HOW IT'S DONE: MINIMALLY INVASIVE. MINIMALLY DISRUPTIVE.
The procedure is performed laparoscopically. That basically means that a tiny camera allows the surgeon to see inside your body as he or she performs the procedure. Only a few very small incisions are made in the abdomen (about 1.5-2.5 cm each). The band is placed around your stomach using long, thin instruments.
The LAP-BAND® System procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis and the surgery itself typically takes less than an hour. When the procedure is performed in an inpatient setting, the hospital stay is generally less than one day. In most cases, you’ll get back to your life in about a week
Adjustments to optimize the system are made through a discrete, comfortable access port that is placed just beneath the skin.
I watched several videos on Youtube including the actual procedure from start to finish. If you wish to watch, click on the link. Of course, it is not fun to watch or even fun to think about but I had reached to point of decision making. And the decision, I made!
Click on this link if you wish to watch the entire Lap-Band procedure in 10 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfjDt419dM4
I am scheduled for Lap-Band surgery on December 7th. I am anxious, excited and a bit scared but have decided to go forward with it. Your comments, support, cheering are all welcomed. In fact, I look forward to them.
Hello, Since the purpose of this blog was (and is) to have a place to share the experience with friends, as well as interested people who may be considering same procedures, I will try to re-post the comments, questions, discussions are people post to my Facebook page. For example, for THIS post, so far, I have the followings:
ReplyDeleteSK: Please don't do it
NN (me) : has a friend had a bad experience?
CE: Sending you love and support in whatever you choose to do. Here's to better health and happiness, Nahzi Joon. 😘
AN: Nazi joon,do a good research on it,know few people, are doing good,but in general ????? Hope you find a safe way!!!💙💚💜
SA: I have two friend ( much younger than us) that have done and are happy, healthy and active. Great luck to you.
NN (me): Thank you Silvia. IF your friends are on (or close to) the west side, would you please ask them if they know of a local support group? So far, I have only been able to find one that ONLY meets once a month! Thank you in advance. 💜
SM: Hi Nahzi jaan - I understand what a big step this is - my love & prayers are with you that all will go well. Crystal is actually doing the gastric sleeve in the near future. She has been thru many tests, psychologist, pumonologist, cardiologist, nutritionist and support group. Any surgery makes me nervous and especially sInce she is my daughter. She debated which procedure to do and choose the sleeve since there are less complications and not many doctors in Las Vegas will do the band anymore since there are too many complications. Her doctor is one of the top bariatric doctors in LV - if you don't mine me asking how did you make your decision? I tried to get on your blog but having trouble will try again. Love you 💋
NN (me): Hi Sheila joon, Thank you for your note. The MAIN TWO reasons, I selected Lap Band are: 1) The surgery is reversible 2) It is less alteration to my body. These were the main two reasons. The third and less important reason was the band is somewhat adjustable by adding or removing the saline but once you have the sleve, that's it for better or worse. Of course, I admit, that I think Lap Band is MORE WORK for me, BY FAR (on daily basis)