Archive for August, 2009

How LAP-BAND® Can Change Your Life: Patient Perspectives

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

Obesity has been linked to many health problems, including heart disease, infertility and diabetes. Then there’s the toll being overweight can take on self-esteem and confidence. Let’s take a look at how LAP-BAND® has improved the quality of life for these patients who had their procedures performed by Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies in Denver:

  • I went from a size 60 to a size 38 my first year after the surgery. I have actually cut a total of 22” from my belt! I am now taking only one prescription medication and that’s for my blood pressure. I decided to have LAP-BAND® surgery in January of 2007 and since then my life has only gotten better…  -Barney Wolner
  • I decided to have the LAP-BAND® procedure done because it is less invasive and safer for women who are planning on having children. I just celebrated my one-year anniversary of my surgery and I am 108 pounds lighter and still counting. I only have 18 pounds to go before I reach my goal! I was also married in November and loved the way I looked in my wedding dress. I never thought I would no longer be the big girl. Now I feel better than I have in years and I have more energy than I thought possible. I love going shopping now and don’t have to go to “special” stores to buy my clothes.  -Kelly Whelchel
  • I’m doing great down to 281 lbs; a far cry from the 406 lbs I was last January. I’m in a size 38 waist now and they are too big! I was size 60 in the waist when I had my surgery. Dr K will never know how much he did for me…. -Shawn Bentley
  • …the surgery has changed my whole life in every aspect. I walk with more confidence and everything around me has been enlightened to my new attitude. I have a higher paying, more gratifying new job, a pep in my step and even lost the old boyfriend. I am so happy with my life and would encourage anyone else considering the surgery to just do it! -Leah Drones

Read their full stories here.

LAP-BAND® surgery may be right for you if your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 40; your BMI is over 35 and you have co-morbidity including diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, or joint pain; or your BMI is over 30 and you have Type II diabetes.

An experienced LAP-BAND® surgeon can help you consider the risks and benefits. Schedule a personal weight-loss consultation with Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies to learn more about this amazing procedure.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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The Link Between Weight Reduction and Fertility

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

You’ve probably heard about how the condition of obesity can mean a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Overweight women have an added concern: Obesity has also been linked to ovulation inconsistency and infertility. Also, many obese women have a greater risk of developing minor to major pregnancy complications, including hypertension, gestational diabetes, C-section, early labor, prolonged pregnancy and labor, and toxemia, as well as post-pregnancy conditions like endometrial infection, urinary tract infection.

Research Reports Positive Pregnancy Effects

The good news is: large-volume weight loss may help obese women improve pregnancy rates and decrease birth-related risks. In a special MSNBC two-part series released a few years back, researchers discovered that even small amounts of weight loss had a positive impact on fertility, resulting in menstrual regularity and other indications of health.

A June 2009 University of Sheffield study showed that a mere 5 percent loss of body weight was linked to an average 19 percent increase in blood flow to the womb, which often translated into improved fertility. Participants had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, and most were having problems conceiving due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The improved blood flow from weight loss effectively reduced their testosterone levels and often translated to healthy-functioning ovaries.

LAP-BAND® Provides Great Overall Health Effects

The LAP-BAND® procedure is not just an effective tool to help you achieve weight loss; it has many health benefits — such as enhanced fertility — that can contribute to a better quality of life. At Lap Band Rockies in Denver, CO, an impressive number of female patients have experienced improved chances of conception after weight loss.

Lose Weight, Improve Fertility

If you have had problems getting pregnant, learn more about how LAP-BAND® can contribute to improved fertility. Remember, the LAP-BAND® can be adjusted to meet your changing nutritional needs during and after pregnancy. If you are seriously overweight and wish to improve your overall health, an experienced LAP-BAND® surgeon can give you the facts and help you explore your obesity treatment options.

To set up your personal weight-loss consultation, contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies today.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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Step-by-Step: A Guide to LAP-BAND® Surgery

Friday, August 14th, 2009

LAP-BAND® is a complex procedure that allows patients to change the way their bodies process food with minimal downtime. The basic steps patients undergo during LAP-BAND® include transportation to the ambulatory surgery center, general anesthesia, and the laparoscopic approach. Gerald Dr. Kirshenbaum of Lap Band Rockies shares the surgical steps involved.

