One in three Americans is obese, resulting in about 300,000 deaths per year. Obesity is associated with many serious health conditions (co-morbids) including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, heartburn or reflux, infertility or cancer. Many bariatric patients find their medications greatly reduced following surgery.

Yes, the surgery is performed laparoscopically. Generally, five small incisions, about one quarter inch in size each, are made. The benefits of using these minimally invasive methods are that patients experience less pain, easier breathing, minimal scarring and a quicker recovery. The surgery usually is completed within one hour and with minimal blood loss. It is important to understand that as with any surgery, there are risks associated with it. These risks will be discussed with you during the seminar as well as your consultation with the surgeon.

You will be following a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery. This liquid diet will help decrease the size of your liver which will allow a better placement of the Lap-Band®.

In many cases, yes. However, it depends on your individual policy, your medical history, your weight and your BMI.

You can expect to return to work in about one week. It might take you up to 6 weeks to resume unrestricted exercising.

Right after surgery, you will be on a liquid diet. Eventually, you will be eating regular foods, just in smaller portions.

If you follow the directions of your surgeon and his team, you could lose up to 2 pounds on a weekly basis. You need to be committed to your new eating habits and lifestyle changes. Lap-Band surgery is a tool to help you lose the weight. Your weight loss will be a gradual one. Losing weight too fast creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems.

Yes. You should not consider removing the band, as you probably will re-gain your weight.

If you feel nauseated or sick on a regular basis, it could be for several reasons. You may not be chewing your food properly or you may not be following the required diet. On the other hand, there could be a problem with the placement of the band. If this problem continues, you need to contact your surgeon. Vomiting could cause the small stomach pouch to stretch, and could lead to slippage.

Post-op visits with your doctor are a very important part of your surgery. In order for the Lap-Band to enhance your weight loss, adjustments, or fills, may be required. Your doctor will let you know how often he wants to see you.

No, it doesn't. You can become active and resume normal activities 6 weeks after surgery.

Adjustments are performed in the surgical center during an office visit. This painless process requires a fine needle to be inserted in the access port. Saline solution is either added or taken out. If your surgeon cannot find the port, your adjustment may have to be done under X-ray. The entire process takes only a few minutes.

You should not consider plastic surgery until you have achieved your weight loss goal. Some patients do not need surgery, as the skin "snaps" back. It is dependent on may factors, including your age and how long you have been overweight.

This is a fairly common feeling. The water content in your body changes the feeling of the band throughout the day.

The Lap-Band makes you eat less and feel full in two ways: by reducing the capacity of the stomach and increasing the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. If you follow your dietary guidelines and chew your food well, you should not feel hungry or deprived.

Bariatric surgery is an excellent solution for helping obese individuals maintain weight loss. The Lap-Band® has a proven track record and has been FDA approved since 2002 in the US. If you make a commitment to new eating habits and a healthier lifestyle, your changes of re-gaining the weight are minimal.

We recommend that you do not become pregnant during your first year since this is the year where
your greatest weight loss is achieved. Please keep in mind that as you lose weight, it could become easier to get pregnant. The band can be loosened during pregnancy, and the re-adjusted after you have the baby.

Yes, it’s possible. At your regular visits, your surgeon will evaluate whether you are getting enough B12, folic acid and iron. Multivitamins should be taken. There are several specific vitamins made for the bariatric patient. Women should also take calcium on a regular basis.

You should be able to take your own prescribed medications. You may need to take capsules or crush or break large tablets. Always ask your prescribing doctor about this prior to crushing any pills. Many medications come in liquid form.

You will be able to eat only a small portion of food. Ordering appetizers or sharing a meal with others works well. You also can portion out your meal and box the rest to take home with you. Eat slowly and chew your food. Focus on eating your protein first.

Alcohol has a high number of calories and it also breaks down vitamins. Alcohol should be consumed on a very limited basis.

After your stomach has healed, you can eat most foods in moderation. However, because of the amount of food you can consume, your focus should be on foods that are high in protein, vitamins and nutrients. If you eat foods that contain a lot of sugar or fat, your weight loss progress could be limited.

You might experience a reduction in the volume of your stool. This is based on a decrease of food intake because of less fiber. You should not experience severe problems. If you do, contact your doctor immediately.

You will be provided with support before, during and after surgery. Our goal is to enable you to be as successful as possible. You will meet with several members of our health team prior to surgery. During the first year after surgery, you will meet with the surgeon on an ongoing basis and then annually beginning the second year. Support groups are offered monthly on a variety of topics.

We will expect that you will be compliant with all steps of our program. That means keeping all appointments that are made, pre-operative testing, pre/post-operative diet, band adjustments as needed and any required medical appointments.