Weight loss surgery promises remarkable results but it's no quick fix. In fact it's the procedure of last resort for those who are morbidly obese. This doesn't mean the procedures are involved or risky, though. The most popular procedure is laparoscopic gastric band (lap band) surgery. It's popular because it's fast, easy and has few side effects. Here's the lowdown on lap band weight loss surgery.
Lap band surgery is a type of restrictive weight loss surgery. As the name implies, it works by restricting the volume of food entering your digestive system. In this way, fewer calories reach the bloodstream.
It works by forming a pouch out of the top part of the stomach by putting an inflatable band around it and attaching the band to the stomach with staples. When eating, this pouch fills quickly and sends a signal to the brain to indicate it's full. Thus you stop eating. The food then gradually passes through a small opening into the rest of the stomach and hence into the small intestine in the normal way.
A few weeks after the operation and the sutures have healed, the doctor inflates the band using a reservoir attached to the band by a tube. This inflation causes the restriction. The reservoir is located just under the skin allowing the doctor easy access. Adjusting the band to its optimum size is critical and many adjustments may be needed over a period of several months.
Lap band surgery is popular for many reasons. Firstly, lap band procedures are done using keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery. This type of non-invasive operation leaves minimal scarring. The whole procedure takes around 30 minutes. Another plus is that in lap band surgery, the food passes through the whole digestive system, albeit in reduced quantities. This means that nutrients are absorbed normally.
So how can you decide if lap band surgery is for you? The main criteria are that you have been severely weight for over five years and have failed to lose weight using conventional methods. (You should have made a sustained effort for at least six months to lose weight by diet and exercise).
Another factor is whether your health is at serious risk resulting from your weight. This is a condition known as morbid obesity and can mean a body mass index (BMI) of over 40 or a BMI of over 35 with an attendant medical condition such as diabetes.
In addition, you should not be suffering from any psychological or physical condition that precludes the weight loss operation. Consult your doctor for detailed information.
If you feel these conditions apply to you, the next step is to consult with a doctor specialising in bariatrics (obesity cure). He will be able to advise you on whether lap band surgery is for you. If so he will advise you on the procedure and make arrangements for you.
Losing excess weight can be a life-transforming experience working wonders on physical, social and emotional levels. If you're obese and want to makeover your health and life, call a lap band surgery specialist and inquire today.
