Archive for the ‘technology’ Category

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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Using the Bodybugg® Calorie Management System After LAP-BAND®

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

The LAP-BAND® and REALIZE™ Band procedures can be effective catalysts for large-volume weight loss, and have helped countless individuals create a healthier life. The key to success, however, rests largely with each person’s ability to manage their caloric intake after surgery. The bodybugg® personal calorie management system gives you a head start with an intuitive way to keep track of what you eat and how much you burn.

How Bodybugg® Works

Want to calculate exactly how many calories you are consuming? The state-of-the-art bodybugg® helps you stay in control. This program uses web-based software and an armband pedometer to help you track your calorie intake and achieve your specific weight loss goals. Bodybugg® uses patented physiological sensors plus your personalized information to produce specialized data you can use to evaluate your progress and refine your weight management efforts. The readings are highly accurate and reliable.  The multi-sensor approach, plus the precise and comprehensive personal evaluation process, make this device a unique and valuable tracking tool.

Bodybugg® records:

  • Motion from a variety of perspectives
  • The number and frequency of steps you take
  • Skin temperature and sweating activity
  • Heat produced by the muscles

Personalized guidance helps users get started during a 45-minute, over-the-phone coaching session. When you are ready to see your daily results, information is transferred from your bodybugg® armband to the computer, and a detailed summary of your calorie expenditure is generated. It can even display your average calorie burn per minute! Next, you enter in the food you’ve eaten throughout the day. The program helps you compare your short-term results with your long-term goals.

Highlights: The program is completely free of charge for the six-month trial period, and is compatible with both PC and Mac computers. For more information, visit www.bodybugg.com.

To find out how LAP-BAND® and bodybugg® can assist you in your journey to a healthier body, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies today. We’ll get you set up with a personal evaluation and help you decide if Lap-Band is right for you. 

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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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