Archive for January, 2010

LAP-BAND®: Weighing the Benefits and Risks

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Lap-Band Weighing the Benefits and Risks

Lap-Band Weighing the Benefits and Risks

If you’re searching for a successful, long-term weight loss solution, the LAP-BAND® procedure may be on your list of options. But is the adjustable gastric band right for you, and do the benefits outweigh the risks? If you are considering this avenue to weight loss, it is a good idea to thoroughly research the benefits as well as the risks before making a decision.

Benefits of LAP-BAND®

The most obvious benefit is the large amount of weight loss that many patients have experienced. Adjustable gastric bands have enjoyed a very high success rate, helping patients beat obesity and related health conditions like diabetes. Even small amounts of weight loss can cause vast improvement in total health. View some of the weight loss surgery photos from Lap Band Rockies.

One of the most attractive benefits is LAP-BAND®’s affordable weight loss surgery cost — a wise investment when compared with the lifetime medical costs obesity can create.

Centers like Lap Band Rockies provide valuable weight loss surgery support, which helps patients maintain a positive attitude and take the necessary nutrition and fitness steps to reach a healthy Body Mass Index.

Risks of LAP-BAND®

As with all types of surgery, there are risks that patients should be aware of before consenting.

After weight loss surgery, patients must be motivated to stay on track with healthy lifestyle choices. Adjustable gastric band patients must have realistic expectations, and understand the procedure does not guarantee a healthy weight. Without behavioral modification, diet, and exercise, weight loss may not occur.

Potential patients should respect the guidelines for surgery, following through with the procedure only if they meet these guidelines: “If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or 35 or greater with hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pains, or 30 or greater with Type II diabetes, you may be a appropriate candidate for the LAP-BAND® procedure.”

Surgical complications may occur, including infection, band slippage, and stomach obstruction. Set up a weight loss surgery consultation with a skilled adjustable gastric band surgeon to discuss your risks and learn how you can minimize these risks.

If you are considering the adjustable gastric band procedure, get all the answers you need to make an informed decision. Please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies in Denver to set up your weight loss consultation and orientation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Consultant

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Top Five Reasons to Consider LAP-BAND® Surgery

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Five Top Reasons to Consider Lap-Band SurgeryAs you weigh your options for reaching a healthy weight, consider the following draws that lead people to choose the Adjustable Gastric Band.

  1. Investment in Your Health and Wellness — When considering the various weight loss surgery costs involved, remember that the cost of LAP-BAND®, when compared with the lifetime costs of obesity, makes this procedure a wise investment. Surgery through Lap Band Rockies delivers a comprehensive service plan that includes pre- and post-op care, adjustments for three months, participation in support groups, and more.
  2. Experience and Safety — When you choose a center like Lap Band Rockies for your Adjustable Gastric Band, you can rest assured the surgeon and staff will do everything to ensure your success. Lap Band Rockies offers a comfortable environment, with a nutritionist and psychologist on staff. Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum has helped many men and women lose weight and keep it off. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons.
  3. Minimally Invasive Procedure — The Adjustable Gastric Band is placed during a minimally invasive procedure. A laparoscopic technique is used to implant an inflatable silicone band into the abdomen, so there is no cutting, stapling or stomach re-routing involved. Recovery is also quicker than other weight loss surgeries. Read more about how the procedure is performed.
  4. Customizable Results —The Adjustable Gastric Band is customized with an adjustable size that can be modified after surgery according to your needs and the rate of weight loss desired.
  5. Long-term Weight Loss — The Adjustable Gastric Band works by satisfying your hunger with a reduced volume of food, and this in conjunction with behavioral modification, diet and exercise is how you lose weight. Read some of the Lap Band Rockies success stories.

