THE SKINNY ON LAP-BAND

Traditional American medicine has had little to offer the obese patient, and consequently has largely ignored this problem as a disease process. However, with 100,000 procedures preformed in 2003, surgical weight loss techniques known as bariatric surgery have finally achieved scientific legitimacy with social and medical acceptance (by 2010, it is estimated that 240,000 procedures will be done annually). And, LAP-BAND is the newest bariatric technique available.

LAP-BAND is clearly different from other bariatric procedures on several fronts. One of the most appealing aspects of the surgery is that it is done laparoscopically. This necessitates five or six small incisions in the abdomen as opposed to one very large incision typically used for other methods. Not only does this mean less scarring, it also means a shorter hospital stay. Broken down, that equals one night at the hospital and just a few days off work.

Another advantage to LAP-BAND is that it is potentially reversible. Other procedures such as gastric bypass surgery separate the upper portion of the stomach from the rest of the stomach and reroute it directly to the rest of the digestive track. While an effective way to lose weight, the stomach will forever remain split in two and the patient’s stomach cannot be easily reconnected. While certainly feasible, the LAP-BAND removal is not as easy as pulling a ring off a finger. Another operation is required to reverse the LAP-BAND, but it can be done at any time.
Another bonus is that, the gradual weight loss after LAP-BAND allows the skin to remain more elastic so there is often less drooping, stretching and skin damage than occurs with rapid weight loss.

Also, the LAP-BAND is adjustable to meet the weight loss needs of each patient. Likewise, saline can be removed if the patient needs to be allowed to eat more particularly during pregnancy or for other surgery.

LAP-BAND was FDA approved in June 2001, prior to that it enjoyed excellent results in Australia and Europe as a proven solution to the obesity epidemic. Overall, LAP-BAND patients can typically expect to lose 50 to 70% of their extra body weight over the course of 12 to 18 months after the surgery.

In addition to weight loss, Type II Diabetes, hypertension, heartburn from GERD, sleep apnea and knee or ankle problems are often significantly improved if not completely resolved in many cases. Many patients also see improvements in congestive heart failure, hyperlipidemia, urinary incontinence, menstrual irregularities, infertility, back pain and strain and hirstuism (excess hair growth).

However, LAP-BAND is rarely associated with improvement in clinical depression, vascular disease, chronic arthritis, surgical back pain or personal relationships and stress.

Many people find the LAP-BAND System for weight-loss very appealing especially when compared with other methods for surgery, which are more invasive yet non-surgical methods have failed. For the right individual, LAP-BAND may very well be a catalyst for weight loss that actually works.