Archive for April, 2009

The LAP-BAND® “Sweet Spot” — How tight is too tight?

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

The adjustable LAP-BAND® allows doctors to tighten or loosen the amount of stomach restriction based on the patient’s individual needs and weight-loss progress. There has been much discussion about the LAP-BAND “sweet spot,” that point in the continuum of fills where the Band is filled just right. Since the Band’s function is to satisfy hunger, finding the ideal sweet spot will also help patients feel fuller faster.

Finding the Sweet Spot

There are many methods to find the sweet spot. For example, one method is to fill the band until the patient feels a slight amount of resistance to the flow of water when drinking. The Band is set so that anything ingested meets resistance, and the pouch fills with even water.  The problem here is that there is very little room for error and even the slightest amount of swelling can create more resistance.  The pouch emptying against severe resistance may ultimately lead to slippage. 

At Lap Band Rockies, Dr. Kirshenbaum’s preferred approach is to fill until resistance is just met and then reduce the fill by a very small amount.  Thus, water can pass through the Band without any resistance and anything thicker than water, which is essentially everything else, will meet some resistance.

Why Tighter is Not Always Better

Contrary to popular belief, a tighter band does not necessarily translate into better results. In fact, a Band that is too restrictive may actually hinder the weight loss. Filling the Band tighter than the sweet spot is counter-productive because the patient then cannot tolerate solid foods (especially high-protein meats) that won’t pass through the Band.  The patient must resort to mushy and liquid high-calorie calories that tend to pass too quickly, failing to produce sustained fullness and satisfy hunger. Ideally, the Band should be loose enough to eat a small amount of most meats.

What You Can Do to Promote Efficiency

The LAP-BAND® is a tool. Used properly, this tool is most efficient when hunger is satisfied. When the sweet spot is reached, solid foods will stay in the pouch the longest, mushy foods will pass through more easily and liquids will pass through quickly.

  • To improve efficiency, patients can stop drinking about 10 minutes before eating, eat solid food and restrain from ingesting liquids for 30 minutes.  In this way, the patient enjoys fullness for 30 additional minutes without any extra calories.
  • Patients should also avoid eating “empty” calories (alcohol, ice cream, etc.) which promote inefficiency. Keep in mind:  calories that pass through the Band without satisfying hunger are useless.
  • Also remember that eating too fast can mask the sensation of early fullness and result in distress or even pain.

Talk to an Experienced LAP-BAND® Physician

When discussing the sweet spot with your doctor, remember to be upfront and honest about your results. This way, your doctor can help you find the Band fill that will give you optimal results and help you realize the kind of weight loss you desire. For more information on the LAP-BAND® sweet spot, contact Lap Band Rockies to set up an in-depth, one-on-one consultation.

— Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Consultant


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LAP-BAND® and How it May Help Diabetes

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

You may have heard about how the FDA-approved LAP-BAND® procedure has helped  thousands of  people lose large amounts of weight and improve their health status. If you are considering a weight-loss solution and you currently have Type 2 diabetes, you should also know that LAP-BAND® has been shown to improve diabetes in many patients just like you.

As the United States is reporting increasing rates of diabetes complications, including heart problems, kidney failure, blindness and amputation, some surgeons are recommending the LAP-BAND® surgery as a way to help their patients get a head start on overcoming the disease.

In a recent clinical trial for LAP-BAND®, 22 out of 30 diabetes patients who had the weight-loss procedure experienced remission of their condition. It is also interesting to note that while these patients lost an average of 20.7 percent of their body weight, a second group treated with diet and exercise instead of surgery lost only 1.7 percent of body weight (and only four participants in the dieting group experienced diabetes remission).

Read the article in U.S. News & World Report entitled “Gastric Lap-Band Can Send Diabetes into remission.”

Read the New York Times article entitled “Diabetes Study Favors Surgery to Treat Obese” which states that “weight-loss surgery works much better than standard medical therapy as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes in obese people.”

Can LAP-BAND Help Your Diabetes?

If you have a body mass index of 35 – 40 and you suffer from sleep apnea, high blood pressure or joint pain, the LAP-BAND® may offer a viable method of returning to a normal, healthy weight. Remember that  LAP-BAND® surgery alone is not a solution or cure for diabetes. A careful body management regimen that includes nutrition control and exercise is integral in long-term success after surgery. You will need to stay committed and motivated in order to remain healthy, keep the weight off and avoid the serious health problems that can accompany extra body weight.

When you consider the unbelievable health benefits, the cost of LAP-BAND® surgery seems well worth the investment. See how this procedure has helped others: LAP-BAND® success stories

To learn more about the effects of LAP-BAND® on patients with Type 2 diabetes and find out if it might be your best option, please contact Natalie Cardenas at Lap-Band Rockies to set up your personal consultation with Dr. Kirshenbaum. 