Learn more about the Adjustable Gastric Band and find out if this is the best procedure to help you reach a healthy weight. Please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies today for a personal consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Consultant

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Weighing Non-surgical vs. Surgical Solutions to Obesity

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Surgery and Obesity

If you’re ready to get rid of that extra weight once and for all, determination can be a strong motivator to success. After making the decision to change your lifestyle and shed extra pounds, it’s time to choose a path to accomplish your weight-loss goals.

When weighing your options for losing pounds, it is a good idea to consider your short- and long-term goals. Ideally, you want a solution that is going to help you lose the weight effectively and keep it off over time. You are in search of a healthy lifestyle program, not just a quick-fix that doesn’t properly prepare you for a long-term lifestyle change.

Here are a few of the obesity treatment options available:

Self-guided Diet/Exercise

Although some people are able to enjoy success by managing their own nutrition and fitness, it is common to gain weight back and “yo-yo” when using this avenue. A recent study found that less than 5% of patients in weight loss programs were able to maintain their reduced weight after five years.*

Professionally Monitored Diet or Exercise Program

Using a structured diet like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig may bring positive changes, but these programs may not incorporate exercise or help you keep the weight off. Hiring a personal trainer can set you up with the right principles of fitness and weight loss, but again, you are on your own once the sessions come to an end.

Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery (AGBS)

This procedure which includes the Lap-Band and Realize band has been the foundation for countless success stories. AGBS is currently considered to be the least traumatic weight loss procedure. It is also the only adjustable and reversible obesity surgery available in the country — plus it is reversible. View LAP-BAND® weight loss surgery photos.

Gastric Bypass Surgery — Gastric bypass is a complex operation involving multiple areas of the abdomen. This procedure is not reversible and does not involve long-term support.

Liposuction — Fat-reduction weight loss surgery is an invasive surgical process that is not a weight loss technique. It is designed to reduce fat in specific areas, and does not inhibit future weight gain.

At Lap Band Rockies, our nutritionist and counselors set you up with a personalized program designed to help you lose weight gradually — and keep your body in great shape over time. Our goal is to help you stay on track and maintain a healthy metabolism through regular fitness and a diet that is optimal for your body type.

If you are ready to do something about obesity, talk to our skilled LAP-BAND® surgeon about your weight loss options. You can also find out if you are a good candidate for the LAP-BAND® procedure using our Candidate Profile.

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Consultant

* Kramer FM et al. Long-term follow-up of behavioral treatment for obesity: patterns of weight regain among men and women. Int J Obes 1989; 13:123-136.

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Determining Obesity and Its Effects on Your Life

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Struggling from the emotional effects of obesity

If you or someone you love has struggled with excess weight, you’ve seen first hand how obesity can negatively influence even the smallest daily activities. Many men and women, however, may not realize they are obese or may not be fully aware of the many ways that being overweight can affect their quality of life.

Obesity and Your Health

Obesity is linked to so many physical and emotional health issues. If you’ve ever wondered whether or not your extra pounds are enough to endanger your health, a family physician can help you evaluate your condition and assess the effects of your extra pounds. Click here for general definition of obesity.

One of the tools used to determine obesity is the Body Mass Index, or BMI, which uses height and weight to calculate your position on a standardized measurement scale and assigns a number to describe your height-to-weight ratio. If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or 35 or greater with hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pains, or 30 or greater with Type II diabetes, you may be a appropriate candidate for the LAP-BAND® procedure. Check your BMI.

LAP-BAND® as a Solution to Obesity

The LAP-BAND® procedure is one strategy obese individuals are using to manage their weight. This procedure has helped countless people shed pounds by using an FDA-approved, inflatable silicone band. The LAP-BAND® works by satisfying your hunger with a reduced volume of food, and this in conjunction with behavioral modification, diet and exercise is how you lose weight. At Lap Band Rockies, we provide all patients with nutrition and fitness guidance, as well as support groups to help you succeed after weight loss surgery.

To get valuable information on the health effects of obesity and weight loss surgery cost and benefits, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies to set up a one-on-one consultation.

— Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Consultant

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