Weight Loss Solutions

Thanks to wonderful power of the internet, anyone can sound like an expert of any particular topic. The internet can provide some great and reliable info sources but for every reliable source there are just as many, if not more, sources that have little to no credibility. It seems we often find ourselves letting myths or negative experiences scare us from making the right decision for ourselves. Often, these myths will take a partial truth and blend them with an individual’s negative experience. These sources are largely based on emotion and not fact. Dr. McEwen has an extensive amount of experience in bariatric surgery with over 11 years exclusively in LAP-BAND® procedures and his experience can help address current myths often found while browsing the internet. In this two part blog, we’ll address surgical myths in part 1 and patient myths in part 2.

1. LAP-BAND®, or any other weight loss surgery, is the easy way out. Obesity can easily be taken care of with diet and exercise.
   
   Obesity is a chronic disease recognized by the American Medical Association.. As obesity increases throughout the United States, the number of secure and proper treatment drop to a low number. More and more dieting programs become glamorized, new at-home workout ‘routines’ or gym-like-culture programs ravish pop-culture, all while any form of weight-loss surgery is shamed because of the ‘many weight loss choices’ out there. Just like other surgeries, the LAP-BAND® system is an effective and long-term solution to losing weight for those who suffer from obesity. Diet and exercise continues to be important factors of the LAP-BAND® procedure and education from our medical team on how to combine these together. Post-surgery, patients continue to actively work on reshaping their food intake, changing their relationship with food, and utilizing the LAP-BAND® as a tool. This bariatric band is not meant to do all the work, but to help with the work the patient is doing. So no, the LAP-BAND®, or any other weight-loss, surgery is not the ‘easy way out’; it’s the brave way.
2. It’s very expensive and insurance will not cover my procedure.
   
   Bariatric surgery is not cheap, it’s an investment in your health and your future. Weight loss surgery expenses can be compared to the consistent medical expenses related to weight health issues, projecting a 5 year return in your health investment, more on LAP-BAND® surgery cost here. Now, insurance coverage completely depends on the plan you currently have. In our experience, most insurance do offer some form of bariatric surgery coverage. There may be some requirements, which can determine when exactly your surgery will be. Dr. McEwen’s team gathers the necessary information from patients and their insurance to properly determine coverage. In the case insurance does not offer bariatric coverage, we’ll look at other options with our patient. Read our insurance post for more information on insurance coverage and requirements.
3. The gastric-sleeve is better than the LAP-BAND®.
   
   Not true. This all depends on the patient and their various health factors and weight loss needs. It also depends on the medical regulations each patient is challenged with and each procedure has qualities that appeal to different types of patients. In our experience, the LAP-BAND® has zero to a very low mortality rate and is the only bariatric procedure that is reversible and does not make permanent alterations to organs. The gastric-sleeve does provide a more rapid weight loss in comparison to the gastric band, however, a mild weight loss shows a longer lasting success rate.
4. LAP-BANDs are outdated and no one is putting them in anymore.
   Dr. McEwen preformed his first LAP-BAND® surgery in 2005 and currently preforms all LAP-BAND® procedures (implementation, adjustments, tightening and regulatory check-ups) in his bariatrics practice at Community Surgery Center Hamilton. He has complied a team of medical certified experienced professionals that share his believes and approach to weight loss. Dr. McEwen preforms over 15 LAP-BAND® surgeries per month in addition to any other bariatric procedure he offers. The technology LAP-BAND® offers is a long term tool that is adjustable to your weight loss needs, goals, and level of improvement. This implantable device is adjustable, can be repositioned and it can be removed. As medicine continues to evolve, our belief is that the bariatric band offers patients the chance to maintain the full anatomy of their stomach, offering higher possibilities to any future bariatric treatment.
5. Surgery is very dangerous with long recuperation time.
   LAP-BAND® surgery is performed laparoscopically, making it minimally invasive and an outpatient procedure. Recovery is speedy and, depending on the nature of work, some patients can be back to work within a few days. Over his 11+ years of bariatric experience, Dr. McEwen has a 0 mortality rate and a low number of complications. Patients are educated and guided through the pre and post-op processes to increase their LAP-BAND® weight loss success. Other bariatric procedures do have a higher risk due to the nature of the surgery.

For personalized information on LAP-BAND surgery click here and ORBERA click here.

Click here for part 2.

To learn more about Dr. McEwen and the Community Surgery Center Hamilton team visit our facebook page or call our office at 317-621-2500.

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