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Eufrocino Martinez, M.D.
New Reflections
Norwalk, CA
  • Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
  • Lapband (Laparoscopic Gastric Banding)
  • Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
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Gastric Banding Surgery Cost & Profile

  • Avg. Cost: $25000
  • Candidate: BMI of 40 or higher
  • Length: 2 hours
  • Treatments: One
  • Results: Permanent but reversable
  • Back to work: 3-6 weeks

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Photo Eufrocino Martinez, M.D.
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Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss)

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Key Benefits of the REALIZE Band for Weight Loss


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The REALIZE gastric band procedure was approved by the FDA in 2007, and has since attracted thousands of patients who want to lose weight permanently and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. 
 
The REALIZE band is different than conventional lap-band and gastric banding procedures because of the support tools and resources that patients have access to as part of their maintenance program. These tools allow patients to transition to a healthier lifestyle and successfully lose weight for life. Since the procedure involves a significant amount of food restriction and changes in dietary needs, many patients need some support to get through recovery and adopt their new lifestyle.

How the REALIZE Band Works

The REALIZE band is made with a flexible silicone material that is attached to the upper pouch of the stomach. It is an adjustable band, and the patient can only comfortably consume about ½ cup of food at one time because the band creates pressure around the stomach which makes the patient feel fuller, sooner. 
 
Since the patient only eats very small portions of food at a time, they must remember to eat nutritionally balanced meals throughout the day. This is why many patients work with a nutritionist or dietician immediately after surgery; they must re-learn how to eat with the lap band.

Benefits of REALIZE Lap Band Surgery

In addition to the wealth of weight loss resources available for REALIZE patient, the procedure has proven to have fewer adverse effects and complications when compared to LAP-BAND and other gastric banding procedures. Reports of band slippage, band erosion or port displacement were significantly lower than those for Lap-Band patients in U.S. clinical trials. 
 
Some patients can lose up to 20% of their excess body weight within six months after surgery, and over 50% of excess body weight after one year. This weight loss is permanent as long as patients follow the diet and exercise program recommended by their bariatric doctor and nutritionist, and continue to take positive steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
 
Other key benefits include:
  • Reducing total amount of food consume without affecting absorption rates of nutrients in the stomach
  • Weight loss is consistent and painless
  • Non-invasive surgery
  • Improved overall health, vitality and quality of life
  • Access to online support groups and other resources to help maintain weight loss

Maintaining Weight Loss with the REALIZE Band

Patients who undergo the REALIZE lap band surgery procedure typically follow a very restricted liquid diet immediately after surgery, and then must commit to eating small, easily digestible meals for the weeks and months after surgery. Patients who want to lose a significant amount of weight must also undertake some form of cardio exercise.
 
Eating the smaller portions may be one of the most significant changes patients need to make in order to maintain results after surgery. ½ cup servings in one sitting mean patients need to eat nutritionally-condensed foods and make sure they are eating frequently throughout the day to meet their daily calorie requirements. Still, these habits can be learned over a period of weeks and months, and will ensure optimum health throughout the patient’s life.
 
Learn more about gastric banding surgery in our information guide, or consult with a bariatric surgeon in your area to find out if the REALIZE band is the weight loss solution for you.

 

Published: 02/06/2009, Last Updated: 02/06/2009

By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers

Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.





