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.
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.
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.
No matter how many food plans we try, healthy or unhealthy, there are some fundamental things you must know in order to be successful in a weight loss program that, believe it or not, have nothing to do with food.
1. Readiness- Are you ready to make change in your life right now?
In order to have true lifelong weight loss you have to commit to trading your old habits in for a new, healthier lifestyle. This has more to do with readiness for change than a desire to shed pounds- there is a big difference.
2. Developing a Vision It is crucial to have another more, heart-felt reason to lose weight other than losing pounds and appearance. This is because when times are tough, and they will be during any change process, you will need a heart-felt or internal reason to lose the weight to keep you motivated.
3 Be Prepared For Change All weight loss requires us to change a habit yet no one warns us about the process of change. The first thing to know is that the beginning of change is difficult and uncomfortable. This is because it forces us to get off autopilot and focus on our new behaviors. Luckily it takes about 21 days to make a new habit and the uncomfortable part goes away and our new habits become autopilot.
In addition to those lifestyle changes, success with the band requires you to follow all of the recovery diet orders, and follow all 10 of the Lap-Band® rules.
Personal responsibility includes:
• Follow up with fills when necessary;
• Listen to your body;
• Use the band as a tool to your overall plan;
• Making better food choices and implementing a healthier lifestyle that includes daily activity;
• Be a self advocate for what you may need post surgery;
• Ask for support when you need it. We are here to help you with any need you may have.
Simply put, the Lap-Band® is not a magic wand, but rather a valuable tool that when used with a modified healthy diet, regular physical activity, and healthy lifestyle, can lead to many years of permanent weight loss.
The Lap-Band is meant to provide long-term weight loss through a permanent reduction in your capacity to eat large portions. You will feel comfortably full with a small amount of food. Laparoscopic placement of an adjustable gastric band around the stomach creates a small upper pouch in which food is funneled slowly through a narrowed passage into the large lower portion of the stomach where digestion takes place in a normal fashion. Due to the slower emptying of your pouch, you will continue to feel full longer, which reduces the urge to eat between scheduled meals and snacks.
When a patient arrives at Hospital Angeles for Lap-Band® Surgery, there are a few steps they will go through in the check in process. These steps involve: pre op tests (labs, EKG, med history and Physical), a meeting with Dr. Kuri to discuss any questions or concerns, registration into the hospital, and settling into their private suites. We realize the patient has been fasting and will do our best to get the labs drawn as quickly as possible. We recommend the patient packs a quick snack to tide them over once this is done. Please be patient as the process can change in order, but nonetheless, all steps will be taken.
I had no idea when I started looking that I would find one of the best and most respected Lap-Band surgeons in the world...
