Lap Band Surgery
What is Lap band surgery?
Lap band surgery is a minimally invasive weight loss surgery in which a gastric band is inserted around the top of the stomach to reduce the volume of the stomach. When you eat, satiety or fullness of stomach comes early and thus you would start eating less, which in turn leads to significant weight loss
Am I a good candidate for Lap Band Surgery?
You may be a good candidate for the Lap Band surgery if:
- Your BMI (Body Mass Index)is above 40
- BMI between 30 to 40 with co-morbidities such as hypertension, or high cholesterol. which may improve with weight loss
- Failure of dietary or weight-loss drug therapy for more than one year.
- History of obesity (generally 5 years or more).
How is Lap Band surgery performed?
The procedure involves inserting a silicone band lined with an inflatable balloon around the top portion of the stomach. This balloon is connected to a small reservoir that is placed under the skin of the abdomen through which the diameter of the band can be adjusted.
Inflation of the balloon functionally tightens the band and thereby increases weight loss, while deflation of the balloon loosens the band and reduces weight loss. This has the effect of dividing the stomach into two sections.
This results in the ability to control your hunger and achieve a "feeling of fullness," or satiety. Thus, you eat much less and should feel full sooner.
What are the benefits of Lap band procedure?
- No cutting or stapling of the stomach
- Short hospital stay
- Quick recovery
- Adjustable without additional surgery (because no intestines are bypassed)
- Fully reversible: stomach returns to normal if the band is removed
What is the aftercare and how long is the recovery time after Lap-Band Surgery?
You would require to stay in the hospital for 1-3 days and approximately a week time to return to work. A dietary plan including vitamin supplements may be implicated that first consists of liquids (for a few weeks), followed by soft foods and, later on, solid foods. In addition an exercise program is also advised which is key to a successful outcome.
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