The Lap Band system is an adjustable gastric banding system that restricts the amount of food your stomach can hold at one time. This means that you can lose wait gradually and keep that weight off. This system works without any stomach cutting or stapling and is easily adjustable. You will feel full sooner and stay full for a longer period of time, allowing you to become a healthy person and stay healthy for many years to come.
What is Lap Band Surgery?
Lap Band surgery is less invasive than others surgeries such as stomach cutting and stomach stapling, and it is 10 times safer than other gastric surgeries like gastric bypass and gastric sleeves. It also has fewer risks and the recovery time is generally faster than other surgeries associated with weight loss. In a typical Lap Band surgery, the patient is put under general anesthesia and the system is placed during a laparoscopic procedure. Long, thin instruments are used to put the system into place through a small amount of tiny incisions. The surgery generally takes about an hour to perform and is done often on an outpatient basis. The system in implanted around the top part of the stomach, very much like a belt. A small access port is placed underneath the skin on your abdomen, which is connected to the system by a tube. Adjustments are made through this access port, most frequently during the first year the system is in place, by adding or removing a saline solution to achieve optimal weight loss. After the surgery is complete, you can expect to recover and be back to your daily routine after about a week’s time.
Who is a Candidate For This Surgery?
Only your doctor or surgeon can give you a complete evaluation to determine if the Lap Band system is right for you, but there are some qualifications to determine if you may be a candidate for this surgery. If you are 18 years old or over and at least 100 pounds overweight, you may qualify. You must be prepared to make major changes to your lifestyle and eating habits, and you must not be pregnant or drink alcohol in excess. If you do become pregnant after having the procedure done, your Lap Band can be adjusted while you are pregnant and changed back afterwards. If you have been overweight for more than 5 years and your previous attempts at losing weight have only shown short-term success, you may also qualify for surgery. You must also currently be healthy enough to recover from minimally invasive surgery. There are some factors that may cause you to not be a candidate, such as ulcers, heart or lung disease, portal hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, alcohol or drug addiction, or certain other factors that your doctor will determine.
Benefits and Risks of This Type of Surgery
The benefits for this surgery are great and for most cases outweigh the risks. You will be able to take control of your weight and increase your health, allowing you to perform all the functions of daily life. However, just like all major surgeries, there are certain risks involved that you need to be aware of. One of the risks that every candidate for this procedure needs to know about is death. Although there were no deaths recorded in the US study, it is possible and can occur during or after the surgery. A tear in the stomach can also occur during or after the procedure, which can lead to the need for additional surgery. This happened in 1 percent of the patients studied. Age and excess weight can increase the risks for complications of surgery. There are also risks associated with medications used in the procedure and negative body responses to foreign material. Patients may also experience complications after the procedure is completed, such as nausea and vomiting, regurgitation, and band slippage. Most of these complications are not serious but may require hospitalization or additional operations. Studies have shown, however, that this system contains fewer risks than other gastric surgeries to treat obesity.
Average Weight Loss to Expect
The amount of weight you will lose with this surgery varies from patient to patient. The amount lost depends on several factors, and you need to be dedicated to your new lifestyle. Weight should be lost gradually, and sometimes a loss of two to three pounds a week can be attained, although the usual results show a loss of 1 pound per week during the first year after having the procedure done. Losing weight too quickly can be dangerous and may lead to other health problems. Studies have shown that patients typically lose weight at a greater rate during the first year the implant is in place.
Studies Done on This Surgery
Three peer review studies were conducted in the United States showing the results and effectiveness of this procedure. All three studies have shown that the amount of weight lost with the system is generally equal to that of gastric bypass surgery while incurring less risks and complications. The amount of time needed for recovery was significantly less than that of gastric bypass surgery, and it is up to 10 times safer than other procedures used to treat obesity. This system is the least invasive surgical procedure available to treat obesity, and the duration of hospital stay is dramatically shorter than other options. It is the only adjustable and reversible procedure to treat obesity. One study of 99 patients showed that after one year, there was an average loss of 44.4 percent of excess body weight. After surgery, patients were able to return to their normal activities in approximately seven days.
A detailed description of the lap band procedure and how it works can be found at the free encyclopedia, Wikipedia, located here.
Though I’ve read a lot of successful cases from lap band surgeries, it actually scares me more. It forces and encourages me to live a healthy life rather than go this procedure.
I agree with Ellen. They thought of lap ban surgery is scary and pushes me to stick to a healthy diet to lose weight. Lap band surgery is not for everyone.
It is also called gastric band surgery. Lap band surgery takes about an hour to perform. Usually done while you are under general anesthesia. gastric band surgery can change your life for the better, but requires a commitment on their part.
I’m not for the surgery but for others they see it as the only way and for some if they don’t have the surgery they could die. It’s easy for me to say that someone should just change but many cant and wont. This may be the only way for them to live another 5 yrs. I know someone who has done it and lost about 1-2lbs per week and they are happy as can be. The thing that gets me is that when I said that they should just eat less and they would lose about a 1lb per week they said that wasn’t worth.
