Is weight loss surgery using the LAP-Band as good as it's advertised?In the U.S., weight loss (bariatric) surgery involving the Lap-Band is second only to gastric bypass surgery as a method of dealing with morbid obesity. It is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure in Europe, Australia and South America. Over 300,000 LAP-Bands have been installed worldwide. The LAP-Band was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001 as a surgical device for treating severe obesity. Like gastric bypass it alters the anatomy of the stomach to help you reduce food intake. Unlike gastric bypass the Lap-Band’s most popular feature is its adjustability.
The ProcedureThe Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System (brand name is the Lap-Band) is basically a hollow silicone belt that goes around the top of the stomach forming a small pouch. It is inserted through a series of small incisions in the stomach, aided by a tiny camera called a laparoscope. The band is inflated with saline solution through an access port placed under the skin. This port is connected to the band by tubing. The smaller pouch created by the LAP-Band is supposed to control your hunger and fill you up quicker. Ultimately, this results in weight loss because you eat much less and feel full sooner because this small pouch only holds so much food. The surgery takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to perform. Adjustments to the LAP-Band are painless and take about 15 minutes in a radiology office. Again, the most popular feature of the LAP-Band is that it can be adjusted to control the passage of food from the pouch to your stomach. It’s kind of like squeezing a balloon in the middle. The more you squeeze the smaller the opening between the two balloon halves. The more you inflate the band, the smaller the opening to the stomach becomes. Even though the LAP-Band does not involve cutting the stomach like gastric bypass surgery, I’m still not a big fan of the procedure. I know that it is designed to aid the morbidly obese in weight loss, but I would rather see them follow a sensible weight loss plan along with a daily exercise program. In time they would be able to lose weight and reduce and even eliminate some serious medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Who’s Eligible for LAP-Band Surgery? Like gastric bypass surgery, eligible candidates must have a BMI (body mass index) between 35 and 39, and must also have associated severe medical problems. These conditions usually include high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. If BMI is 40 or greater, no related medical problems are necessary to qualify. Not all candidates qualify for the less evasive laparoscopic procedure and have to undergo the “open” procedure. With laparoscopy there are fewer risks and the recovery is quicker.
Cost Like gastric bypass, LAP-Band surgery doesn’t come cheap. Costs vary from around $17,000 to $30,000. Medical insurance may cover all or only part of the cost. Any other procedures to do things like getting rid of loose skin or breast augmentation, aren’t usually covered by insurance. These extra procedures can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Risks LAP-Band surgery is considered a very safe procedure. There are the normal risks involved with any surgical procedure like bleeding and infection. Additional complications include:
How Effective is LAP-Band Surgery? In 2001, researchers at the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) conducted a clinical trial on the effectiveness of the LAP-Band. Over the course of about four years, 15 out of the 36 patients studied requested that the LAP-Band be removed because of insufficient weight loss. Six other patients experienced complications including infection, saline leakage and band slippage. More than 70% of patients studied developed stretching of the esophagus. Stretching of the esophagus can lead to vomiting, reflux and difficulty swallowing. Because of these problems, the research team did not find the LAP-Band to be effective for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. They suggested a long term study be conducted to further test its effectiveness. Patients undergoing LAP-Band surgery do not tend to lose as much weight as those undergoing gastric bypass. With gastric bypass, patients typically lose an average of 50-60% of their excess weight. With LAP-Band surgery, the VCU team saw a 36% loss of excess weight. A 12 year study between September 1993 and December 2005 on 2,000 patients was conducted on the long term effectiveness of LAP-Band surgery by Drs. Franco Favretti and Gianni Segato. They were part of the team that developed the laparoscopic procedure for LAP-Band in 1993. They found a 10 year average of weight loss to be 26.3kg (58 lbs). This is not an unreasonable amount of weight for someone to lose without having to resort to a surgical procedure. Recovery and Aftercare It takes about a week to recover from the surgery. A liquid diet will be followed initially until solid foods can be tolerated. You will have to follow an exercise and nutrition plan which may include vitamin supplements. Bottom Line For weight loss, LAP-Band surgery can be an effective tool for the morbidly obese. One problem that the surgery will not solve is the emotional problems associated with obesity. If these issues aren’t addressed other addictive behaviors my replace an addiction to food. If the proper aftercare plan is not followed, weight can be regained. Some patients have the band removed because they can’t handle the aftercare plan designed for them. If you’re considering this procedure, go in with your eyes wide open. Consult with a qualified medical team to see if LAP-Band surgery is right for you. With heavy advertising, the quick results promised by weight loss surgery can be enticing. Losing weight the old fashion way can be frustrating and won’t happen overnight. BUT, with the right coaching and the right plan, in time IT CAN BE DONE.
Time is a very precious gift-so precious that it is only given to us moment by moment.
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