How to find out if you qualify for the lap band surgery?

April 7th, 2009

Although numerous individuals desire the lap band procedure to affect positive weight loss, some of them may not be a viable candidate for it. As with any elective surgery, there are huge associated risks and gastric bypass is fairly invasive operation. This is why ethical doctors will always look at a patient’s history prior to deciding to go through with this type of surgery.

Some of the more basic considerations for the lap band operation are the weight and age of the patient. A patient should be between the ages of 18-55 and over 100 pounds in weight and/or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35-39. For people with a BMI index that is between 35-40, it is required to establish how weight gain has affected overall health; however, individual’s with a BMI of 40 and over won’t have to have weight related health issues to receive the surgery.

Below is a list of other considerations that a bariatric physician may contemplate in an effort to see if you qualify for lap band surgery.

Medical history

Medical history is extremely important as it determines your ability to undergo an invasive operation. For example, individuals with blood clotting problems or cardiovascular issues may not be able to be subjected to lap band surgery without serious complications during or after the procedure.

Those who have an illness that may have directly caused their obesity may also be ineligible for lap band surgery as well. If you are unsure as to what contributed to your weight gain, seek a full medical examination prior to your lap band consultation.

Smoker

People who smoke tend to develop more post operative related issues than those who do not and can lengthen their recovery time. A smoker who truly wishes to alter their lifestyle and get on the fast track towards weight loss would have to quit smoking before their surgery.

Lifestyle

If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat tons of junk food and lead a hectic, stress filled life your doctor could ask that you alter these things prior to lap band surgery. If this seems impossible to do, you may have to seek the assistance of a certified behavioral specialist to adopt healthier attitudes before being seriously considered for the lap band.

Diet and exercise history

It is imperative to establish that the patient has tried alternative methods of weight loss with limited to no success. This is to prevent the misuse of the lap band as a cure all solution to weight gain. Those who have attempted a diet and exercise program prior to seeking the lap band procedure are also most likely to follow the lap band meal and exercise plan after surgery which is essential to the operation’s success.

Pre op tests

To further ensure the success of lap band surgery, a doctor will perform a battery of diagnostic tests to establish your ongoing health and viability for surgery. Some of the test may include ultra sounds, CAT-scans, X-rays and analysis of the blood and urine. If these tests come up normal, you will be able to progress to the next levels of evaluation, namely psychological ones, to see your mental preparedness for the procedure. Once all relevant information has been collected, you can start the lengthy pre-op preparations for lap band surgery.

Is the lap band for you?

If you are serious about wanting to lose weight and don’t mind making extreme lifestyle changes, contact a local certified bariatric physician nearest your for a consultation. He will be able to explain the procedure, go over the associated risks and evaluate if lap band surgery is right for you.

Wanting to look and feel your best is the first step towards a richer, more fulfilling life. With the right mindset, the lap band can help you achieve those goals.

Is the Lap Band Surgery Safe and Reversible?

March 23rd, 2009

Sometimes , the procedure is reserved for the morbidly overweight, so if you simply wish to lose a few inches off your waist, weight loss surgery would possibly not be a choice for you. Morbidly obesity is outlined as people who have hundreds of pounds to lose. In a few cases, heavy infection could result with lethal effects. The capability for health issues due to starvation was also a significant issue.

This isn’t to claim that the lap band process does not carry any perils, so it’s best to chat with a doctor about potential issues before undergoing any major, elective operation. The band, which attaches to the stoma, allows an individual to eat less but sustain a sense of being full.

It’s also reversible, meaning it can be removed with almost no complications for the recipient, something that could not be related for the normal stomach bypass surgeries. These advancements have made this sort of gut bypass surgery safer.

It could also be totally removed laparoscopically. The surgery stay is generally awfully short as well, and folks can get on with their lives reasonably quickly after surgery. Folks who select the lap band system also shed pounds far faster than those who go the old skool diet and exercise route alone. They also find it easier to shed pounds and to keep it off for good.

This is often because the lap band can help an individual with an amazing weight to lose stay on course by helping them feel full and eat less. Alongside diet and life changes, the lap band can help folk who are serious about weight reduction shed pounds and lead more fit, happier lives. As far as it is going, lap band procedures are nearly as safe as any major surgery. If you have an interest in lap band surgery do your homework and check with a licensed surgeon with experience in the field before making any firm calls. This can make sure that you get the outcome you have dreamt of, that the body of your dreams.