Surgery is not the way to do it!
My wake-up call was in September of 2010 when I tipped the scale at over 330 pounds. I had played football and other sports in both High School and College. Because of my active lifestyle, I had eaten what I wanted, when I wanted. I had done it for so many years that even after I graduated College, I kept to that mentality. I began working 80 plus hours a week and just became “too busy” to work out or eat properly, and the pounds began to pack on as the years went by. I met my health coach through a family friend, and she changed my life. She assisted me in breaking all of my bad habits and helped me form healthy ones, and in six months, I shed over 130 pounds. I have more energy and am more confident than I ever have been, and it feels great to finally fit into my skinny clothes again.
Interesting, I know alot of people would use this as a quck fix if they had the money!
Well some people cant loose weight because it’s embedded in their genes. Even the most exhausting workouts are of no good for their weight loss program. So surgery is the only option for these kind of people.
It is scary to undergo surgery especially if your purpose is to lose weight. I know that experts had undergone thorough research about this but I would rather go for a natural way. It is only a matter of discipline and self-control. But this is interesting to me as well. Thank you.
Whoa..I think it is really risky. There might be some side effect afterwards. But it is really tempting. I have been thinking of undergoing such surgery. But I am not yet sure about it. I hope I could find more courage and people to tell me that it is safe to undergo this kind of help for overweight guys like me.
Does this kind of surgery require an average weight of a person? Because I am not that much of a stocky person. a bit of a chubby I think. My waistline is 36..Is it fine to undergo this surgery?
Every kind of surgery involves risk and one must carefully consider all the pros and cons before deciding to take even a small surgery. However, for very extreme cases, this may be a relative moderate way to lose weight and one of the last resorts. I think it’s always better if we can lose weight by taking healthy food (like low GI food), behaviour modification (like doing 20 minutes of exercise everyday even if it’s just walking!), taking supplements which are good for health.
Risky, too risky. As long as you are able to walk and do some light cardio exercises, you should avoit it at all cost. Diet + cardio, until you lose enough to add weightlifting into your weight loss routine (this applies to men AND women).
Gastric surgery is just the easy way, and those always cost way more than just money.
The big issues with gastric band surgery is that people still end up with excess weight, you have to change your eating habits. What I dont understand is how people can sit in front of a TV for an hour but yet cant go for a 45 minute walk, not only would they lose weight they would feel much better.
I have to admit it: I am not into Lap Band Surgery.
I am the best example that there is a much healthier way to improve dramatically your health, perform and look better and be in the best shape of your life.Why?
Two years ago, I was overweight and have all the related problems: health problems, family problems, emotional problems…
At this very day, after 15 months of fitness training, not only that I have lost 54 pounds of body fat, but I also succeeded in building a lean and much stronger physique. I am in the best shape of my life and as healthy as I can be!
I am a 36 year old man. I am a full time single parent of a 7-year-old daughter. I have a very demanding job. And, according to my doctor, my biological age is now, no more then 27! In addition, my ex-wife thinks I am super hot…
Well, what do you think about that? …No, not about the “ex-wife thing”…
At this very moment, I can live the life most people cannot, because I decided to do what most people do not: started a fitness program and follow a tasty and natural diet plan.
Yeah, the natural way is the best way.
Hey Everyone, I am a wellness coach and we have weight loss challenges we conduct. I have had people come to me MISERABLE from the lap band surgery wishing they never had gone thru it. It doesn’t teach us anything….Now days people need to learn to change their lifestyles thru exercise and diet!
I know a few people who have udergone surgery for weightloss, sure they lose weight but look terrible and flabby, there is nothing like watching what you eat and exercise.
I am soon to be 38 years YOUNG, and I am 100lbs. overweight, and have contimplated surgery. I am scared. I have tried all kinds of “diets” but stopped at losing 15 lbs. because of a plateau. I really need some feedback on how I can lose weight and feel good about how I did it. I know it takes determination. I also have a horrible back, caused from two rollovers when I was younger. Not an excuse, just a barrier on how much exercise I can do. Any suggestions?
Krista,
There are many articles on this website that can help you. People use different methods to stay motivated. You need to figure out what works for you. A very inexpensive weight loss group is TOPS. Check to see if there is one in your area. You can attend the first meeting free. I have see many motivate each other in this group to lose weight while making lasting friendships. You can go to the TOPS website and find a local organization for yourself. Wishing you the best. Please check back and let me know how you are doing. Chris
There are much safer ways to lose weight..my friend Christi lost 154 lbs in 11 months with supplements while her brother challenged her with gastro bypass surgery.
He also lost 100 lbs, but after losing that much weight he had to go back under the knife for plastic surgery to get rid of all the excess skin..Christi’s skin is tight and elastic..
Surgery is not for me. Id rather do it the old fashioned way with diet and exercise. I think surgery is almost cheating. I mean more power to ya if you have the guts to go under the knife but I cant see myself doing it
I also have to admit that I am not a fan of the lap band surgery. But then again, extreme dieting and exercise can be just as dangerous.
