Surgical Services

  The LAP-BAND® System 

The LAP-BAND System or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure was approved by the FDA in 2001 and since then thousands of LAP-BAND surgeries have been performed in the United States. Since 2005, Dr. Bovard has performed over 200 LAP-BAND procedures using minimally invasive surgery.

How the LAP-BAND helps people lose weight

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is a small silicone band or belt that is wrapped around the top part of the stomach.  This creates a tube or stoma between the upper and lower part of the stomach. Inflating the cuff inside the LAP-BAND makes the stoma narrower and deflating the cuff widens it.

When the LAP-BAND is in place and properly adjusted, two important changes take place that help people lose weight.

1. Only small amounts of food can be eaten before the person feels full
2. The narrow stoma slows passage of food through the stomach helping the person feel full longer.

Eating less and not feeling hungry as often results in weight loss for the LAP-BAND patient. 

The LAP-BAND Advantage

• Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a popular choice with many patients because of the unique benefits it provides:
• Least invasive bariatric surgery option
• No cutting, stapling, or rerouting of stomach or intestines
• Small incisions and minimal scarring
• Reduced patient pain, length of hospital stay and recovery period
• Adjusted to meet the specific weight loss needs of the patient
• Supports pregnancy by allowing stomach outlet size to be opened for increased nutritional needs
• Fully reversible with removal of LAP-BAND