Maples Surgical Centre is now offering Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND® System). The LAP-BAND® System is a safe and effective solution for obesity.

If you are seriously overweight and diets and exercise simply aren’t working for you, the LAP-BAND® System can help. The minimally invasive procedure involves placing an adjustable band around your stomach to make it smaller, so you eat less, safely lose weight and keep it off.

Losing weight with the LAP-BAND® System can improve your health, reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension and other serious conditions, and significantly improve your quality of life. It’s a proven, reliable procedure that has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world lead healthier, happier lives.

We care about your health and comfort

At Maples Surgical Centre, we understand that obesity is not the result of a lack of willpower: it’s a disease that requires treatment combined with compassionate care. Our integrated approach for the treatment of obesity combines a thorough assessment, the LAP-BAND® System procedure, and a comprehensive aftercare program. Our highly-qualified doctors and dedicated staff will never be critical or judgmental. They will do their best to make you feel comfortable, and will treat you with the utmost care and respect throughout the process.

How the LAP-BAND® System works

The LAP-BAND® System helps you lose weight and keep it off by limiting food intake, reducing appetite and slowing digestion.

During the procedure, the surgeon places an inflatable silicone ring around the upper part of your stomach. The newly created small upper stomach pouch limits the amount of food you can eat, and the narrowed stomach outlet increases the time it takes for your stomach to digest the food and empty. You feel full sooner, and stay full longer.

The band is adjustable, so it keeps your stomach the exact size you need to lose the optimum amount of weight at a healthy rate. An access port beneath your skin allows the surgeon to adjust the tightness of the band as needed by adding or removing saline.

Advantages of the LAP-BAND® System

It works. A recent article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends weight loss surgery as an acceptable option for individuals for whom all other conventional weight loss methods have failed. The LAP-BAND® System is an excellent option for effective long-term weight loss. To date, there have been more than 300,000 LAP-BAND® System procedures performed worldwide.

Minimal trauma. The LAP-BAND® System is the least invasive surgical option for weight loss. There’s no cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel, and the laparoscopic technique means less pain, a shorter recovery time and minimal scarring.

Adjustability. Tightening or loosening the band ensures the right degree of restriction to achieve healthy, long-term weight loss. Should you become pregnant or ill, the band can be loosened to accommodate your nutritional requirements, then tightened again after you’ve given birth or recovered from your illness so you can easily get back on the road to weight loss.

Reversibility. Although the band is intended to be permanent, it can be removed if needed, and your stomach will return to its original form and function.

Fewer risks. When compared to other obesity surgeries like gastric bypass or vertical banded gastroplasty, there is a much lower risk of complication and nutritional deficiencies.

Aftercare

The LAP-BAND® System process requires hard work and a serious commitment to permanently changing your lifestyle. It’s not a magic solution; it’s a tool to help you achieve your weight loss goals. You must be willing to follow a program of routine check-ups, ongoing band adjustments – and have the dedication and determination to stick with permanent dietary restrictions and requirements.

Maples Surgical Centre surgeons and staff are committed to helping you through this process. 

Adjusting the band

The first adjustment is usually about 4-6 weeks after surgery; we will let you know exactly when you need to come in. Each adjustment is a simple procedure that’s performed without surgery during an office visit.

A thin needle is used to inject or withdraw saline from the band via the access port. The surgeon will take into account how much weight you have lost, the amount of food you can comfortably eat, your exercise routine, and the amount of fluid already in your band before determining if you need an adjustment.

Potential risks, complications and adverse events

All surgeries carry the possibility of risks and complications, most commonly bleeding and infection. Obese patients are also at higher risk during surgery. Your surgeon will discuss those risks with you as part of your assessment.

During the procedure, there is a very small potential for injury of the stomach, esophagus, liver or spleen or major blood loss. Rarely, this may require that the surgeons move from laparoscopic surgery to the conventional open approach. Heart, liver or kidney disease can increase the risks of the surgery. Death is always a risk of any surgery.

LAP-BAND® System specific risks and complications

A number of recent studies agree that the LAP-BAND® System procedure is the safest surgical option for treating obesity. Complications are usually not serious, though some may require hospitalization and additional surgery.

Potential complications from LAP-BAND® System surgery may include band slippage (occurs in 1-2% of patients) or band erosion (occurs in less than 1 in 1000 patients). Very rarely, they may include port site pain or displacement and leakage of the reservoir, tubing or band. You’ll find more detailed risk information at www.lapbandcanada.ca.

After surgery, if you have any complications or painful symptoms, please tell your doctor right away.

Am I a candidate for LAP-BAND® System surgery?

The LAP-BAND® System is designed for people who are seriously overweight and have tried many times to lose weight without long-term success. It is not for someone looking to lose 20 or 30 pounds. Only people with a BMI of 35 or more should consider weight-loss surgery as a viable option. Check your BMI below.

Before we proceed with surgery, we will do a thorough assessment to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

You may be eligible for the LAP-BAND® System procedure if:

1. You are at least 21 years of age.
2. Your BMI is 35 or more, or you are at least 100 pounds overweight.
3. You have weight-related health problems (co-morbidities).
4. You have been overweight for over five years.
5. You have seriously attempted weight loss, but it has resulted only in short-term success.
6. You are not suffering from a disease that has caused you to be seriously overweight.
7. You are prepared to make significant changes to your eating habits and lifestyle.
8. You are willing to be monitored by us on a long-term basis.
9. You do not drink alcohol in excess.

The LAP-BAND® System procedure is not right for you if:

1. You are under 21.
2. You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, Crohn’s disease or severe esophagitis).
3. You have severe heart or lung disease (or some other condition) that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
4. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the stomach.
5. You have portal hypertension, cirrhosis or chronic pancreatitis.
6. Your esophagus, stomach or intestine is not considered normal (this can be congenital or acquired).
7. You have ever had an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the band placement.
8. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after surgery, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as serious illness.)
9. You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
10. You have an infection anywhere on your body.
11. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment.
12. You can’t or won’t follow the dietary rules that are a key part of the procedure.
13. You might be allergic to the materials in the device.
14. You are unable to tolerate pain from an implanted device.
15. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease.

If you have any questions, please contact us at any time.