Is anyone watching Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition Monday nights at 10? Each episode transforms a super obese person in a year’s time. Which sounds good. But these people are literally dropping hundreds of pounds in a year. I am not so sure that it’s that healthy. Thoughts?
With all the respect, surgery is not the best option. Finding the main reason which makes you gaining weight could give you the right tool to lose weight.
I think lap band surgery is pretty crazy. The whole idea of going to the point of actually having surgery to stop you from eating too much. I guess it has worked for some people but it just seems so wrong.
Lap band is a far less scary option than gastric bypass. It is also far from being a “quick fix.” There are those of us that have tried multiple times to do it “the old fashioned” way, but were not successful. The thing to remember, lap band surgery is not a fix all, it is a tool. You still have to watch what you eat, portion control is a must and it truly helps you to break those bad food habits. Bottom line, when it comes to improving your health, you do what needs to be done. Also, the another positive of lap band for me, it has helped to bring my type 2 diabetes under control (no more meds), lowered my blood pressure and my cholesterol numbers have greatly improved.
Bailey,
Thanks for sharing your success story. I’m glad it has worked out for you and you are off those meds. Congratulations!!!
It has some serious side effect just in case you didn’t know. One of my friends got it done and now she can’t stop throwing up every time she eats something.
Some people try everything to lose weight and are not always successful. Extreme dieting and exercising can help you to lose weight, but chances are you won’t keep the weight off. The lap band (or some of the other weight loss surgeries) are not a quick fix. You MUST attend informational meetings, meet with a nutritionist, etc. before going through the surgery. They require a lot of work and commitment on the part of the person. I know. I have a gastric band. This is probably the hardest work I have ever done in my lifeto lose weight and I have done everything. This is a whole life change. I have to retrain myself to eat a whole new way. I love the experience because it is truly a challenge for me. I have the extra benefit of having lost 60+ lbs so far (about 1 year). Not many people are courageous, diligent, or persistent enough to put in the work that it requires.
Vel,
Great job on your weight loss. I am sure you have been a great inspiration to your friends and family. Hopefully, reading your testimony, will inspire people reading this blog to start, restart, or continue on their weight loss journey. Thanks for stopping and sharing with me and my readers.
After years of gaining and losing 100s of pounds (sometimes 150 lbs at a time), I found myself at the age of 61 weighing 357 lbs! I really felt I was at death’s door. I knew I could bite the bullet and diet yet again, and lose at least part of the excess weight, but I also knew that I’d gone through this process at least 5 or 6 times before. I needed to get the weight off, and keep it off if I was to survive. The idea of surgery scared me, and put me off for all the reasons sited on this blog, but then I learned about the gastric band.
This procedure so so much less invasive and so much safer, that I knew this was the way to go. I had the surgery on a Thursday morning, and was home by 3 in the afternoon. I felt like you would after doing too many sit-ups, but actually not too bad. I went back to work the following Wednesday with absolutely no problems.
I had the surgery on June 22nd and it’s now the beginning of February. I have lost 123 pounds, and I feel great! I can eat and drink anything I want. i just get full faster. I do try to watch what I eat. It would defeat the purpose of the surgery it I sat around munching cheese doodles all day. I get hungry right around meal time, but if I eat something filling like a ham sandwich, a steak, I’m full and satisfied. If I fill up on some sort of junk food, I get hungry sooner. It just doesn’t stay with you.
All in all, I can truthfully say that I have never once regretted that I had the surgery. I feel young and alive again. People see ME; not just this Fat Guy. Don’t shy away from this procedure out of fear. It works, it’s easy, and it’s even reversible!
Bob,
Thanks for sharing your success story with us. I’m glad this method has worked for you. You are an inspiration to many trying to lose weight.
Bob,
Thank you for your story. It was helpful, and has given me hope. I am thinking about having this surgery. I’ve been to a nutritionist before and kept a food diary. I was told that what I was doing was fine but for some reason I’m still gaining weight. I feel bloated all the time. I’ve never been this way in my life not even with my pregnancies. It could be my matabolism is slow. I dont eat enough to gain weight. I have starved myself in the past and I was told that my body is storing the food. Well it should be retrained by now that was years ago. I quit smoking and gained 20 pounds?????why nothing changed. I got 22 teeth pulled and got some new ones, you would think I would of lost some weight, NOPE. Everyone I talk to that has done the same all lost weight. I’ve been to the gym and I can say that my back and knee pain went away and I felt better, but still didnt lose that much…..ugggggI am 5’4 and weigh 260. Never weighed this much in my life. I’m 37 and keep gaining. At work I follow a diabetic diet with my clients….NO sugar and little starch/carbs. I work 6 days a week.. Have no clue what the problem is. But if this keeps up I’m gonna have lots more to worry about and possibly die. I feel things are not right. This is my chance.. I want to know if its right for me. I need HELP. Its hard to breath when I bend over to tie my shoes. I choke when I’m asleep, it wakes me up. I think I just need a good start. It’s hard when you are this far overweight. It would be easier for me to keep it off when I’m starting with less weight.. What do you think about this….Will it help me????