Weight Loss Surgery - Weighing the Surgical Options for Obesity

The number of patients undergoing weight loss surgery has risen sharply. Over the last ten years, the amount of bariatric surgeries performed each year in the United States has gone from less than 30,000 in 1999 to more than 200,000 in 2008. Yet this represents only a small percentage of the Americans who medically qualify for bariatric surgery and who can benefit from surgical intervention for extreme obesity.

Extreme obesity, which is generally 80 to 100 pounds or more overweight, is a chronic health condition that is very difficult to treat. According to the National Institutes of Health, bariatric surgery is considered the only permanent treatment for individuals who are morbidly obese.

With obesity reaching epidemic levels, the rising popularity of bariatric surgery is not expected to slow any time soon. However, the widespread obesity levels are not the only factor behind the increase in surgical weight loss treatment. A significant portion of the growth can be attributed to the development of safer surgical techniques and the availability of less-invasive bariatric options.

Surgeons first began to experiment with various intestinal and gastric bypass procedures for weight loss back in the 1950's. Some of the earliest bariatric procedures were successful in terms of weight loss results, but they also led to serious health problems, including protein-calorie malnutrition, diarrhea, kidney stones, severe arthritis, and liver failure.

Through their attempts, surgeons learned more about the effects of altering various parts of the digestive system and made improvements to their methods. Although it took many years of trial and error, it was in the early 1990's that bariatric surgery finally began to benefit patients more than it hurt them.

The most successful bariatric procedure over time has been the Roux-en-Y (RNY) gastric bypass surgery. The RNY gastric bypass was first performed in 1967 using open surgery methods, and laparoscopically in 1993. This procedure reduces the functional volume of the stomach and alters the body's response to food through rerouting of the small intestine.

Almost four decades later, the RNY gastric bypass is still the most common type of weight loss surgery performed in the United States. It results in rapid weight loss and improves or resolves many obesity related health conditions. Gastric bypass patients are required to make lifelong changes in their eating habits and take nutritional supplements to minimize the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

It wasn't until 2001, with the FDA approval of the LAP-BAND System, that there was a significant bariatric option other than gastric bypass surgery. More recently, the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band, which is marketed in the United States as the REALIZE Band, was approved by the FDA in 2007. Both gastric band systems have been available worldwide since the mid 1990's.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a less invasive option to gastric bypass surgery with similar long-term weight loss results. This method does not require surgical alteration of either the stomach or intestines. Instead, a medical implant is placed into the body to restrict eating and control hunger. Gastric banding does not cause nutritional deficiencies as gastric bypass, and can be adjusted or reversed if medically necessary.

While gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding are the two most popular bariatric options, two other lesser known bariatric options, the gastric sleeve and duodenal switch, may be the preferred treatment option in certain situations.

Choosing to undergo a weight loss procedure is not the easy way to weight loss, but for some individuals it may literally be a life-saving step.

Will Insurance Cover Bariatric Lap-Band Surgery?

Bariatric Lap-Band surgery is one of the safest surgeries to help with weight loss, but it can also be expensive too (as with most any type of surgery). For this reason, many insurances (such as Blue Cross (in some states), Humana, One Health, Medicaid, First Health, Tufts Health Plan, United Healthcare, Oxford Health Plan, and American Family Insurance) have been known to cover for bariatric care. If covered, insurances will either cover for complete care or partial care.

If you are not covered by your insurance company, it may not hurt to talk to your employer. Lots of times it is the employer that decides what will or will not be covered for their employees. It is usually not difficult for an employer to make a change in an employee's insurance package. It is, however, very difficult for an employee to make a change since it is the employer that purchases the insurance packages in bulk and therefore, already has a deal set up with the insurance company.

Not even bariatric centers can get insurance companies to change a policy that is already written, no matter how qualified the person is for getting a bariatric procedure done. However, it will be much easier for your employer to change your insurance policy if you do qualify for bariatric procedures because of medical reasons.

