Lap Band in Colorado: Information

Recent Colorado media coverage has had promising stories about Lap Band and other weight loss surgery (including this article in the Denver Post) , particularly in regards to diabetes. What is Lap Band and what sets it apart from other weight loss surgery procedures?

Both National and local Colorado media outlets have provided a lot of exposure for the Lap Band surgical program. Particularly as many celbrities have publicly revealed that they have undergone the Lap Band procedure. Below is a sumary of the key informational points regarding the lap band procedure as it is perfomed by the National Bariatric Center™ in Denver, Colorado.

What is Lap Band?

The Lap Band weight loss procedure falls under the category of "Gastric Restrictive" or "Gastric Banding" surgery which is a purely restrictive procedure. With Lap Band the upper stomach near the esophagus is narrowed by a specially designed band or belt (the acutal "Lap Band") to make a smaller stomach pouch. The outlet from the pouch is restricted by a band that slows the emptying of the food and thus creates the feeling of fullness.

Lap Band at the National Bariatric Center™ in Denver, Colorado

The Lap Band procedure is one of the most recognized weight loss surgey procedures performed at the National Bariatric Center™ in Denver, Colorado. Researched and developed by Allergan, Inc. Lap Band received FDA approval as a weight loss surgery technique in 2001. The National Bariatric Center™ at Sky Ridge is one of the few premiere surgical centers in Denver to earn the estemed status of a "Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence" a recognition backed up by numerous testimonials from patients throughout the Colorado region who have undergone Lap Band or other weight loss surgery procedures.

Lap Band Advantages and Risks

Advantages

• The primary advantage of this restrictive procedure like Lap Band is that a reduced amount of well-chewed food enters and passes through the digestive tract in the usual order. That allows the nutrients and vitamins (as well as the calories) to be fully absorbed into the body.

• After 8 years, studies show that patients can maintain about 50% of targeted excess weight loss and helps heal Diabetes.

• The adjustable gastric bands may be adjusted to change the size of the outlet from the stomach pouch. 

Risks

• Postoperatively, Adjustable Banding may lead to small risk of band slippage and/or erosion. 

• Banding has no stapling involvement and no cutting of bowel. 

• The band or belt applied may lead to complications of obstruction or perforation, requiring surgical intervention.

• Characteristically, these procedures create a sense of fullness.  Small amount of bulk type food may alleviate sense of hunger.  It may be less effective for high calorie drinks and sugar-fat laden dessert. 

• Because restrictive procedures rely solely on a small stomach pouch to reduce food intake, there is the risk of the pouch stretching or of the restricting band or ring at the pouch outlet breaking or migrating, thus allowing patients to eat too much.  Adjustable banding has lowered the risk. 

• Around 40% of patients undergoing these procedures have lost less than half their excess body weight.

• As is the case with all weight loss surgeries, readmission to a hospital may be required for fluid replacement or nutritional support if there is excessive vomiting and adequate food intake cannot be maintained. 

Choosing the Right Colorado Lap Band Surgeon

Lap-band surgery is major procedure and selecting a skilled bariatric surgeon is a difficult process. At the National Bariatric Center™ physicians, dieticians, and nurses involved in your care have extensive experience with the lap-band procedure and have undergone sensitivity training for obesity care.  Our medical specialists have been trained to understand the specific challenges of treating obesity. Individualized counsel is available to help you choose safe and established surgical options available for achieving lasting weight loss.  We offer safe, proven mainstream weight loss or obesity surgery including both laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery and Lap Band ^®.

You have options for selection a surgeon to perform the lap-band procedure in Denver and throughout the Colorado area. Be sure you carefully evaluate your options and select the best location for your needs.

Questions Regarding Bariatric Surgery or the Lap-Band Procedure?

Free private seminars and group seminars are available in Denver, Colorado on a monthly basis.  These seminars are for the benefit of our patients and to answer any questions regarding procedures, such as the lap-band, that may be weight loss surgery options. We look forward to working with you.

For those who are unable to attend a public seminar, free individual or group meetings with Bariatric specialist, Dr. Frank Chae, are available for those in the Denver and greater Colorado area, please call our friendly staff and we would be happy to assist you.

Denver, Colorado Media and Other Links to Lap Band Information

• Colorado - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum (discuss the lap band procedure with other Colorado area residents)

• LAP BAND Official Web Site

• Alergan Manufacturer of the LAP BAND System

• Lap-Band Fact Sheet

More Information

The staff of the National Bariatric Center™ in Colorado work to inform patients. If you would like further information please send us an email using our online form or telephone our Denver, Colorado office at 303-662-1191. Additionally, if you are in the greater Colorado area and would like a personal consultation, give us a call.

National Bariatric Center™: Denver, Colorado Location

The National Bariatric Center™ is located in the Rocky Mountain heartland of America at Sky Ridge Medical Center in beautiful Lone Tree, Colorado (southern metro Denver ).  Our state of the art medical center complex is situated next to highways I-25 and C-470 in the Littleton-Highlands Ranch region, and conveniently accessible to international airports in Denver and Colorado Springs . 

10099 Ridge Gate Parkway, Conifer Building Suite 390
Sky Ridge Medical Center
Lone Tree , Colorado  
80124

Phone 303-662-1191     
Fax 303-662-1343