Specialty Surgeries › Medical Services › Services

Dr. Martin Barrios, M.D.

Martin Barrios, MD and Peter Denk, MD are specialists in weight loss surgeries, including LAP-BAND, ROSE Incisionless surgical procedure and other types of surgical approaches to the treatment of obesity.

The LAP-BAND is the least invasive, safest surgical option for weight loss available today.  The LAP-BAND is the only adjustable surgical option for customized weight loss and is completely reversible.

If you have regained weight after Gastric Bypass, you may be eligible for the ROSE Incisionless surgery to start you back on the road to losing weight.   Dr. Denk is one of the first doctors in the country to perform the ROSE Incisionless weight loss surgery.

If you are contemplating weight loss surgery, it is important to get the facts first.  Lehigh Regional Medical Center understands the importance of making educated choices and is pleased to present free weight loss seminars about the LAP-BAND procedure.  These seminars are designed to help you get answers to your questions.  Free seminars are held in our cafeteria (reservations are not required, but recommended). 

 Visit our website: Bariatrics by Barrios for more information about this and other procedures we perform.

LAP-BAND Frequent Asked Questions:

Am I A Candidate For The LAP-BAND?

• You may be eligible for the LAP-BAND System if:

* You may be eligible for the LAP-BAND System if: You are at least 18 years old.
* You weigh at least twice  your ideal weight or at least 100 pounds more than your ideal weight.
* You have been overweight for more than 5 years.
* Your serious weight-loss attempts have had only short-term success.
* You are not suffering from any other disease that may have caused your obesity.
* You are prepared  to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle, and to continue being monitored by the specialist treating you.
* You do not drink alcohol in excess.
* If you do not meet the weight criteria, you still may be considered for surgery if you are suffering from serious health problems. 
* Your surgeon may have additional criteria.

The LAP-BAND System Advantage

Minimal Trauma    
* Least invasive surgical option   
* No intestinal re-routing   
* No cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel
*  Small incisions and minimal scarring   
* Reduced patient pain, length of hospital stay and recovery period   
* Fewer Risks and Side Effects   
* Significantly lower mortality risk than other obesity surgery procedures   
* Low risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with gastric bypass   
* Reduced risk of hair loss   
* No "dumping syndrome" related to dietary intake restrictions

Adjustable    
* Allows individualized degree of restriction for ideal, long-term weight-loss rate   
* Adjustments performed without additional surgery   
* Supports pregnancy by allowing stomach outlet size to be opened for increased nutritional needs

Reversible    
* Removable at any time   
* Stomach and other anatomy are generally restored to their original forms and functions

How Does The LAP-BAND work?

LAP-BAND induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed.  During the procedure, surgeons usually use laparoscopic techniques (using small incisions and long-shafted instruments), to implant an inflatable silicone band into the patient's abdomen.  List a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch that limits and controls the amount of food you eat.  It also creates a small outlet that slows the emptying process into the stomach and the intestines.  As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food.  In turn, this results in weight loss.

Call Dr. Barrios and Dr. Denk's office at 239-368-0241 for more information, or visit 1530 Lee Blvd. Suite 1100 (Medical Building in front of the Lehigh Regional Medical Center)