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LAP-BAND® Surgery in Los Angeles

Obesity can lead to life-threatening diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Obesity is a complex health condition that needs to be addressed immediately.

We can guide you through the process of pre-surgery preparation, the procedure, and recovery. Our comprehensive aftercare program will help you achieve your weight-loss goals and be your partner throughout the journey to a healthier life.

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How Lap-Band Surgery Can Help With Obesity

The Lap-Band surgery procedure can jumpstart your weight-loss journey by reducing your calorie intake. This minimally-invasive procedure creates a feeling of fullness after a small meal, which leads to eventual weight loss.

 

The Khalili Center is a cutting-edge weight-loss center in Los Angeles. We specialize in weight-loss procedures and have created a comprehensive aftercare recovery programs designed to help individuals achieve their weight-loss goals.

Leading Lap-Band Surgeons in Los Angeles

Our founder, Dr. Theodore M. Khalili, MD, FACS, is a leading figure in United States bariatric surgery. Having performed the first robotic-assisted gastric bypass in the United States, he is a pioneer and innovator in minimally invasive weight loss procedures. His knowledge and experience have resulted in thousands of positive weight loss results in his medical facility.

Like Dr. Khalili, our surgeons are experts in general and bariatric surgery procedures, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery, and gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy).

Dr. Khalili is a member of many esteemed associations, such as the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.

Meet Dr. Khalili

My name is Dr. Theodore Khalili, surgeon and founder of Weight Loss Surgery of Southern California. I founded the Center because I have dedicated my life-long professional work to patient care. My approach to patient-centric partnerships and service-oriented facilities offer a comprehensive and holistic approach to bariatric treatment – all in one place.

I believe that patient care does not end right after surgery – it’s only the beginning. I founded the Center to give patients access to a supportive community that guides them through each step of the weight loss journey. We work with a team of registered dieticians, psychologists and general doctors to create tailored, best-in-class care available.

I have performed over 8,000 bariatric surgeries…

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Dr. Theodore M. Khalili,
Founder and Director
Khalili Center for Bariatric Care


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Nutrition Guidelines and Recovery

The recovery period for Lap-Band surgery is usually six weeks. After your surgery, you will be required to stay in the hospital overnight. You will experience some soreness in the abdomen and the incision sites, so our surgeon will prescribe pain medication for the first week.

While you are on pain medication, you are prohibited from driving or operating heavy machinery.

If you have an administrative desk job, you can go back to work one week after your procedure. However, labor-intensive jobs will have to wait for the full six weeks of recovery. During recovery, you must avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities.

You’ll only be allowed to consume liquids during the first week after your operation. Once your stomach has the chance to heal, you may begin taking other liquids, such as broth, unsweetened juice, milk, and sugar-free popsicles.

After about a week of tolerating these liquids, you can transition to pureed foods. These foods should have the consistency of a thick liquid or smooth paste. They shouldn’t contain solid pieces of food. Some examples of food that can be pureed are cottage cheese, ground meat, scrambled eggs, soft fruits, and cooked vegetables.

A few weeks after your surgery, you will be allowed to add soft foods to your diet plan. Portions of these foods should be small and easy to chew. Some examples include flaked fish, cooked cereal, rice, and fresh fruits with no seeds.

After several weeks, and if everything goes well during follow-up, we may then let you gradually reintroduce firmer foods to your diet.

Our dietitian will instruct you to take vitamin supplements to make up for the nutrient malabsorption due to the liquid diet.

Is Lap-Band Surgery Right for You?

LAP-BAND® system is an FDA-approved silicone gastric band used for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). This procedure wraps the silicone band around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small stomach pouch. The small stomach pouch creates a feeling of fullness after consuming a small amount of food, leading to reduced calories and significant weight loss.

The procedure is performed through small incisions on the abdomen. A laparoscope (camera) and special instruments are inserted through the incision sites. The surgeon, watching through a monitor, installs the silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. 

Individuals suffering from obesity and its associated comorbidities can benefit from the procedure. LAGB qualifications usually require a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40. During your consultation, our doctors at Khalili will ask you to undergo a screening process to determine your eligibility for the procedure.  After the screening process, our surgeons will discuss your weight loss surgery options. 

Usually, the following criteria determine that you are a candidate for the surgery:

  • You’re committed to making significant changes to your eating habits.
  • You have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m² or 30 kg/m² with one or more comorbidities of obesity (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea)
  • You’ve had a history of unsuccessful weight loss attempts.
  • You’re at least 18 years of age.
  • You’re not pregnant
Pre-Surgery Preparation

During the consultation with our bariatric doctors, you will be interviewed regarding your medical history, existing health conditions, previous attempts to lose weight, and commitment to our weight-loss program.

You will undergo examination, blood tests, and diagnostic imaging to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may affect the procedure. 

Our dietitian will also provide you with food and drink restrictions. Two weeks before your surgery, you must transition to a liquid-diet with a few permissible snacks. It is well-documented that preoperative reduction or maintenance of body weight can contribute to the success of the bariatric procedure(1).

