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.
About choosing the right operation »
About choosing the right program »
PLAY VIDEO: Kathy 4 years after LAP-BAND® Surgery »
PLAY VIDEO: Watch a LAP-BAND® operation »
About Gastric Banding Surgery
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 favor 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
Our goals are patient safety, great surgical outcomes, and superior weight loss results.
Patient Safety and Great Surgical Outcomes
Performing LAP-BAND® Surgery safely, and achieving superior surgical outcomes requires an experienced surgeon who prioritizes safety and quality of care, and a safe surgical facility.
Our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program has these components, and our long record of superior patient outcomes reflects this.
More about Dr. Oliak »
More about our bariatric hospitals »
Our LAP-BAND® surgical outcomes »
Superior Weight Loss Results
We prioritize education, follow-up, and support (many programs don't) to help you achieve optimal band adjustment and establish the habits
that will result in excellent LAP-BAND® weight loss results.
Support after surgery »
Our LAP-BAND® weight loss results »
PLAY VIDEO: Marta lost 95 pounds in 2 years after LAP-BAND® Surgery
Learn More!
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®
The LAP-BAND® is Safe
The LAP-BAND® Works
The LAP-BAND® is Popular
The LAP-BAND® is Reversible
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The LAP-BAND® is Minimally Invasive
PLAY VIDEO: LAP-BAND® operation Part 1 The LAP-BAND® is Adjustable
The LAP-BAND® Improves Medical Conditions
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More LAP-BAND® Band Information
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
As discussed above, success after LAP-BAND® Surgery requires appropriate band adjustment and eating habits.
When the correct adjustment and appropriate eating habits have been achieved, the LAP-BAND® becomes a powerful tool that will help you to eat less, be satisfied, and lose weight.
Our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program prioritizes education, follow-up, and support to better help our patients achieve the band adjustment and eating habits that will enable long-term weight loss success.
The result of this focus has been industry-leading weight loss outcomes.
Our LAP-BAND® Support Program »
Our LAP-BAND® weight loss outcomes »
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
LAP-BAND® Band Weight Loss Outcomes
Many studies (> 500) have been published describing weight loss results after Adjustable Gastric Banding (both LAP-BAND® & REALIZE® Band) Surgery. The good studies show that surgery results in substantial long-term weight loss (average 50-70% of excess weight) in most patients. Not all studies show equally good results - weight loss outcomes after surgery are variable between different practices, surgeons, and patients.
As described above, Our Orange County LAP-BAND® Program focuses on education, follow-up, and support to better help our patients achieve the band adjustment and eating habits that will enable long-term weight loss success. The result of this focus has been LAP-BAND® weight loss outcomes that rank among the best published outcomes worldwide. Our LAP-BAND® weight loss outcomes »
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.
Possible Complications after LAP-BAND® Surgery
Although complication rates are low after LAP-BAND® Surgery, they can occur. For more information about potential complications after surgery, and to see our complication rates, see our LAP-BAND® outcomes page.
It is important to understand that complication rates (and weight loss outcomes) are related to surgeon skill and experience. Some surgeons report much higher complication rates than other surgeons. With LAP-BAND® Surgery, like with other bariatric operations, meticulous surgical technique and attention to the small details are important to minimize complications.
Impact of Weight Loss Surgery on Longevity
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 dangerous medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and high blood pressure tend to resolve or improve with weight loss after surgery.
Cynthia's story...
Looking back, I realize I found comfort in food. I was a food junky. I could lose weight with diets but then would “fall off the wagon” and gain it back plus more.
Merry Christmas to me!!! I had my band surgery on 12/22/09. My journey has been amazing, but not easy. You still have to control your diet but the band gave me this incredible tool that helped kick my addiction to food. I don’t look at food as the main attraction—it’s just fuel to get me through the day. I’ve lost 113 pounds and feel great! The LAP-BAND® was the best decision I have ever made!