Lap band surgery is a procedure that is being performed on many people to help them lose weight and it has shown great success. Unlike gastric bypass surgery, it does not involve bypassing any part of the intestine. As a matter of fact, a band is placed around the top part of the stomach, creating a pouch for the food. The food then slowly makes its way to the larger part of the stomach where the digestion process begins. The individual feels fuller faster, making portion control much easier. However, this is not a quick fix for obesity. This simply makes the process easier, especially for those who cannot lose weight through traditional means. But anyone wishing to lose 100 pounds in six months may be somewhat disappointed.
Weight loss
Healthy weight loss is said to be 1 to 2 pounds per week. When you diet and exercise through traditional means, this is how much weight you should lose. This means that you can lose anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds per year, which is fantastic.
With lap band surgery, the World Health Organization states that 1.1 to 2.2 pounds is the average and healthy weight loss. However, some individuals are simply physiologically capable of losing more after having the weight loss surgery.
At first, the weight loss may occur slowly for the fact that an individual who has lap band surgery may not be able to exercise. All they do is eat the right kind of foods in the right portions. However, they may find that they can start regular exercise after some of the weight comes off. When this occurs, the weight loss may be greater. Some have reported losing up to 3 to 5 pounds in a single week. This is fine as long as it is done in a healthy way.
After the surgery
As for how long it takes for weight loss to occur after weight loss surgery, this can depend on the individual. There are also other determining factors because it can take a little while for the lap band to be in a good position that the patient feels good. For example:
o The lap band may need to be adjusted a couple of times after the weight loss surgery because it is important that it is comfortable. It should not cause any type of pain.
o It is possible that the port that is used to inject and remove saline from the lap band can move out of place. If so, that issue needs to be fixed.
o There are several steps that have to be followed after the weight loss surgery and these steps take weeks to complete. For example, you have to go on a liquid diet. Some people say they see immediate weight loss and that they may lose more at first than what they do later on in the diet. Eventually, the transition to regular foods is made comfortably.
From there, the 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss will occur. Eventually, exercise can take place. Although it may seem like a journey that will be long, the steady weight loss will make it seem not so bad. Simply make small goals for yourself. For example, make your goal to lose 4 to 8 pounds for the month. At the beginning of the next month, weigh yourself and see your goal become real. You can then mark it on your calendar and set a new goal. Do the same when you add exercise into your routine and you will see yourself shrink before your eyes. Once you hit your ideal weight, it is then time to maintain it, which is something you will find easier than the actual weight loss.
