Lap Band Surgery

Reduce Weight with Lap Band Surgery

Lap Band Surgery (Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery) is a procedure that treats obesity by making the patient's stomach smaller. The surgeon inserts a ring around the top portion of the stomach. There is a port that is inserted under the skin. The port is connected to a tube, through which the surgeon inserts a saline solution. Band size is adjusted by adding or removing saline. The more saline that is inserted in the tube, the tighter the band and, therefore, the smaller the patient's stomach. By reducing the size of the stomach, the procedure limits the amount of food a patient can consume. Lower caloric intake will lead to weight loss.

Lap band surgery is generally prescribed for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater. The surgery is also performed on patients with a lower BMI who suffer from obesity related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Lap band surgery takes about an hour. Several incisions are made in the patient's abdomen. The surgeon inserts the band, the tube and a small camera into the incisions to perform the surgery.

Lap Band Surgery Recovery

Most patient's who have lap band surgery can leave the hospital after 24 hours. Many people can return to work one week after the surgery. For the first two weeks after lap band surgery, the doctor will place the patient on a liquid diet. Solid food is gradually introduced over the next few weeks. Follow up visits are required to adjust the amount of saline in the lap band tube, as well as to make sure the patient is healing properly.

It is common for patients undergoing laparoscopic obesity surgery to lose as much as 50% of their excess weight during the first year following the procedure. Most patients will require special dietary considerations, as well as vitamin and mineral supplementation for the rest of their lives.

Lap Band Surgery Risks

Lap band surgery is considered very safe, but there are some possible risks and complications. All surgeries that require anesthesia pose a potential risk to the patient. Additionally, bleeding, infection and problems with the band can all occur. Most patients suffer no complications.

Lap Band Surgery Abroad

Uninsured, or underinsured Americans, as well as Canadians avoiding waiting lists, often choose to go to Mexico for lap band surgery. India is a popular destination for Australians seeking low cost lap band surgery. Argentina has a series of boutique clinics that specialize in lap band. Most patients who go to Argentina for lap band surgery are from the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada.