Patient-friendly:
Of all the operations to reduce the size of the stomach, it is the least traumatic, since the operation can usually be carried out via laparoscopy. The stomach is not permanently cut or stapled. When the band is placed laparoscopically, there are no large incisions and no large scars.
Precise:
It is the only operation in which it is possible to decide how large the capacity of the upper part of the stomach is to be and how large the diameter of the new outlet is then to be. This is due to special surgical instruments that are exclusively delivered to the surgeons by the manufacturer of the LAP-BAND® System.
Adjustable:
No follow-up operation is required in order to adjust the diameter of the stoma.
No irreversible damage:
If for unforeseen reasons it becomes necessary to remove the LAP-BAND® System, the stomach will, according to the results obtained to date, in all probability revert to its original form.
Fast:
You will normally be able to leave hospital within two to four days of the operation.
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"The advantage of the LAP-BAND® is that it is placed around the outside of the stomach and that in principle the operation is reversible. I wouldn't dare have other operations, like having my stomach stapled up, because it's so final. That means that in principle your stomach is permanantly affected. Obviously the LAP-BAND® is also final, in other words you have to 'wear' it for the rest of your life, but it's comforting to know that you can have it removed again if there is a medical necessity. With the LAP-BAND® method, you simply can't eat much because your new small stomach won't allow you to. This means that you lose a lot of weight in a relatively short space of time. It also means that the weight loss is permanent, unlike diets, where in the end you always put the weight back on or even put more on. That was really frustrating. As far as I'm concerned, I've now won the battle with my body and my mind, and I'm going to make sure it stays that way."(Lap-Band® System Patient's testimonial)
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