Archive for the ‘Realize Band’ Category
Friday, April 24th, 2009
We are happy to announce that we have resumed the psychological support group and the first meeting was last night at 6:30 p.m. This is open to both new and veteran patients who have had gastric band, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve. Rachael Handley our new psychologist is moderating the groups and our first meeting was quite successful. Patients struggling with emotional and stress eating are most likely to benefit from this support group. Look for updated info about Rachael and our new nutritionist, Prudence, as we continue to update our website. The addition of Rachael and Prudence to our program team will be beneficial to all our patients in their weight loss and weight maintenance phases. Welcome Rachael and Prudence!
If you are interested in attending a support group, call the office at 313-8446 for meeting dates and times.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support |
Monday, April 20th, 2009
The recent news about United Airlines charging obese travelers for an extra seat reminds me of some of the “milestones” our patients reach on their weight loss journeys. Here are some that frequently come up in support group:
- Not needing to use the seat belt extension on the airplane
- Being able to sit in a booth at a restaurant instead of waiting for a table
- Being able to go on a ride at Disneyland that you couldn’t before
- Crossing your legs when sitting on the couch
- Seeing your shoes when standing up
- Weighing what it says on your driver’s license
What’s your favorite “milestone?” Send some in for others to enjoy.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
A lot of what I learn about the gastric band comes from listening to patients at the support group meetings. The patients who have been successful all seem to have made losing weight and getting healthier one of the top priorities in their life. They put as much effort and energy into their weight loss as they do their job and family. The patients who are not successful complain their jobs, school, family, and relationships cause them to lose their weight loss focus. Integrating your weight loss and band adjustments with the rest of your life is a challenge. Having a supportive spouse, co-workers, and friends is definitely an advantage. However, those who do not already have this type of support can find it at our weight loss support groups. Patients who regularly attend support groups find that it helps them maintain their weight loss as a top priority in their lives. In addition to the support groups, professional psychological services are also available to our patients on an individual basis. For more information on support groups and psychological services, please call us at 384-8446.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Add new tag, Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute Events, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
Hey everyone, check out our YouTube videos under the patient success stories section of the website and also at our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LVGBIpatients. These videos highlight a few of our many patients sharing their inspirational stories. Follow the link and click on the yellow subscribe button to become a member and you will receive automatic alerts when we upload a new video and instant connection with other Gastric Band Institute patients. If you’re interested in being featured in an upcoming YouTube video, please contact Melissa at: Melissa@bandandbypass.com.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
For patients motivated about losing a large percentage of their excess weight, here is what the band can do. When our physician’s assistants, Brian and Melissa, adjust the band, a small portion of healthy food, about 4 oz., can make our patients feel satisfied and not hungry so it is easier to stop eating and, ultimately, they ingest fewer calories.
Here’s what the band can’t do. The band can’t choose the food you eat. If you choose to eat healthy protein type foods, you will lose more weight because these are the foods the band is best at limiting intake. If you choose to eat soft and snack foods, like Doritos, ice cream, desserts, or liquid calories like juices, sodas or milk, you won’t lose as much weight, as these go right through the band. Obviously, the band cannot motivate you to exercise, but it is another important part of your journey to losing weight and becoming healthy. If you’re considering the band, come to our free seminars to learn how the gastric band works – it will help you decide if the procedure is right for you.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Patients frequently ask me “Why do I have to eat so slow?” I think it helps to understand why patients who have had the band, bypass or the sleeve need to eat much slower than they did before surgery. The major component of weight loss with all three procedures is restriction, or limiting the capacity of the new pouch or stomach to hold food. Eating slow small bites allows the new surgical pouch to fill up with pieces of food in an orderly fashion. This also gives time for the brain to recognize the stretch on the stomach pouch so that the patient can recognize when they should stop eating which would be BEFORE discomfort sets in. Those who eat too fast fill the pouch in a random fashion and the pieces of food are then more likely to obstruct the outlet and cause vomiting. Also, those that eat too fast may miss the signal from the brain telling them the pouch is full and to stop eating. Eating meals should take 20-30 minutes. This is especially important for band patients because how tight we can make the band is dependent on how well the patient can eat properly and not get food stuck. If you are frequently getting food stuck, that’s as tight as we can make the band or we may even have to take some fluid out. If patients learn to eat slower and never get food stuck, then we are able to make the band a little tighter.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Friday, February 6th, 2009
A common question we hear from patients considering gastric band surgery is which band they should choose, the Allergan Lap Band or the Ethicon Realize Band. In my opinion, the difference between the two is minimal since the weight loss results, complications, and adjustments are fairly identical. There are some subtle differences in design and placement technique between the bands, but for the most part, we could place either band safely in any patient.
Most patients are familiar with the Lap Band as it has been FDA approved for placement in the U.S. for about 6 years now. The Realize Band, although available in Europe for over 10 years, was recently approved by the FDA last year. Dr. Atkinson and I are certified to place either band. Typically, our physician assistants, Brian and Melissa, will discuss with patients both bands in the pre-operation meeting and before surgery the patient will tell us if they have a preference. About 90% of patients don’t have a preference and leave it up to Dr. Atkinson or myself to decide at the time of surgery which one we think would be the most appropriate for the individual patient. Success or failure is not related to the brand of the band. It is directly related to the patient’s commitment to the lifestyle changes that we strongly encourage during the pre-op classes.
–Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, las vegas, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Realize Band |
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