Information On Lap Band Surgery
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Lap band surgery is something that is giving many people a new lease on life. This procedure is allowing many people that suffer from obesity the ability to return to a healthy weight. However, many people want to know the price before they begin researching this weight loss option as a solution for their obesity problem. The article “Introduction to Lap-Band Surgery” also gives reasons why potential patients would want to have lapband or banding surgery.
Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States with over 60% of the population classified as overweight or obese. It is a medical fact people who loose weight have improved blood pressure, cholesterol, glycemic control, and obstructive sleep apnea. Lowered body weight also reduces hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Even moderate weight loss among overweight and obese patients will reduce the incidence and severity of diabetes, a chronic condition that is linked to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
Severe obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through diet and exercise alone. Extremely obese persons often do not benefit from the non-surgical treatments for weight loss and weight maintenance. When diet and exercise fail, more and more people are turning to surgery to deal with their obesity. Because of the relative lack of success of most fad diet programs, persons with obesity have turned to lapband surgery at an exponentially increasing rate.
Weight loss surgery is a serious undertaking and anyone contemplating this type of operation should have a full understanding of what it entails. Lapband or other banding type surgery may be the next step for people who remain severely obese after trying nonsurgical approaches, or for people who have an obesity-related disease.
Gastrointestinal surgery is an option for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from serious obesity-related health problems. The operation promotes weight loss by restricting food intake and, in some operations, interrupts the digestive process. As in other treatments for obesity, normally, the best results are achieved with healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity.
Surgery is used for weight loss in severely obese adults who have been obese for at least five years and for whom non-surgical weight loss methods have not been successful. They must be willing to make major changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. Patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40, a BMI of at least 35 with one or more severe morbid (unhealthy) conditions, or be at least 100 pounds over their estimated ideal weight.
The Lap-Band is a surgically implanted device designed to help a person lose weight. The system consists of a hollow inflatable silicone band, tubing, and an access port. During the surgery the band is placed around the upper stomach to create a small pouch. This limits the patient’s food consumption and creates an earlier feeling of fullness. It also increases the time it takes for food to be digested.
The inflatable band is implanted by laparoscopic “keyhole” surgery and is then adjusted over time. The band is either tightened or loosened in order to meet the patient’s needs. Once the band is in place, it is inflated with saline. Subsequent adjustments are made through a portal or access port which is placed just under the skin.
The FDA approved Lap-Band surgery in 2001. The FDA approved Lap-Band based on a review of clinical studies of safety and effectiveness conducted by the manufacturer.
