Lap Band Weight Loss Surgery

Excess weight - by now you know it's much more than a physical issue. Being overweight impacts all areas of your life - where you go, what you do, and how you feel. If you are considering Lap Band® surgery in Newport Beach or Long Beach, CA, get in touch with the surgeons at CosmetiCare to learn more about the benefits of surgical weight loss. Not only can you look and feel slimmer, but this procedure also may provide relief from conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and bone and joint discomfort.

At CosmetiCare, Dr. Hormuz Irani, an advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, performs the Lap band procedure for our patients who are good candidates for a surgical weight loss procedure.

An adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity, the Lap band system was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001 for weight loss in severely obese adults. If diet and exercise alone do not allow you to maintain a healthy weight, this procedure can give the added boost needed to help you achieve lasting results by limiting your food intake, slowing digestion, and reducing your appetite. You must be willing to modify your diet and lifestyle choices to achieve long-term success; the Lap band system alone is not a "magic pill" or cure for obesity.

The Lap band procedure is a minimally-invasive outpatient surgery to help our patients lose excess weight and free themselves from potentially life threatening diseases. At CosmetiCare, we devote our practice to helping people live the life they want through surgical and non-surgical medical solutions. Without a doubt, Lap band surgery has improved the lives of thousands of men and women across the country. Request a Complimentary Consultation with one of our surgeons today to learn more about Lap band surgery in Newport Beach or Long Beach, CA.

How Does It Work?

The Lap band system induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. During the procedure, our surgeon uses minimally-invasive laparoscopic techniques to implant the Lap band, which is an inflatable silicone circle that wraps around the upper portion of a patient's stomach, controlling the amount of food that is digested. The band can be easily adjusted without the need for additional surgery. Because the digestive capacity of your stomach has been reduced, the procedure causes you to feel full with smaller amounts of food. Consuming fewer calories over time can lead to significant weight loss.

Am I a Candidate for Lap band Surgery?

Men and women from all walks of life chose surgical weight loss procedures. Below are a few factors our doctors will consider when evaluating your candidacy for Lap band surgery.

• All Lap band patients must be at least 18 years old.
• The ideal candidate has been overweight for at least 5 years and has a BMI of 40 or higher, weighs at least twice their ideal weight, or exceeds their ideal weight by more than 100 pounds. Others who do not meet these criteria but nevertheless are suffering significant health problems also may be candidates.
• The procedure may be right for you if your attempts to lose weight have had only temporary success and you are ready to make dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle.
• You will be evaluated for diseases and conditions which may cause obesity or which may create complications following surgery. Some of these include:
  • Inflammatory diseases or conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease
  • Severe heart or lung disease
  • Problems that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach
  • Abnormal structure of or injury to the esophagus, stomach, or intestine
  • Cirrhosis or chronic pancreatitis
• People who are addicted to alcohol or drugs and women who are pregnant cannot undergo this procedure. However, women may become pregnant following placement of the Lap band, with adjustment of the band needed in some cases to ensure the developing child receives adequate nutrition.

What Can I Expect after My Procedure?

• On average, Lap band patients lose about 1.5 to 2 pounds per week. Individual results vary based on your starting weight, the types and amount of food you eat after surgery, and your post-surgery exercise routine.
• We will carefully monitor your progress and can adjust the Lap band as needed to speed up or slow down the rate of weight loss so that you are in a safe range that is meeting your goals.
• Many obesity-related health conditions will improve or resolve themselves completely as you lose weight. A few of these conditions include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), sleep apnea, and joint pain. Improvement of conditions like these is not guaranteed but is a welcome benefit for most patients.
• You will be scheduled for periodic follow-up medical appointments to check on your progress, adjust your diet and exercise plan, and ensure you are maintaining good overall health.
• Studies have shown that for the average patient, weight loss using the Lap band system is comparable to the weight loss achieved through gastric bypass surgery by the 5 year mark. Weight loss is more gradual with the Lap band, but the procedure is more comfortable, less invasive, and often more affordable than gastric bypass.
• The Lap band procedure is meant for long-term weight management, but surgery is reversible. If the Lap band is removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form.