Unity Hospital hosts live webcast of weight loss surgery
Replay of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery now available
FRIDLEY, Minn. 10/31/2008--Allina Hospitals & Clinics' Unity Hospital presented a live weight loss surgery online at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30. Jeffrey Baker, MD, performed a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, commonly known as Lap-Band® or Realize Band™ surgery, while Frederick Johnson, MD, answered viewer questions, and spoke about the benefits of adjustable banding procedures.
Adjustable gastric banding restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold by placing an inflatable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. The new, small upper stomach pouch limits the amount of food that can be consumed at one time, and a narrowed stomach outlet increases the time it takes for the stomach to empty. The subsequent reduction in food intake results in weight loss. Illustration © Allergan, Inc.  View animation of adjustable gastric banding (Windows Media Player required)
A replay of the webcast is available on OR-live.com.
"This is a great opportunity for individuals contemplating weight loss surgery to learn more about a minimally invasive, proven option for surgical weight loss," said Frederick Johnson, MD, surgeon and co-medical director for the Unity Hospital Bariatric Center.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery
During the laparoscopic gastric banding procedure, surgeons make several small incisions and use long instruments, called laparoscopes, to place a silicone band around the top of the patient's stomach, creating a small stomach pouch. As a result, the patient feels fuller with smaller amounts of food, resulting in weight loss. The band can be further adjusted to limit or increase the amount of food the stomach can hold, or adapt to future lifestyle changes such as pregnancy.
In addition to weight loss, patients frequently see many other health benefits, including better control or resolution of diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma, heartburn, cancers and many other illnesses associated with morbid obesity.
This procedure also has significantly shorter recovery times than other weight loss surgeries.
"Laparoscopic procedures only require four to six small incisions, rather than the much larger incision required for traditional weight loss surgery," says Jeffrey Baker, MD, surgeon and co-medical director for the Unity Hospital Bariatric Center. "Most of our patients go home after one night in the hospital."
Unity Hospital's Bariatric Center
Nationally recognized as a "Bariatric Center of Excellence" by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, Unity Hospital's Bariatric Center is dedicated to helping patients achieve significant weight loss, which can lead to a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Unity's Bariatric Center has treated more than 5,000 patients for the disease of morbid obesity since 1996. From its beginning, the center has been a resource for community education, medical training, and patient care. The Center offers a variety of proven weight loss surgery options, including open or laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery, and the increasingly popular laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (including LAP-Band® and REALIZE Band™).
Free introduction to weight loss surgery classes
Unity Hospital's Bariatric Center offers free introductory classes for anyone interested in learning about surgical weight loss options, including adjustable gastric banding. You can register online or call Allina Class Registration at 612-262-3333 or 1-800-877-7878 for more information.
About Unity Hospital
Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minnesota, responds to a wide range of health care needs. Unity is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a not-for-profit family of hospitals, clinics and other care services dedicated to meeting the lifelong health care needs of communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. More information about Unity Hospital can be found at allinaunity.org.
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Related Links
Allina's Bariatric Centers: Weight loss surgery
Bariatric surgery requirements
Weight loss surgery support groups
Allina Marketing & Communications Twitters @ AllinaComm.
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