Gastric Bypass vs Gastric Banding Surgery Costs

February 16th, 2009

When it comes to weight loss surgery, the most popular type is definitely the lap band surgery, which is known as the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure. This type of surgery generally costs around $20,000 - $28,000 in the United States, around $18,000 in Canada, and anywhere between $6,000 - $14,000 in Mexico or India.

Another type of weighty loss surgery is the gastric bypass surgery, which is similar to the lap band procedure in terms of creating a small upper pouch in the stomach, but with the gastric bypass surgery the small intestines are rearranged in order to allow both pouches to stay connected to it. Some of the more popular forms of gastric bypass surgery include the Roux en-Y (proximal) and the Roux en-Y (distal) gastric bypass as well as the Loop gastric bypass (mini-gastric bypass). The gastric bypass surgery cost is estimated to be between $28,000 - $32,000 from online resources and our research.

One of the main advantages, besides the fact that it is a much safer percentage as the fatality rate associated with the lap band surgery is significantly lower than with the gastric bypass surgery, is that you get to keep your doctor bills and surgery costs down a bit with the lap band surgery as opposed to the gastric bypass surgery.

When it comes down to finding a weight loss surgery that is right for you, it’s best to consult with your doctors but also do a lot of online research as there are great lap band resources such as Lap Band Talk as well as other weight loss surgery discussion forums where people share their stories that you may benefit from.

The Lap-Band® System – What To Expect

January 3rd, 2009

Pursuing any form of surgical help can be unnerving, especially for something as important as your health. While the Lap-Band® System is the safest weight loss surgery on the market, it is still an overwhelming process, and you may be nervous, and unsure of what to expect. This is especially true if you are obese, and have been on the long journey of weight loss attempts that have led you here, to the final step.

Now knowing what to do next is perfectly natural, as is your fear, but it can be nice to know what you are getting into, and what you are likely to experience as you set off on your new life, both before, and after, your gastric band.

Here are a few things to expect as you prepare for your surgery:

Getting Started

One of the hardest steps is the first one: talking to your doctor. Perhaps you are nervous about bringing the subject of surgery up, or even embarrassed, but there is no way to begin this journey if you don’t first make it clear that you are ready to embark.

You will want to specify which surgery you are most interested in, so be sure to let your doctor know that you want to get a Lap-Band®, and not the more dangerous Gastric Bypass. You should discuss with him/her the methods you have tried before to lose weight, and about how they have been unsuccessful up until this point.

Also, you may be asked to attend a seminar so be sure to ask any questions you may have about the procedure, life after the procedure, their methods of treatment, if they offer post-op exams, and any concerns you may have about the risks involved. The more open you are with your physician, the easier the process will be.

Your Financial Options

Most bariatric clinics will have a financial counselor you can speak to, that will direct you in the best financial options for paying for your Lap-Band® operation. In most cases, the cost of the Lap-Band® is $15,000, plus the cost of co-op visits, medication, and consultations. Insurance may cover all, or part of this expense, which is something you should take up with your advisor.

Any costs you are responsible for out-of-pocket can be covered in many ways, from charging it to a high-balance credit card, paying a portion and giving installments to the clinic, taking out a loan, or taking out a medically based loan from a company that specializes in these matters.

The Lap-Band® Procedure

The surgery itself only takes around an hour, and the risks involved are low, especially in comparison to other weight loss surgeries. It’s usually performed as an outpatient procedure, and so most will be allowed to leave the clinic the same day.

Recovery will take about a week or so, but most patients stop using pain medication with four days, and take it easy as their body grows accustomed to the gastric band. You will have regular post-op exams to make sure you are progressing normally, and that there are no problems or infections.

One of the Most Successful Lap Band Stories!

December 19th, 2008

One of the most successful lap band stories has been the story of CIBO clinic founder Tom Saridis. Tom’s story is truly amazing; he had the lap band surgery and in total lost over 260 pounds! Then, as a result of being dissatisfied with the lack of post surgery support, he went on to found one of the most successful lap band clinics in Canada!!

Below is a video of Tom’s amazing story!

The video is pretty short but it talks a bit about Tom’s story and his CIBO clinic and then goes on to describe what the lap band surgery is and how it can help people struggling with obesity. It’s a really interesting video so be sure to check it out!

