Who Is A Candidate For Lap Band Surgery?

A lap band, or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, is a devise surgically implanted in the body that helps reduce food consumption. It is commonly prescribed by a doctor to reduce and slow food intake in persons who are determined to be substantially overweight, obese or morbidly obese. The Lap-Band® device is adjustable and able to be modified to fit certain personal requirements and weight-loss progression. Not everyone qualifies for the Lap-Band® surgical implant and it is important to understand what criteria must be met to undergo this surgical process.

Lap Band Definition and Procedure

The Lap-Band® device is made of inflatable silicone, looking much like a belt or strap. It is positioned around the top part of the stomach and adjusted to confine the passage of food into the lower stomach area. The band is biologically safe to the body, limiting infection and immune-system rejection. It has an adjustable feature which uses an injected saline solution under the skin, through a small-access port. A special coring needle is used to negate damage to the membrane port and halt leakage. The port itself has many designs and location options which is usually determined by the surgeon. Most bands hold 4 to 12 cc (cubic centimeters) of saline. The band is inflated with saline and this causes pressure around the top part of the stomach, forming a small pouch. The banded area between the upper stomach pouch and the lower stomach is restrictively narrow, which slows down the intake of food. The insertion of the Lap-Band® requires only a 1/2-inch incision in proximity to the naval. The surgeon uses a laparoscopic camera to obtain a view of the stomach and cavity. With a few additional small incisions, the surgeon places the device through a tunnel and clamps it in place with long surgical tools.

Safety Concerns

A Lap-Band® procedure is a proven safe and effective way for patients to lose weight. It is one of the least intrusive of the bariatric surgery procedures, requiring only small incisions that heal quickly and pose no great post-operative conditions. It is considered a final option to patients who are obese and have unsuccessfully tried to lose weight via continuous treatments and procedures. After insertion, the device produces no discomfort to the patient and is virtually maintenance free aside from a period of band adjustments and removal. Recuperation after surgery can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending upon the physical activity of the patient's lifestyle. Mortality rates for Lap-Band® surgery is 1 in 1000 as opposed to the Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery which accounts for 1 in 250 deaths. There is no stapling or cutting of the stomach and the device is adjustable without added surgery.

Best Candidates

Doctors determine the amount a patient is overweight by using the BMI (body mass index) rating, determined by a person's weight and height. The numbers range in order from 30 to 35 to 40, with excessive overweight being 30, followed by obese (35) and then morbidly obese (40) or above. The BMI numbers 30 to 40 are conditional upon the existence of diseases and conditions that will improve as result of the procedure. A standard low-end approximation to qualify is 100 pounds overweight. The doctor will use a full physical examination to determine if the procedure will not benefit the patient or if it will actually improve physical health and reduce dangerous preexisting conditions. Patients must range between the ages of 18 and 60, although exceptions will be determined by the doctor. Persons who have had an obesity problem for 5 years or more, have not responded to clinical weight-loss treatment for six months or longer and are psychologically willing to abide by and follow the dietary program are all likely candidates. People who do not have debilitating diseases or conditions that would pose a risk during or after surgery will positively respond to a Lap-Band® procedure.

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