Lap Band Revision Surgery

Lap Band surgery has provided weight loss success to many thousands of people over the past few years.  Its popularity primarily stems from being less invasive than other procedures and reversible in the event that the band needs to be removed.

Unfortunately, the band has proven to be more prone to complications than was anticipated.

Because the Lap-Band requires frequent follow up to ensure the band is at an appropriate tension, many patients who were unable to commit to the close follow up found that the Lap-Band failed in 20 to 30% of patients.

Dr Taylor counsels patients with Lap-Band problems to consider a revisionary procedure to either sleeve gastrectomy or roux en Y gastric bypass.

What is Lap Band Surgery?

 

Lap Band is actually the trademark for the original FDA approved adjustable gastric banding device manufactured and sold by Allergan, Inc. The term “lap band” is often used to describe all adjustable gastric banding surgeries, although there are other brands available on the market today.

Adjustable gastric banding is a restrictive weight loss surgery. It helps people to lose weight by significantly reducing how much food can be comfortably consumed during each meal. The gastric band also helps you to feel full for longer, so you can eat less often during the day without feeling hungry.

How Lap Band Surgery Works:

  1. The LAP-BAND is placed around the upper part of your stomach, much like an inflatable belt. When inflated and tightened, this creates a small pouch-like stomach that will hold about 4 ounces of food.
  2. A tube is connected from the LAP-BAND around your stomach to a small access port attached beneath the skin of your abdomen.
  3. Saline solution is added to or removed from the LAP-BAND through the access port. This makes the LAP-BAND tighter or looser around your stomach, allowing you to eat more of less food.
  4. Adjustments are often made through the port every few weeks during the first year following lap band surgery.

Lap Band Revision Surgery Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti

Lap Band surgery is designed to promote healthy, steady weight loss that can be maintained long-term. For many Lap Band patients, the most important difference is not just the ability to lose a significant amount of weight, but the ability to finally keep the weight off for good!

Studies have shown that 94.1% of patients were satisfied with their Lap Band results a year after surgery.

Depending on your starting weight and and recognizing that individual lifestyle changes are extremely important for success after Lap Band surgery,  weight loss of 45% excess body weight is possible*.

As with any weight loss plan, remember that individual results will vary. Dr. Taylor can help you set personalized goals before and after your weight loss surgery.

Benefits of Lap Band Surgery

Lap Band surgery is one of many weight loss surgeries available today. Some of the specific benefits associated with this system include:

  • Completely reversible
  • No cutting or stapling of the stomach
  • Less invasive than other weight loss surgeries
  • Shorter average recovery time than other weight loss surgeries
  • Virtually no foods become “off limits” after surgery

Is Lap Band Surgery Right for You?

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a change in the minimum weight requirement for use of the LAP BAND System. This change was sparked by research which has clearly shown the LAP BAND to be a very safe procedure which has the potential to provide significant weight loss and help resolve many chronic medical conditions even in smaller patients. The new FDA weight criteria for use of the LAP BAND has been lowered to now include people having a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 30 and 35 as long as they have one or more medical conditions associated with obesity. (Click here to calculate your BMI). This change has made the substantial benefits of the LAP BAND available to several million more Americans.

The best way to determine if lap band surgery is the best option for you is to discuss your individual goals and challenges with an experienced bariatric surgeon. Dr. Jamokay P Taylor performs multiple types of weight loss surgeries and can talk to you about the risks and benefits of each option, including Lap Band surgery.

*Richardson WS, Plaisance AM, Periou L, Buquoi J, Tillery D. Long-term Management of Patients After Weight Loss Surgery. The Ochsner Journal. 2009;9(3):154-159.