Though lap band procedure is a popular type of bariatric surgery; it is only meant for those people, who meet a certain criteria. Here is a brief overview about such requirements.
Bariatric weight loss surgeries are often recommended for people, who are dangerously obese. Such surgeries can be of different types. There are gastric bypass surgeries that create a shortcut for passage of food, by bypassing a major part of the stomach and small intestine; thereby curbing the amount of food consumed, and the amount of nutrients absorbed. Gastric banding is another type of weight loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach, so that less food is consumed. Lap band surgery is a form of adjustable gastric banding procedure that is very much popular as a weight loss method in highly obese people.
What is Lap Band Surgery?
This surgery is usually performed on extremely obese people, under general anesthesia. While the procedure is mostly done laparoscopically, some cases may require an open surgery. The surgery involves positioning of an inflatable silicone ring around the top portion of the stomach, so that a small pouch is created. This small pouch acts as the stomach for the person, who has undergone the surgery. As this pouch called stoma, is very small, it has the capacity to hold small amounts of food. When compared to a normal stomach that can hold at least six cups of food, the stoma can hold only half to one cup of food. This results in reduction of food intake. The band that is fastened around the stomach ensures that the food in the stoma passes to the remaining part of the stomach in a slow manner, so that the person feels full for a longer time. This leads to gradual weight loss of the person, who has to follow a strict diet for achieving best results.
Requirements
Lap band surgery is not performed on each and every obese person. There are some requirements associated with this surgery.
- The BMI (body mass index) plays an important role in making a person eligible for lap band surgery. A person with a BMI of 40 and above, can opt for this surgery. If the BMI is between 30 and 35, but the person has certain medical conditions (like sleep apnea and high diabetes), that can be improved by reducing body weight; then, he/she is deemed fit for this surgery.
- Even the body weight of the person can be considered as a criterion, instead of the BMI. The body weight must be 45 kilograms or more, above the ideal body weight of the person.
- The age of the person must be between 18 to 55. In some cases, others too can be considered for this surgery.
- Lap band surgery requirements include evidence of past weight loss programs, mainly medically supervised ones. In other words, the person must have tried other weight loss methods, before opting for this surgery. This requirement is important for insurance purposes.
- The person must have a history of obesity. He/she must be obese for the last five years or more, so as to become eligible for this surgery.
- Apart from those mentioned above, other requirements include affordability, and awareness about its complications and risks. The person must be ready for the aftercare, which includes special diet and lifestyle changes.
It is always better to consider all other options for achieving weight loss, before resorting to any bariatric weight loss surgery. You must be aware of the possible complications, before opting for this surgery.
