The Lap-Band® System – What To Expect
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.
