For millions of overweight Americans, stomach banding, or Lap-Band surgery, is often the light at the end of the weight loss tunnel. A form of bariatric surgery, it was approved as a form of weight-loss surgery by the FDA in 2002, and has become quite popular since. As with any surgery, Lap-Band has its pros and cons; before choosing it for your own weight loss, you should educate yourself about the procedure.
How it Works
Stomach banding reduces the amount of food your stomach can hold by creating a smaller stomach, or pouch. This is done by placing a saline band around the upper portion of your stomach. Once completed, your new pouch will hold only about an ounce of food at a time.
Your band can be adjusted by your doctor to both help reduce side effects and increase weight loss. The doctor either injects or removes saline from your band through a device placed under your skin. The first year after surgery, numerous adjustments may be needed to achieve maximum weight loss.
The Criteria
Before you can undergo stomach banding, you must meet specific criteria; your doctor will determine if you qualify for the surgery when you attend your consultation with him or her.
You must be at least 18 years old and 100 pounds overweight, or have a BMI (body mass index) more than 40. If you have a BMI lower than 40, you must have at least one health issue which is a direct result of your obesity, such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
The Benefits and the Risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are benefits and risks to stomach banding. A major benefit is that it is a minimally invasive procedure that requires no cutting or stapling like other bariatric operations. The complication rate is less than 10 percent and the procedure can be reversed if necessary.
The risks to stomach banding are few, but important to know about. The death rate associated with the procedure is one in 2,000. The most common complications include band slippage that can affect the stoma, the area where food enters the pouch. This can result in the need for another surgery. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating and constipation.
Cost of Surgery
Cost of Lap-Band surgery ranges between $12,000 and $25,000; that includes the surgeon's fee, the anesthesiologist's fee and the facility, as well as any adjustments for the first year. Many insurance policies now cover this surgery, and in some states, Medicaid and Medicare also cover some or all of the cost.
For those whose insurance does not cover the cost, a company called Carecredit may finance your surgery for you. They are a patient finance company that assists those without insurance, and finances up to $25,000.
Prepare for the Surgery
To prepare for your surgery ask questions if there is anything you do not understand about the risks, benefits, side effects or required dietary changes.
Begin making lifestyle changes ahead of time. Incorporating low-impact exercise such as walking, and making small changes to your diet such as no- or low-fat and sugar-free foods will make your transition easier once the time comes.
Finally, your doctor will tell you which foods to have in your home following surgery. Buy these items before the operation, as once you get home, you'll have some post-op pain and probably won't feel like going shopping.
