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Frequently Asked
Questions About the LAP-BAND®
Q: Will I be sick
a lot after the operation?
A: The LAP-BAND System limits food intake. If you feel nauseated or
sick on a regular basis, it may mean that you are not chewing your
food well enough or that you are not following the diet rules
properly. However, it could also mean that there is a problem with
the placement of the band, so contact your doctor if this problem
persists. Vomiting should be avoided as much as possible as it can
cause the small stomach pouch to stretch. It can also lead to
slippage of part of the stomach through the band and reduce the
success of the operation. In some cases, it can require another
operation.
Q: How long will
it take to recover after surgery?
A:
If LAP-BAND surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients
typically spend less than 24 hours in the hospital. It takes most
patients about a week to return to work and a month to six weeks to
resume exercising. In the case of open surgery or if there are
complications, recovery may take longer.
Q: How much
weight will I lose?
A:
Weight-loss results vary from patient to patient, and the amount of
weight you lose depends on several things. The band needs to be in
the right position, and you need to be committed to your new
lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure,
and the pounds won't come off by themselves. It is very important to
set achievable weight-loss goals from the beginning. A weight loss
of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is
possible, but one pound a week is more likely. Twelve to eighteen
months after the operation, weekly weight loss is usually less.
Remember that you should lose weight gradually. Losing weight too
quickly creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems.
The main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or
resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.
Q: How do the weight-loss results with the
LAP-BAND compare to those with the gastric bypass?
A:
Surgeons have reported that gastric bypass patients lose weight
faster in the first year. At five years, however, many LAP-BAND
patients have achieved weight loss equal to that of gastric bypass
patients1.
Focus on long-term weight loss and remember that it is important to
lose weight gradually while reducing obesity-related risks and
improving your health.
Q: Does the LAP-BAND require frequent visits
to my doctor after surgery?
A:
Check-ups with your doctor are a normal and very important part of
the LAP-BAND System follow-up. Many surgeons see their patients
weekly or biweekly during the first month and every four to twelve
weeks for the first year. Adjustments are performed during some of
these visits. It is typical for follow-up visits to be scheduled
every three to six months during the second and third year,
depending on the individual case.
Q: Does the LAP-BAND limit any physical
activity?
A:
The LAP-BAND does not hamper physical activity including aerobics,
stretching and strenuous exercise. In fact being able to enjoy
physical activity is a good reason to consider having weight lose
surgery. Check out our After Care page for information concerning
demonstrations and classes.
Q: How is the
band adjusted?
A:
Adjustments are usually done in office, and local anesthesia may or
may not be needed. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the
access port to add or subtract saline. This process most often takes
only a few minutes and most patients say it is nearly painless.
Sometimes adjustments are done in the X-ray department if Dr.
Cernero can’t get a good feel of the port. They are done there so
the access port can be clearly seen. When X-rays are used, your
reproductive organs should be shielded.
Q: Do I have to
be careful with the access port just underneath my skin?
A:
There are no restrictions based on the access port. It is placed
under the skin in the abdominal wall, and once the incisions have
healed it should not cause discomfort or limit any physical
exercise. The only sensation you may experience from the port occurs
when you go in for adjustments. If you feel persistent discomfort in
the port area, talk to your doctor.
Q: Can the band
be removed?
A:
Although the LAP-BAND System is not meant to be removed, it can be,
in some cases laparoscopically. Surgeons report that the stomach
generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed.
After the removal, though, you may soon go back up to your original
weight. You may also gain more.
Q: Will I need
plastic surgery for the surplus skin when I have lost a lot of
weight?
A:
That is not always the case. As a rule, plastic surgery will not be
considered for at least a year or two after the operation as,
sometimes the skin will mold itself around the new body tissue. Give
the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more
surgery.
Q: Is it true
that the LAP-BAND seems "tighter" in the morning?
A:
This is a fairly common feeling, especially for people with bands
that are tight or just after an adjustment. During the day the water
content in the body changes and this may cause the band to feel
"tighter" some of the time. Some women have also noticed that the
LAP-BAND feels tighter during menstruation.
Q: Will I feel
hungry or deprived with the LAP-BAND?
A:
The LAP-BAND makes you eat less and feel full in two ways - first by
reducing the capacity of your stomach and second by increasing the
time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a
small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you
should feel full. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you
choose your food and then chew it well, you should not feel hungry
or deprived. Remember that the LAP-BAND is a tool to help you change
your eating habits.
Q: What will
happen if I become ill?
A:
One of the major advantages of the LAP-BAND System is that it can be
adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be
loosened by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from
your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be
tightened by increasing the amount of saline. If the band cannot be
loosened enough, it may have to be removed.
Q: What about
pregnancy?
A:
Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual
cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are
pregnant, the band can be loosened. After pregnancy, the band may be
made tighter again and you can resume losing weight. Dr. Cernero
will work with your OB/Gyn to ensure you and your baby are well
cared for.
Q: Will I need to
take vitamin supplements?
A:
You may. It's possible to not get enough vitamins from three small
meals a day. At your regular check-ups, your specialist will
evaluate whether you are getting enough vitamin B12, folic acid, and
iron. Dr. Cernero advises that all weight lose patients take one
children's chewable tablet everyday. Children's chewable
tablets are very close to adult supplements.
Q: What about
other medication?
A:
You should be able to take prescribed medication, though you may
need to use capsules, break big tablets in half or dissolve them in
water so they do not get stuck in the stoma and make you sick.
Always ask the doctor who prescribes the drugs about this. Your
surgeon may tell you to avoid taking aspirin and other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory pain relievers because they may irritate the
stomach. The problems these drugs may cause could result in band
removal. All this will be covered in your Pre-Op instructions.
Q: What if I go
out to eat?
A:
Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Eat slowly.
Finish at the same time as your table companions. You might want to
let your host or hostess know in advance that you cannot eat very
much.
Q: What about
alcohol?
A:
Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down vitamins. An
occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not
considered harmful to weight loss2.
Q: Can I eat
anything in moderation?
A:
After your stomach has healed, you may eat most foods that don't
cause you discomfort. However, because you can only eat a little it
is important to include foods full of important vitamins and
nutrients such as those recommended in the nutrition section of this
booklet and as advised by your surgeon and/or dietitian. If you eat
foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of
"empty" calories, such as milkshakes, the effect of the LAP-BAND may
be greatly reduced or even cancelled.
Q: Will I suffer
from constipation?
A:
There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools, which is
normal after a decrease in food intake because you eat less fiber.
This should not cause you severe problems. If difficulties do arise,
check with your doctor. He or she may suggest you take a mild
laxative and drink plenty of water for a while. Your needs will
vary, but you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.
1Clegg A.,
Colquitt J., Sidhu M.K., et al. The clinical and cost effectiveness
of surgery for people with morbid obesity. Health Technology
Assessment 2002; 6(12): 1-153.
2Dixon J., Dixon A., O’Brien P. Light to Moderate Alcohol
Consumption: Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome. Am J Bariatric
Medicine 2002; 17(4): 11-14.
Disclaimer:
As with any surgery, there are specific risks and possible
complications associated with the LAP-BAND System surgery. Talk to
your doctor to determine if you are a candidate for the LAP-BAND
System.
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