Even if your insurance won't cover for bariatric care, there are other options that are usually available. Many centers have "out-of-network" benefits you can take advantage of, and financial plans through third parties that will help allow you to pay. Bariatric centers will generally try to work with you and your financial needs.

Weight Loss Surgery: Bad Diets and Diabetes Connection

Numerous studies demonstrate that in the scenario that your (BMI) is over 35, weight loss diet is inefficient. A person's weight issues have become chronic and the possibilities of lasting weight reduction are very lackluster indeed.

In the situation where your BMI is above 35, you have been evaluated to have diabetes, and you are in fact greater than forty years of age, you may qualify for an obesity surgical treatment. This surgical treatment targets to bypass a majority of the abdomen and small intestine, distributing meals immediately down the colon. The consequences are beneficial as people lose around sixty-to-seventy percent of their surplus weight.

An accidental side-effect is that sufferers also receive are being cured of type 2 diabetes in only 24 hours. The majority of type-2 diabetics are obese. The insulin has to guide the blood sugar into the muscles starts to function badly when you're immensely overweight. So long as there is an excessive amount of sugar in the blood following a meal, which is in fact how we contract diabetes, the pancreas will have to work hard in a valiant effort to lead the sugar into the muscle groups, tissue and organs. If this situation is not controlled properly, the pancreas in the end gives up and is unable to develop insulin any longer. As soon as that happens, it becomes less likely that weight loss surgical treatment will be a successful treatment the patient's elevated sugar levels. But when the surgical procedure is performed earlier than that situation coming into play, in no time at all the patient is nearly always cured of diabetes.

Gastric Banding Helps Cure Diabetes When Obese
A gastric band is a silicon ring that is inflatable and can be positioned across the upper a part of the tummy, making a small commencing to the rest of the stomach After in your frame, the gastric band controls the amount of meals required to fill you up and the velocity at which food passes from the pouch for your stomach.

A gastric band is valuable at generating weight reduction as it enables you to feel more glad on smaller portions of meals, so you'll be able to feel complete for longer on a smaller amount calories - stimulating your frame to drop some weight. A gastric band procedure must be a direct and simple surgical procedure with out the desire for a health center stay, which we bear in mind can make sufferers feel fearful and from time to time forestall them from taking that each one vital move to a new, lighter and extra enjoyable life.

Why Should You Consider Affordable Lap Band Surgery?

If you have been looking to lose weight then you have most likely try various supplements, pills, cleanses as well as the usual diet and exercise. You may have even gone all out and gotten a gym membership or sign up with a personal trainer. However, depending on your body's may not be enough. In short, you may also be looking for some type of surgical procedure to help you start your weight loss efforts off right. This can be one of the hardest decisions to make as there are several different options out there all with varying degrees of costs associated with them. One option of course is lap band surgery and you may be wondering whether or not you should try to get this option affordably.

Something to consider is that everyone has a particular price in mind when they go to buy something and this includes surgical procedures as well. If you have specific budget in mind what you end up getting may either be really good or may require you to reassess budget you have in mind. This of course, means that affordable lap band surgery is different for many people. On the one hand, you may have one person that wants the absolute best in the world with regard to this particular procedure is willing to pay any cost. This is you, then terms like affordability do not enter into your thought process.

However, for many of us, trying to get something affordable is key to being able to maintain our lifestyle. Of course, you want to ensure that you do not cut corners especially where surgery is concerned in your quest to get an affordable price point. You need to be realistic in both your budget and what you may find. You can even go to different countries to get the surgery done just be aware that just because it is cheap does not necessarily make it the best choice for you. Remember no matter how good the prices, if you are uncomfortable with your surroundings then you need to reassess exactly how much you are willing to pay.

