LAP-BAND® FAQ part 1
Q: Will I be sick a lot after the operation?
A: The LAP-BAND System limits food intake. If you feel nauseated or sick on a regular basis, it may mean that you are not chewing your food well or that you are not following the diet rules properly. However, it could also mean that there is a problem with the placement of the band so you should contact us if this problem persists. Vomiting should be avoided as much as possible. It can cause the small stomach pouch to stretch. It can also lead to slippage of part of the stomach through the band, which would reduce the success of the operation. In some cases, it would also require another operation.
Q: How long will it take to recover after surgery?
A: If LAP-BAND surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients typically have out-patient surgery. It takes most patients about a week to return to work and a month to six weeks to resume exercising.
Q: How much weight will I lose?
A: Weight-loss results vary from patient to patient, and the amount of weight you may lose depends on several things. The band needs to be in the right position, and you need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure, and the pounds won’t come off by themselves. It is very important to set achievable weight-loss goals from the beginning. A weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible, but one pound a week is more likely. Twelve to eighteen months after the operation, weekly weight loss is usually less. Remember that you should lose weight gradually. Losing weight too fast creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems. Your main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.
Q: How do the weight-loss results with the LAP-BAND compare to those with the gastric bypass?
A: You should focus on long-term weight loss and remember that it is important to lose weight gradually while reducing obesity-related risks and improving your health. Results should be similar after 2-4 years.
Q: Does the LAP-BAND require frequent office visits after surgery?
A: Check-ups are a normal and a very important part of the LAP-BAND System follow-up. Usually monthly visits for the first year, and then 1-3 visits per year thereafter.
