Archive for July, 2009

Tips for Finding a LAP-BAND® Surgeon

Monday, July 27th, 2009

The decision to have weight-loss surgery is an important one that requires careful consideration and evaluation of your body goals. Finding the right LAP-BAND® surgeon can not only make a difference in your results, it can make the whole process a positive one.

It can be challenging to choose an experienced LAP-BAND® surgeon, especially with all of the competitors claiming to deliver great results and personalized care. In order to make an informed decision, you should meet with weight-loss professionals in person to get a feel for how a practice really treats its patients. Below are a few additional suggestions you can use to help you narrow down your list and select the LAP-BAND® provider that is right for you.

  • Make sure the surgeon you choose to perform your procedure has many years of experience and a strong medical background.
  • Talk to your neighbors and friends for recommendations, or visit online weight-loss forums for information about surgeons, the procedure itself, and follow-up steps.
  • Make sure the surgeon that you choose explains exactly how your weight-loss surgery will work in detail, as well as all of the risks of LAP-BAND®.
  • Ask the physician to share past results with you, including patient success stories.
  • Choose a weight-loss practice that will thoroughly explain the fees for LAP-BAND® surgery, and one that offers the option to finance your procedure.
  • Choose a LAP-BAND practice that has a comprehensive follow-up plan to monitor your progress after surgery and provides its patients with a wide variety of weight-loss resources.
  • Find a LAP-BAND team that includes a skilled nutritionist to assist you with a dietary plan.

Remember to trust your instincts and ask as many questions as you need to choose a doctor that is perfect for you. To find out what makes Lap Band Rockies a favorite weight-loss surgery destination in Colorado, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum to set up a personal consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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How to Prepare for LAP-BAND® Surgery

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Getting ready for major surgery can be a nerve-wracking process. But with careful preparation and guidance from a highly skilled weight loss surgeon, you can go into your procedure with peace of mind and complete confidence. LAP-BAND® surgery is an experience that can change your life. It is important to stay positive, commit to the steps necessary to become successful, and look at a long-term plan for staying healthy after surgery.

Here are some things you can do to get ready for surgery and set yourself up for success:

  • Learn all you can about the LAP-BAND® procedure through Web research, physician information, and talking to other LAP-BAND® patients.
  • Make a list and have your weight loss surgeon answer all your questions about LAP-BAND®.
  • Study the risks of LAP-BAND® carefully and talk to the surgeon about any areas of concern.
  • Make sure you meet the candidate qualifications for LAP-BAND®.
  • Talk to a qualified nutritionist about the dietary requirements necessary before and after the LAP-BAND® procedure.
  • Review a few patient success stories for motivation and inspiration.
  • Use a variety of weight-loss resources to review others experiences and better understand the effects of surgery.
  • Make sure you have realistic expectations of what weight loss surgery can and cannot do for you.

Remember that losing weight and keeping it off is a gradual process that requires continuous effort and attention. To learn more about how you can prepare for surgery and understand your responsibilities, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies in Denver, Colorado.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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The Effects on Marriage after Weight-Loss Surgery

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Significant weight loss can have profound effects on a marriage and interpersonal relationships in general. The normal dynamic between husband and wife can be altered after one partner undergoes a weight loss producer like LAP-BAND®. 

At the inception of the relationship, one member of the marriage may have been overweight. At the time, this may have been completely acceptable to the other party; indeed, it may have been desirable. For example, if one individual is of normal body build and the other is overweight, the normal partner may feel more secure that his or her mate will not be attractive to another suitor. It might be perceived that the overweight individual values the relationship even more because of issues of negative self-worth.

During the pre-operative period, an apparently supportive partner may become less helpful after the surgery due to fear of losing some control over the successful weight-losing spouse.

When the overweight partner loses weight and becomes attractive by normal standards, this may create an unstable situation in the marriage. The spouse may be concerned that the now attractive partner will attract attention from others. If there has been any type of ongoing conflict in the relationship, certain behaviors which may have been tolerated before the weight loss may no longer be acceptable to the partner who has succeeded at weight loss. Divorces have resulted from such deteriorated relationships.

It is therefore important for both parties to understand the dynamics of their relationship and how these may change during the process of weight loss. An understanding of these shifts in the relationship can lead to mutual support and respect, resulting in a partnership that is ultimately strengthened.  

Lap Band Rockies, one of Colorado’s most experienced weight loss surgery destinations, offers a regular support group, guided by Susan Silver, PhD in Counseling Psychology, which meets each month to discuss these types of issues.

If you would like to learn more about what LAP-BAND® can do for you and the lifestyle changes that can happen, contact experienced LAP-BAND surgeon Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum for a consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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The Link Between LAP-BAND® and Minimized Joint Pain

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

Obesity is connected to so many health problems, and joint pain is one side effect that can severely affect a person’s quality of life. The body’s joints are responsible for movement, and even a small amount of excess weight can inhibit joint function. In fact, people with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) tend to develop arthritis at an earlier age, often leading to joint replacement surgery (which also has a higher complication rate for obese individuals).

Obesity can be especially damaging on the knees, as they bear the full force of a person’s weight: Obese men and women have a four to five times greater risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee joints than people with a healthy weight. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that women who achieve a weight loss of just 11 pounds decrease their risk of developing knee arthritis by 50%!

If you have experienced joint pain, you understand how it can make even the simplest movements feel overwhelming and painful. The good news is: Even moderate weight loss can help alleviate joint pain, reduce inflammation, and help you become more mobile and active. Because LAP-BAND® is a large-volume weight loss procedure, LAP-BAND® patients often experience dramatic relief from joint pain. While LAP-BAND® surgery won’t reverse joint damage, alleviating the burden of extra weight from damaged or stressed joints can do wonders for mobility and overall quality of life. Weight loss patients have more freedom and can exercise without the pain and soreness that were once a part of everyday life.

To view an actual study that tracks the progress of LAP-BAND® patients and highlights improvements in conditions like joint pain, read the article in Obesity Research entitled “Quality of Life after Lap-Band Placement: Influence of Time, Weight Loss, and Comorbidities.”

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million Americans and is one of the leading causes of disability. If you are obese, consider the joint-health improvement that LAP-BAND® surgery can deliver. And remember that significant weight loss can also improve blood pressure, cholesterol, heart attack risk, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and many other conditions.

Learn more about how LAP-BAND® can change your life and help you take control of your health. Contact Lap Band Rockies today to discuss why you should consider weight loss surgery with our experienced LAP-BAND® surgeon.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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