LAP-BAND® Surgery in Dallas, Texas - Information from Dr. Wade Barker
LAP-BAND® surgery is a safe and effective weight loss procedure that is ideal for patients who may face a higher risk of gastric bypass post-op complications. During a thorough LAP-BAND® surgery consultation at his Dallas, Texas bariatric surgery center, Dr. Barker will discuss the LAP-BAND® procedure in detail and go over the risks and benefits of surgery. To learn more about the procedure, please click on the links below:
- About LAP-BAND® Surgery
- LAP-BAND® vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery
- LAP-BAND® Adjustment
- Benefits of LAP-BAND® Surgery
- Possible Risks and Complications
About LAP-BAND® Surgery
During LAP-BAND® surgery, a silastic (silicon and plastic) band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch. The procedure is usually performed laparoscopically. Unlike in gastric bypass surgery, the upper part of the stomach remains connected to the lower, larger part of the stomach through a small outlet created by the band. Food passes through the outlet slowly. This limits the amount a person can eat, reduces appetite, and slows digestion. Patients who undergo LAP-BAND® surgery at our Dallas, Texas bariatric surgery center will be asked to adhere to a strict meal plan. They will be required to chew their food thoroughly and swallow slowly.
LAP-BAND® vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery
LAP-BAND® surgery is less invasive than gastric bypass surgery because neither the intestine nor stomach is cut or stapled during the procedure. Unlike gastric bypass surgery, it is also completely reversible. Because LAP-BAND® surgery LAP-BAND® surgery does not permanently alter a patient's anatomy, it is a good option for morbidly obese patients who are hesitant to receive gastric bypass surgery. LAP-BAND® surgery LAP-BAND® surgery LAP-BAND® may also be a safer choice for patients who are under 20 or over 60, and others who are at high risk for complications following bariatric surgery.
For more information about LAP-BAND® surgery, contact our Dallas, Texas practice today.
LAP-BAND® Adjustment
The advantage of LAP-BAND® surgery is that your bariatric surgeon can adjust the size of the outlet created by the band. The band is connected by tubing to a reservoir of saline that is placed beneath your skin during your initial LAP-BAND® surgery. Later, at our Dallas, Texas practice, Dr. Barker can control the amount of saline in the band by piercing the reservoir through the skin with a fine needle. Similar to a blood pressure cuff, the inner surface of the band inflates or deflates, changing the size of the opening between the two parts of your stomach. Changing the size of the opening is a normal part of follow up care for patients who have undergone LAP-BAND® surgery at our Texas bariatric surgery center.
Benefits of LAP-BAND® Surgery
LAP-BAND® surgery produces rapid weight loss in the same manner as gastric bypass surgery. Most patients who undergo LAP-BAND® surgery see immediate weight loss in the first few months, and steady weight loss for the next few years. This weight loss can bring about significant improvements in health and overall quality of life.
Aside from the obvious health benefits associated with significant weight loss (including improvement in obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and hypertension), LAP-BAND® surgery patients experience what can only be described as a dramatic improvement in self-image and self-esteem. This is the result of not only looking better, but being able to fully participate in everyday activities, and enjoy a more active social life.
Possible Risks and Complications
LAP-BAND® surgery carries many of the same risks as the other weight loss surgery alternative available at our Dallas, Texas practice - gastric bypass. However, due to the less invasive nature of the procedure, the risks of LAP-BAND® surgery are significantly less severe than the complications associated with open gastric bypass. As a result, Dr. Barker often recommends LAP-BAND® surgery to patients who run a higher risk of post-op complications.
Possible LAP-BAND® complications include:
LAP-BAND® Erosion - Rarely, a band can erode into a patient's stomach. This requires an additional LAP-BAND® surgery to remove the eroded band.
Other Band Complications - Occasionally, the band can lead to obstruction or perforation of the stomach. These complications may require revisional LAP-BAND® surgery. Also, the pouch may stretch or the restricting band may break or migrate, allowing patients to eat too much.
Access Port Problems - Sometimes, the access port may be twisted or leaky and an additional procedure may be required to fix the problem.
Vomiting - Overeating is painful and can lead to vomiting. Sometimes, patients must be readmitted to the hospital for fluid replacement if excessive vomiting occurs following LAP-BAND® surgery.
Food Restrictions - After LAP-BAND® surgery, you may not be able to eat certain foods such as steak, white meat chicken, and doughy bread.
For more information about LAP-BAND® surgery, contact our Dallas, Texas bariatric surgery center today. Our staff will be happy to help you schedule a consultation with Dr. Barker.
To view this, you need to install the Flash Player 5. Please go to here and download it.
To schedule a LAP-BAND® surgery consultation with Dr. Barker, contact our Dallas, Texas practice today.
Dr. Wade Barker
1151 North Buckner Blvd
Professional Bldg #1, Suite #308
Dallas, Texas 75218
Phone: (866) 880-1444
click here for a map and directions to our office
A body mass index (BMI) of 20-25 is considered normal, 25-30 overweight, and 30-40 obese. Individuals with a BMI over 40 are considered morbidly obese. You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or more or if you have a BMI between 35 and 39.9 and a serious obesity-related health problem.