LAP-BAND® Bariatric Surgery Helps Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario Residents in Canada Lose Substantial Weight

Recently, the increasing rate of obesity has been a hot topic in the news media and has become a growing concern of society. Obesity has been linked to increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health problems that can lead to an early death. Obesity negatively affects other aspects of life as well. Severely overweight people cannot participate in many activities; airline travel can be uncomfortable or may even require the purchase of an additional seat; and those who are obese have probably had to endure the scornful looks of others. People who are extremely overweight often suffer from low self-esteem, and as a result, they become socially isolated.

At the Plastic Surgery Clinic's Surgical Weight Loss Centre, we understand the adversity that obesity can cause. That's why we offer revolutionary LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery to obese patients from Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario, and all of Canada. Virtually all of our severely overweight patients have tried dieting and drugs to lose weight. They may have temporary success, but the pounds always return. The LAP-BAND® System, implemented through a surgical procedure known as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, offers a long-term solution for weight loss that has been proven effective in more than 200,000 patients worldwide.

The LAP-BAND® Bariatric Surgery System
LAP-BAND ® Surgery Advantages
Non-Surgical Solutions for Obesity
Our Exceptional LAP-BAND® Surgeons
Who Is a Candidate for LAP-BAND® Surgery?
Before LAP-BAND® Bariatric Surgery
The LAP-BAND® Surgery Procedure
How the LAP-BAND® Works
The Post-Surgery Diet
Better Health Through Weight Loss
The Risks of LAP-BAND® Surgery

The LAP-BAND® Bariatric Surgery System

LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery helps our Ontario patients to control their caloric intake by restricting the size of the stomach. In LAP-BAND® surgery, an adjustable ring is placed around the upper part of the stomach. Attached to the ring is a tube that leads to a port lying just under the skin. Fluid is added to the ring via the tube. As the ring fills with fluid, it constricts the stomach, which gives the patient a feeling of being satiated earlier during a meal. The ring can be tightened if the patient does not achieve adequate weight loss, or it can be loosened if the patient becomes unable to tolerate solid food. LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery has helped patients in Canada and throughout the world and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. More than 1,000 LAP-BAND® procedures are performed in the United States each month. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding has been performed since 1993 and, because it involves no cutting, stapling, or bypass of the intestine, it is one of the safest types of bariatric surgery. At our Ontario, Canada Surgical Weight Loss Centre, it is the only form of bariatric surgery we perform. We do not offer gastric bypass, vertical banded gastroplasty, or duodenal switch procedures.

LAP-BAND® Surgery Advantages

The LAP-BAND® System offers several advantages over dieting and other forms of bariatric surgery. Available in Canada since 1993, this exceptionally effective surgical procedure has helped thousands of people lose substantial weight. Some of the advantages of LAP-BAND® surgery include:

It requires less invasive surgery that other bariatric surgical techniques.
LAP-BAND® surgery is completely reversible.
The LAP-BAND® can be adjusted to custom tailor the rate of weight loss for each patient.
The LAP-BAND® works by restricting the amount of food the patient can consume during a meal.
Food that is consumed can be fully absorbed by the digestive tract.
The LAP-BAND® surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Recovery time is much shorter than with other types of bariatric surgery.

LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery has helped patients in Bramton, Oakville, Mississauga and throughout Ontario and Canada to take control of their weight and their lives. If you think LAP-BAND® surgery may be the solution for you, contact us at the Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Non-Surgical Solutions for Obesity

The most commonsense solutions to obesity would seem to be sensible eating and regular exercise. For those who are severely obese, however, trying to maintain a diet and exercise plan is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Many succeed in a diet plan for a short while, sometimes losing significant amounts of weight, only to see that weight return after the diet ends. Many of our LAP-BAND ® bariatric surgery patients from Ontario and throughout Canada have experienced being locked in a vicious yo-yo cycle of dieting and regaining weight, which can carry its own health consequences.

