LAP-BAND® Surgery Dallas

Your understanding of lap band surgery is critical to making a well-informed weight loss surgery decision. Dr. Frank Felts specializes in LAP-BAND surgery, a minimally invasive and very safe weight loss procedure that is both adjustable and reversible.

LAP-BAND stands for LAParoscopic Adjustable Gastric BAND. It is a small, flexible band or belt that is placed around the upper part of the stomach. When in place, the LAP-BAND divides the stomach into a small upper portion and a larger lower portion connected by a narrow opening or stoma.

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When a person with a LAP-BAND eats, food first enters the upper stomach pouch. Because of its size, the stomach pouch can only hold a small amount of food before the person begins to feel full.

The size of the stoma is controlled by the LAP-BAND and can be adjusted by Dr. Felts during regular follow-up visits. By adjusting the size of the stoma, the rate that the small stomach pouch empties can be controlled. Once the food passes through the stoma, it continues through the rest of the digestive system normally.

The combination of the small stomach pouch and slower emptying results in the person being satisfied with much smaller, less frequent meals. Because less food is being eaten, the person loses weight.

LAP-BAND Adjustments

One of the major advantages of the LAP-BAND System is that the diameter of the band outlet is adjustable to meet the patient's changing needs. The inner surface of the band can be inflated with liquid (saline solution) or deflated to modify the size of the stoma. The band is connected by tubing to a reservoir, which is placed well under the skin during surgery. After the operation, Dr. Felts can control the amount of saline in the band by entering the reservoir with a fine needle through the skin. The System is a unique surgical treatment because in many cases the size of the stoma can be customized to accommodate changing needs without further surgery.

The Advantages of the LAP-BAND^® System

Approved for a wider audience

The LAP-BAND system is now the first and only FDA-approved device for bariatric surgery in patients with a BMI of 30-35 and one or more obesity related co-morbid conditions.

Less invasive:

Of all the operations for severe obesity, the LAP-BAND System method is considered to be the least traumatic. The operation can usually be performed laparoscopically (using small incisions) and requires no cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestines.

Adjustable:

In many cases, no follow-up operation is necessary to modify the diameter of the stoma.

Avoids irreversible damage:

If the LAP-BAND System needs to be removed for any reason, the stomach generally returns to its original form.

Reduced hospital stay:

Patients normally leave the hospital within two to four days of the laparoscopic operation, or four to eight days if an abdominal incision is required or if complications occur.

Faster recovery:

After the laparoscopic procedure, patients usually resume normal activities within a week or two.

If you would like to learn more about Dallas lap band surgery, come in for a free informational consultation today and find out if you are a candidate.