  • I always look for a hiatal hernia and fix it as part of the procedure (at no additional cost) if it’s there.  If it’s not obvious, I have the anesthesiologist pass a calibration tube into the stomach, distend the calibration balloon, and pull back against the hiatus. If the balloon pops through the hiatus, I fix that as well.  This prevents problems in the future.
  • An instrument is passed behind the stomach and the band is introduced into the peritoneal cavity. The tubing is pulled behind the stomach as is the band. This tubing is then passed through the locking mechanism of the band and the unit is locked. I always include perigastric fat under the band to prevent erosion. 
  • Permanent sutures are placed in the stomach over the band to prevent gastric slippage.
  • Then, the tubing is brought out through the same incision as the band went in. A pocket is created to accommodate the port of the band which rest under the skin, under all the fat, and on the fascia. 
  • The incisions are closed with buried dissolvable suture so there’s no need for removal. The site is covered with a plastic occlusive dressing (Op-Site or Tegederm) so the patient can shower the next day.
  • After the procedure, patients recuperate in the Recovery Room for an hour, then head over to the the Sit-Up area for another hour. Most patients are released from the Surgery Center at this point. I will see each patients at the one-week mark (if you are a local resident). Out-of-town patients can come in for a follow-up visit the day after the surgery if desired. 
  • The first fill of the band is done at one month following the surgery but can be done later if your schedule requires more time after the surgery.

To discuss the LAP-BAND® procedure and find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure, please contact Dr. Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies. 

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Five Things to Consider Before LAP-BAND® Surgery

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

If you are ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle in order to beat obesity and enjoy the benefits of weight loss, LAP-BAND® may be the right solution for you. As you consider the positive results of the LAP-BAND® procedure, asking yourself these five questions can help you decide whether or not to move forward with the surgery.

Am I a candidate for obesity surgery?  

LAP-BAND® patients must meet certain criteria in order to maximize safety and effectiveness. The first step in the process should involve a consultation with an experienced LAP-BAND surgeon to make sure you fit the profile and fully understand how this procedure works. To learn more, please review the qualifications for LAP-BAND surgery.

Am I motivated enough to make this work?

Keep in mind that this procedure is not a quick-fix and requires long-term diet and fitness management. Good LAP-BAND® candidates should be motivated to make a variety of lifestyle changes and be willing to work hard to maintain their surgical results.

Am I willing to change my approach to food?

It is important to understand that behavior modification is a necessary ingredient to achieve success after LAP-BAND®. You will need to spend time evaluating the role food has played in your life and let nutritionists and other professionals guide you to a healthy relationship with food. Can you envision yourself sticking to a follow-up plan that includes limiting your food intake and following a physician-approved meal plan?

Am I willing to follow a high protein/low carbohydrate diet?

If you decide to go through with the LAP-BAND® procedure, you should understand that the foods and flavors you are used to may change dramatically. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you must adhere to a diet that includes a variety of protein sources and limits carbohydrates. Your surgeon will go into detail about the LAP-BAND® diet during your consultation.

Am I willing/able to do the exercise after surgery?

LAP-BAND® patients should be willing to commit to a regular fitness routine. Walking 30 minutes a day is the minimum recommended.  Keep in mind that although exercise may be difficult now, movement will become easier as the weight comes off.

As you review all of the benefits of LAP-BAND® surgery, talk to a skilled weight loss physician and staff for personal insights and experience-based accounts to see how the procedure has helped others. If you would like to set up a personal consultation, contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies today.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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How to Network With Other LAP-BAND® Patients

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

As you begin the journey to a slimmer, healthier you, it can be extremely helpful to talk with other LAP-BAND® patients to discuss your progress, share support, and explore your concerns. And before you decide whether or not to commit to surgery, hearing others’ weight loss success stories can be a very valuable tool in your decision-making process. Here are a few ways you can link up with past patients.

Network Online
First of all, there are a variety of resources on the Web to connect you with others who are going through the same experience. It is a good idea to do some research on your own, but remember that not all information on the Web is accurate and a surgeon’s advice should go hand-in-hand with personal research. Here are two examples of trusted networking sites: www.lapbandtalk.com and www.obesityhelp.com. Click here for more resources.

Ask Your Surgeon
As you set out to choose a LAP-BAND® surgeon, make sure you look for a center that provides its patients with a wide variety of weight-loss resources.

If you are proactive about finding other patients to talk with, you might want to ask your LAP-BAND® surgeon to provide you with information on how to establish a strong network of peers. In the case of Lap Band Rockies, a professional and popular Denver-based weight loss surgery destination, team members who have undergone LAP-BAND® can provide you with valuable insights. This center also offers seminars and other types of group support.

Remember that you are not alone on your way to a healthier lifestyle. To learn more about LAP-BAND® procedure and find out how others have improved their lives through this innovative surgery, talk to the experienced weight loss team at Lap Band Rockies today.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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