Here's How to Prepare for Your Lap-Band Surgery

Lap-Band® surgery is one of several types of weight-loss surgery that can help you lose excess pounds when lifestyle changes alone, such as healthy eating and exercise, don’t bring about significant weight changes.

Like endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, gastric sleeve surgery, and laparoscopic gastric bypass, Lap-Band surgery may be the recommended procedure if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher as well as a serious weight-related health condition, such as Type 2 diabetes.

(To determine your BMI, use this handy BMI calculator.)

At Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics in Atlanta, Georgia, our weight loss care providers offer a full range of weight loss surgery options, including Lap-Band surgery. With Lap-Band surgery, we place an adjustable band around your stomach to help you eat less and digest food more slowly.

If after a full evaluation and review of your goals, we recommend Lap-Band surgery, you receive full instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. Here’s a snapshot of what those preparations include.

Answers to all your questions

During appointments before your surgery, we explain the entire Lap-Band procedure to you. You may take notes or bring along a family member or friend.

You may also bring along a list of any questions you have. Ask all your questions so you fully understand your procedure and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.

Among the topics you’ll discuss with your specialist will be the lifestyle changes that we recommend.

Pre-surgical testing

We let you know what testing we require before your procedure. Tests may include blood work, imaging, and blood pressure testing. The type of testing we recommend may depend on your health history and other factors.

Specific prep instructions

Our Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics team provides you with detailed instructions about what you should do during the days and hours leading up to surgery. These instructions include information about:

When to stop eating and drinking before surgery
What to wear to your procedure
When you can expect to go home
When to take prescribed medication on the morning of surgery
How much of your prescription medication to bring with you to the surgical center
What else besides prescription medications you should bring with you to surgery
What time to arrive at the surgical center
What foods, beverages, and supplies to have at home for after surgery
Recommendations for controlling pain after surgery
A schedule for post-surgery follow-up appointments

Some of these instructions apply to everyone, and others are specific to you. For example, if you take insulin for diabetes via injections or a pump, our team lets you know the protocol for blood sugar management and insulin use throughout the pre-op process, surgery, and post-op.

Making sure you’re fully prepared

When you have Lap-Band surgery or any other procedure at Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics, our specialists and their support teams are with you every step of the way. We make sure you’re 100% prepared before your procedure begins.

To schedule a consultation with one of our highly trained specialists, contact us today to request an appointment at our Atlanta, Georgia, office.