How You Digest Food
When you swallow food, the particles go into your esophagus then
travel down through the esophagus into your stomach. Your stomach is
actually an organ that is made up of four layers:
1. Serosal coat - the covering for most of your stomach
2. Muscular coat - churns your food
3. Submucosal coat - connecting layer
4. Mucousal coat - protects the stomach lining and secretes digestive
juices
When your stomach receives food it stimulates something called
stretch receptors. These receptors basically send information to your
brain (medulla oblongata) that you are full. Your brain will then secrete
a hormone called gastrin which stimulates your stomach to secrete
gastric juices.
How You Know If You Are Full
Enlarged stomach capacity in obese people is common. This enlarged
capacity can contribute to overeating because the stretch receptors
cannot tell the brain you are full without greater amounts of food — the
food needs to reach the receptors.
In 1997 Allen Geliebter and colleagues from Columbia University
College of Physicians and Surgeons published their findings on a test
they performed over a four week period. They took a set of obese
people and put them on a 600 calorie per day diet for four weeks. After
the four weeks were up, they measured the size of their stomachs. They
found that these obese dieters had an average stomach reduction of
27% and lost an average of 18.2 pounds. Additionally, these dieters felt
the sensation of “fullness” with a reduced stomach capacity.
Gastric Banding Procedure
Gastric banding is a surgical procedure where a band (LAP-BAND®) is
placed around the top part of your stomach. This creates a small pouch
that can only hold a little bit of food. The band creates a narrow
opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. This opening
controls the passage of food from the pouch to the stomach. Because
the opening is small, it takes a while for the food to pass through. This
helps you eat less and feel full at the same time. This is how you
gradually lose the weight.
The gastric band can be adjusted, which increases or decreases the
opening from the pouch to the stomach. In our Tru You aftercare
program we monitor your band and make as many adjustments as you
need. The gastric band can also be removed completely so the entire
procedure is completely reversible.
Gastric Banding Procedure Is Effective And Growing In Popularity
During the period from May 2002 to May 2006, the number of weight
loss surgeries in the US increased six fold.
Why the increase? It was the introduction of the laparoscopic
adjustable gastric banding procedure (which was approved by the FDA
in 2001). Laparoscopic is a surgical technique where operations are
performed through small incisions. This means no more cutting
through the abdomen. The procedure is “minimally invasive” which
means no long-term hospital stay and no long-term recovery.
Health Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is recognized as an effective treatment for the many obesity-related diseases that afflict so many patients. We are seeing positive results in many areas including:
- type 2 diabetes
- liver diseases (non alcohol related)
- sleep apnea
- congestive heat failure
- lowered blood pressure
- decreases in chances of stroke
Not to mention a whole host of some less tangible but nonetheless
highly motivating factors such as:
- improved self esteem
- improved happiness
- improved energy
- improved family, work and community relationships
- improved outlook on life
Lap Band Advantages
The LAP-BAND® System procedure is a very attractive alternative to other gastric surgeries such as stomach stapling or gastric bypass for the following reasons:
- trauma from surgery is significantly reduced - no cutting through
the stomach lining. No stapling. The Lap Band procedure uses laparoscopic technology which only requires a very small incision (5 to 10 millimeters).
- a more natural process - we are not taking away any part of your
stomach or bypassing any parts of your stomach or intestines.
- flexible and individualized for your needs - the ring can be inflated or deflated to allow food to pass more slowly or quickly...all dependent upon you and your needs.
- completely reversible - the band can be removed
- minimally invasive surgery which means no long-term recovery, no long-term hospital stay Dr. Richard Wilkenfeld
8000 Hwy 242, Suite 123
Conroe, TX 77385
936-321-2263
Find Out if This is Right For You
Please come to one of our free seminars right here in The Woodlands to
find out if this procedure is right for you. At the seminar you’ll meet our staff and we will answer all your questions. Together we can decide if this is the right decision for you and your situation.
Reserve your place at an upcoming Woodlands seminar>
Call us for more information and ask about our specials: 936-441-3133 |
