Preparing for your procedure.
Adjustable gastric band surgery isn’t something that can be rushed into. You’ll need to start a specialized diet, given to you by your surgeon, about a month before your surgery date. You’re going to need a chest x-ray, blood work, a psychological consultation session as well as a nutritional consultation session. And depending on your health, your surgeon may require an upper GI, or a gastroscopy. You may also need clearance from a cardiologist, pulmonologist or other medical specialist depending on your medical history or condition.
On the day of your surgery, you’ll need to come in early with an empty stomach. This is the day your new, healthier life begins.
What to expect after surgery.
One of the things that makes the adjustable gastric band so effective is the fact that it’s “adjustable." After your surgery, you’ll need to come in for follow-up adjustments to help you reach your goals. Generally speaking, you should expect your follow up schedule to include:
· 1 week after surgery: check incisions, remove sutures, evaluate overall health.
· 5 weeks after surgery: first saline fill based on size of gastric band.
· 4-8 weeks after first saline fill: gastric band is adjusted to your specific comfort zone, allowing you to lose an average of 8 - 10 pounds per month.
Following up, staying in touch with your surgeon or practitioner and following the dietary guidelines provided by the Weight Loss Surgical Center, is vital to your progress, overall health and success.
We work with you on a payment plan.
Weight Loss Surgical Center has a variety of payment methods, and will work with you based on your financial situation.
Cash payment arrangements include:
· First office visit and pre-surgery exams
· EKG and lab work
· The procedure, physician fee, anesthesia fee, facility fee and the band
· Overnight surgery center stay or local hotel stay, if needed
· Three months of follow-up visits and band adjustments
· 24/7 on-call services of a nurse practitioner specializing in adjustable gastric band patient care
· Cash price is used for financing plans, as well, with monthly rates as low as $317.*
*Based on lowest rate available with excellent credit and maximum terms through our CareCredit options. Your terms will vary, depending on credit scores, term lengths, down payments and other variables determined by your credit company.
Contact our financing office at 1-800-777-6812 for specific estimates.
Learn about the adjustable gastric band procedure or stomach band surgery.
An adjustable gastric band essentially makes your stomach smaller. The adjustable band placed around the top portion of your stomach makes you feel fuller, faster. So you eat less and lose weight.
The stomach band surgery itself is the least invasive of all the weight loss surgeries. There’s no cutting, stapling or rerouting of the bowels. There are small incisions, which minimize scarring. The hospital stay is usually less than 24 hours, with most patients returning home the same day.
The adjustable gastric band is connected to an access port on the abdomen wall under the skin. By adding or removing saline to the band, the practitioner can control the amount of food that can be consumed, and keep pace with your weight loss goals and overall progress.
There are certain medical conditions that may keep you from having adjustable gastric band surgery.
Please contact us to talk to our trained medical professionals about any pre-existing medical condition you may have.
Also note that for many people, gastric band surgery may be covered by insurance. Request an initial consultation if you'd like to begin your insurance verification process.