Surgery Aftercare for Gastric Banding

The gastric banding surgery after care starts the very moment you are taken out from the operating room. You will be led in the recovery room where you will be assisted by medical staff. After which the doctor will visit you so you are free to ask him about what ever concerns you. From the recovery room, you will be taken in your hospital bedroom and at this time, the doctor will assess if you are in good condition for the operation. After the operation your every step of your progress recovery will be monitor by the medical staff of the clinic. From time to time, your blood pressure will be taken while you will be connected to a fluids drip. They will also take you some blood samples and administrate you pain reduction drugs.

Most of the medical subjects of this surgery will be able to walk after the medical intervention is ended, so you will be able go to the bathroom by yourself, during the night while you will be sleeping in the clinics bedroom. In the next morning, the medical staff will take more tests to appreciate the success of the lap banding operation. After taking your new blood samples and giving you drugs to reduce the pain, your heart and lungs will be verified. The specialist you will visit after this procedure will ask you to drink a fluid and will examine you, by the help of x-rays, to observe if the liquid is passing in a right condition from the upper small part of the stomach towards the lower stomach.

Back in your bedroom, after other tests, you will take a light meal. After examining all the results of all your tests, the doctor will visit you, once more, to remind you everything you will have to do in the next period. He will also indicate you how many pain drugs to take and when to do it. The doctor is still at your disposition in case you have any questions. Before leaving the clinic, you will receive a pack containing information concerning the post-surgery after care. This is the moment you will be discharged from the hospital but you will have to sleep, for one more night, in the same locality where the clinic is situated. In the next evening you will be again visited by a medical assistant in your hotel room.

The necessary time for recovery is variable from a few days to two weeks. In some cases if you need to adjust your gastric band, you will visit the hospital again. Periodically, you will visit the surgeon that monitors your progress. You will also have to fill your gastric band again from time to time.

Lap Band Surgery - Appealing Insurance Denials for Bariatric Surgery

It can be very discouraging if your insurance company denies the pre-authorization request for coverage of lap band surgery. If you receive a denial, however, don't give up! Instead, appeal the decision. Like many other lap band patients who were initially denied coverage, you too may find that it is possible to gain approval through the appeals process.

Denial of Coverage Notification

When you receive a notification of denial, the first step towards filing an appeal is to determine why the insurance company denied your request. Once you know the exact reason why coverage was denied, then you can proceed with gathering the information needed to overturn the initial decision.

When you follow-up with the insurance company for details, be polite yet persistent. Not only do you want to find out why the surgery was denied, but you want to find out what information the insurance company requires for approval. The insurance company may not make it easy for you, but don't let that stop you from working through the appeal process.

Paperwork and Documentation

Many pre-authorization requests for coverage of bariatric surgery are denied simply because of incomplete paperwork and lack of proper documentation. While you may know that you have struggled with obesity for years and have tried to lose weight with diet, exercise and medically supervised plans, the insurance company will not know that unless you provide them with all the "evidence" to this effect, including documentation of doctor visits for weight loss, receipts of diet and exercise programs, and medical history records. Since there is no such thing as providing too much relevant information, be thorough and submit all the proof you have of previous weight loss attempts. The documentation you provide to the insurance company can make a difference as to whether or not you are granted coverage for surgery.

Meeting Patient Criteria and Medical Necessity

Coverage for lap band surgery often depends on whether or not an individual meets The National Institutes of Health (NIH) patient criteria for weight loss surgery and if the procedure is considered a medical necessity. Both of these conditions can be established by your doctor and presented to the insurance company in a Letter of Medical Necessity. The statement your doctor provides to the insurance company about your obesity and weight related health problems is very important in showing your insurance company the medical necessity of weight loss surgery. Your doctor should be more than willing to write a letter to your insurance company as a way of helping you present your case for coverage of lap band surgery, both in the initial request and in the appeals process.

