Lap Band FAQs – Surgery Questions

The surgery itself takes 25 minutes. Including the anesthesiologist's time, the procedure lasts about an hour. In most cases, you will be up and walking about 5-6 hours after.

This surgery is minimally invasive—described as a "keyhole" surgery—with minimal pain. You will be given pain medication for any discomfort you may experience. 

You will have four to six, 1cm incisions. 

Yes, a huge advantage over other types of bariatric surgeries. 

All surgeries have a certain level of risk; Obesity raises the level of risk during any surgery. Lap-Band surgery is the least invasive bariatric surgery available, and any risks are greatly reduced with an experienced surgical team such as ours. Overall, this procedure has a risk level that is equal to an appendectomy or gall bladder removal. 

Any wound is susceptible to infection, but infections are rare. The hospital staff takes every precaution to avoid this problem. The patient receives antibiotics after surgery. 

PASSPORTS ARE NOT REQUIRED UNTIL JUNE OF 2009.

As of January 31, 2008 for US and Canadian Citizens there are two options. Single document and Two document.

Single Document Option: One of the following documents should be presented to prove both identity and citizenship

• US or Canadian Passport
• US Passport Card (Available Spring 2008)
• State or Provinicial Issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available - this secure driver's license will denote identity and citizenship)
• Enhanced Tribal Cards
• US Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
• US Merchant Mariner Document
• Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
• Form 1-872 American Indian Card
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Card

Two Document Option: All US and Canadian citizens who do not have one of the documents from the list above must present BOTH an identification and citizenship document from each of the columns below.

Identification Documents:

• Driver's license or identification card issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory or municipal authority
• US or Canadian military identification card

   AND

Citizenship Documents:

• US or Canadian birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory, or municipal authority
• US Consular report of birth abroad
• US Certificate of Citizenship
• US Citizen Identification Card
• Canadian certificate of citizenship card
• Canadian certificate of citizenship without photo

US and Canadian Procedures for Children
Effective January 31, 2008, US and Canadian citizen children ages 18 and under will be expected to present a birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county or municipal authority.

For up-to-date information, click here.