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Introducing the New REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band-C

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Approved by the FDA in 2007 and used worldwide since 1996 as the Swedish Gastric Band, the REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band has helped thousands of overweight patients improve their overall health and quality of life. Now, there’s a new version of the band that’s giving patients even more incredible reasons to choose the REALIZE™ procedure.

The Next Generation of REALIZE™

The REALIZE™ Band-C band procedure is an enhanced version of the already popular band used in weight-loss surgery.  This innovative band uses a special curved design that adjusts, allowing your physician to monitor its effectiveness and alter the fit as needed. REALIZE™ offers not only an ingenious medical weight-loss device; when patients choose the REALIZE™ Band-C, they get the benefit of lifetime support through REALIZE mySUCCESS™, a personalized, web-based management system that fosters long term success. With this intuitive monitoring program, it’s easy to track your progress and stay on top of healthy living initiatives.

Visit the REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band Web Site

How it Works

The REALIZE™ Band-C is a medical device your doctor implants in the stomach in order to control food intake. The flexible, silicone band will be placed around the stomach, creating a smaller “upper stomach” that makes portion control easy. Patients with the band will “fill up” faster and experience a slowed digestion process. The result? You feel fuller, faster, and significant weight loss is likely in conjunction with behavioral modification, proper diet and exercise. And because the REALIZE™ Band-C surgery is performed laparoscopically, recovery is comparatively quicker than with other types of weight loss procedures.

Why Choose the REALIZE™ Band-C?

  • In a three-year clinical trial, REALIZE™ patients lost an average of 42.8 percent of their excess body weight.
  • The laparoscopic method allows for minimized discomfort, smaller incisions, and quicker healing times.
  • The REALIZE™ Band is adjustable and removable.
  • The REALIZE™ mySUCCESS™ program helps maximize your results and improve your chances for keeping the weight off over time.

Is the new REALIZE Band-C right for you? Contact the weight-loss surgery professionals at Lap-Band Rockies to speak with Bariatric Coordinator Natalie Cardenas. We’ll get you set up with a personal, confidential consultation and give you all the details on this amazing new technology.

 

      — Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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Lap-Band® as an Investment

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

Have you ever thought about how much being overweight can cost you, physically, emotionally, and financially, throughout the course of your lifetime?

The Physical Costs

Obesity is unhealthy. People who are severely overweight are at risk for a large number of health problems, including hypertension leading to heart attack and stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, breast cancer … the list goes on.

Men and women suffering from obesity must also deal with the physical limitations that extra weight demands on a day-to-day basis. Many obese patients considering the Lap-Band® procedure look forward to being able to pick up their children with ease, walk down the block without getting long-winded, and participate in exercise and other activities.

The Emotional Costs

Being overweight is a source of embarrassment for many people. Obese patients report that they are treated unfairly when out in public and are tired of facing stares and expressions of disapproval or pity. Overweight and obese individuals must also deal with self-esteem and confidence issues stemming from their physical appearance. Even if the overweight condition is a result of parenting, environment, endocrine dysfunction or other factors, obese people tend to carry around a feeling of guilt or defeat, which can have negative effects in many areas, from social situations to career choices and relationships.

The Financial Costs

The financial effects of obesity are staggering on both a personal and national level.

·      In the most recent study reported by the Centers for Disease Control, medical costs associated with overweight/obesity topped $874 million in Colorado.

·      A recent study by the Conference Board  found that lost working days and extra healthcare costs associated with obesity amounted to $45 billion annually.

·      A New York Time article linked obesity to rising workplace injuries, medical costs, and insurance costs.

·      The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC)  highlighted the direct medical costs associated with obesity such as hospitalization, emergency room visits, medication, and physicians’ services, as well as indirect costs of morbidity (lost productivity, the inability to participate in and enjoy life) and mortality (a shortened lifespan).  

·      Using guidelines from the same AJMC article, it is anticipated that patients who pay around $8,500 for Lap-Band® can recoup the costs in about 14 months.

LAP-BAND as a Solution

The Lap-Band® procedure can be an extremely cost-effective tool to accomplish weight loss. Lap-Band® in conjunction with behavioral modification, eating properly and exercise can help you become healthier and happier and avoid future medical costs related to obesity. Our patients describe their enhanced quality of life following the procedure as “priceless.”

To learn more about the financial and other benefits of Lap-Band® surgery, please contact LAP-BAND Rockies and speak with our Bariatric Coordinator Natalie Cardenas.

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