People investigating the Lapband procedure may find the following Internet sites helpful.
If you have found any other websites useful and would like them to be added to this list send an e-mail with the site details to Lapbander@hotmail.com.
Bioenterics (Now Inamed Health)
www.inamedhealth.com
This company manufactures the Lapbands used by New Zealand surgeons. This site contains an overview of the procedure and a picture of a Lapband. The site also provides information on how much weight you can expect to lose, who can be considered, what life is like with the band and its advantages.
Obtech Medical (Acquired by Ethicon Endo-Surgery)
www.ethiconendo.com/
This company manufactures the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) which is similar in design to the Bioenterics Lapband but is not used in New Zealand. This site contains general information about the procedure, dietary instructions and pre-operative information.
International Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery Team (ILOST)
http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/
This page provides a wealth of information about the Lapband including a 17 minute movie showing the whole procedure. You will need to have the VIVO plug-in in order to view the movie.
The Story of Surgery for Obesity
www.asbs.org/html/story/chapter5.html
This section of &The Story of Surgery for Obesity&, written by Dr Alex MacGregor, provides an overview of the Lapband Procedure. It contains one of the best summaries of the risks associated with the surgery.
Ozband: Australian WLS Support Group
http://www.ozband.com
This site contains a wealth of information on Lapband surgery including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), recipes, profiles and a discussion forum.
Eurobandsters
http://www.euroband.org
As well as providing links to the Lapband sites generally recognised as being significant, this site provides a listing of the European surgeons currently performing Lapband surgery and a photo gallery of the active Eurobandsters.
Bandsters
http://www.thebandsters.com
This is the Bandsters homepage. Bandsters are defined as people who are investigating the Lapband procedure or have had the operation. This site provides a great overview of the procedure, a comprehensive list of links and profiles of several people who have had the operation.
Weight Loss Surgery Information and Support
www/wlsinfo.org.uk
Lots of helpful information including over before and after pictures of over 20 UK Lapbanders!
AGB and Lapband Journey Webrings
http://dir.webring.com
These webrings link together a number of websites put together by people who have had an adjustable gastric band. Most sites include details of weight loss, pictures and personal stories. To find them do a search for Lapband or AGB in the space provided.
Faces of Weight Loss Surgery
www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?list&ring=wlssring
This webring brings together the homepages of a number of people from around the world who have undergone a number of different types of weight loss surgery. The majority have had stomach stapling but you will find a few Lapbanders amongst them.
Olwyn’s Obesity Surgery Links
Homepages.ihug.co.nz/~olwen/ocwlnkws.htm
Olwyn is a New Zealander who underwent a gastric bypass operation with Richard Stubbs in Wellington. She maintains a comprehensive list of links to sites containing valuable information on a variety of weight loss procedures.
Discussion Lists
There are a number of Lapband discussion lists around the world which have been established to help Lapbanders to get in touch with each other and discuss life with the Band.
To join simply visit the websites listed and choose the SUBSCRIBE option at the top right hand side of the screen.
