How the Lap-Band Works

If you’re thinking about weight loss surgery, it’s important to consider lots of things. But at the St.Vincent Bariatric Center of Excellence we know that the type of bariatric procedure you choose is probably the one thing you’ll think about the most—at least at first.

It’s important that you ask plenty of questions and do your research because—as you’ll find out—it’s extremely helpful to have a working knowledge of any of these procedures in order to ask the right questions. Take the Lap-Band as an example.

The Lap-Band is one of the common weight loss surgery options—but it’s the only one that’s reversible. It’s a restrictive procedure, which means it simply decreases the amount of food a person can consume. Calorie and nutrient absorption is not affected.

The Lap-Band is in fact a band that is placed around the stomach, just below the esophagus. The surgeon then fills this band with a saline solution—making it resemble something like an inner tube—creating a sort of hourglass with a small, upper stomach pouch and a larger, lower stomach pouch.

The smaller stomach pouch fills and feels full faster as it slowly filters the food into the lower stomach pouch—forcing you to eat less—and slower.

The catch with this surgery is that anything that enters the stomach at the consistency of water or saliva slides right through that first stomach pouch. Most junk food falls into this category because it is often reduced to the consistency of saliva by the time it reaches the stomach.

So, if you have a weakness for sweets, the Lap-Band will require some serious discipline, not unlike any of the other procedures.

To find out more, you can call us at (317) 582-7088, toll-free 1-877-831-1582, or attend one of our FREE informational seminars.