Appealing an Exclusion for Weight Loss Surgery

Even if your insurance plan excludes "obesity surgery" or "treatment of obesity" it may still be possible to appeal and win. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be an effective treatment for many other diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and obstructive sleep apnea. Since these diseases are usually covered by health insurance, the appeal would be based on your doctor's opinion that bariatric surgery is the best method for treating your health problems. Documentation should be presented to the insurance company showing that other treatment methods have not been effective in controlling or curing the disease.

Writing An Insurance Appeal Letter

When you are informed of a denial there is usually a date limit to respond. While it is important to appeal within a timely manner, it is also important to respond effectively. When appealing, write a letter that is factual and persuasive, yet pleasant and polite. Make sure you include all the relevant information and include the supporting documentation to establish patient criteria and medical necessity. Make copies of everything you send for your own records and then send the package with tracking information for proof of mailing.

Good Reasons to Choose Lap Band Surgery

If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, you are considered by most doctors to be morbidly obese. As you know, the condition affects every single aspect of your life: your health, your social life, and indeed your very ability to enjoy a high quality of life in general. If diet and exercise just is not cutting the extra pounds for you, it may be time to give lap band surgery a look. Here are some good reasons why.

--The morbidly obese are much more susceptible to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and more. Waiting to do something about the weight is simply not an option.

--You want to live to see your children or grandchildren grow up and get married or you may also want to fulfill that life-long dream of going on that African safari. Whatever your goals are, you'll be more likely to fulfill them if you are in good physical condition.

--Lap band surgery is much less invasive than traditional surgical weight-loss procedures and is completely controllable once the band is in place: you and your doctor are in control rather than the other way around.

--There is much less risk of complications since the procedure is performed laparoscopically.

--Your weight loss following surgery is gradual and steady, which greatly optimizes the chances of long-term success in keeping the pounds off.

--You have only one life to live: and lap band surgery can be the key you've been looking for to help you live a better one.

Contacting a bariatric specialist may be the single best thing you can do to regain your good health and enjoy living again.

How And When Bariatric Lap-Band Surgery Can Fail

Bariatric Lap-Band surgery is a simple procedure that involves putting a band around the top part of the stomach to tighten the stomach. The purpose of tightening the stomach (much like a tight belt) is to limit food intake. This surgery is one of the safest surgeries available since the stomach is not cut, punctured, or permanently reconfigured in any way. However, there are still things that can go wrong with this procedure. The gastric band that is inserted could shift position, erode into the stomach, break, or cut into the stomach. Although these risks are rare, keep in mind that there are many risks associated with any type of surgery that may be unforeseen, but most of them can be treated.

Bariatric Lap-Band failure usually only fails when the patient lacks desire, determination, and patience. There are some patients who have the band removed because of complications that, with patience, could have been easily treated and cured (such as complications that cause the patient to feel ill). The most important factor that decides the success rate and the amount of success achieved boils down to the patient's desire to lose weight. If the patient does not follow all of the instructions and orders from the doctor while away from the doctor, then the patient won't have as much success, if any at all.

Even though the gastric band around the stomach makes an increased amount of food intake harder to achieve, the patient must still follow the doctor's dietary and fitness plans. There are foods and drinks the patient is advised to stay away from, and portion sizes the patient must not exceed, even with the band still on. The band makes it easier to follow a more strict dietary plan, but patients still have to do their part or the plan will fail. Lack of desire and determination is the cause of most failures. Therefore, as long as the patient is willing to obey the doctor's instructions, success will be very likely.

Good Candidate For Weight Loss Surgery?

Good candidates for weight loss or bariatric surgery are individuals who are obese or morbidly obese. Most have tried to slim down with diets and/or exercise, but have failed. Not surprisingly, the popularity of bariatric surgery has soared.

Although this surgery is not typically covered by insurance, many insurance plans, including Medicare, pay for weight loss surgery in cases of medical necessity. Additionally, recent advances in the procedure have made it much more reasonable even for private pay.