Gastric Banding Surgery Surgery Information Guide

Basics of Gastric Banding Surgery
"I've heard about the surgery and I'm looking to learn a bit more about things like cost, whether it's right for me, and what options I have."
  1. Gastric Bypass / Gastric Banding Basics
    Bariatric surgery, the surgical reduction of stomach volume, has been performed for decades in the United States. The two FDA approved procedures practiced most frequently are gastric bypass, which creates a small pouch that is attached to the small intestine, and gastric banding, a silicone band strapped around the upper portion of the stomach. Many of today's surgeries are done with minimally invasive technology that reduces pain and scarring.
  2. BMI for Children and Teens (BMI-for-age)
    Calculate the BMI for children and find out what it means.
  3. Body Mass Index Calculator (BMI)
    Take a moment to calculate your BMI and find out what it means. BMI is just one of many factors related to developing a chronic disease (such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes).
  4. Bariatric Surgery Basics
    When diet and exercise have failed to produce results, an increasing percent of the population has turned to bariatric surgery, dramatically reducing their stomach volume. Though this procedure can offer benefits such as weight loss and reversal of life threatening diseases like type II diabetes, there are also associated risks that patients should be aware of. Choosing your surgeon carefully and being dedicated to post-operative changes in eating habits are steps to successful surgery.
Details of Gastric Banding Surgery
"I already know some basic things about the surgery and I'm ready to research some of the details and maybe ask some questions."
  1. Re-Facing Surgery: Choosing Facial Plastic Surgery after Weight-Loss...
    Contouring of the Body after weight loss is a major concern for many bariatric patients, however, extra skin around the face can create similar aesthetic issues. Beverly Hills surgeon Dr. David Saadat discusses his experience with re-shaping the face of post-bariatric patients.
  2. Dietary Guidelines Focus on Calories, Physical Activity, and...
    The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans was realesed January 12th. The report focuses on how Americans can live a healthier lifestyle by monitoring what foods their calories come from.
  3. Bariatric Surgery Links
    Links to other sites of interest about bariatric surgery.
  4. Do I Need Plastic Surgery After My Bariatric Surgery?
    After bariatric surgery excess skin can become droopy and saggy. Learn what plastic surgery can do to fix this problem.
  5. Patient Perspective: Life After Gastric Bypass
    Two years after gastric bypass surgery Stacy Long has lost a hundred pounds and is feeling better than ever, but it took a lot of effort. Read how she adapted to life after surgery and changed her life.
  6. Patient Perspective: Losing Weight, Gaining Self-Confidence
    Marsha Friedberg underwent bariatric surgery in 2001 and plastic surgery to re-contour her body 3 years later. She is now healthy, happy, and enjoying life like she hasn't in years.
  7. Studying the Effects of Bariatric Surgery
    Recent studies show that experienced surgeons and hospitals greatly reduce the risks associated with bariatric surgery.
  8. Is Bariatric Surgery A Safe Option For Teens?
    New evidence suggests that teenagers are at no greater risk when they undergo bariatric surgery in order to lose weight, but some doctors are still skeptical.
  9. How to Choose the Right Doctor for Weight Loss Surgery
    With dozens of bariatric surgeons and doctors available, how do you make the right choice? Here are some tips on choosing the right doctor for weight loss surgery:
  10. 10 Things You Need for Recovery After Plastic Surgery
    Your procedure may leave you with scars, pain and stress during the recovery stages, and planning ahead with the right tools and supplies can make recovery much easier. Here are the top ten things you need.
  11. Gastric Banding Surgery Before & After Photos
Ready for Gastric Banding Surgery
"I've pretty much finished by research on the surgery and I think I'm ready to find and meet with a doctor to get started."
  1. Seven Signs You?re Ready for Plastic Surgery
    If you?ve decided to jump into a plastic surgery to fix a figure flaw, you?ll be joining millions of Americans going under the knife for the latest procedure. But are you really ready?
  2. Find Bariatric Doctors around Marina Del Rey, CA
  3. Find Bariatric Doctors In Other Cities
  4. Patient Financing
    Think you'll need help paying for your surgery? Almost anyone is a candidate for easy financing of up to 100% of the surgery costs.
After Gastric Banding Surgery
  1. Healthy Lifestyle Tips After Gastric Bypass Surgery ? Living...
    From new workout routines to eating a high-protein meal plan, here are some healthy lifestyle tips for living well after drastic weight loss.
  2. Food Shopping After Gastric Bypass Surgery
    Since most bariatric patients must limit the quantities of food at each meal, a carefully planned menu is required. Here are some of the key foods to include in your weekly diet after gastric bypass surgery.
  3. Recommend Your Doctor
Featured Articles & News Related to Gastric Banding Surgery
"What other related things might I like to know?"
  1. Bariatric Surgery: When Patients Become the Center of Attention...
    Bariatric surgery centers often take a more comprehensive approach and require more from their patients than basic surgeons that may not focus solely on baraitrics. If you're a patient that benefits from additional attention and additional tools and resources, both before and after surgery, centers of this type could offer you yet another option when considering bariatric surgery.
  2. Large Diet, Large Health Risks
    Morgan Spurlock and his thirty-day McDonald?s diet gained big numbers at the box office and on his doctor's scale. Read about his health risks and public and corporate reaction after the first few months in theatre.
  3. Bariatrics: The Surgical Way to a Smaller Stomach
    The high profile cases of bariatric surgery, including Roseanne Barr, Al Roker, and Carnie Wilson, have grabbed the American publics attention. The frequency of this stomach shrinking surgery is continually growing and attracting more and more of the medical profession with better technology and more experience.
  4. Weight Loss Programs that Work ? REALIZE Gastric Band Unveiled...
    If morbid obesity is taking its toll on your health and lifestyle, gastric band surgery may be an effective way to lose the weight for good. When you have over 50 lbs. to lose, dieting and exercise usually aren?t enough; gastric band surgery can help you lose the weight by constricting the size of your stomach so you simply eat less. Weight loss experts and bariatric surgeons are now turning to an improved version of the original silicone prosthetic device of gastric bands with The REALIZE Gastric Band.
  5. Seven Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
    For those that have at least 100 pounds to lose, obesity surgery may be the only solution for stopping excessive weight gain in its tracks. Still, weight loss isn?t the only benefit of the drastic change; here are seven other advantages of the gastric bypass procedure.
  6. Treating Obesity Without Gastric Bypass Surgery ? What Are the...
    Weight loss surgery offers hope for those who need to lose more than 100 pounds, and procedures such as gastric bypass, gastric banding and other bariatric procedures are helping many win at the battle of the bulge. But is surgery the only choice for dramatic weight loss?
  7. Addiction Transfer After Gastric Bypass Surgery ? The Hidden...
    To conquer the problem of excessive weight gain and cases of obesity, many Americans turn to gastric bypass surgery to eliminate the extra pounds. Unfortunately, these patients are also vulnerable to several vices if food addiction is left unaddressed.
  8. Gastric Banding Reduces Impact of Type 2 Diabetes
    While millions of obese patients pursue gastric bypass surgery to get rid of excess pounds, weight loss may not be the only reason to go under the knife. Gastric banding surgery may help improve conditions of Type 2 diabetes; find out why.
  9. Surgeons Announce Surgery-Free Weight Loss Procedure
    Anxious to lose those excess pounds? Surgery may not be your only option; researchers are testing an innovative procedure that helps patients block out calories and lose an extensive amount of weight - all without a single incision.
  10. Key Benefits of the REALIZE Band for Weight Loss
    The REALIZE gastric band procedure was approved by the FDA in 2007, and has since attracted thousands of patients who want to lose weight permanently and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Find out if this is the best gastric banding solution for you.
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Related Subjects and Keywords: gastric banding  realize  realize band  realizing banding  realize weight loss  weight loss  lose weight  obesity  lap band surgery 


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