How long do the procedure and recovery take? The procedure takes approximately one to two hours. Patients typically spend the night at the hospital, and are able to return to work in one to two weeks.

Does laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding require frequent visits to my doctor after surgery? Check-ups with your doctor are a normal and very important part of the laparoscopic gastric banding follow-up. Many surgeons see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month and every 4 to 12 weeks for the first year. Adjustments may be performed during some of these visits. It is typical for follow-up visits to be scheduled every 3 to 6 months during the second and third year, depending on the individual case.

Can I eat anything in moderation? Prior to surgery, Dr. Minkin and a Nutritionist will meet with you to discuss diet instructions. After your stomach has healed, you may eat most foods that don't cause you discomfort. However, because you can only eat small portions, it is important to include foods full of important vitamins and nutrients. If you eat foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of "empty" calories, such as milkshakes, the effects of the laparoscopic gastric band may be greatly reduced or even cancelled.

What kind of results can I expect to see? The mean excess weight loss in a United States clinical study of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding patients was approximately 52% of excess weight, 2 years after surgery.  Individual results will vary.                                                                                    

Will I have a lot of excess skin? The more a person weighs prior to the surgery, the more excess skin they will have. Exercise can help, but sometimes it is not sufficient and patients choose to undergo plastic surgery. We recommend that you wait two years after surgery to make a decision regarding plastic surgery.

Can the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band be removed?  Although the band is not meant to be removed, it can be, in some cases laparoscopically. Surgeons report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the laparoscopic gastric band is removed. After the removal, though, you may gain weight.

 What are the risks associated with weight loss surgery? A certain amount of risk occurs with any operation. The degree of risk varies with the type of surgery, and both the past and current health of the patient. Dr. Minkin will review all of the potential risks and benefits.