New Procedure Promises Significant Weight Loss With Safer Results
by Reporter Stephanie Bryant
When it comes to losing weight, Latisha Wood says she's tried it all.
She explains, "I've done Phen Fen. I've done Atkins, South Beach Diet, Merida."
When it came to gastric bypass — she by-passed that idea. Wood continues,
"Once I started weighing the risks and for my situation the gastric bypass
was not an option."
That's when she inquired about the lap band procedure. It's a bariatric
laparoscopic technique that allows for significant weight loss with low risks.
St. Vincent Health System Bariatric Surgeon Dr. James Wellborn says,
"What we do is change the metabolism of the body."
Unlike the gastric bypass — which bypasses the intestines — the band
doesn't bypass any organs. Wellborn continues, "Leave the organs the way they are
and put a little band that constricts the upper portion of the stomach."
And through that, Dr. Wellborn says it tricks the brain into thinking the
body's getting enough food — when in actuality, the body is using its own
fat. He describes the procedure, "We'll make 4 puncture wounds in the abdominal
wall and run a hollow tube. This will allow us to put a video laparoscope which
will allow us to see what we're doing."
They can then pass the band around to put it in place. During Latisha's procedure,
Dr. Wellborn encounters some challenges. There is some level of difficulty and
precision with the lap band, because if it's placed too low, it won't be
effective — too high and it could make Latisha sick.
After a few tries, Dr. Wellborn is able to secure it properly in place. He says,
"A normal stomach holds about a quart. By putting a band around it, we reduce
the effective size of the stomach to a tablespoon."
With this procedure, it's less invasive. There is no stapling, very small
incisions and patients are usually home with in 24 hours.
Wellborn says, "Be back to work in a week. some people go back to work
in 72 hours, drive a car in 48 hours, start exercising in 2 weeks."
The results are promising. According to Dr. Wellborn, Latisha should lose
between 9-13 pounds the first 2 weeks and in 6 weeks up to 30 pounds.
As for food restrictions, there are very few after the first couple of weeks.
As long as she takes in much protein and eats lots of vegetables she should
be on her way to living a healthy, normal life.