Lap-Band Surgery at The University Of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus Our Lap-Band procedure is performed at The University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus. This gives you the advantage of the latest technology in laproscopic surgery. You’ll also have the piece of mind that comes from having the resources of a full-service hospital available instantly.
Prior to Surgery Your surgeon will provide you with written instructions about what—and what not—to do in the weeks and days prior to your operation. The pre-surgery routine for Lap-Band operations is very similar to most other types of operations:
• If you smoke, you should stop at least two weeks prior to surgery.
• You will meet with a nutritionist or your surgeon, who will provide you with a detailed eating
plan to follow for at least a week prior to surgery.
• You may be required to have some pre-surgery tests performed.
• You should set aside time to shop and prepare some food and to obtain other household
items you will need immediately after surgery.
• On the day before the surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight, but do continue to
take your prescription medications, with small sips of water, unless your surgeon instructs you to
do otherwise.
• Take all of your medications with you to the hospital.
At The University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus While you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will make several tiny slits in your abdomen. The doctor will use very thin instruments and cameras to place the Lap-Band around your stomach. The Lap-Band is connected by a tube to an access port just under the skin. This allows for future adjustments. The surgery typically takes about one hour.
After the procedure, your surgeon will check your progress to make sure you don’t have any immediate complications. He or she may have an X-ray taken right away or before you leave the hospital. As soon as possible after your surgery, the hospital staff will assist and encourage you to get up and start walking. The sooner you are up, the faster you will recover. You may initially experience nausea and/or vomiting, which are common side effects of anesthesia.
You may be given ice chips to start and then be allowed to start drinking small sips of water within a few hours of your operation.
If you are doing well after surgery you may be allowed to go home the same day; however, many patients will stay overnight and go home the day after surgery.
At Discharge Your surgeon and the hospital staff will send you home with very specific instructions about:
• Any medications and nutritional supplements you will be taking
• Signs and symptoms of surgery complications (infection or bleeding, for example)
• An eating plan indicating what types of foods you may eat and when you may eat
• Physical activity and exercise plan
• Follow-up appointments |