Lap-Band Surgery

Lap-Band Surgery is an alternative method of losing weight that involves surgery. It is only intended for use in people who are morbidly obese, which means they are at high risk for other medical conditions as a result of their obesity. The traditional, natural methods of diet and exercise are preferred, but sometimes they are not successful. Lap-Band Surgery should only be considered when diet and exercise do not work.

Lap-Band Surgery, approved by the FDA in 2001, has become a well known method of weight loss. This surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, involves placing a prosthetic devise called a Lap-Band around the upper stomach. This makes the stomach smaller, which limits the amount of food a person can keep in their stomach. The Lap-Band has a port and can be adjusted by filling the port with saline. This allows the stomach to be smaller if necessary. Fluid can easily be removed from the Lap-Band by your doctor if needed. Lap-Band Surgery is a permanent solution to weight loss because it allows a person to control their hunger while feeling full. Therefore, a person who undergoes Lap-Band Surgery will be able to lose weight and keep it off.

Not everyone is eligible for Lap-Band Surgery. The National Institutes of Health have set the requirements for this surgery. You must have a BMI between 35 and 39 and additional medical problems that are associated with obesity such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and high cholesterol. However, if your BMI is more than 40 you do not have to have additional medical problems to qualify.

Insurance coverage for this surgery varies. Your insurance company may or may not pay for it. Most insurance companies that do offer coverage for Lap-Band Surgery require that you have a history of weight loss attempts. Even if your insurance company will not pay for the surgery, you do have the option of paying for it out of pocket. The cost of Lap-Band Surgery varies by geographic location and ranges from $17,000 to $30,000.

Lap-Band Surgery takes approximately one hour to complete. It may be necessary to stay in the hospital overnight. Expect to be out of work for approximately one week. After the surgery, you will need to follow a specific nutrition plan designed by your surgeon and/or dietician. You may also be instructed to exercise.

Possible complications are associated with Lap-Band Surgery. Bleeding and infection may occur. The Lap-Band may slip in the stomach as weight loss occurs, which will lead to heartburn and vomiting. However, this can normally be repaired laparoscopically. There is also the rare occurrence of the band eroding inside the stomach.

Lap-Band Surgery is highly successful. People who undergo this surgery normally lose 50% to 60% of their body weight within two years following the surgery. Plastic surgery is sometimes needed for cosmetic repair after someone has lost a great deal of weight from Lap-Band Surgery.

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Understanding Lap-Band Surgery Recommended Resources:

University of California - Medical Center

Southwestern Medical Center