But not all people who need to lose weight will be considered for the program. Diet restrictions are important to the success of the surgery. The stomach is reduced in size. This assists in weight loss, but to maximize results and minimize complications, patients must restrict their diet. Diet restrictions are necessary in the pre and post-surgery stages.

A consultation appointment with a surgeon will determine if you are an eligible candidate. If so, your surgeon will begin to discuss expectations. Not only will he or she outline what you can expect from surgery, but they will outline what is expected from you.

Doctors take a close look at the whole person when determining if the person is a good candidate for weight loss surgery. If the patient is not willing to do the pre-surgery diet and work, the doctor may not elect to move forward with the procedure. After all, if you couldn't restrict your diet before, what would be different now?

Part of the pre-process requirements are to challenge the patient and get them started on a new lifestyle change that will have a positive, long-term impact on their ongoing weight loss results and target weight maintenance.

There are other factors the surgeon will consider in determining if the procedure is right for you, such as:

Age - Generally, weight loss surgery can be performed on anyone between the ages of 18 and 60.

Weight - If your weight is double your ideal body weight, you may be a candidate for the procedure.

Medical - There are no medical conditions responsible for the weight gain such as hormonal imbalances, tumors or other diseases, or those diseases have been treated, or are currently being treated.

Commitment - You are committed to changing your habits including eating, lifestyle, diet and exercise--not only immediately, but also into the future

History - You have a history of trying to lose weight and gaining it back, or you have been obese for at least five years with no success at traditional weight loss methods.

Addictions - You have no known or diagnosed addictions to alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances.

If you meet all of the above requirements, you're probably a good candidate for weight loss surgery.

From Obesity Causes to Bariatric Surgery

It is important for us to know the main causes that lead us to obesity.

Traced to gens obesity is commonly named genetic obesity. Medical studies concluded that obesity is inherited because it has great genetic component. A higher appetite might also come from your genes or from the early educational state in the family.

Certain illnesses can cause obesity. Hypothyroidism is the main sickness a doctor would look for, in an obese patient. Thyroid used to be blamed for most of our illegitimate weight gains but, sometimes, even if the thyroid function is not correct, it is influenced by other glands malfunction. If the situation is so, the real cause of weight gain is really hard to find. Other illness to blame for obesity is Cushings Syndrome.

All emotional problems or mental illnesses are possible culpable factors for one person to become overweight. Whatever the main reason for depression is, it can lead to obesity for the most of us because it causes alimentary disorders.

At the beginning of everyone's obesity is, in most situations, poor eating habits and a low level of physical activity so we can say that the environment we live in might be blamed for obesity. If physical work is no more a part of our life, it is indicated to try to do some other kind of physical activities, starting from an early age. Nowadays, foods have a low cost so abusing food is no more a money problem. High calories foods, contained in small amounts of foodstuff are also to be blamed. Sugars and fats contain low nutrients and many empty calories so your body will transmits to the brain the information that he lacks vital nutrients, like minerals and vitamins and we will feel hunger at a short time after a fatty or sugary meal is taken.

Searching the main cause that led you to obesity is the key to a significant weight loss. There are situations when a person's weight can't get lower without surgery, or, if the patient obtain some weight loss, his efforts are too high and satisfaction is too low, especially if the weight lose can't be preserved for a reasonable period of time and the body tends to quickly come back to its initial fat form. Talking to a bariatric doctor will help you decide if it is the right moment to try a weight loss surgery and which of the opportunities the modern science offers, is the most appropriate for you.

Diet After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

As in every bariatric surgery, after gastric sleeve surgery and its recovery period, the patient's eating habits will have to change.

1.After surgery, the stomach will only have 100-150 milliliters so the subject will feel full very quick. Overeating will enlarge the stomach again.

2.For the first three to four weeks the patient is allow to eat only low caloric foods.

3.Subjects must avoid sugars, especially those contained in liquids, because they will dramatically slow the weight loss process. This kind of sugars does not represent a real nutrient for one's body.

