Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is commonly abbreviated to Lap Gastric Bypass or LGB. The term "laparoscopic" implies the procedure is performed with state-of-the-art video imaging equipment operating thru tiny keyhole incisions. The stomach is divided and separated into two parts-an egg-shaped pouch on top which functions like a regular stomach, only much smaller and a larger lower stomach which does not come into contact with food. This arrangement "bypasses" the larger segment of the stomach and the first portion of the small intestine.
Lap Gastric Bypass patients enjoy small meal portions without the feelings of hunger or craving. Most report no hunger sensations in the first 9 to 12 months after surgery. Of all the procedures performed at betterLife Bariatrics, LGB offers the greatest degree of weight loss. Our patients average an 80% reduction in excess body weight just 18 months after surgery. LGB is rapidly becoming known as the surgical treatment of choice for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. While all of our weight loss options help Type 2 Diabetes, the Lap Gastric Bypass has actually reversed Type 2 Diabetics to a non-diabetic state 89% of the time!
The procedure is performed in 90 minutes and the hospital stay is 1 to 2 days. Our surgeons have one of the longest and safest LGB track records in the country. Nothing is removed in Lap Gastric Bypass surgery and the procedure can be reversed if necessary. Patients are required to take vitamin supplements after LGB. Not all patients will need our most aggressive treatment option. Let the experts at betterLife Bariatrics help you decide what is best for you.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding
The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System, more commonly
referred to as the LAP-BAND®, helps you gradually lose weight by restricting
the amount of food your stomach can hold. During the LAP-BAND® procedure, an
adjustable silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach.
Without cutting, the band divides the stomach into a smaller upper part and a
larger lower part, creating an adjustable opening between the two parts.
The band is connected to a port which is placed under the skin, allowing the
addition of fluid. By adding fluid, the band is tightened, reducing the amount
you can eat.
The LAP-BAND® is removable and adjustable. If the band is too
tight, fluid can be removed to allow normal eating. Fluid can also be removed
to allow normal weight gain during pregnancy. Weight loss typically occurs at a
slow progressive pace over a period of two years. At betterLife Bariatrics, we are using the most
advanced adjustable band approved by the FDA.
The success of the LAP-BAND® can be augmented with a fluoroscopic band fill
clinic. This allows precision tuning of the band during a routine office visit.
The procedure takes less than one hour to perform and patients spend up to 1 day in the hospital. While a very attractive, simple operation for weight loss success, patients have to be careful with food choices. The band is designed only to restrict the amount of food. When applied with lifestyle modification, this is an excellent choice for many obese patients.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy or LSG is gaining popularity as an effective weight loss procedure and an alternative to LAP-BAND® surgery. Our early weight loss results from the LSG have been slightly better than the adjustable banding. With the LSG, a portion of the stomach along the left side is removed leaving the stomach roughly the size and shape of a banana.
You may be considered a candidate for LSG if you have a BMI of 35 or greater. As an alternative to LAP-BAND®, the Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy restricts the amount of food your stomach can hold without the use of a foreign body. There are no adjustments required like the LAP-BAND® and no rerouting of the intestines the Lap Gastric Bypass. This would make it slightly less drastic than a Lap Gastric Bypass.
This procedure is performed in about an hour and the hospital stay is up to one day. Since a portion of the stomach is removed, this procedure is not reversible, but it can be converted into a Lap Gastric Bypass. Taking out part of the stomach may actually have a long-term benefit of decreasing hunger hormone production. At betterLife Bariatrics, we are also using the LSG as a revision procedure in some cases.
Laparoscopic Revision Surgery
With the number of weight loss procedures increasing each year, more and more patients need additional surgery after their primary operation. There may be a surgical complication, or in some cases, the primary weight loss operation did not match well with their eating behavior. The most common reasons for revision surgery in LAP-BAND® patients are inadequate weight loss and mechanical device malfunctions. A LAP-BAND® can be converted to a Lap Gastric Bypass or Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy. The most common reason for revision of a Lap Gastric Bypass is late onset weight regain. Our surgeons offer extensive experience in these conversion procedures.
Revision surgery should only be performed by the most advanced bariatric surgeons. At betterLife Bariatrics, we carefully evaluate every patient needing revision surgery to determine the best and safest approach.
betterLife bariatrics Fluoroscopic Precision Band Fill Clinic
The success of the LAP-BAND® is greatly dependent on the band fills. This determines the amount of food restriction for the stomach. Too little fluid in the band allows overeating. Optimal weight loss occurs when the band is properly adjusted. Too much pressure on the stomach results in excessive reflux and discomfort. The surgeons at betterLife Bariatrics are equipped with the latest technology for precise band adjustments. Our GE OEC 9900 Elite Fluoroscopic Unit allows magnified visualization of the band during adjustments for pinpoint accuracy. As a result, fewer fills are needed and the risk of overfilling is less. All fluoroscopic band fills are performed in the office with a topical skin anesthetic to eliminate discomfort.
Medical Weight Management Clinic
As part of our commitment to complete obesity care, betterLife Bariatrics offers a comprehensive medical clinic under the direction of Dr. John McNeill. Physician directed treatment for obesity begins when someone is 30 lbs. or more overweight. Combining the expertise of dieticians and exercise physiologists, Dr. McNeill and his team provide the latest in non-surgical treatment options for obesity. His experienced physician assistant carefully evaluates each patient, formulating an individualized plan with FDA approved medications, diets and exercise. The clinic has multiple advanced testing modalities to determine treatment success. Patients needing medically supervised weight management before bariatric surgery are also eligible for treatment.
