The gastric band promotes weight loss by limiting your food and calorie intake, but it can become too tight.  You should feel significant restriction from your band with most meals, but not necessarily every time you eat.  Significant restriction refers to pinching of the band that forces you to take smaller bites, chew for longer periods, [...]

The gastric band is designed to make you feel full from smaller portions, and to feel full for a longer period of time.  It gently squeezes the stomach to create a small pouch, and restricts how much food and liquid may pass.  You should have the sensation of “restriction” from your band with most meals.  [...]

Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalomin, serves an important function for the development of our red blood cells (which carry oxygen to our tissues) and the function of our nervous system. We obtain most of our Vitamin B12 from foods rich in protein, and the highest levels are found in mollusks, clams, liver, beef, and eggs. Also, [...]

Alopecia, or hair loss, can occur from any type of rapid weight loss. As your body loses weight, it “starves” for protein.  If you do not supply enough protein in your diet, your body will begin to “take” protein from natural storage sites – mostly, your hair, nails, and muscle.  Following Bariatric Surgery, patients tend [...]

Dumping syndrome occurs in early and late forms of weight loss surgery. Early dumping syndrome occurs approximately 20 to 30 minutes after a meal, and may cause nausea, cramping, diarrhea, sweating, or dizziness. Late dumping syndrome occurs 2 to 3 hours after eating, and is far less common. Symptoms may include nausea, cramping, or diarrhea. [...]

At first, some weight loss surgery patients experience hunger that is similar to before the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) was placed. As your Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) is “filled,” and you experience greater “restriction,” your body will get used to your decreased caloric intake. Within a few to several weeks from surgery, this [...]