LAP BAND surgery, the name of a particular medical procedure accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calls for appointment of an adjustable gastric strip that changes the form and useable volume of the stomach to reduce food consumption and can lead to dramatic weight loss results.
Essentially, a LAP BAND is a silicone belt that is positioned close to the top of the stomach – reducing the storage area to the size of a golf ball, allowing just an ounce or so of food to be held. This leads to amplified feelings of fullness and notable weight loss over time – when appropriate changes to diet and lifestyle are made.
Good candidates for the LAP BAND procedure include: men and women 18 years old or older, people who have been overweight for 3-5 years or more, those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, which generally means men who are at least 100 pounds overweight and women who are 80 pounds or more overweight (BMI of 30 or higher is generally considered obese), and people who have an obesity-related illness such as high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure.
A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can’t undergo Lap Band surgery, nor can pregnant women. However, women can become pregnant after the surgery and the band can be adjusted during the pregnancy.
On average, clients leave behind about one to two pounds per week after the surgery. The surgery normally leads to around a forty percent loss of excess weight throughout the first year and fifty five percent in the second year. The cosmetic surgeon will carefully check a patient’s progress and can stiffen or relax the band over time to promote healthy and safe weight loss. Standard follow-up appointments are vital.
In combination with its weight-loss benefits, Lap Band surgery can also help or remove some of the following dangerous issues: diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, acid reflux, joint discomfort and more. Many recipients of the LAP BAND procedure have reported improved sleeping patterns and a noticeably increased level of energy, stamina and self confidence.
Compared to gastric-bypass surgery, the Lap Band procedure gives similar weight loss at the 5-year mark, as outlined by several reports. While weight loss takes place at a slower rate, the surgery itself is more comfortable, less expensive and less invasive than gastric bypass surgery.
Lap-Band surgery does have many side effects that you should know about and consider before making a decision if it is right for you
Some of the most common negative side effects of Lap-Band surgery are related to the digestive system. Patients have reported nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, gastro esophageal reflux, stoma obstruction, constipation, and dysphasia.
In addition to common side effects in the digestive system, back and/or abdominal pain, fever, infection, and like all surgeries – even death can result if something goes horribly wrong.
There are many options for the LAP BAND Los Angeles, so be sure to check around and ask for referals. Be sure to check out http://www.lap-band-los-angeles.org for more information about LAP BAND surgery in the Los Angeles area.