Tracyslapband.com- What is a Lapband?

Approved by the FDA in June 2001, the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System is the least invasive and the only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. Since its clinical introduction in 1993, more than 300,000 LAP-BAND procedures have been performed around the world.

Minimally Invasive Approach
During the procedure, surgeons usually use laparoscopic techniques (using small incisions and long-shafted instruments), to implant an inflatable silicone band into the patient's abdomen. Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch that limits and controls the amount of food you eat. It also creates a small outlet that slows the emptying process into the stomach and the intestines. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. In turn, this results in weight loss.

Least Traumatic Procedure
Since there is no cutting, stapling or stomach re-routing involved in the LAP-BAND System procedure, it is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries. The laparoscopic approach to the surgery also offers the advantages of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay and quicker recovery. If for any reason the LAP-BAND System needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form.

Adjustable Treatment
The LAP-BAND System is also the only adjustable weight loss surgery. The diameter of the band is adjustable for a customized weight-loss rate. Your individual needs can change as you lose weight. For example, pregnant patients can expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, while patients who aren't experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.

To modify the size of the band, its inner surface can be inflated or deflated with a saline solution. The band is connected by tubing to an access port, which is placed well below the skin during surgery. After the operation, the surgeon can control the amount of saline in the band by entering the port with a fine needle through the skin.

Here is a list of some common terms you will hear bandsters use:

1. PB -- Productive Burp-- Also the same as vomiting, but usually used when a small portion of food comes up because you have either:

a. Eaten too much
b. Not chewed your food well enough
c. Eaten something (like bread, or rice) that gets stuck

2. Slime- When you get something stuck, your body starts to produce thick saliva to try and pass it through the stoma. The saliva will come up and you will have to spit it out. If you PB the slime, it is like throwing up a jelly fish!

3. Lapband-- A gastric band device is introduced through tiny (1cm) incisions in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The resulting pouch (or the "new stomach") dramatically reduces the functional capacity of the stomach.

4. Port -- This is the access port where a "fill doctor" will stick a needle filled with saline in, and "Fill" the band in order to have more restriction.

5. NSV: Non-scale victory -- a weight-loss achievement that has little to do with numbers

6. WLS: Weight-loss surgery

7. MO: Morbid Obesity (or morbidly obese)
8. BMI: Body Mass Index
9. GBP: Gastric bypass surgery
10. RNY: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (the most popular type of bariatric surgery)
11. DS: Duodenal switch (another type of bariatric surgery)
12. NSAIDS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (a class of painkillers--which includes ibuprofen--bandsters should try to avoid because they can add to ulcer risk).

13. Slippage- Slippage or prolapse is when the stomach slides up through the Band, making the pouch bigger. If this happens the Band usually becomes too tight, and patients experience symptoms of reflux (heartburn) as well as nausea and vomiting. This is because the amount of stomach being “squeezed” by the Band is increased, thereby obstructing the Band.

Things that cause a slippage are if the band is not placed in the right position or is not stiched into place correctly. Patients can also cause slippage by overeating and excessive vomiting and or coughing.