Lap-Band
A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, commonly referred to as a ‘a band’, lap band or LAGB, involves the placement of an adjustable band around the proximal stomach, which decreases the appetite and slows the frequency and amount of eating which leads to weight loss of approximately 1.5 pounds per week. As a rule, this technique results in few serious complications, however it does require frequent adjustments – every six weeks for the first year. Additionally, one in five patients require re-operation because of infection, breakage and misplacement.
Adjustable gastric band surgery 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.
In February 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded approval of Adjustable gastric band to patients with a BMI between 30 to 40 and one weight-related medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. However, an adjustable gastric band may only be used after other methods such as diet and exercise have previously been tried.
Learn More About These Other Surgical Weight Loss Options:
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