What Is Minimally
Invasive Surgery?
Also known as Laparoscopic Surgery.
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Rather than open the abdomen with one long incision between
the belly button and breastbone, multiple small holes are
used as entrance points for tools, and a long narrow camera.
The camera projects what is happening inside the body onto
a monitor.
Several long thin tools are also inserted through small incisions.
The tools act as the hands of the surgeon, so that he or she
can perform the surgery without using a large incision.
This approach to surgery has some advantages: reduced pain
and reduced incidence of wound infection help patients get
up, get moving, and go home faster.
Not every patient is a candidate for laparoscopic surgery,
each patient will be evaluated individually.
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In June 2001, the Lap-Band System was approved by the F.D.A.
for general use in the United States. IT IS NO LONGER CONSIDERED
INVESTIGATIONAL.
The
Lap-Band System’s silicone band is placed around the upper
part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch that can
hold only a small amount of food. 
One of
the major advantages of the Lap-Band System is that the diameter
of the band outlet is adjustable to meet your individual needs,
which can change as you lose weight. 