The Lap Band – Is Lap Band Surgery an Option?

What is a Lap Band – What is Lap Band Surgery?

A lap band (also called gastric band) is an inflatable silicone device whose purpose is to artificially make “the stomach smaller”.

The band is usually placed around the top portion of the stomach. This kind of weight loss surgery is also often called bariatric surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery means that small decisions are made and the surgery is done with the help of small cameras.

A lap band surgery is intended and approved for overweight persons with a BMI (body mass index) of 30-40. However, certain requirements must be met. Common cases where a lap band surgery is sometimes used: For example if there are pre-existing weight loss related conditions like high blood pressure, sleep apnea or diabetes. In such cases, the surgery might sometimes also be performed if someone has a BMI smaller than 40.

FDA Approval of the Lap Band as Means for Treating Severe Obesity

The FDA approved the adjustable lap band in early 2011 for patients with a BMI between 30 to 40. However, this must be accompanied by a weight related medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The other condition for a gastric band surgery is that it must be shown that other methods attempting to lose weight did not work.

How the Lap Band Works

It must be clear that such a surgery, despite common belief, is not just a simple and “easy” option and might bring with it certain risks which are common with similar procedures.

But because of the fact that this weight loss surgery is only done via small incisions, it is one of the least invasive surgeries compared to other surgeries like liposuction or stomach staples.

It usually has a faster recovery and requires a shorter clinic stay and will cause less scars.

The band is far less invasive and might overall pose less risks, no part of the body needs to be removed or surgically altered.

A Special Diet after the Lap Band Surgery

Usually, after a patient got a band, he will get a special and required diet for Lap Band patients. It is important to stick to this diet to avoid potential complications right after the surgery. The first 3 to 4 days following Adjustable Gastric Lap Band surgery will usually only consists of drinking clear liquids.

Carbonated drinks like pop are entirely taboo (because of the gas and bloating they cause), and caffeine is not allowed for three months after the surgery.

Before you decide on such a weight loss surgery, you need to be aware of those things, the required change in your diet as well as the potential risks such a lap band surgery might bring with it.

Lap Band Surgery Cost

The cost for this procedure can vary, and a rough estimate for this would be anywhere between $15.000 – $17.000 for a surgery performed in the USA. You need to make sure whether your health insurance would cover those costs. Alternatively, there is the option to get a lap band surgery in another country, for example Mexico or Europe. In such cases the surgery could cost significantly less.

While weight loss surgery should never be the next best option, it can provide very effective in such cases where dieting, exercises and other weight loss methods did not show effective.

Then the lap band might become an interesting option.

Tags: bariatric surgery, gastric band, lap band, lap band surgery, lap band surgery cost, weight loss surgery