WHY AIBL?

1. Lap-Band Total Care Certified Program.

Dr. Ganta and other staff at AIBL are Total Care certified. Achievement of certification reinforces the expertise of the practice and their commitment to patient care. The LAP-BAND TOTAL CARE(tm) Program represents a standard of excellence in the assessment, treatment and ongoing care of adjustable gastric banding patients. If you are interested in this life-changing procedure, you can be sure that LAP-BAND(r) Adjustable Gastric Banding System surgeons and their teams are highly trained in weight loss (bariatric) surgery. And, they are all dedicated to successfully treating your unique needs and concerns with respect and dignity.

2. Birth place in Texas for Single Incision Lap band-umbilical with no visible scars.

Dr. Sashi Ganta, a Board Certified weight loss /bariatric surgeon in Austin, Texas, is believed to have performed the first trans-umbilical LAP-BAND® weight loss surgery in the state of Texas with no visible scar on Tuesday, September 9, 2008.

Dr. Ganta has pioneered the new procedure for placement of the Lap-band with a single incision of less than 1 inch hidden in the umbilicus, therefore leaving no visible scars. The SILS band technique improves cosmetic results and may possibly lead to faster recovery and less pain. It’s a new option for patients considering the LAP-BAND® or the REALIZE Band for the surgical treatment of obesity. For more information click here.

Dr. Ganta is one of the first surgeons in the country and believed to be the first surgeon in Texas to perform this advanced banding technique. His technique has received widespread recognition and Dr. Ganta teaches other experienced bariatric surgeons at courses, conferences and in his practice in Austin.

3. AIBL practice is dedicated to Weight Loss Surgery. It is our passion! It is our focus!

Dr. Sashi Ganta established the Austin Institute of Bariatrics and Laparoscopy in 2006 as a premier bariatric surgery practice. Dr Ganta comes to Austin from Chicago with 4 years of experience in Bariatric surgery as an independent practitioner. He has excellent credentials with residency in New York, fellowship in Laparoscopy at Yale University and advanced bariatric training with some of the top surgeons in the country. He won the TOPGUN award for laparoscopic suturing at the American College of Surgeons in 2000 and is one of the experienced bariatric surgeons in Austin.

AIBL is established with a dedication and commitment to care for weight loss surgery patients. Recognizing that weight loss surgery is a journey and not a destination, AIBL takes a holistic approach to weight loss surgery with comprehensive before, during and after surgery care. Patients at AIBL have access to excellent and unique after care services.

4. Approved advanced surgeon training site for Single Incision Lap Band.

Dr. Ganta's practice at AIBL is one of the few selected training sites nationally to train other experienced bariatric surgeons on the single incision gastric band methods and techniques. Surgeons from all over the country fly into Austin to visit Dr. Ganta's practice and learn about the advanced techniques for Single Incision Lap Band placement (SILS band) leaving no visible scars.

5. AIBL has excellent results with a very low complication rate.

Dr. Ganta has established a credible record with well over 400 bariatric procedures in his practice after completion of all training. He has impressive results with no deaths, no leaks and no major infections as of June 1st 2008*. (See disclaimer below). The national average death rate is 0.5% and leak rate is about 2%. Please see the table below for a comparison of some of the published studies and Dr. Ganta’s results side by side.

6. In Austin AIBL offers the full spectrum of weight loss surgery.

Most bariatric surgery practices offer either the Lapband or the Gastric bypass. At AIBL Dr. Ganta offers all the available procedures including the Lapband, Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Duodenal Switch, Stomaphyx and Revisions. In fact Dr. Ganta is one of the few surgeons in Texas offering the Duodenal Switch laparoscopically. Patients from as far as Dallas and Houston looking for the duodenal switch procedure seek Dr. Ganta’s services in Austin.

AIBL brings the next frontier in Surgery to Austin, NOTES or endoscopic surgical procedures performed without any incisions. AIBL now offers the STOMAPHYX, totally endoscopic out patient procedure for weight loss revision surgery with no incisions at all!

7. Personalized care by your surgeon is AIBL commitment to our patients.

AIBL is committed to personalized care. We recognize that the decision to have surgery is a major change for our patients. Dr. Ganta therefore oversees patient care every step of the way before the surgery and after the surgery at the follow up visits. This personalized attention is very much appreciated by our patients. Testimonials from AIBL patients are available here.

AIBL has developed several premium aftercare services for our patients. Some of them include

• Champs club – enhance your success rate by joining in the exclusive club.
• Mentorship program – have a friend to hold hand throughout the process
• Patient Portal – premium web access program and tools for patient support
• Bariatric Surgery Prep programs – preparing patients adequately for surgery and
  fulfilling insurance requirements for approval.
• Support groups at AIBL – exclusively for AIBL patients with guest speakers.

8. AIBL offers incredible value for our self-pay patients !

AIBL offers one of the most affordable self-pay package prices in Texas because we are sensitive to our self-pay patient needs and concerns. When you consider the level of personalized care AIBL provides combined with our experience and focus in bariatric surgery, this is an incredible value!

Please see below for a comparative analysis of AIBL pricing.