4.Fat foods and fried foods must be avoided because they are harder to digest and have low amounts of minerals and vitamins that your body needs.

5.Patients shouldn't eat greedily; every bit must be well chewed and slowly swallowed. In the moment the person feel saturation, he/she must stop from eating. If vomiting occurs after many meals consecutively, a patient may develop a dehydrating symptom. In this case, subjects will be recommended to drink liquids containing electrolytes for a while and only when they will feel better to restart eating solid foods.

6.After gastric sleeve surgery patients must take care about every day administration of the necessary quantity of fluids, preferably water. The recommended dose is at least 1.5 liters or more, depending of each individual's stature and weight.

7.If certain symptoms occur like headache, nausea, vomiting, dark urine the patient must inform his doctor.

8.Never drinking fluids 15 minutes before having a meal or 30-40 minutes after, is recommended; these might enlarge the stomach size again and make the it's digestive juices to become to diluted for a proper digestion.

9.Subjects of gastric sleeve surgery will not eat more than three meals a day and, only if they're really hungry; will take one single snack between meals. Every food patients eat must be reach in nutrients. Usually one of the meals must be especially reach in proteins. The main foodstuffs patients have to ingest are those rich in proteins, fruits, vegetables and cereals.

10.Checking intolerance to certain foods that might appear after gastric sleeve surgery is also important. If one type of food is not well tolerated patient should take one week break before trying it again. Different types of foods must be introduced gradually and each one at a time (meal), never combined, in order to avoid indigestion.

11.For those persons who do not tolerate lactates there are supplements that will help their digestion.

5 Under-Appreciated Things About Lap Band Surgery in Mexico

Mexico has fast emerged as a preferred destination for Bariatric surgeries like Lap band Surgery also known as Gastric Banding. Every year thousands of Americans visit Mexico for treatment. The advantages of Mexico as a centre for such surgeries are under-appreciated though. This article will be helpful if you are considering weight loss surgery in various cities of Mexico.

1. Surgery is cheaper than the US. The cost in Mexico is US $ 4,000 - $ 8,000 versus $ 10,400 - $ 20,000 in US. There is a significant cost saving for self-paying patients even after calculating traveling and lodging expenses.

2. Quality health care.
Many hospitals well equipped with state of the art medical equipments.Well-trained nurses are available in many hospitals to handle patient's queries and requirement.Availability of World-class hospitals with international accreditation.English speaking staffs are found at many places.

3. Experienced Bariatric Doctors.
The doctors in Mexico have been performing Gastric Banding Surgery since 1990's whereas in US the procedure got approval in 2001. Mexican doctors therefore might be more experienced than the US ones. o Many Mexican doctors are certified to train the US doctors. o Members of various medical associations.

4. Surgeons in Mexico have been performing Lap Band Surgery on Obese teens. In US, the process is not yet approved by FDA and thus conducted by very few surgeons after special permissions.

5. Acceptable waiting time for Lap band Mexico compared to long waiting lines in North America and many European countries. This facility of immediate treatment has attracted many medical tourists.

Tijuana in Mexico has emerged as preferred options for North Americans to opt for Lap Band Surgery.

Before and After Duodenal Switch Surgery

Choosing the best technique for weight loss surgery is an individual decision for every doctor and patient due to numerous factors that could contribute to it. Usually, those persons having a BMI higher than 40 or suffering of diabetes are the most suitable patients for vertical gastrectomy. The best candidates for this procedure are those persons having a great BMI, sometimes their BMI going over 55. Statistics say that candidates with BMI over 50 will loss more weight if they have duodenal switch surgery than if they would had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Most of the times, heart failure patients and sleep apnea patients are excluded for this procedure, no matter what their BMI would be. Being a candidate for vertical gastrectomy surgery you must know that most of the bariatric clinics deem it as an experimental procedure.

