Dr. Dan Smith begins LAP-BAND® procedures on patients

Starting Nov. 2, Dr. Dan Smith added LAP-BAND® System procedures to the list of offerings at The Center for Weight Management. It is available to patients who meet the criteria for this surgery.

While the Roux en-Y procedure for gastric bypass surgery is considered the gold standard in the bariatric industry and is one in which Dr. Smith stands out with success rates above the national average, the LAP-BAND® gives morbidly obese patients a choice when considering their options to dramatically improve their health. A non-surgical option is also available to patients through the LEARN Program.

The LAP-BAND® System is an adjustable gastric band designed to help you lose excess body weight. It reduces the stomach capacity and restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time.

The LAP-BAND® procedure doesn't require stomach cutting and stapling or gastrointestinal re-routing to bypass normal digestion. During the procedure, a silicone ring is placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline in its inner surface. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food, so the food storage area in the stomach is reduced. The band also controls the stoma between the new upper pouch and the lower part of the stomach.

Once in place, an access port fixed beneath the skin of your abdomen allows LAP-BAND®-certified physicians such as Dr. Smith to change the stoma size by adding or subtracting saline. The diameter of the band can be modified to meet individual needs.

Dr. Robert Wroblewski will also perform LAP-BAND® surgeries upon his arrival to The Center for Weight Management in 2008.