LAP-BAND ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING SYSTEM
(for weight loss and obesity)

Introduction

The lap-band system is one of the newest methods that effectively treat morbid obesity. Through minor surgery, it reduces a person’s appetite by limiting the amount of food the stomach can consume. With a patient’s dedication, weight loss generally progresses as one to two pounds per week during the first year and is able to be maintained long-term.

Who is considered morbidly obese?

The most effective way to determine this is by using the BMI or Body Mass Index which is specifically designed for this purpose. For example, a woman who is five foot four inches tall with a BMI of 20 is 20 pounds over a healthy weight for her height. The BMI classifies individuals into five categories:

• Healthy
• Slightly Overweight
• Obese
• Severely Obese
• Morbidly Obese

A person is considered overweight when their BMI is over 29.9. A lap-band should definitely be considered when one is morbidly obese or more then 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. At its peak, serious conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes among others are much more likely to result and cannot be disregarded. The lap-band can reduce weight which provides an excellent solution.

Why choose the Lap-Bad over traditional methods?

Diet, exercise, and medicine are still the most common forms of treatment for morbid obesity; however patients in such an urgent state often will not be able to maintain long-term control. Surgery still stands as the best option for improved health effects associated with weight loss.

How does it work?

The main focus of the procedure is to stimulate weight loss through appetite reduction. It is achieved through these minimal invasive steps:

• An inflatable silicone band is strapped around the upper part of the stomach via small incisions and long shafted instruments (laparoscopic techniques).
• This forms a miniature pouch that is separated from the larger portion of the stomach beneath the band.
• The two parts are connected by a funnel formed by the band (stoma) from the pouch to the lower part of the stomach.

This limits the capacity of the stomach, which decreases the amount of food intake. The result is that it makes one feel fuller longer.

Why choose the Lap-Band over other surgical methods?

At the forefront of surgical procedures along with the lap-band is Gastric Bypass Surgery. It is another common method with the goal to maintain long-term weight loss for the morbidly obese. Through this method, food is allowed to skip the lower part of the stomach through a created funnel. This creates a sense of fullness. This method, although effective once completed is irreversible, and because it is more invasive has more risks than the lap-band technique.

The lap-band on the contrary has a great many advantages, the major being:

• Less Trauma
• least invasive surgical procedure
• stapling or bypass of the stomach excluded
• relatively minor surgery, patient pain and recovery, and hospital stay

• Less Risk of Complications
• limited invasiveness
• lower mortality risk

• Fewer Side Effects
• protein malabsorption not found
• diarrhea not found

• Adjustable
• adjustments accessible without additional surgery
• personalized band–size

• Reversible
• removable at any time
• restoration of the stomach and other organs

Risks

As with any surgery, there are risks even though the lap-band method has minimal invasiveness. The involvement of morbid obesity only increases these risks. Immediately following the surgery and years after, problems may arise related to placement, infection, movement, and band leakage. Please consult a physician for further information.

Conclusions

The Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System is an exceptional solution for those suffering from morbid obesity and who are ready to dedicate themselves to a new healthy lifestyle. With weight loss created by a stomach size reduction that produces an appetite curve, comes the end of related health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Patients generally lose up to two thirds of their body weight within the first year and are able to maintain the weight for years to come. Unlike other surgical procedures for weight loss, it is the least invasive meaning less risk, pain, recovery time, and hospital stay. There is no argument that the lap-band system is the safest, most convenient, and simply the best solution for morbid obesity and the start of a new and healthy life.

Obesity is a life-threatening disease aflicting the United States at an alarming rate. A quarter of the population is obese, and another 97 million Americans are overweight or at risk of becoming obese. The prevalence of obesity has increased more than 60% in the past decade. Given this aggressive increase in the rate of obesity, experts predict that this national health crisis will only continue to escalate.

Contributing to 300,000 deaths each year, obesity is considered the second leading cause of preventable death afer smoking. In fact, it is more damaging to your health than smoking and alcohol abuse. In addition, obesity is a major risk factor for serious medical conditions (comorbidities), such as:

The cost of this serious disease is enormous, with an estimated annual treatment cost in excess of $238 billion, of which roughly $100 billion is devoted to treating related health problems. Additionally, Americans spend $33 billion each year on weight-loss products and services.

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