Pre-surgery consultations will include a meeting with a dietitian, who will fix you a program to follow before and after the surgery. You will pass through some evaluations of your health situation regarding your heart, lungs, and your mental health. Before surgery, some patients will have to undergo an upper endoscopy examination to check if they have tumors, polyps, ulcer or the bacteria that causes ulcer, in their stomach.

You will be asked about the medication, vitamins, minerals or herbal treatments you are taking or of those that you might continue with after.

Your surgeon has to know if you are a smoker or if you are capable to quit smoking for at least six months after the surgery procedure because of the increasing risks a smoker has in this specific period of time like: pneumonia and other lung problems or blood clots. Drinking alcohol is also forbidden 48 hours before surgery; so you will be asked about having alcohol problems.

You will be recommended to try to lose few percents of your body weight before the duodenal switch procedure is programmed in order to benefit of a shorter hospital stay and a more rapid weight loss after the surgery.

A patient must always know those advantages that duodenal switch surgery might have for him:

1. The stomach remain bigger than in other bariatric surgeries types so you may eat larger meals without feeling any discomfort
2. The intestinal bypass is reversible for those patients that might have malabsorptive complications
3. Smaller risk of developing ulcers
4. Greater obesity-related illnesses disappearance
5. Weight loss process will continue for a longer period of time and the possibility to restart some unwanted gain weight is smaller.

Achieving Weight Loss Success With Lap Band Surgery

If you have struggled with weight loss and are tired of being overweight, then you may want to find out how lap band surgery can help you safely and permanently lose weight. Learn more about how the procedure works, expenses and cost factors, and key benefits that have made it one of the most popular surgical treatments for obesity.

Why Lap Band Surgery?

Lap band surgery is one of the few methods that has been proven successful in helping clinically obese individuals achieve significant and lasting weight loss, leading to an improvement in both overall health and quality of life. The procedure has been used worldwide for over a decade, with studies showing an overwhelming rate of positive outcomes.

Gastric banding has many advantages when compared to the other surgical weight loss options, especially since it is a less drastic and less invasive alternative with similar long-term weight loss results. The procedure does not involve cutting out stomach tissue or rerouting the digestive tract, has a lower rate of serious complications, and is considered the safest of the surgical options for severe obesity by many medical professionals. It can also be adjusted for personalized treatment or pregnancy, or reversed if medically necessary.

How it Works

The procedure involves wrapping an implantable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a narrower stomach opening and a smaller stomach pouch that restricts food intake, increases satiety, and lessens hunger sensations.

The medical device consists of an adjustable gastric band, connective tubing, and an access port that allows for adjustments without additional surgery. The size of the band opening can be adjusted to let in more or less food as needed by adding or removing saline which makes the opening bigger or smaller. Adjustments are a unique feature of the lap band procedure and an important aspect of follow-up care.

As with all types of weight loss surgery, lap band surgery should not be thought of as a magic cure for weight loss, but a tool that can help overweight individuals lose a great amount of excess weight and keep it off over time. Individuals who have tried to lose weight with other methods - dieting, participating in diet programs, exercising - but haven't been able to make any lasting progress, may be able to finally achieve weight loss success with lap band surgery.

Cost of Surgery

There are many factors to consider when comparing how much it will cost you to have lap band surgery. What you pay will depend on where you have the surgery done, what fees and services are included in the quoted price, and any other related expenses that are necessary. Find out from your surgeon what fees are included and which ones are not in the amount you will be paying for your surgery. When you are comparing costs, remember it is important to consider the quality of care you will receive from your doctor throughout the process as well.

On average, it costs about $15,000 to $20,000 to have lap-band surgery in the United States. Lap band surgery is not cheap but your life may depend on it. If you are considering any type of weight loss surgery it should be because you have not been able to lose weight thru diet and exercise alone and you are trying to save your life from the health dangers of obesity.

If you need payment assistance, talk to your doctor about payment options, contact your health insurance provider to see if they cover lap band surgery, or find out if you qualify for patient financing.