-1st fill) 2000 2200 kcal/day
Post-1st fill 1600 – 1800 kcal/day
Post-2nd fill 1200 – 1800 kcal/day
Some people keep their intake levels much lower, but others find that they stop losing weight if they go too low, as their metabolism shuts down. The goal here is not to feel deprived, but to figure out how you can avoid that feeling and still lose weight.
Should I take vitamins or protein supplements after surgery?
A: That's the beauty of the LapBand, you usually won’t require any type of food supplements because the Lap Band procedure does not have any effect on the absorption of nutrients. With the Lap Band you will still obtain all the vitamins and nutrients from your meals.
