LAP-BAND® Surgery - Common Questions
 Common
LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery Questions
Individuals who are described as being morbidly obese. Morbid
obesity exists when a person has a BMI of 30-39 with one or more
co-morbidity or a BMI of 40 or greater. People with morbid obesity
are at increased risk for:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Joint problems
- Heart and vascular diseases
Weight loss has been shown to reduce these risks and increase
quality of life. back to top
Where do I get additional
information?
Educational seminars are held three times a month to give those
people who are interested in having adjustable gastric band surgery
an opportunity to learn more about the surgery and life after the
surgery. Attendees are able to ask questions and to meet others who
have already had this surgery. Registration is required.
For information, call HealthAccess at 1.800.228.1484(Michigan
Callers) or 1.810.989.3199.You may also send an email to
healthaccess@porthuronhospital.org and they will send you an
information kit. Please include your mailing address when emailing.
back to top
While some individuals find they are able to lose weight and
maintain their weight loss by watching what they eat and exercising,
many others are discouraged when they regain weight they have lost.
It's not uncommon for people who have lost weight by dieting to gain
even more weight than they lost. Surgery to reduce the capacity of
the stomach and decrease the appetite can help to reduce weight.
Advantages of the LAP-BAND® procedure over other types of
surgery are numerous:
- Less invasive - performed using laparoscopy, there are very
small incisions and there is no cutting or stapling of the
stomach.
- Adjustable -- in many cases, there is no follow-up operation
necessary to modify the opening.
- Reversible -- use of the LAP-BAND® avoids
irreversible damage. It can be removed and the stomach can return
to its original form.
- Shorter hospital stay -- patients normally leave the hospital
within 23 hours after this laparoscopic procedure, rather than
four to eight days following surgery involving a larger abdominal
incision. patients do remain in the hospital overnight.
- Quicker recovery -- following laparoscopic procedures with no
complications, patients generally resume normal activities within
a couple weeks. With more complicated procedures, recovery times
are generally longer. back to top
The following criteria are recommended. Talk with your physician
or surgeon about whether you would be a good candidate for the
surgery. Your surgeon may have additional criteria.
- You are age 18 and older
- You have a BMI of 30-39 with at least one co-morbidity, or BMI
over 40.
- You have been overweight for more than five years
- Your serious attempts to lose weight have not been successful
over the long term
- You are not suffering from any other disease which could have
caused you to be overweight.
- You are prepared to make substantial changes in your eating
habits and lifestyle, and to continue being monitored by the
specialist treating you.
- You do not drink alcohol in excess. back to
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HealthAccess
1.800.228.1484
1.810.989.3199
Email
HealthAccess
Allergan
Lap-Band System
website
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