FAQs
Lap-Band FAQ (14)
Weight-loss results vary from patient to patient, and the amount of weight you lose depends on several things. The LAP-BAND® System needs to be in the right position, and you need to be committed to your new lifestyle and healthy eating habits.
Although the LAP-BAND® System is not meant to be removed, it can be. Physicians report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed. After the removal, though, you may soon go back up to your original weight.
The LAP-BAND® System makes you eat less and feel full in two ways – first by reducing the capacity of your stomach and second by increasing the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you should feel full. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food and then chew it well, you should not feel hungry or deprived. Remember that the LAP-BAND® is a tool to help you change your eating habits.
The LAP-BAND® System does not hamper physical activity including aerobics, stretching and strenuous exercise.
Adjustments are performed without surgery, using a thin needle to inject or withdraw saline from the band via the access port. They can be done in an office setting or can be carried out in the X-ray department under flouroscopy. When X-rays are used, your reproductive organs should be shielded. Sometimes most adjustments take 10 to 15 minutes and patients say they are nearly painless.
After a successful procedure, you will not have any activity restrictions based on the access port. It is placed under the skin in the abdominal wall, and once the incisions have healed the access port should not cause discomfort or limit any physical exercise. The only sensation you may experience from the port occurs when you go in for adjustments.
This is a fairly common feeling, especially for patients with bands that are tight to begin with to facilitate maximum weight loss, or for patients who have just had an adjustment. During the day the water content in the body changes, causing the band to feel tighter some of the time. Some women have also noticed that the LAP-BAND® System feels tighter during menstruation.
One of the major advantages of the LAP-BAND® System is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be tightened by increasing the amount of saline. If the band cannot be loosened enough, it may have to be removed.
Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After pregnancy, the band may be made tighter again and you can resume losing weight.
You may eat most foods that don’t cause you discomfort. However, because you can only eat a little at any given time, it is important to include foods rich in important vitamins and nutrients—foods such as those recommended by your physician and/or dietitian. If you eat foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of empty calories, such as milkshakes, the effect of the LAP-BAND® System may be greatly reduced or even cancelled.
You may. It’s possible to not get enough vitamins from three small meals a day. At your regular check-ups, your physician will evaluate whether you are getting enough vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron.
You should be able to take prescribed medication, though you may need to (1) use capsules or (2) break big tablets in half or dissolve them in water so they do not get stuck in the stoma and make you sick. Always ask the doctor who prescribes the drugs about this. Your physician may tell you to avoid taking aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers because they may irritate the stomach. The problems these drugs may cause could result in band removal.
Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down vitamins so it is not recommended as a healthy food choice. However, an occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage is not necessarily considered harmful to weight loss.
Check-ups are a normal and very important part of the LAP-BAND® System follow-up.
Laser Hair Removal FAQ (6)
Whether you suffer from a furry legs or a hairy back , Laser Hair Removal can eliminate the hair for good. Moreover, it’s ideal for virtually any part of the body (except around the eyes and brows). Legs, neck, back, bikini, chest, face, chin underarm, shoulders. If you’ve got it, Laser can eliminate it.
After your initial consultation and preparation your experienced treatment provider will move a wand-like hand piece over your skin. The handpiece emits a light that disables the hair follicles. Most people perceive the light as a gentle “snapping” sensation, but few experience pain. Once this is completed, the treatment provider will wipe away any loose hair from your skin. And you will be free to resume activities.
Most people experience some mild redness and tenderness in the treated area shortly after treatment. This does not interfere with normal activities and usually subsides within a day. In some cases, the redness may last longer, but will still be mild and temporary. It is highly recommended that you avoid sun, tanning beds and use sunscreens during your treatment period.
Pulsed-light systems and lasers are very similar, removing hair in basically the same manner. However, the Paolmar Pulsed Light Systems employed by Soluna MD uses a new technology that removes hair up to ten times faster than traditional hair removal lasers.
The duration of the treatment depends on the area that is being treated.
Legs …………….. Approx. 30 min Back …………….. Approx. 30 min
Bikini Line ……. Approx. 15 min. Underarms ……. Approx. 15 min.
Chin ……………. Approx. 10 min. Upper Lip ……… Approx. 10 min.
Legs …………….. Approx. 30 min Back …………….. Approx. 30 min
Bikini Line ……. Approx. 15 min. Underarms ……. Approx. 15 min.
Chin ……………. Approx. 10 min. Upper Lip ……… Approx. 10 min.
Yes. If you’ve been told that you weren’t a candidate for Laser Hair Removal, then call Soluna MD and start eliminating unwanted hair today.
SmartLipo Ultra FAQ (7)
Smartlipo laserlipolysis is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The procedure disrupts the fat cells through a thermal and photodisruptive action – heating and shattering the fat cell membrane. The laser coagulates the underlying vessels due to the hemostatic properties of the laser, resulting in less bleeding, bruising, trauma as well as less down time. As an added benefit the system has also been reported to promote tissue tightening through bulk thermal heating and tissue coagulation.
The procedure is commonly performed under local and tumescent anesthesia. A laser fiber is introduced through a handpiece and detachable cannula. The cannula is then inserted through a 1 to 2 mm incision in the skin and into fat pockets. The cannula, with the tip of the fiber exposed approximately 2 mm, is then moved in a “back and forth” fanning motion. The laser’s aiming beam can be visualized through the skin, allowing the physician to identify the treatment area. As the fiber tip comes in contact with the fat cells it ruptures the cell membranes and releases the fatty oil from the fat cells. This end product may then be aspirated from the site.
Treats unwanted fat and fat tissue irregularities
• Promotes tissue coagulation resulting in skin tissue tiahtenina
• Treats flabby or lax skin and areas of high vascularity
• Minimal edema and bleeding due to the laser’s hemostatic properties
• Minimal bruising
• Causes less trauma and faster healing time than traditional liposuction
The Smartlipo is an Nd:Y A G laser with high peak power and a high rep rate of 40 Hz. The laser energy is delivered using a 300 micron fiber which is threaded through the handpiece and cannula. Does this procedure have FDA Clearance? The Smartlipo has been cleared by the FDA for laser-assisted lipolysis. It is also cleared for incision, vaporization, ablation and coagulation of soft tissue.
Yes! The Smartlipo procedure permanently destroys the treated fat cells. Adults do not create new fat cells. When a person gains weight, that person’s fat cells simply expand. Should you gain weight, that fat will most likely be deposited in areas where the procedure was not performed.
Ideal candidates are in good health, close to normal body weight and have realistic expectations for the results. If the person has areas of fat that will not respond to diet and exercise, then that person is a candidate for laser-assisted lipolysis.
For most patients, typically only one treatment is required. The session may last from 45 minutes to one hour for each area treated. Laserlipolysis is also an ideal choice for “touch ups” and revisions.
At Soluna MD, Cosmetic Surgeon John W. Chang, M.D., performs all Smart Lipo Ultra, LipoSelection, Lipo-Dissolve, Laser Lipo Permalift Non-Invasive Facelift, Suture Suspensions, BOTOX® and Filler injections.