There are several types of weight loss surgery, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, known as lap band surgery. All three surgeries have the same objective: to help you lose weight by reducing the amount of food that you can consume at one time. Choosing the right surgery for you depends on several things, including your medical history and goals. At the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center, you and Dr. Aviv Ben-Meir, a Lake Health board-certified general surgeon fellowship trained in bariatric surgery, will choose the weight loss option that is right for you. Here is what to expect during lap band surgery.
Lap Band Surgery
To perform this surgery, Dr. Ben-Meir places a silicone band around the top of the stomach to create a small pouch, limiting how much food can go into the stomach. This band is attached to a port that is placed under the skin. The port allows the band to be adjusted as needed to help the patient feel full with a small amount of food. This procedure is done laparoscopically, using small incisions, leading to less pain and a shorter recovery time.
What are the risks of lap band surgery?
Every surgery poses possible risks and complications. With lap band surgery those risks include:
- Band slippage
- Band erosion
- Port/tubing issues
- Esophageal dilation
These are serious complications, so choosing your surgeon is important. During your consultation, Dr. Ben-Meir will review his many years of experience performing lap band surgery and his personal complication rate.
What are the benefits of lap band surgery?
Weight loss surgery can improve or put into remission many health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Patients also experience what Dr. Ben-Meir and his team call non-scale victories, such as being able to tie their shoes or not needing a seatbelt extender on an airplane.
Take the First Step
Weight loss is a journey that starts with a single step. If you’re ready to take the first step, sign up for our on-demand webinar to “meet” Dr. Ben-Meir and to learn more about weight loss surgery and the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center.
