Healthy Eating Guidelines: The Lap Band
In a report from June of this year, USA Today reported that the average person undergoing weight loss surgery has tried at least 24 different "diets and exercise programs over the years before deciding to have the procedure". (USA Today, 2008) They go on to report that 205,000 people had bariatric surgery in 2007. This number includes a combination of gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric banding. This article is dedicated to the latter and will discuss what lap bands are, the preparation procedure leading up to surgery, cost, advantages and disadvantages.
Laparoscopic gastric banding, more commonly referred to as "lap banding" is a common surgical procedure for persons needing to lose weight and possibly reverse obesity-related medical conditions. The procedure entails the formation of a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach using a surgically inserted "band". This pouch effectively limits the amount of food one can consume at one time.
"A gastric band device is introduced through tiny (1cm) incisions in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The resulting pouch (or the "new stomach") dramatically reduces the functional capacity of the stomach. The band has a balloon from the inside that is adjustable and can reduce stoma size, thus prolonging the period of fullness." (International Laparoscopic Surgery Team, 2005)
Preparation for the procedure is extensive and includes blood tests, imaging
studies, and consultations with other specialists. Other pre-screening requirements include:
· Attend an informational/educational seminar (usually free)
· Make sure you meet Lap Band surgical criteria
· Decide how you are going to pay for the Lap Band operation (self-pay/financing vs insurance coverage)
· Bariatric psychological screening
· Commitment to life-style modification
· Meet with Lap Band Surgeon (Have all diet and medical information available)
· Complete goals from Lap Band Surgeon (ie. cardiac testing)
· Start calorie restriction and complete 2 weeks of high protein liquid meal replacement to shrink liver and thin the intra-abdominal fat
· Meet again at surgeon's office to finalize questions and make sure all goals have been met
· Preop screening tests (ie. Chest X-ray, EKG, blood work, urinanalysis, lipid profile, thyroid panel, diabetic screening, pregnancy test) (eSynergy Concepts, 2007)
There is usually a 24 to 48 hour hospital stay after the surgery is performed.
According to several sources on lap band surgery, insurance payments for the procedure may cover part of the cost while Medicare may cover the rest. This is why it is important to decide on payment options before having the lap band procedure. Make sure that, if some money for the procedure is paid for out of pocket, it isn't an unexpected expense. If the procedure is recommended by specialists to reverse other medical conditions such as diabetes type II, Medicare will more than likely help with the bill.
Typically there is a two-year follow up after the lap band procedure. This time is spent monitoring the progress of the patient and how they are adhering to the lifestyle adjustments and dietary changes. "Check-ups with your doctor are a normal and very important part of the LAP-BAND® System follow-up. Many surgeons see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month and every 4 to 12 weeks for the first year. Adjustments may be performed during some of these visits. It is typical for follow-up visits to be scheduled every 3 to 6 months during the second and third year, depending on the individual case." (Allergan, Inc., 2008).
Advantages of lap banding include:
· No cutting or stapling of the stomach
· Short hospital stay
· Adjustable
· Reversible
· Possible favorable outcomes by reversing obesity-related medical conditions
· Somewhat cheaper than gastric bypass
Disadvantages of gastric lap banding are:
· Foreign body - infection and erosion may occur
· Frequent adjustments of the band
· Actual weight loss may vary from person to person
· Up to 20 percent of patients need revision surgery after gastric banding
In conclusion, the gastric banding procedure can be lifesaving for many in the population that have tried other methods of weight loss and were not successful. It can effectively reverse obesity-related medical conditions in some patients such as diabetes type II, those with certain joint disorders, etc. The cost of gastric banding is cheaper than bypass surgery and has a shorter hospital stay. As with all surgeries, gastric banding is not without risks and benefits. In short, gastric lap banding can be beneficial to those in the population that need this type of surgery to stave off life-threatening illnesses and possibly reverse certain medical conditions. However, it is not for everyone.
