BAND me, BIND me...

     Good morning, Family...  How is everyone making out?  This East Coast weather is WONDERFUL...Great for some outdoor walks, runs, pick-up basketball games, whatever works for you to get you up off of your couch and breaking a sweat...  Okay, who is ready for lapband surgery???

     I thought I would bring this subject up because last week the big news was that the Governer Christi of New Jersey had lapband surgery.  Gov. C was concerned about his health and wanted to do what he could to insure that he would be around for his family.  So, he made the decision, "band me, bind me"... So, what's this all about???

      Lapband surgery involves the placement of an inflatable silicone device around the top part of the stomach.  This allows slow consumption of food and which leads to a dcreased amount of food consumed which leads to less caloric intake leading to weight loss.  Lapband surgery is indicated for adults only who have tried and failed other standard   weight loss alternatives, such as supervised diets, exercise and behavior modification programs. In my research, I have found that lapband patients who elect to have this surgery have to make a commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.  I wonder how may people actually stick to that commitment?   Most of these patients have a BMI of 30-40, as well as other medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes,sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, GERD, or metabolic syndrome.

     Now lapband surgery is just that surgery.  There can be complications like nausea and vomiting, bowel problems, gallstones, blood clots, band intolerance, intolerace to certain foods, and more.  But unlike gastric bypass surgery where your intestines and stomach are cut and re-directed, lapband patient's do not have issues with absorption of nutrients, their hospital stay is shorter and their recovery is quicker.

     Weight loss varies but is somewhere around 2-3 pounds per week.  Sounds good, but remember that this is not a replacement for totally great health.  This is just a start.  This will not remove fat from the body and add muscle.  It will not help you build up your cardio endurance.  These patients STILL NEED get up and get moving.  These patient's still need to do strength and cardio execise.  Lap band is NOT the answer to all of your health problems...but it may help you get started if you have failed at other methods of trying to lose weight...  SMOOCHES...