The LAP-BAND procedure is a surgical, gastric technique that Dr. Billing uses to manipulate how much food your stomach can hold. During the outpatient surgery, he places a silicone band around the circumference of your stomach opening in order to shrink it. When you eat, you feel full quickly, which decreases your overall calorie intake.
Because your stomach anatomy doesn’t change during the lap band surgery, the procedure is fully reversible.
Spring 2022 Update from Dr. Billing:
‘We have relaunched the Lap-Band® program. We are the ONLY program in Washington State offering placement of the Lap-Band®. While we manage many patients who have had gastric bands placed by us or others, Lap-Band® placements had stopped several years ago due to lack of corporate support. ReShape Lifesciences™ (lapband.com) has taken over the Lap-Band® System, and Transform has partnered with them to relaunch it in the Pacific Northwest. I have been placing gastric bands since 2003 and I have seen hundreds of people benefit from this technology. I am so glad that ReShape Lifesciences™ has acquired the Lap-Band® System and will help support our program’s development.”
What is the LAP BAND procedure?
The LAP BAND procedure is a surgical, gastric technique that manipulates how much food your stomach can hold. During the outpatient surgery, the surgeon places a silicone band around the circumference of your stomach opening in order to shrink it. When you eat, you feel full quickly, which decreases your overall calorie intake.
Because your stomach anatomy doesn’t change during the lap band surgery, the procedure is fully reversible. The amount of fluid in the Lap Band is adjustable through a small port which allows the patient to control the level of restriction through adjustments.
Am I a good candidate for LAP BAND
LAP BAND patients typically have a BMI of 30 or higher, and often have weight-related medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. Ideal candidates must be adults who don’t want to pursue a more invasive solution, like gastric bypass.
What happens during the LAP BAND procedure?
The LAP BAND procedure is performed laparoscopically, which means that it’s minimally invasive. The surgeon makes a minor incision and guides a deflated band over the upper portion of your stomach. Next, they attach a tiny tube to the band, connects it to a port, and places the port beneath your skin, Through the port, he fills your band with saline, which causes the band to section off the upper stomach and form a pouch.
What is a LAP BAND adjustment?
The LAP BAND procedure is popular because it’s customizable to your needs and goals. A month or two after surgery, your dedicated weight loss team at Transform Weight Loss evaluates your progress and may adjust your band to improve your results or minimize any discomfort or side-effects you may be experiencing.
To make the adjustment, your provider accesses the port and either adds more saline to the band or withdraws some. Factors that influence the adjustment include hunger and fullness, satiety, and weight loss or gain.
Transform Weight Loss team monitors your progress and can adjust the band to make it tighter or looser as needed.
To learn more about the LAP BAND technique and to determine if it’s the best method for you to lose weight, call the office to book a meeting with a Transform Weight Loss provider or use the online scheduling feature.
