Lap Band Surgery

Lap-Band Surgery

Lap-Band surgery is a subject that has been getting a tremendous amount of attention in the media over the past few years. Of the different types of bariatric surgery, (also called weight loss surgery), Lap-Band surgery is the one that has been popularized the most. For this reason, I have put this page together to describe the different aspects regarding this weight loss surgery and help individuals to learn a bit more about Lap-Band surgery. By learning more about the surgery my hope is that I may aid individuals in deciding if the surgery might be the appropriate route to take with regard to weight loss. You should know that I am against any kind of surgery for the purpose of weight loss as it is absolutely unnecessary, but if you are looking for information on lap band surgery you will not find a better resource on the internet than this page!

What is Lap-Band Surgery?

In a nutshell, Lap-Band Surgery is a medical procedure that involves placing a specific prosthesis which is known as the LAP-BAND around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch which then restricts the amount of food that a person can fit into their stomach. The Lap-Band (a bariatric surgery procedure) has benn approved by the FDA since 2001 and ever since then has gained increasing popularity in the world of weight loss. The procedure itself is minimally invasive as surgeons enter the stomach region via small incisions and use special surgical instruments to insert the Lap-Band. So the good news is you won't have any major scars or pain as a result of the operation and it won't keep you on your back for too long as the recovery period is short. Hospital stay is usually 24 hours or less. Most patients return to normal activity within 1 week and full surgical recovery usually occurs within about 2 weeks. The main reason for having the surgery is not only to allow you to lose weight by eating less but to keep that weight off for good. The simple science of weight loss is eat less and move more. Lap band surgery helps you to achieve the first half of the equation by eating less due to your smaller stomach.

How Does It Work?

The Lap-Band works by making the stomach smaller. When your stomach is smaller you will feel fuller quicker and as a result you will eat less. Individuals feel full much more quickly as their stomach is a smaller size than what it was prior to the surgery. In addition, the Lap-Band creates a small outlet which significantly slows down the emptying process into the stomach and intestines. Both of these factors act together in order to aid the individual in their weight loss goals.

Who Is Eligible for Surgery?

The Lap-Band procedure may not be appropriate for all individuals who wish to lose weight. Some individuals may be more receptive to the Lap-Band treatment than others would be. There are certain individuals who may be eligible for the surgery such as those who are 18 years of age or older, have a BMI of 40 or higher or weigh at least twice their ideal weight, have been overweight for over five years, do not have any disease which could have brought on the obesity and countless attempts to lose weight have not met with real success. The previously mentioned items are just a few factors that individuals may possess which may make them candidates for surgery.

On the other hand, there are certain individuals whom surgery may not be appropriate for due to certain qualities they possess. For example, individuals who have an inflammatory disease or disease of the GI tract, those who have a disease that makes them a bad candidate for surgery of any kind or individuals which have one of numerous types of stomach problems are just a few of the people for whom Lap-Band surgery may not be an option. These are just a few of the types of individuals who may be best suited for other types of weight loss programs.

Advantages of Lap-Band Surgery

There are a number of advantages to having the Lap-Band surgery performed for weight loss. The first advantage deals with the surgery itself, as the procedure is minimally invasive. When a surgery is characterized as minimally invasive it means that there will not be a lot of deep cuts and large openings during the surgery. The Lap-Band surgery is minimally invasive as surgeons perform the Lap-Band surgery by making very small incisions in the stomach region. From there they insert small surgical instruments and are able to do their work through that small opening.

The Lap-Band surgery is also advantageous as it is a less traumatic procedure overall. Since the surgery is minimally invasive, the individual having it performed not only will be more at ease while undergoing the surgery but the recovery time is less than some other forms of weight loss surgery may be. With the Lap-Band surgery an individual may have a much shorter hospital stay as well, which many find quite beneficial.

One last advantage to having the Lap-Band surgery performed is that it is reversible. The Lap-Band is something which can be removed should it become necessary to do so in the future. Simply knowing that it is not permanent in nature may provide individuals with a certain sense of security. Although doctors do not recommend it be removed for just any reason, it is still nice to know that the possibility exists.

The Lap-Band surgery is not for everyone. As mentioned previously, there are certain eligibility requirements which individuals must meet prior to having a surgery of this type performed. However, should an individual meet all of the eligibility requirements and choose to undergo this type of surgical procedure then the Lap-Band surgery is one that may just help that individual reach all of their ideal weight loss goals.

Disadvantages of Lap-Band Surgery

Slower initial weight loss

Regular follow-up critical for optimal results

Requires an implanted medical device

In some cases, effectiveness can be reduced due to band slippage

In some cases, the access port may leak and require minor revisional surgery

Before You Decide

Before you decide be sure to read the following books to learn how you can achieve your weight loss goals without surgery!

Truth About Abs Book Review

Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle Book Review