| Lap-band surgery is adjustable gastric banding | | | | Psychological Evaluation and Nutrition Assessment. |
| treatment for morbid obesity. The surgery causes | | | | 6. Following the psych evaluation, you will have a |
| weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach | | | | one-on-one appointment with the lab band surgeon. |
| resulting in less food intake. The procedure involves | | | | The surgeon will arrange for the proper pre-op and |
| implanting an inflatable silicone band into the abdomen. | | | | post-op diet. A liquid diet is part of the diet program. |
| The result is a stomach pouch that controls the | | | | 7 About one to two weeks before your lap band |
| amount of food one consumes. The process causes | | | | surgery, you will have your final appointment to learn |
| a feeling of fullness for an extended period of time | | | | about what to expect after the procedure. |
| because the stomach pouch is slow to empty. The | | | | The lap band process is performed by laparoscopy |
| result is considerable weight loss. | | | | which is a minimally invasive procedure that allows for |
| The lap band process involves the following: | | | | a faster recovery time. The band's diameter is |
| 1. You will have to attend a seminar or have a meeting | | | | adjustable and can be tightened or loosened according |
| with a lap band surgeon and the surgery team. They | | | | to your needs. The band is connected to a pouch |
| will provide you with all of the information about the | | | | placed under the skin t hat is filled with saline solution. |
| surgery and what is involved before, during, and after | | | | The diameter of the band is adjusted by inflating or |
| the surgery. | | | | deflating the saline solution. |
| 2. You will then have a discussion with the surgeon to | | | | After lap band surgery, you will spend a few hours in |
| find out if you are the right candidate for the weight | | | | recovery, and then be sent home for recovery. You |
| loss surgery. | | | | will have a program that shows you what foods to |
| 3. You will them have to check to see if your | | | | eat and in what form and amounts (liquid, soft...etc.) |
| insurance will cover the surgery. If not, you will have to | | | | You will see your doctor on a regular basis for health |
| pay for it out-of pocket. Criteria for coverage will vary | | | | check ups. You may have to have your lap band |
| from insurance company to insurance company. | | | | adjusted. |
| 4. You will be required to provide the surgery team | | | | The consequences of long term obesity can include a |
| with the following information: physician referral, patient | | | | host of health problems and even shorten one's life. |
| profile, disclosure consent form, medical records from | | | | Lap band surgery is an effective and proven weight |
| other health care providers. Physician | | | | loss surgical procedure that will help obese people lose |
| Recommendation letter, list of weight loss programs | | | | and maintain a healthy weight. Lap band surgery is an |
| you have participated, Insurance card, and driver's | | | | effective, minimal pain, and non-invasive weight loss |
| license. | | | | option. |
| 5. You will then have to have an appointment for a | | | | |