Do I have to stay in the hospital?
Gastric band surgery (LAP-BAND, REALIZE) is often same-day surgery, outpatient. However, in some cases your doctor may recommend an overnight stay in the hospital..
How long does the operation take?
The gastric band (LAP-BAND, REALIZE) procedure typically takes less than an hour. The length of the operation depends on many different factors..
How do you adjust the gastric band?
Gastric band (LAP-BAND, REALIZE) adjustments are done in the office by adding or removing saline solution via the subcutaneous (under the skin) port. The adjustments take minutes and are described by most patients as essentially painless..
How much weight will I lose?
Basically patients that return to the office after surgery for band adjustments and ongoing teaching/guiding/counseling will lose weight. If you do everything right the success rate is 100%. Statistically, the average one-year excess weight loss is 50-75%, but most patients are not average. We've had gastric band patients reach their goal weight in six months and some take two years. The only thing that doesn't work is if you don't return to the office and you won't return our phone calls.
What can I eat after surgery?
You can eat normal foods after gastric band (LAP-BAND, REALIZE) surgery, but you simply eat much less. You can go to restaurants, but you will typically order appetizers or eat a portion of an entrée and take the rest of it home. The only special diet is the first four weeks after surgery, in which you start with liquids and work up to soft food..
What is laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopic (also called “minimally invasive” or “keyhole”) surgery is performed by making tiny incisions in the abdomen and using specialized instruments to accomplish surgery. A small fiberoptic camera allows the surgeon to see what's being done. Laparoscopic surgery involves less pain and a quicker recovery..
What will my longterm diet be like?
You will eat normal foods in smaller quantities. You will learn to chew your food well. Certain foods should be avoided because they plug up the narrow passage in the band. They include doughy bread, sticky rice, fresh fibrous vegetables, and microwaved pasta. Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and asparagus should be steamed or cooked until soft. Pasta should be eaten freshly cooked (microwaving changes the starch and turns pasta into a rubbery substance). You must learn to eat to the point of feeling comfortably full and then stop. Eating too much at once, or not chewing well will cause discomfort and other side affects that will discourage improper eating. It will be hard to gulp large quantities of liquids, so you will need to sip water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. You will need to concentrate on the number of calories you are eating. Sugar is excess calories that will need to be burned with more exercise. You should eat sugar-free foods and use.
Will you have to remove my gallbladder during surgery?
We do not routinely remove the gallbladder during surgery. Gastric bypass patients are at high risk for gallbladder problems and have to take gallstone-dissolving pills for the first three months. Gastric band patients (LAP-BAND, REALIZE band) do not require gallbladder medicine after surgery. If you already have gallstones, you should discuss the treatment options with your surgeon. Gastric band patients (LAP-BAND, REALIZE band) lose weight more slowly, have fewer gallbladder problems and do not have to take gallstone-dissolving pills..
Why do you lose your appetite after weight loss surgery?
One of the reasons weight loss surgery is so successful is because it helps control background hunger, which is typical of dieting. Patients no longer crave food and sometimes, if you can believe it, forget to eat! A hormone related to hunger, ghrelin, is decreased after weight loss surgery. This is due to the small pouch that gets stretched with much smaller volumes of food and shuts off the appetite signals in the brain..
Will I lose any hair?
Hair thinning is typical of massive weight loss. Your body will be going through a metabolic change. This means more hair in the brush or shower drain. You will not go bald. Watching your vitamin (especially zinc & biotin) and protein intake may help reduce this, but all patients who lose a significant amount of weight will experience some hair thinning. It will grow back. Hair thinning usually occurs during the first year..
After weight loss surgery, can I eat anything and still lose weight?
No! Weight loss surgery is only a tool. It is not magic. You still have to work at losing weight after surgery. The only difference is that it will be easier and more successful than dieting alone. Weight loss surgery makes you feel full on a small amount of food and dims appetite. It helps control the background hunger so typical of dieting. Adding exercise to the caloric restriction of surgery will result in significant weight loss success..
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