Lap Band Surgery in New Jersey
Lap-Band Surgery for Weight Loss
- Adjustable and completely reversible
- Food is digested and absorbed normally
- Limits the amount of food you can eat
If the rate of weight loss is not where you want it to be, the band can be adjusted or removed.
Is the Lap-Band Right for You?
- BMI between 30-40 with one or more weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnea
- Body mass index (BMI) higher than 40
- Willingness to make a life-long commitment to new eating habits
Bariatric surgeons at Hackensack Meridian Health are highly experienced in gastric band surgery. We can help you decide if this approach is right for you.
Advantages of Lap-Band Surgery
- Faster recovery than other types of weight loss surgery
- No cutting or stapling of the stomach
- No intestinal re-routing
- Adjustable without surgery
- Individualized size restriction
- Compatible with pregnancy
- Completely reversible to restore normal stomach anatomy
- No dumping syndrome – symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness or diarrhea – when eating too much sugar or large amounts of food
- No risk of anemia
Potential Disadvantages of Lap-Band Surgery
- Access port may leak or twist, requiring surgery to correct the problem
- Band may erode into the stomach wall
- Band may slip out of place
- Lack of feeling satisfied that you’ve had enough to eat
- Lower percentage of weight loss than with gastric bypass surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lap-Band surgery and how does it promote weight loss?
Lap-Band surgery is a procedure where an adjustable band is placed around the top part of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach pouch. This limits the amount of food you can eat at one time and makes you feel full faster and for a longer period. Unlike other procedures, digestion and food absorption are not affected.
What are the main advantages of Lap-Band surgery?
The key advantages are that it is adjustable without additional surgery and is completely reversible, meaning the stomach can be restored to its normal anatomy. The procedure does not involve any cutting or stapling of the stomach or re-routing of the intestines, which leads to a faster recovery and no risk of "dumping syndrome" or anemia.
Who is a good candidate for Lap-Band surgery?
You may be a candidate for Lap-Band surgery if you have:
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
- A BMI between 30 and 40, along with one or more weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
- A willingness to make a lifelong commitment to new eating habits.