Patients must follow these guidelines to help prepare for the surgery:

  • Eliminate foods that are high in carbohydrates, like potatoes, cakes, pasta, and rice
  • Avoid processed and fried foods.
  • Start eating fruits, vegetables, and small portions of protein-rich lean meats.
  • Begin using fat-free or low-fat dairy products
  • Introduce protein shakes to your diet.
  • Take multivitamins and mineral supplements daily.
  • Stop drinking alcohol and quit smoking.
How Lap-Band Surgery Works

While there are various things to consider before and after the operation, the actual LAP-BAND surgical procedure only takes an hour to perform. An access port controls the tightness of the Lap-Band. Upon installation, the band creates a small pouch in the stomach. The band’s tightness can be adjusted by saline solution injection. 

After the first procedure, which is the laparoscopic installation of Lap-Band, follow-up adjustments will be conducted in the first two years. The adjustment can be conducted in the surgeon’s office.

Due to the narrowing of the stomach, food passes through the organ slowly. The slow digestion leads to satiety and reduced food intake.

Post-Lap-Band Surgery Expectations

During the first year, LAP-BAND patients can lose weight at a steady and healthy pace, around 1 to 2 pounds per week. It is well-observed that Lap-Band procedures have resulted in nearly half their excess weight after the operation(2). 

Patients must understand that Lap-Band surgery, like all bariatric procedures, is a tool that can jumpstart the weight-loss journey. Your weight-loss results are still dependent on how well you commit to lifestyle changes.

The Khalili Center Aftercare Program

The Khalili Center’s comprehensive aftercare program is designed to help patients recover and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The aftercare program will be your reliable partner in helping you achieve your weight loss goals.

The program consists of follow-up appointments, monthly walks with the doctors, psychiatric counsel sessions, consultations with our nutritionist, community activities, and education seminars. The Khalili Foundation also organizes 5K walks and educational seminars to promote healthy living. 

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How Do I Book an Appointment?

To know more about Lap-Band surgery and other weight loss options, contact us, and request a consultation. You can visit our medical facility located at 9033, Wilshire Blvd. #200 Beverly Hills, California 2011.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID19) situation, our facility is now also available for virtual visits.

FAQs

What are the Benefits of LAP-BAND Surgery?

Specific features make LAP-BAND surgery an attractive approach for obese individuals:

  • Performed using a laparoscopic procedure, meaning small incisions, less pain, and quicker recovery
  • Most patients can get back to work in one to two weeks after the operation.
  • A bariatric surgeon can remove it at any time.
  • The adjustable gastric band allows doctors to fine-tune weight loss results.
  • The LAP-BAND can stay with a patient and help them maintain their ideal weight for life.
What are the Side Effects and Risks of Gastric Banding?

Although rare, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding may still present some risks. You must receive gastric banding surgery from medical centers with doctors who specialize in the procedure and provide post-surgery health care.

When complications arise, additional surgery to correct or remove the gastric band may be required.

These are the risks that may present with gastric banding:

  • Band slippage can happen, where the gastric band slides down the upper portion of the stomach, resulting in complications.
  • Band erosion can occur when the device erodes into the stomach, potentially causing abdominal pain, vomiting, heartburn, and significant weight gain.
  • Other complications, such as bleeding and damage to surrounding structures, can also happen.
Will Insurance Cover My Lap-Band Procedure?

Today, most health insurance companies will cover weight-loss procedures, such as Lap-Band surgery. The positive results demonstrated by Lap-Band procedures have made insurance companies acknowledge it as a safe and effective treatment for obesity. 

However, coverage of weight loss procedures will still depend on your policy. If you are undergoing a Lap-Band procedure, you can call your insurance provider and ask them for an assessment. During insurance verification, you must check if the coverage includes the surgical procedure, band revision, and band removal. 

Most insurance companies will also require a letter from your bariatric doctor stating the medical need for the gastric band procedure. You must also present the documentation proving that you are a Lap-Band candidate.

How Much Does LAP-BAND Cost in Southern California?

The cost of a gastric band procedure is different for each patient. To help you understand the various factors that could affect your operation’s cost, we outlined some of the main aspects to consider.

Your LAP-BAND price quote should have all of the expenses you might be billed for, including:

  • Adjustments and fills
  • Anesthesia fee
  • Hospital or surgery center fee
  • Pre-op tests and assessments
  • Surgeon fee

In case you do not have insurance or the procedure is not covered by your policy, we have financing programs that can help you pay for the procedure through installments.

LAP-BAND Surgery the Best Weight Loss Procedure for Me?

The best surgical procedure for you will depend on your health condition and willingness to commit to a weight-loss program. Our surgeons will assess and recommend the appropriate procedure best suited for your weight loss goals.

Unlike bypass patients, Lap-band patients will experience gradual weight loss. Lap-band surgery is best suited for patients who do not want sudden weight loss. Furthermore, Lap-Band surgery is ideal for patients who want a less invasive option.

References

  1. Sherf Dagan, S., Goldenshluger, A., Globus, I., Schweiger, C., Kessler, Y., Kowen Sandbank, G., Ben-Porat, T., & Sinai, T. (2017). Nutritional Recommendations for Adult Bariatric Surgery Patients: Clinical Practice. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 8(2), 382–394. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.116.014258
  2. Lap-Band Official Website. Excess weight results. Retrieved from https://www.lapband.com/

Your Journey to Overcoming Obesity Starts Here.

Weight loss surgery is a tool to reset your life.

Our comprehensive program is everything you need to set you up for your new life and to keep the weight off. All you have to to find out if we’re right for you is to book an appointment.