Scientific studies have shown that non-surgical methods for weight loss have not been effective in helping morbidly obese adults. Average weight loss for participants in 10 to 12 week studies is only 2.5 kg. Additionally, studies of diet plans that included behavior modification, diet, and exercise showed a 30 percent dropout rate with an average weight loss of three pounds after four years.

Attempting weight loss through diet plans often results in adverse emotional reactions, a constant craving for food, and nearly inevitable failure. Those who are morbidly obese are now able to achieve long-term weight loss and the resulting health and lifestyle benefits with truly effective LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery. Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario and all Canada residents who would like to schedule a consultation with one of our exceptional surgeons for a personal consultation can contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Source: Drs, Dixon, O'Brien Melbourne, Aus

Our Exceptional LAP-BAND® Surgeons

LAP-BAND® surgery is performed at our Ontario, Canada clinic by Dr. Chris Cobourn and Dr. David Mumford. Our doctors are both certified specialists in General Surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, with specialty interests in laparoscopic surgery. In addition, Drs. Cobourn and Mumford are fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and are members of both the Canadian Association of General Surgeons and the Ontario Association of General Surgeons.

With more than 16 years' experience in abdominal surgery during which he has performed more than 6,000 laparoscopic procedures, including spleen removal, gall bladder removal, bowel surgery, and hernia repair, Dr. Cobourn is one of Canada's foremost experts on abdominal procedures. In 1991, he introduced laparoscopic surgery to the Mississauga area. Since then, he has focused his practice on advanced laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Cobourn served as chief of surgery at Trillium Health Centre for more than eight years, and he is currently the medical director of the Surgical Weight Loss Centre at the Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Dr. Mumford has performed over 6,000 laparoscopic procedures including advanced bowel surgery, appendectomy, gallbladder removal, and hernia repair including hiatus hernia repair. Dr. Mumford stays on the cutting edge of advanced surgical techniques by regularly attending conferences and symposiums. He underwent advanced training for the placement and use of the LAP-BAND®, and was certified as a LAP-BAND® surgeon by Inamed, creator of the LAP-BAND® System.

To learn more about our surgeons or LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery, Ontario and all other residents of Canada can contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Who Is a Candidate for LAP-BAND Surgery?

Calculating a patient's Body Mass Index (BMI) is the first step to determining eligibility for LAP-BAND® surgery. A person's BMI reflects the ratio of weight to height. Patients with a BMI of 40 (35 if you have a weight-related medical problem) or above are eligible for LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery. Residents of Canada can have their BMI automatically calculated by visiting the U.S. National Institutes of Health BMI Calculator. In addition to having a BMI measure of 40, a LAP-BAND® surgery candidate should be an adult between the ages of 18 and 60 who has been overweight for five years or longer. The LAP-BAND® surgery candidate must be willing to make major changes to eating and lifestyle habits, and must commit to working with our Surgical Weight Loss Centre specialists after the surgery to ensure long-term success.

There are numerous medical conditions will make a patient ineligible for LAP-BAND® or any bariatric surgery. Residents of Canada who suffer from gastrointestinal or cardiopulmonary afflictions probably will not be able to have the surgery. People who use alcohol in excess, are addicted to drugs, or have suffered cirrhosis or other related diseases are not eligible. Any patient unwilling to commit to dietary restrictions and ongoing counseling will not be able to have LAP-BAND® surgery. Additionally, women who are pregnant will have to wait until after the child is born. Women who become pregnant while fitted with a LAP-BAND® must have the device deflated until after they come to term.

Before LAP-BAND® Bariatric Surgery

Our LAP-BAND® surgery patients from Ontario and all of Canada first meet with Dr. Cobourn or Dr. Mumford so that the doctor can give them a full description of the procedure and address any questions or concerns. Then a nurse specialist performs an assessment to determine the patient's dietary history and past attempts at weight loss. The patient will have to undergo a physical by a family physician and provide a complete medical history prior to surgery so our doctors can identify any factors that may increase risk. If necessary, the patient has an anesthesia consultation to determine if the patient is fit enough to have anesthesia. One to two weeks before the bariatric surgery, our Ontario doctors will have the patient go on an ultra-low-calorie trial. The patient will consume only Optifast®, a prescribed dietary regimen that is nutritionally complete, to reduce fat deposits in the liver. This helps ensure the efficacy and safety of the procedure.

