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Houston Lap Band Surgery - A Bariatric Guide

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A patient's guide to weight loss surgery with adjustable gastric bands

The popularity of Lap Band and other forms of bariatric surgery has skyrocketed over the last few years, in Houston and elsewhere across the country. But this is still surgery we are talking about here, and like any other form of surgery it has potential risks associated with it. So anyone considering a Houston Lap Band procedure should do plenty of research and ask plenty of questions before making a final decision.

That's were we come in. In this article, we explain bariatric surgery in general, and the gastric banding procedures in particular. After reviewing the information that follows, you'll be better able to make an educated decision about Lap Band surgery.

So with that said, let's talk about bariatric weight-loss surgery (and the surgeons who perform it) in the houston, Texas area. And doing so, it only makes sense to start with the basics...

Gastric Bands & Banding - Explained

While there are various forms of bariatric surgery available in the Houston area, this article will focus on the gastric banding procedures that have become popular in recent years.

An adjustable gastric band is a medical device that is placed around the upper portion of the patient's stomach. In most cases, the band is inserted using laparoscopic techniques (smaller incisions than traditional surgery). For this reason, these bariatric procedures are referred to as "minimally invasive."

These days, there are several banding products in use. In the United States, most of these procedures are performed using either (A) the Lap-Band System or (B) the Realize Band. Let's take a closer look at each of these products.

• The LAP-BAND® System is a gastric banding product developed by the BioEnterics Corporation, which is now part of Allergan, Inc. This device was approved by the FDA in June of 2001. According to the FDA approval notes: "The LAP-BAND System is a surgically implanted device used to help a person lose weight ... [It] is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food." This is the most popular banding option in Houston at the moment.
• The Realize Band is a newer product that recently came into use in this country. It is also a gastric banding product and is produced by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (a Johnson and Johnson company). This device was approved by the FDA in September of 2007. The approval notes for this product were similar to the notes for the Lap-Band System, as far as the general concept behind the procedure.

Both of these products / procedures are considered "restrictive" forms of weight loss surgery. A restrictive bariatric surgery limits food consumption by reducing the usable portion of the patient's stomach. This in turn leads to weight loss (though results vary based on many factors).

Choosing a Houston Lap Band Surgeon

Before contacting a surgeon to inquire about gastric banding procedures, I would urge you to conduct additional research. This article is a good starting point, but you should continue to learn all you can about Houston Lap Band surgery and similar bariatric procedures.

Here's some good news for you. Because of the sheer size of the Houston area, you'll have plenty of bariatric surgeons to choose from. Many of them will even specialize in gastric banding operations such as the Lap-Band System and the Realize Band (see notes above about these surgery options).

Here some checkpoints to consider when selecting a surgeon in Houston, Texas:

• Doctor's Experience -- This is arguably one of the most important criteria when choosing a bariatric specialist. So when you are screening surgeons be sure to ask how long they've been performing gastric banding procedures.
• Success Stories -- Here's another important checkpoint when researching Lap Band specialists in the Houston area. Ask the doctor about their general success rates. This includes such things as recovery time, weight loss after surgery, reducing complications, etc.
• Bedside Manner -- This may not be as crucial as the items listed above, but it's still an important consideration when choosing gastric banding specialist. As much as possible, try to select a Houston surgeon who (in addition to having the right surgical skills) is easy to get along with.

Continue Your Education

It's worth repeating — this article is by no means a complete education on the subject of Lap Band surgery and other bariatric procedures. As with any other form of surgery, you need to learn as much about this topic as possible before making any final decisions. Here are some resources to get you started:

• MedlinePlus: Weight Loss Surgery
• An Overview of Lap Band Surgery
• 21 Questions About Weight Loss Surgery

I hope this guide has helped you understand the world of gastric banding, and I wish you all the best with your journey to improved health.