Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is not the right option for all people that need to lose weight. In fact, most doctors in Dallas only recommend weight loss surgical procedures when medically-supervised weight loss and exercise programs do not produce the desired or expected weight loss results.
One of the most popular options in weight loss procedures, the lap band offers several benefits for patients without the risk of complications that are seen with other types of bariatric surgeries. As with any medical procedure, choosing an experienced, specialized doctor in Dallas will always be the first and most important step in the process.
The Procedure Benefits
Lap band surgery, also known as gastric banding, is a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. This is very different than both the gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve that are more invasive and require removal of part of the stomach (gastric sleeve) or a modification to the stomach and small intestine as required in the gastric bypass.
It is reversible and takes about a half an hour to complete. The hospital stay is about one day and the time off work is about a week, which is about a quarter of the recovery time as compared to the surgical options. As lap band surgery is minimally invasive, there is a very limited risk of complications. However, some can occur, and it is important to talk to your doctor if any pain, discomfort or changes in the abdominal area or your general health.
There is no change to the way the body digests food, but some people may find specific foods are no longer well-tolerated by the digestive system. The band itself does need to be adjusted on a regular schedule, or weight loss can be slowed or even reversed.
Health Benefits
Often, lap band surgery patients have additional health issues related to obesity. Through the lap band procedure, it is possible to reduce or eliminate type ll diabetes, decrease hypertension, bring cholesterol levels into the normal range, eliminate problems with sleep apnea and even reduce the need for asthma medication and pain medication with weight loss.
