How Surgery Reduces Weight

LAP-BAND

The LAP-BAND system is the newest and the only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the U.S. The LAP-BAND System surgery is a restrictive procedure that involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to limit how much food the stomach can hold.

Windber Medical Center is now offering an innovative, safe, and effective surgical intervention for morbidly obese adult patients who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives such as supervised diet, drugs, exercise, and behavior-modification programs. The LAP-BAND System creates an earlier feeling of fullness and limits food consumption.

The LAP-BAND System is a adjustable, silicone band that is placed around the upper portion of the stomach to restrict the amount of food that can be consumed and to create a longer feeling of satiety. The LAP-BAND is placed laparoscopically without cutting or stapling of the stomach or gastrointestinal re-routing to bypass normal digestion. The procedure is safer and less invasive than other weight-loss surgeries and is the only adjustable and reversible option for patients. The Food and Drug Administration approved the LAP-BAND System in June 2001 and patient interest is growing rapidly due to the unique features of the product and procedure. To date almost 150,000 patients worldwide have undergone the LAP-BAND System procedure.

Windber Surgery Center will be performing the LAP-BAND procedure. The procedure will be offered as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to the evaluation and management of Bariatric patients. In most cases pre-surgical workup will include medical evaluations, dietary evaluation and counseling by a registered dietician, a psychological evaluation by a mental healthcare provider and a fitness evaluation by an exercise physiologist. Routine pre-operative laboratory and diagnostic tests will be performed including routine blood test, chest X-ray, EKG and any other patient specific preoperative tests, such as evaluation for sleep apnea.

If you have any questions or wish to refer patients who may be candidates for the LAP-BAND System, please feel free to contact Mr. Nate Sann RN, BSN at (814) 467-3037 or via email at nsann@conemaugh.org . He is the Nurse Case Manager and Bariatric Surgery Coordinator for Windber Surgery Center. We are excited to be part of this dynamic team and eager to work along side of each and every one of you in the near future.