Lap Band Surgery FAQ
Lap Band surgery is a procedure taken to help decrease a person's weight after traditional diet plans have not produced the desired results.
With any kind of surgery, there are obvious questions. TopSurgeons specialists can answer each and every one of your questions, so that a Lap Band procedure is as productive as possible.
What is Lap Band Surgery?
Lap Band surgery involves the placement of an FDA-approved silicone belt around the upper portion of the stomach. While very easy to adjust, the band is situated to a port, allowing for the apparatus to be inflated at times, speeding up the procedure. Since gaining approval from the FDA in 2001, the device has been used in more than 300,000 weight loss surgeries worldwide.
Before surgery is approved, a patient must have fully attempted traditional weight loss measures, and have an accepted body mass index (BMI) as long as they present one severe obesity-related health issue like type 2 diabetes, hypertension or asthma.
What does the Lap Band Surgery Procedure Involve?
Lap Band surgery, which generally lasts about an hour, begins with a number of small incisions on the body. A surgeon is guided by a laparoscope, which is a small camera, allowing him or her to be guided in the placement of the Lap Band. Once placed around the upper portion of the stomach, the device is then anchored in place with sutures. A port is then situated below the skin on the upper portion of the abdomen. Since all patients react differently to Lap Band surgery, you may or may not require an overnight hospital stay.
What Type of Follow-Up Care Will I Need?
Once the Lap Band surgery is completed and a patient is sent home, they more than likely will be able to return to their normal lifestyle with small discomfort. It is important that patients stick to a nutrition and exercise plan guided by a medical professional.
One option may include taking vitamin supplements as directed by your surgeon or family doctor. In order to obtain proper nutrition following Lap Band surgery, a patient will consume a liquid diet for several weeks until being able to absorb soft foods, followed later by solid foods, Behavioral-modification treatment, along with a focused exercise program, and might also be included.
Are Adjustments Needed to the Band Following Surgery?
Patients will require a number of office visits to adjust the band. While all patients are different, an average of six to eight adjustments involving the band in the first-year-and-a-half after Lap Band surgery is considered normal.
What is the Risks Involved?
Like all surgical procedures, there are risks to consider before moving forward. While infection and bleeding are the most common risks, patients must also consider the possibility of heartburn or vomiting. These two issues can arise if the band slips as a patient loses weight and the stomach moves above the band. Such a problem can often be taken care of laparoscopically.
Dose Insurance Cover Lap Band Surgery?
While not always covered, a number of insurers are now providing all or partial coverage for Lap Band surgery.
The patient's body mass index (BMI) plays a factor in insurance coverage too. TopSurgeons will do BMI as low as 27 as an off label use of an FDA approved product. Insurance however will only pay if the BMI is 35 or higher with a comorbidity or 40 or higher with/without a comorbidity.
A number of surgeons offer the Lap Band surgery on an out-patient basis (no overnight hospital stay required) while others do not have access to out-patient facilities. If that is the case, an overnight stay will impact your total costs for the procedure.
Another facet of the procedure to consider is whether or not your doctor or surgical facility is considered an "in-network provider".
What are the Costs for Lap Band Surgery?
Among the factors involved in the cost is whether or not the patient will have the procedure done in the United States or travel elsewhere. As with any operation, you want to be sure and get as much background information on the potential surgeon, the place where the surgery will be done and so on.
Individuals interested in Lap Band surgery must also make sure they are qualified for the procedure in the first place, as it is not an elective surgery. The National Institutes of Health requires that certain guidelines be met to determine whether you're a qualified candidate or not.
If you qualify for and choose the surgery in the United States, you will be happy to know that the cost of lap band surgery has been going down over the past few years. One of the reasons for the steady decline in price may be because there are a greater number of weight loss surgeons performing it and there is more information about the procedure in the media regarding competition from surgeons in other countries for your business.
Why Should I Choose TopSurgeons?
As with any surgery, experience counts. TopSurgeons successfully does more Lap Band surgeries than any other provider in California. With offices in Beverly Hills, Palmdale, Covina, Long Beach, Valencia, Apply Valley, West Hills, Bakersfield, Moreno Valley and Santa Ana.
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