Weight loss surgery drastic but effective
Published on Wed, Mar 10, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Communities
Surgery has been an option for "morbidly obese" patients for decades, with the gastric bypass option the most common surgical procedure. An invasive and somewhat risky procedure, gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of a patient's stomach, removes a portion of the large intestine, and reroutes the digestive tract. Complications from the operation can include dangerous leakage around internal staples, hair loss and nutritional deficiencies, and the operation has a mortality rate of up to 2 percent.
A viable option to gastric bypass is a procedure called laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The Lap-Band is an adjustable system that is installed during minimally invasive surgery. No internal organs are surgically altered, but the band creates a patient-managed restriction to help control portion sizes and encourage healthy eating habits.
One of the benefits of the band is its ability to be adjusted. Through a port placed just under the skin on the patient's abdomen, liquid can be added to the band, or removed, to find just the right amount of restriction for each individual.
At a weight of 285 lbs., 5'4" Teri Wilson of Marysville knew she was in trouble. She began battling weight issues about 15 years ago and had seen a steady decline into obesity.
"I actually lost about 100 lbs. on the Atkins diet about six years ago," said the local woman, "but when my father died unexpectedly, I slipped back into my old habits and slowly gained it all back, plus more."
After years of diet failures, the thought of dieting again was just "too much to bear," and Wilson began to despair. She knew she was endangering her health with the excess weight, and her life was affected by decreased energy levels.
"If I had to take something to the other side of the house, I'd try to combine everything into one trip," Wilson said. "I just didn't have any energy."
In 2007, she saw a TV commercial for the Lap-Band surgery performed by Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center, and she instantly seized upon the idea. She called the number on her screen and signed up for an informational seminar that same week.
In March 2007, Wilson underwent the laparoscopic procedure to install the Lap-Band and adjustment port. She lost 95 pounds the first year, with a total weight loss of 125 pounds so far.
"It's not a magic wand, but the band helps you make better choices," Wilson explained.
While individual costs may differ, the average patient can expect to pay between $16,000 and $19,000 for Lap-Band surgery. The fee includes one year of follow-up care and adjustments. Free support groups and online forums can also contribute to patients' success.
This spring, NWWLS is teaming up with Q13 Fox TV to offer a free weight loss surgery procedure, with details set to be announced on Q13FOX News This Morning on March 19. Following the announcement, visit www.thelapband.com or www.Q13FOX.com for details.
A viable option to gastric bypass is a procedure called laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The Lap-Band is an adjustable system that is installed during minimally invasive surgery. No internal organs are surgically altered, but the band creates a patient-managed restriction to help control portion sizes and encourage healthy eating habits.
One of the benefits of the band is its ability to be adjusted. Through a port placed just under the skin on the patient's abdomen, liquid can be added to the band, or removed, to find just the right amount of restriction for each individual.
At a weight of 285 lbs., 5'4" Teri Wilson of Marysville knew she was in trouble. She began battling weight issues about 15 years ago and had seen a steady decline into obesity.
"I actually lost about 100 lbs. on the Atkins diet about six years ago," said the local woman, "but when my father died unexpectedly, I slipped back into my old habits and slowly gained it all back, plus more."
After years of diet failures, the thought of dieting again was just "too much to bear," and Wilson began to despair. She knew she was endangering her health with the excess weight, and her life was affected by decreased energy levels.
"If I had to take something to the other side of the house, I'd try to combine everything into one trip," Wilson said. "I just didn't have any energy."
In 2007, she saw a TV commercial for the Lap-Band surgery performed by Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center, and she instantly seized upon the idea. She called the number on her screen and signed up for an informational seminar that same week.
In March 2007, Wilson underwent the laparoscopic procedure to install the Lap-Band and adjustment port. She lost 95 pounds the first year, with a total weight loss of 125 pounds so far.
"It's not a magic wand, but the band helps you make better choices," Wilson explained.
While individual costs may differ, the average patient can expect to pay between $16,000 and $19,000 for Lap-Band surgery. The fee includes one year of follow-up care and adjustments. Free support groups and online forums can also contribute to patients' success.
This spring, NWWLS is teaming up with Q13 Fox TV to offer a free weight loss surgery procedure, with details set to be announced on Q13FOX News This Morning on March 19. Following the announcement, visit www.thelapband.com or www.Q13FOX.com for details.
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