The benefits have been outlines for years regarding the benefits of lap-band surgery, compared to the more invasive gastric bypass procedure. Besides being safer, more effective, and coming with lesser side effects - Gastric Bypass surgery is more popular in North America, compared to the higher instances of lap-band surgery being completed all over the world.
How does lap-band surgery work? First, an inflatable tube is placed around the stomach, causing the stomach pouch to shrink and the health care professional is able to inject, or remove saline from this tube to change the size of the stomach pouch. This non invasive procedure does not use cutting, stapling or bypassing of any organs like the gastric bypass surgery.
After many patients experience the gastric bypass surgery, which involves cutting and stapling of the stomach, often bypassing parts of the large intestine - they experience a side effect referred to as dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome occurs when food that has not been digested correctly enters into the large intestine and creates shock like effects on the body such as cold sweats, cramping and a chill. These horrible side effects can be seen from gastric-bypass surgery, but has not been demonstrated in lap-band surgery.
More patients are choosing lap-band surgery as it allows the stomach to return to a normal size once the band has been removed from the body. When a patient undergoes the gastric bypass procedure, they must live with the effects for the rest of their life.
The lap-band is often adjusted ten to twelve times before the optimal results are seen. These results are referred to as the "sweet spot" by patients. If the band is too loose, than food will be allowed to enter the stomach and if the band is too tight, it may be difficult to get proper nutrition.
Should you avoid any foods after the lap-band procedure? Foods that should be avoided are pudding and any other food that resemble a liquid. Is it difficult for the lap-band to distinguish between these types as they can slide down the stomach pouch with ease? Foods that cannot be chewed easily should be avoided. Asparagus and steak are difficult to chew, meaning it could lead to a full feeling quicker, leaving the patient unsatisfied. After the band has been inserted, the patient can learn to chew food well, as this will impact the way that the food is digested into the body.
Combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet which is rich in protein and fruit the lap-band patient can expect to lose a healthy amount of one to two pounds per week. Studies have shown that weight lost at this interval stays off, even after the lap-band has been removed.
Once the band has been removed, the patient has been exposed to healthy eating habits and exercise habits for an extended period of time. This allows for a healthy recovery and continued maintenance of the weight loss throughout the recovery period.
As a safe and effective procedure, the lap-band procedure is cutting edge in weight loss without the side effects and invasive surgical procedures.
