FREQUENT ASK QUESTIONS

:: How is the LAP-BAND surgery?

:: Is the LAP-BAND permanent?

:: Is the LAP-BAND surgery safe?

:: What is the average excess weight loss and improvement of related health conditions for patients?

:: What are the steps I need to take prior to having LAP-BAND surgery?

:: What pre-operative tests maybe required?

:: How long will I be in surgery?

:: How long will I be in recovery following my surgery?

:: How soon and how often can I walk after my operation?

:: Will I feel much pain after the procedure?

:: What types of pain management will you provide after surgery?

:: How soon after surgery will I be allowed to drink water?

:: What can I eat after the Lap-Band surgery?

How is the LAP-BAND surgery?
The LAP-BAND is a silicone band that is placed around the stomach, creating a small upper stomach pouch that prevents a patient from eating excessively.
It is only a restrictive device (not a malabsorptive one), and can be adjusted and/or removed, if necessary. The procedure to place the band is done laparoscopically, so our patients go home at the 3rd day.
Recovery is relatively quick - with patients returning to work and/or most normal activities within 4 days. It is currently the least invasive form of bariatric surgery, with a relatively low complication rate compared to alternate obesity surgeries.

Is the LAP-BAND permanent?
Is not meant to be removed, one of the unique characteristics of the LAP-BAND is that it can be removed laparoscopically, using a few small incisions. One of the important suggestions are to have a goal on your treatment and achieve them, If the patient has gone to their goal of weight  is not necessary to continue whit on having it  and is better to remove it to avoid any complication even if they are low percentages.
Surgeons report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed. After the removal, though, you may go back to your original weight.

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Is the LAP-BAND surgery safe?
The LAP-BAND procedure is considered to be the least invasive bariatric surgery available — offering fewer complications, less pain, less scarring, and a quicker recovery than any other form of obesity surgery.

What is the average excess weight loss and improvement of related health conditions for patients?
On average, LAP-BAND patients have lost about 40% - 50% of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. Most of patients' associated medical problems, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, arthropathy, or high blood pressure, have improved or disappeared completely after their LAP-BAND procedure.

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What are the steps I need to take prior to having LAP-BAND surgery?
The first step is submit a completed patient health questionnaire Registration Form to us ,then a member of our staff will contact you to schedule a surgical date.
Plan of payment; cash, credit card, cashier check or financing.
If you are approved for surgery, you will need to send us complete air fair information of arrival and departure on San Diego California International Air Port.
Time of arrival  8:am to 12:noon  ON an empty stomach pacific time, departure on the 3rd day after 12:noon or around that time.
At your arrival complete various pre-operative testing will take place once the results of all of the testing and evaluations has been evaluated and medically cleared by the physicians, your surgery will be done as scheduled that same day or in some cases at the next day.

What pre-operative tests maybe required?
We may require that you complete the following tests prior to surgery:

• Complete blood count (CBC).
• Sugar levels.
• Electrocardiograph (EKG).
• Fluoroscopy test.
• Radiology test.
• Psychology evaluation. (If needed)
• Dietician evaluation.
• Internist  evaluation.
• Anesthesiologist evaluation.

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How long will I be in surgery?
Your operation will range anywhere from 45 minutes – 1 hour  .

How long will I be in recovery following my surgery?
Following surgery, patients are monitored in a recovery room for approximately  one day , total recovery is approximately 3 to 6 hours, on the second day we do the fluoroscopy test before being discharged from the Surgical Center. Departure on the 3rd day. Recovery times vary depending upon the individual patient.

How soon and how often can I walk after my operation?
We encourage patients to walk as soon and as much as possible after their surgery.

Will I feel much pain after the procedure?
Patients are given pain medication during and following surgery. Most individuals experience only mild discomfort,  “swore abdomen”   but no pain which is generally relieved by the pain medicine.

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What types of pain management will you provide after surgery?
Generally we use liquid Neo-melubrin, Tylenol, Ketorolaco, Diclofenaco, Ibuprofen, for our patients. We offer alternatives for those who are allergic to these pain particular medications or use I.V or intramuscular shots of stronger medications if needed.

How soon after surgery will I be allowed to drink water?
You will be able to drink water the same day as your surgery a couple of hours after.

What can I eat after the Lap-Band surgery?
For the first three weeks you have a liquid diet, which will include yogurt. This is important to allow the band to heal in place.

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