Weight Loss through Lap Band Surgery – Costs and Best Bargains

October 18th, 2008

Lap Band surgery is the surest way of losing fat and is fast becoming a procedure of choice the world over for people looking for a permanent solution to their ‘fatty’ problem. The cost of lap band surgery differs from city to city in the Unites States. This discrepancy comes because of the varying facilities offered by clinics performing lap band surgery as well as the differing tax structures in the individual states. Though the surgery involves no stomach stapling and is much less invasive than a gastric bypass surgery, it still requires the involvement of a surgeon, an anesthetist, a short period of hospitalization as well as post operative care and regular monitoring by a qualified physician until the patient adjusts to the special lifestyle changes necessary post surgery. At times the patient may also require a psychologist to help cope with possible psychological side effects of the surgery. Depending upon the type of Health Plan a patient has signed for, the actual costs incurred will vary. Typical fees Lap Band surgeries will include pre-operation test fees, fees for the surgeon, the anesthetist, hospital charges, surgery charges, post operative care charges in addition to costs of optional counseling. The type of health plan makes a difference to the overall billing. For example, if the health plan caters for only an out-patient surgery, where the patient will be discharged post surgery, the costs could be lower.

In any case, a safe yardstick to go by for the entire cost in the United States would be in the range of 12,000 to $30,000. Subsequent to surgery, the consulting fees for post-op care may vary from $35 to $200 per visit. In Australia and Europe, the surgery costs in itself are a little less, between $11000 and $16000, because of lower overhead costs. Other countries to look out for even better bargains with equal if not better facilities include Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, India, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. These countries, contrary to popular belief do specialize in Lap Band surgery. India, for instance, has a pool of well trained surgeons and state-of-the-art infrastructure offering five-star treatment at bargain prices. Hospitals in Chennai offer Lap Band surgery for all of $8000 and this includes cost of airfare! Other Indian metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and Delhi too offer similar packages. Medical tourism is actively encouraged by the Government of India who considers its niche skill in surgeries as an avenue for promotion of the national talent as well as the Tourism industry. Indian hospitals are innovative and at times offer a combined surgery cum sightseeing package also – an interesting combo!

If you are looking to get a Lap Band surgical procedure done abroad, check whether the implants being used are acceptable in your home country. If you are too sick to travel, then a Lap Band surgery near home is the best option. In such cases a good health plan or a health insurance which caters for Bariatric Surgery can help cut costs significantly. Again, be sure to look for the hidden terms and do your own research. You don’t want to land up in the middle of a nightmare, all in the hope of saving a few hundred bucks. While choosing the best bargain, be thorough in your scrutiny, read up on the Internet, review testimonials as also the recommendations of surgeons and other doctors in the know of things – safety first!

What is lap band surgery?

September 15th, 2008

Lap band surgery, also known as laparoscopic obesity surgery, is a type of laparoscope surgery. This is a form of surgery that relies on a series of incisions that are used by a telescopic rod lens and a number of surgical tools.

These incisions, also referred to as ports, have been seen as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS), that reduces the complications that can be seen in traditional surgery. There is also a shortened hospital stay and also a much faster recovery time.

The laparoscopic obesity surgery uses the MIS technique to allow the surgeon to enter the chest cavity and use a video image to perform the surgery that once required the surgeon to see literally what they were doing. With this method, the laparoscopic obesity surgery has required different methods to have the same results that a gastric bypass surgery would have.

The laparoscopic obesity surgery is a process where the surgeon can take the stomach and create two pouches out of it. The one that is used by the body is normally seen to be less than ten percent of the mass of the stomach. This is done using a series of surgical staples that divide the stomach and also ensure that there is little chance of the pouches merging back into their original state.

Unlike the gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon has little need to sever the small intestine. This means that the surgeon can perform the laparoscopic obesity surgery with little chance of leakage and also a minimal chance of the process being reversed.

The laparoscopic obesity surgeries have become diverse in some areas of how the process is done, but these variations are typically minor in comparison to other operations. The laparoscopic obesity surgery has also been seen as a more direct approach to isolating most of the stomach and ensuring that the person is getting the desired result.

In recent years, the laparoscopic obesity surgery has gained in appeal with a number of celebrities using this and also the success rate that the surgery has shown. Unlike the traditional methods, there are fewer traumas to the chest cavity and to the muscles that reside there. This means that there are less chances of hernias and also minimal pain in comparison to the old methods.

Laparoscopic obesity surgery may be a new method, but it has evolved quickly and has been one that has had a higher success rate at the same pace as a gastric bypass. The benefits have been documented by a number of professionals and also by the testimonies of those that have had the process done.

As with many other MIS based operations, laparoscopic obesity surgery has been seen as an operation that a typical surgeon should not do. The fact that the surgeon is limited to a two dimensional image and also the lack of direct contact has made this a surgery that requires a specialist. This fact can scare some, but there is normally no reason as these are professionals that have been well versed in this method.