LAP-Band Surgery is a type of weight loss surgery that alters the stomach’s original condition to help reduce food intake. The surgery got its name from the device that is placed around the top of the stomach to limit the amount of food you eat. The Lap-band is simply an adjustable silicone gastric belt implanted around the stomach to make you to control your hunger, eat less and feel full sooner. One distinct advantage of the Lap-Band system is that you are able to adjust the band, through a port, which can be inflated as time goes by to make you lose weight faster.
Not all obese people can be eligible for the Lap-Band surgery, only people that have a body mass index between 35 to 39 with complications such as diabetes and hypertension can be considered candidates for the said surgery. People with BMI over 40 are also eligible candidates of the Lap-Band. The eligibility criteria for the surgery is needed so that the costs can be subsidized by the National Institute of Health or the individual’s insurance policy, however, if one does not pass the criteria for the surgery, he can actually pay for the cost of the surgery himself
LAP-Band Surgery is done by making a series of small incisions, with your surgeon making use of a camera, called a laparoscope, to see where to place the Lap-Band. The Lap-Band is then placed around the stomach and held in place with sutures. As mentioned, the Lap-band system has with it a port which enables the person to adjust the device. This port is placed under the skin on the upper part of the abdomen. After having everything in place, usually an hour, the surgery is considered done.
Recovery after this weight loss surgery is fast and will enable you to return to doing your normal activities the week following the surgery. Discomfort associated with the surgery is minimal. A nutritional plan has to be followed in order to help your stomach adjust to its new anatomy. Initially, the nutritional plan will consist of liquid diet and then will slowly reintroduce soft foods and solid foods later when you will be able to tolerate it. Exercise programs will also be recommended by your medical practitioner to help in the recovery process.
Frequent follow-up visits are necessary so that band adjustments can be made. These adjustments are done by injecting a saline solution in the port to tighten the band. On the average, it would take six to eight band adjustments in the first eighteen months after a Lap-Band surgery.
This weight loss system will enable a patient to lose 50% of excess body weight approximately two years after the procedure. Because of this weight loss, additional plastic surgery may be needed to be done to achieve ideal body figure. The surgery can cost between $17000 to $20000 depending on the state where the surgery is to be performed. However, despite this cost, many people prefer to have a Lap-Band surgery to help them solve their weight problems.