The LAP-BAND® Surgery Procedure

To begin the LAP-BAND® surgery, our Mississauga, ON L5G 3H5surgeon makes a series of small incisions to the abdomen so that the small laparoscopic instruments can be inserted. A tiny camera is used during the surgery to allow the doctor to see the interior of the abdomen. Then the surgeon makes a tunnel around the upper stomach to allow placement of the LAP-BAND®. Once the LAP-BAND® is in place, the tubing is attached to a port. The port lies under the skin, on top of the muscle of the abdominal wall. Through this port, saline solution can be injected or removed to precisely adjust the size of the LAP-BAND® and the stomach "reservoir" it creates.

LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery at our Ontario clinic generally can be completed in less than two hours. Following the procedure, the patient will be closely monitored in the recovery area. Once the patient is deemed ready, he or she may return home. Extensive instructions for physical activity and diet will be provided to the patient, and follow-up appointments with the surgeon and the clinical nurse specialist will be arranged.

How the LAP-BAND® Works

Food travels down the esophagus (E) into the reservoir (R). Food then travels slowly through the narrow opening created by the LAP-BAND into the lower portion of the stomach and to the rest of the intestine for normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The Post-Surgery Diet

After surgery is complete and the LAP-BAND® is in place, our doctors recommend that the patient forget past eating habits, especially the consumption of sweet or fatty liquids. Instead, patients are encouraged to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Fluid intake should be restricted during meals as this facilitates passage of food through the LAP-BAND® opening. Rather, the patient should consume solid food and chew it well. By doing this, the patient will feel full earlier, and this will help the patient get in the habit of eating smaller meals.

Better Health through Weight Loss

Morbid obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions. Scientific studies have indicated that even a 10 percent reduction in weight helps to control blood sugar and reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Two published studies have established that there a significant improvement in health results from weight loss through the LAP-BAND® System. In Dixon et al., 11 patients with Type II diabetes were studied. Seven showed significant improvement, and four had complete resolution one year after having LAP-BAND® surgery. Of 18 patients with asthma in the study, 12 patients had fewer episodes and need for medication, and six patients suffered no attacks and required no therapy. One year after having LAP-BAND® surgery, three of nine hypertensive patients had improved blood pressure, and six attained normal blood pressure.

In a study by Alvarez-Cordero et al., nine of 15 patients were able to stop taking hypertensive drugs. Six out of 11 patients were free from hypoglycemic drugs, and all patients experienced improvement in sleep apnea and bone pain after LAP-BAND® surgery.

The Risks of LAP-BAND® Surgery

The expertise and experience of Drs. Cobourn and Mumford and their sterling record for safety help ensure that LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery performed at our Ontario clinic is as free from risk as possible. LAP-BAND® surgery has been shown to have less risk than other bariatric procedures. However, every surgical procedure carries some risk. We will list some of the more prominent risks associated with LAP-BAND® surgery below. Dr. Cobourn or Dr. Mumford will provide a comprehensive accounting of the risks when the patient meets with either of our bariatric surgeons in consultation.

With any surgery, there is a risk of infection and adverse reaction to anesthesia. A U.S. clinical study showed a 1 percent risk for a tear in the stomach wall during surgery. Should this occur, it could necessitate additional surgery. The LAP-BAND® may develop a leak, requiring surgery to replace it. The band can slip or erode into the stomach.

After surgery, it's possible for patients to experience heartburn, gas bloat, constipation, and gastritis. Patients who lose substantial weight may find that their skin becomes loose or droopy and won't respond to exercise.

The chance of complications with this procedure is low, but the rewards for our morbidly obese patients are great. LAP-BAND® bariatric surgery at our Ontario, Canada clinic can transform a patient's life. If you or someone you love is obese, contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic today to schedule a consultation with one of our compassionate surgeons.