Lap Band, Best Weight Loss Surgery?

Lap band

Lap band or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, is an inflatable silicone device placed around the top portion of the stomach to treat morbid obesity byreducing the amount of food consumed.

Adjustable gastric band surgical procedure is an example of bariatric surgery designed for obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater—or between 35 and 40 in cases of patients with certain comorbidities that are known to improve with weight loss, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, osteoarthritis, GERD, Hypertension (high blood pressure), or metabolic syndrome, among others.

Body Mass Index 

A person is categorized as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or have morbid obesity based on his or her body mass index (BMI). Body mass index is a way to measure body fat that is based on your height and weight. Body mass index is to assess how much an individual's body weight departs from what is normal or desirable for a person of his or her height. The weight excess or deficiency may, in part, be accounted for by body fat although other factors such as muscularity also affect body mass index significantly.

Qualifications

Weight loss surgery is recommended only for people with morbid obesity (body mass index above 40) who have not responded to diet, exercise, or weight loss medicines , body mass index between 35 and 40, along with a serious medical problem (including diabetes, severe joint pain, or sleep apnea) that would improve with weight loss.

How it works

The inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This surgical procedure restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time and increases the time taken for the stomach to empty. The patient achieves sustained weight loss by limiting food intake, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion.

According to the American Society for Metabolic Bariatric Surgery, bariatric surgery is not an easy option for obesity sufferers. It is a drastic step, and carries the usual pain and risks of any major gastrointestinal surgical operation.

However, gastric banding is the least invasive surgery of its kind. Gastric banding is performed using laparoscopic surgical procedures and usually results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures. Because no part of the stomach is stapled or removed, and the patient’s intestines are not re-routed, he or she can continue to absorb nutrients from food normally. Gastric bands are made entirely of biocompatible materials, so they are able to stay in the patient’s body without causing harm.

However, not all patients are suitable for laparoscopy. Patients who have morbid obesity, who have had previous abdominal surgery, or have complicating medical problems may require the open approach.

After surgery

After surgery, you may need pain medicine to help with discomfort and soreness. You'll be encouraged to start moving around to help your body heal. You may have an X-ray the day after surgery to see that everything is working correctly.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions about what to eat after the surgical procedures. For the first 2 weeks, your stomach can only handle small amountsof liquids while you are healing. Some people feel full after just a few sips of water or other liquid. Other people won't notice much difference. It is important to try to sip water throughout the day to avoid becoming dehydrated. You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements.

Bit by bit, you will be able to add solid foods back into your diet. You must be careful to chew food well and to stop eating when you feel full. This can take some getting used to, because you will feel full after eating much less food than you are used to eating. If you do not chew your food well or do not stop eating soon enough, you may feel discomfort or nausea and may sometimes vomit.

Your doctor may recommend that you work with a dietitian to plan healthy meals that give you enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while you are losing weight. Even with a healthy diet, you probably will need to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life.

After you can eat solid food again, your doctor will adjust the band around your stomach by inserting saline into your port, which will inflate the band and cause it to tighten. You will probably have many adjustments to the band in the first year to find the right size that helps you lose weight, feel full at the right time, and not vomit. You'll need to visit doctor each time you need the band adjusted.

Weight loss

After this lap band surgery, weight loss is usually gradual but steady. You will have regular visits with your doctor to check how you are doing. The doctor canadjust the band if you are not losing weight as expected or if you have problems with the band. Some people continue to lose weight for up to 3 years after surgery.

Weight loss surgery does not remove fatty tissue. It is not cosmetic surgical procedure.

Some studies show that people who have weight loss surgery are less likely to die from heart problems, diabetes, or cancer compared to obese people who did not have the surgery.

Risks of Lap band surgical procedure 

Lap Band is more risky for the people above the age of 45 . Risk also include possible death. A number of complications may appear after after Surgery. Some of those complications are abdominal hernias, bloating, bowel obstruction, cardiac problems, close monitoring of food intake, complicated and dangerous procedures, death, depression, dizziness, excess skin, excess sweating, financial distress, gallstones, gas, hair loss or thinning of hair, Increased risk of other medical complications, infections, leaks or perforations causing internal infection, marital and relationship distress, nausea, nutritional deficiencies, opening later proves to be too small or too large, psychological distress, risk increases for age, spleen injury or tear, temporarily avoiding pregnancy, uncomfortable and embarrassing procedures, vomiting, and wound infection.

First and foremost is the extremely high rate of minor or annoying lap band problems and lap band complication which have been shown to occur in as many as33% of patients. Problems range anywhere from your body simply not tolerating the band (leading to vomiting or an ongoing feeling of discomfort) to band slippage that can require re-operation. 

The rate of lap band patients requiring re-operation or another surgical procedures is high.  It has been shown to occur in as many as 37% of patients. Re-operation can be the result of not enough weight being lost or complications that require band removal. 

Lap Band Alternative

Recent study shows alternatives to surgical procedures are available in a new  procedure, Roca Labs Formula  creates a similar effect of gastric banding. Roca Labs lap band is designed to produce similar results, but without all the side effects or complications of an invasive weight loss surgery. There are a  only few known  side effects associated with the Roca Labs procedure, but they are much milder and generally avoidable with proper use. Weight loss surgery is invasive and generally irreversible, while use of the Formula is customizable, much more safe and pain-free, and can be stopped at any time. In addition, Roca Labs Formula includes the patented ingredient β-Glucan, which balances blood sugar levels and fights your cravings for sweets and snacks – something that surgery isn’t capable of. You’ll not only eat less, you’ll eat healthier and avoid the temptation for calorie-rich foods and snacking that can easily jeopardize yourweight loss and cause weight re-gain. 

After Lap Band , research proved that most of the previous patients have regained almost half of their weight back. The Formula can help maintain the lost weight of the patients who have underwent weight loss surgery. Not only patients with morbid obesity can safely use the Formula, but those who are overweight but not obese, pregnant trying to maintain weight during and/or after pregnancy, children, and seniors. The Formula maybe the answer to most weight issues but it is still recommended that before one uses the Formula, or any weight loss method to  consult with your personal physician as a precaution.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustable_gastric_band

http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/lap-band-surgery

http://EzineArticles.com/918612

http://www.ready4achange.com/preop_%20lap-band-surgery

http://www.lapbandsurgery.org/

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_7022.shtml