It is important that you educate yourself on Lap-Band Surgery before you approach the procedure:

• Why is Lap Ban Surgery becoming so prevalent?

• What exactly is gastric banding?

• Who is considered a candidate for the procedure?

• How should you prepare for the surgery?

• How will your life change after the surgery?

First, why has lap band surgery become such a popular procedure in the recent years?

People in western civilization are working longer and harder than ever. This is leading to less time spent nourishing their bodies with proper exercise and diet. Over the past 20 years obesity has been growing at a faster rate than ever. There are many reasons for this epidemic, but most lead back to the diets that people have become accustomed to. Studies have shown that 34% of adults over 20 are considered obese. If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 kg/M2, than by medical standards you are considered obese.

What exactly is gastric banding?

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or (LAGB) is a procedure that is performed by surgeons that involves the insertion of an adjustable belt around the upper portion of the patients stomach. The band is made out of silicone, and it can be loosened or tightened with the removal or addition of more saline. This process looks very similar to the blowing up of an inner tube. The band is attached to a "port" that is placed under the skin of the patient's abdomen. The purpose of the port is to insert or remove saline into the attached band.

The outcome of a patient receiving the LAGB is that it restricts the size of the stomach. In many cases patient's stomachs will go from the size of a football to the size of a baseball. This will result in a lower the amount of food that it can hold, and also slows down the passage of food to the small intestine. This will send signals to the brain from the abdomen for a sensation of fullness and satiety with the consumption of less food.

Who is considered a candidate for Bariatric surgery?

As a general guild line people who have a Body Mass Index of above 40 will be considered for this procedure. If your (BMI) is over 40 you are considered morbidly obese. In some cases they will allow people who have a BMI of 35 or higher receive a LAGB, but it is considered a last resort. Usually people under 40 BMI will only be considered for the surgery if they have type 2 diabetes or heart disease. In most cases programs and surgeons will want to see proof that there is a failed history of weight loss when using safer and more common practices.

There is also an age requirement for this procedure. You have to be a legal adult of 18. The patient also needs to have the ability to understand what the procedure consist of, and they need to be capable of following the changes needed in their lifestyles. This is a major component to weather or not a patient will be considered for this procedure. Without the ability to follow the requirements post surgery, the process will not work.

If a patient has a BMI greater than 50, they maybe asked to loss weight before the procedure. It has been determined that there are ideal BMI numbers to be between, those being 40-50. There is a growing discussion of whether or not people with BMI's between 30-45 with diabetes should be considered for this procedure.

How should a patient prepare for the Lap Band Surgery?

Every program and surgeon has his or her own rules for preparation. It important to centers that they see the necessary lifestyle changes before the surgery. In most cases they want to see that you are eating on a more regular basis, which may consist of 4 to 5 small meals a day. They will also expect their patients to cut out high calorie foods. Programs have found that losing 5% to 10% of your weight prior to surgery will greatly increases post operations outcomes.

How will a patient's lifestyle change after Lap Band Surgery?

Directly after the surgery there will be discomfort and in most cases some pain. Patients will be issued medications to control any discomfort. As with any surgical procedure this is a very common practice. Around the 6 to 8 week period patients will generally have the ability to return to their normal lives. This procedure is very similar to conventional weight loss, in that you will see more dramatic results towards the beginning, and as time goes on your weight loss will slow down. Initially you can be losing 2-3 pounds a week, but your long-term results will be around 1 pound a week. Anyone who has ever been on a diet before, or a weight loss program knows that results are much more dramatic at the beginning. The most important thing for patients to do is to stick with the program and proper lifestyle changes.