Los Angeles bariatric surgery - Lap Band – Understanding the Basics

The war against obesity is raging in this country, made up of countless personal battles in every state. While diet and exercise are still the keys to successful weight loss, for many people they may simply not be enough. A Los Angeles lap band can provide a solution for those who are struggling to lower their weight, get in shape, and reclaim their lives. If you've been seriously trying to lose weight but simply can't seem to do it, a lap band may be your best bet. They aren't for everyone, but for many they are a viable option and the best way to win the battle against obesity.

A lap band is a form of Los Angeles bariatric surgery that involves wrapping an inflatable silicon band around the upper portion of the patient's stomach. By inflating the band, it forms a small pouch in the top part of the stomach. Normally, an average stomach will hold around six cups of food. This pouch, by contrast, will only hold a half of a cup. Since the pouch fills quickly, the message is sent to the brain that the patient is full and thereby their hunger is reduced. A lap band helps patients feel full faster and become hungry again less quickly. In short, they will eat a significantly smaller amount of food and thus improve their weight loss results.

During the surgery, a Los Angeles weight loss surgeon will make a small half inch incision in the patient's abdomen and inject a bit of CO2 gas into it to create a workspace. A camera is inserted into the incision that gives the surgeon a view of the stomach. Next, a few more small incisions are made. Long handled surgical instruments are inserted into these cuts as the surgeon completes the procedure by watching a video monitor. The small incisions make recovery from this type of surgery far faster and less painful than if traditional surgical procedures were utilized.

It should be noted that a lap band Los Angeles is only used as a last resort to weight loss. Patients must have a certain level of body mass index and show that they have tried without success to lose weight through diet and exercise before they will even be considered for a lap band. While the surgery is much less invasive than other types, it still carries several risks and a painful recovery. Proper diet and exercise habits must also continue to be maintained after the surgery in order to achieve optimal nutritional conditions and help the weight loss along.