From the Office of Dr. Kirshenbaum - Obesity Weight Loss Surgeon

LAP-BAND^® is a medical weight-loss procedure that can be a highly effective method for helping morbidly obese people lose a significant percentage of their body weight. It does, however, come with a lot of responsibility on the part of the patient. LAP-BAND^® recipients must commit to doing the post-operative health maintenance required to achieve and maintain results, including diet and fitness regimens, as well as respecting the medication restrictions that are recommended. You should also be committed to staying in touch with your LAP-BAND^® surgeon and undergoing regular assessments to ensure you are staying on track and heading down the right road to meet your weight-loss goals.

There is a delicate balance of nutrition and exercise that is needed to keep your body as healthy as possible, to keep all systems running optimally. Your diet plan will be carefully structured to ensure you are getting the ideal vitamin and mineral requirements. A daily multi-vitamin and calcium supplement may be required, depending on your personal food choices.

If you currently take prescription medication, your physician will need to approve all post-operative medications first. However, the form of medication may need to change. After LAP-BAND^®, you may take mediations that are chewable or in liquid form.  Capsules (the kind that pull apart and the powder or little beads fall out) can be taken whole.  All pills need to be crushed or dissolved before consumption to avoid getting stuck. You will be instructed to take multi-vitamins and calcium (calcium carbonate which are Tums) . There are some drugs, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers like Ibuprofen) and diuretics (fluid pills), that should be avoided to prevent stomach irritation. NSAIDS can induce ulcers, and diuretics can cause dangerous potassium deficiencies. Each recommendation is individually-based — some patients may be able to take these medications.

In general, the vast majority of medications are acceptable and can continue to be taken after surgery. Patients with pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, may actually be able to forego previous medications associated with these conditions when and if their health status improves due to weight loss. In fact, a number of our LAP-BAND^® patients have been able to stop taking certain pills once their hypertension, diabetes, or other problems saw improvement. Remember that all medications must be reported and cleared by your physician first.

To learn more about the LAP-BAND^® procedure and what is involved in the follow-up care, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies today. Our experienced, professional team will get you set up with a personal evaluation and provide you will all of the important details on this popular weight-loss option.