In a report from June of this year, USA Today reported that the average person undergoing weight loss surgery has tried at least 24 different "diets and exercise programs over the years before deciding to have the procedure". (USA Today, 2008) They go on to report that 205,000 people had bariatric surgery in 2007. This number includes a combination of gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric banding. This article is dedicated to the latter and will discuss what lap bands are, the preparation procedure leading up to surgery, cost, advantages and disadvantages.
Laparoscopic gastric banding, more commonly referred to as "lap banding" is a common surgical procedure for persons needing to lose weight and possibly reverse obesity-related medical conditions. The procedure entails the formation of a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach using a surgically inserted "band". This pouch effectively limits the amount of food one can consume at one time.
"A gastric band device is introduced through tiny (1cm) incisions in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The resulting pouch (or the "new stomach") dramatically reduces the functional capacity of the stomach. The band has a balloon from the inside that is adjustable and can reduce stoma size, thus prolonging the period of fullness." (International Laparoscopic Surgery Team, 2005)
Preparation for the procedure is extensive and includes blood tests, imaging
studies, and consultations with other specialists. Other pre-screening requirements include:
· Attend an informational/educational seminar (usually free)
· Make sure you meet Lap Band surgical criteria
· Decide how you are going to pay for the Lap Band operation (self-pay/financing vs insurance coverage)
· Bariatric psychological screening
· Commitment to life-style modification
· Meet with Lap Band Surgeon (Have all diet and medical information available)
· Complete goals from Lap Band Surgeon (ie. cardiac testing)
· Start calorie restriction and complete 2 weeks of high protein liquid meal replacement to shrink liver and thin the intra-abdominal fat
· Meet again at surgeon's office to finalize questions and make sure all goals have been met
· Preop screening tests (ie. Chest X-ray, EKG, blood work, urinanalysis, lipid profile, thyroid panel, diabetic screening, pregnancy test) (eSynergy Concepts, 2007)
There is usually a 24 to 48 hour hospital stay after the surgery is performed.
According to several sources on lap band surgery, insurance payments for the procedure may cover part of the cost while Medicare may cover the rest. This is why it is important to decide on payment options before having the lap band procedure. Make sure that, if some money for the procedure is paid for out of pocket, it isn't an unexpected expense. If the procedure is recommended by specialists to reverse other medical conditions such as diabetes type II, Medicare will more than likely help with the bill.
Typically there is a two-year follow up after the lap band procedure. This time is spent monitoring the progress of the patient and how they are adhering to the lifestyle adjustments and dietary changes. "Check-ups with your doctor are a normal and very important part of the LAP-BAND® System follow-up. Many surgeons see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month and every 4 to 12 weeks for the first year. Adjustments may be performed during some of these visits. It is typical for follow-up visits to be scheduled every 3 to 6 months during the second and third year, depending on the individual case." (Allergan, Inc., 2008).
Advantages of lap banding include:
· No cutting or stapling of the stomach
· Short hospital stay
· Adjustable
· Reversible
· Possible favorable outcomes by reversing obesity-related medical conditions
· Somewhat cheaper than gastric bypass
Disadvantages of gastric lap banding are:
· Foreign body - infection and erosion may occur
· Frequent adjustments of the band
· Actual weight loss may vary from person to person
· Up to 20 percent of patients need revision surgery after gastric banding
In conclusion, the gastric banding procedure can be lifesaving for many in the population that have tried other methods of weight loss and were not successful. It can effectively reverse obesity-related medical conditions in some patients such as diabetes type II, those with certain joint disorders, etc. The cost of gastric banding is cheaper than bypass surgery and has a shorter hospital stay. As with all surgeries, gastric banding is not without risks and benefits. In short, gastric lap banding can be beneficial to those in the population that need this type of surgery to stave off life-threatening illnesses and possibly reverse certain medical conditions. However, it is not for everyone.
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