LAP-BAND® Surgery: A Trusted and Reversible
Bariatric Treatment
LAP-BAND® Overview
LAP-BAND® surgery involves placing a LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band around the stomach to create a smaller amount of space for food. This reduction in size allows patients to feel full after eating less. As their overall caloric intake becomes reduced, patients will gradually begin to lose weight. Unlike many other bariatric treatments, LAP-BAND® surgery is reversible. During your initial consultation, Dr. Matthew St. Laurent will carefully assess your medical history to determine if LAP-BAND® surgery can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
LAP-BAND® Results
LAP-BAND® surgery allows individuals to lose weight gradually, with most patients experiencing incremental weight loss of about one to two pounds per week as their new stomach accommodates smaller amounts of food. When compared to rapid weight loss techniques, LAP-BAND® surgery is safer and offers more long-lasting results. In order to achieve optimal results and avoid complications, you will need to remain committed to a healthy lifestyle following surgery, which includes practicing proper diet and exercise routines. These lifestyle changes can also help you find relief from obesity-related conditions as well.
LAP-BAND® Benefits
The most obvious benefit of LAP-BAND® surgery is weight loss. However, the procedure also offers several additional benefits. LAP-BAND® surgery is laparoscopic, meaning that it only involves a few small incisions in the abdominal area, helping to minimize discomfort and recovery times. As a result, most patients can resume normal activities shortly after undergoing the procedure. Following surgery, patients can also become less reliant on medications. Additionally, the procedure does not involve the surgical modification of internal organs, so it is reversible.
LAP-BAND® Risks
The LAP-BAND® System was approved by the FDA in 2000, and since then, it has helped thousands of patients safely achieve their weight loss goals. However, like all surgical procedures, LAP-BAND® treatments do carry some potential risks. Slippage, erosion, or deflation of the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band can occur, but these problems can usually be corrected with revision surgery. Although surgical complications can also occur, Dr. St. Laurent is an expert in his field who takes every measure to minimize these risks. We will address any concerns you have about potential LAP-BAND® surgery risks during during a personal consultation.
LAP-BAND® Cost
The cost of LAP-BAND® surgery is affected by several factors. The length of your hospital stay following surgery is one of the most significant cost factors. Some individuals recover faster than others, so hospital stays vary from patient to patient. Cost will also be influenced by your insurance benefits. After reviewing the percentage of cost covered by your insurance, we can also discuss the many financing options we offer. Since LAP-BAND® surgery can serve as a major step toward a healthier lifestyle — helping patients save money through fewer medications and a reduced risk of obesity-related conditions — many feel it is a worthy investment.
LAP-BAND® Candidates
To determine if you are a candidate for LAP-BAND® surgery, Dr. St. Laurent will carefully review your medical history and learn more about you and your lifestyle during your initial consultation at Northwest Endosurgical. LAP-BAND® surgery is intended for patients in reasonably good health who have been unsuccessful with other serious weight loss attempts. LAP-BAND® surgery is typically considered for those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or those who are at least 50 lbs above their ideal weight. Lastly, a patient's motivation to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle is another important consideration.
Comparing Bariatric Surgery Options
When compared to other forms of bariatric surgery, LAP-BAND® surgery offers many advantages. LAP-BAND® allows patients to lose weight in a safe, gradual way, but it does requires major lifestyle changes. Unlike many other weight loss surgeries, a LAP-BAND® treatment is reversible and it offers relatively short recovery times. Each bariatric procedure offers unique benefits, and it is important to understand that some people may be better suited to the LAP-BAND® procedure than others. Dr. St. Laurent will answer all of your questions about how the different procedures compare to one another in order to help you make an informed decision.