LAP-BAND® Surgery in Orange County

If you have 50 pounds or more to lose (BMI 30 or greater), the LAP-BAND® may be the ideal option. The LAP-BAND® is a powerful tool that will help you to eat less, be satisfied, and lose weight. Read more about LAP-BAND® Surgery and our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program below.

PLAY VIDEO: Our patient Kathy 4 years after LAP-BAND® Surgery »
PLAY VIDEO: Watch a LAP-BAND® operation by Dr. Oliak »
How to choose - LAP-BAND®, Sleeve Gastrectomy, or Gastric Bypass »

About Gastric Banding Surgery

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Two Adjustable Gastric Bands are available for use in the United States - the LAP-BAND® and the REALIZE® Band. Both are equally effective. We generally use the LAP-BAND®.

The LAP-BAND® (& REALIZE® Band) is laparoscopically placed around the top of the stomach forming a very small pouch (15cc or 1/2oz) above the band. Band tightness is adjusted by adding or removing saline through the port, which is implanted under the skin of the abdomen. The LAP-BAND® (& REALIZE® Band) enables weight loss by helping to control hunger with much smaller portions of food.

Our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program

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Our goals are patient safety, great surgical outcomes, and superior weight loss results.

Patient Safety and Great Surgical Outcomes

Achieving superior LAP-BAND® surgical outcomes (low complication rates) requires an experienced and proven surgeon, and an appropriate surgical facility. Our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program has these components (not all do), and our record of excellent patient outcomes demonstrates this.
More about Dr. Oliak »
More about our bariatric hospitals »
Our LAP-BAND® surgical outcomes »
About choosing the right program »

Superior Weight Loss Results

In addition to providing quality surgery, we prioritize education, follow-up, and support (many programs don't) to help you establish and maintain the lifestyle changes that will enable long-term weight loss success. Our dedication and focus on helping our patients to be successful after surgery has resulted in superior weight loss outcomes.
Support after surgery »
Our LAP-BAND® weight loss results »
About choosing the right program »

PLAY VIDEO: Our patient Marta lost 95 pounds in 2 years after LAP-BAND® Surgery

Learn More!

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To learn more about LAP-BAND® Surgery and our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program, attend a free, no-obligation educational seminar or a private consultation at one of our convenient Orange County locations - call or send us an online contact form today!

Advantages of the LAP-BAND®

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The LAP-BAND® is Safe Lowest risk weight loss operation available No cutting stomach or intestine No malabsorption Important - Qualified & experienced surgeon necessary The LAP-BAND® Works Average 50-60% excess weight loss More than 500 scientific publications to date documenting effectiveness Important - Postoperative follow-up & support necessary Our LAP-BAND® weight loss outcomes » The LAP-BAND® is Popular Popular worldwide Popular because it is safe and it works More than 750,000 operations performed Our LAP-BAND® patient testimonials » The LAP-BAND® is Reversible Easily removable if necessary When removed stomach returns to its original form and function

The LAP-BAND® is Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic approach through small incisions PLAY VIDEO: LAP-BAND® operation Part 2 PLAY VIDEO: LAP-BAND® operation Part 1 Average operative time about 1 hour Patients usually discharged home day of surgery The LAP-BAND® is Adjustable Adjustments done in office and take only minutes PLAY VIDEO: LAP-BAND® adjustment Allows individualized tightness for optimum results Allows loosening for pregnancy The LAP-BAND® Improves Medical Conditions Weight related medical problems generally improve Examples include: hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, joint pains, heartburn, asthma, headaches, infertility, etc.

More LAP-BAND® Band Information

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Am I a Candidate for the LAP-BAND®?

Candidates for surgery are generally at least 50 pounds overweight (BMI 30 or greater) and have tried and failed to lose weight and keep it off numerous times. Insurance companies generally require candidates to have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35 or greater. What is my BMI? »

Hospital Course

Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery typically takes about one hour. General anesthesia is necessary and usually five incisions are required, although at times fewer incisions can be used. Patients generally go home 2-4 hours after surgery.

Recovery after LAP-BAND® Surgery

Patients generally recover quickly. Usually pain is mild and resolves over the first couple days. Patients usually go back to work within one or two weeks.

Achieving Weight Loss Success after Surgery

Success after LAP-BAND® Surgery requires a well-performed operation, appropriate band adjustment, and appropriate eating habits. Our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program prioritizes excellent surgery and quality education, follow-up, and support to give you the tools that will help you achieve long-term weight loss success.
Our LAP-BAND® Support Program »
Our LAP-BAND® weight loss outcomes »
About choosing the right program »

LAP-BAND® Adjustments

Band adjustments are done in the office and usually take about 5 minutes. The average patient gets 4-6 adjustments the first year, and fewer in subsequent years. Band adjustments are done to control hunger with small meal portions.

PLAY VIDEO: LAP-BAND® adjustment in office

Follow-Up after LAP-BAND® Surgery

Follow-up appointments are scheduled frequently early after surgery so we can quickly achieve optimum band adjustment and help patients to establish appropriate eating habits. Once band adjustment is appropriate, and weight loss progress is on track (generally 1-2 pounds per week), patients are seen less frequently.

Support after LAP-BAND® Surgery

Our Support Program helps patients to make and maintain the changes that will enable weight loss success after surgery.

LAP-BAND® Surgery Outcomes

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LAP-BAND® Weight Loss Outcomes

Good published studies show that surgery results in substantial long-term weight loss (average 50-60% of excess weight) in most patients. Not all studies, however, show equally good results - weight loss outcomes after LAP-BAND® Surgery are highly variable between different practices, surgeons, and patients. This is why the choice of surgeon and program is important.

To read more about weight loss outcomes after LAP-BAND® Surgery, see our LAP-BAND® outcomes page.

Impact of LAP-BAND® Surgery on Medical Conditions

Many published studies have shown that weight related medical problems tend to improve or resolve after LAP-BAND® Surgery. Examples include diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pain and arthritis, heartburn, asthma, depression, infertility, urinary stress incontinence, lower extremity swelling, headaches, etc.

Complications after LAP-BAND® Surgery

LAP-BAND® Surgery is a safe and low risk operation when performed by a qualified, experienced, and proven bariatric surgeon. However, as with all surgery, there is the potential for complications to occur. See our LAP-BAND® outcomes page to read more about potential complications after LAP-BAND® Surgery.

Impact of Weight Loss Surgery on Lifespan

Multiple published studies, including the highly regarded Swedish Obesity Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August 2007, have shown decreased long-term mortality rates in patients who have undergone weight loss surgery. This is because medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and high blood pressure tend to resolve or improve with weight loss after surgery.