Adjustable Lap Band, wondering how the

adjustable lap band works, and how it will keep your food restriction under control......

It is adjusted or "filled" by accessing the port which is placed under the abdomen wall during surgery.

Your first fill will probably not take place for a few months after your initial surgery.

During one of your normal monthly follow-up visits, if your food intake restriction is not as it should be, i.e. you are able to eat bread products, larger portions, or your weight loss was less than 4 pounds during the prior month. The band may need to be tightened or as often referred to as a "fill".

The physician will numb the surface of your skin with a topical anesthetic, and then insert a needle attached to either a syringe or tubing that is then attached to a syringe, into your abdomen until it reaches and is inserted into your port. Once inserted, your physician will inject additional fluid (saline) into the port to tighten the band. A typical fill may only be .5 cc's of fluid.

Once the fluid has been injected, the physician will have you drink fluid, normally water, and make sure that it passes the band in a reasonable amount of time, 30-45 seconds. If he/she is satisfied with your tolerance, he/she will remove the needle and place a small Band-Aid over the needle site. This is just to prevent any bleeding (normally there is little to no bleeding).

In some cases, if the patient carries a majority of their weight in the abdomen, a fluoroscope may be needed to help guide the physician to the port site. Don't worry no pain here!

After the fill, the patient will be sent home with instructions to adhere to a liquid diet for 2-4 days, time frame for liquid diet depends on the physician.

Don't be worried if you need several fills, or no fills at all. Everyone has a different need to customize their weight loss success.

Get started TODAY!

If you would like to receive a free monthly news letter please complete the information below:

Custom Search

Now you know about the Adjustable Lap Band.....Read more information about pros and cons