The lap band
The lap band – simple, yet effective. An adjustable gastric band, or simply a lap band, is a revolutionary device, developed in order to help obese people lose weight safely, gradually and for a long time.
During the procedure, the lap band is placed around the patient’s stomach, reducing its capacity, and thus restricting it from holding large amounts of food.
The function of the lap band can be compared to the function of a belt. An inflatable band divides the stomach into two parts: the top pouch is smaller, the bottom one is larger. The tightened stomach resembles an hourglass with the lap band leaving a small passage between the two sections. The top pouch limits the amount of food necessary to satisfy hunger. The narrow passage between the pouches makes the process of digestion longer. As a result, the patient eats less and feels full for a longer period of time.
Advantages of the lap band surgery
The lap band surgery has many benefits and advantages as compared to other types of weight loss surgery. The surgery is minimally invasive; there are no cuts or staples to the stomach, the incisions are smaller than ½ inch. The stay in hospital is rather short. Recovery is faster and easier than after the other surgical procedures with smaller scars and less pain. The band is made of materials entirely harmless to the patient’s body. After the surgery, patients feel much better, spend more time doing the things they enjoy, become more active, positive and self-confident. The lap band is fully adjustable – the patient doesn’t require another surgery in case some adjustments needed. The appropriate degree of tightness can be achieved by adding a saline solution through a specially designed port absolutely invisible under the skin. Finally, the procedure has few complications and the mortality rate is very low – 1 in 2000.
Lap band results
The lap band is one of the most effective ways to lose weight healthily. The studies have shown that up to 95% of patients are satisfied with their weight loss results and that the decrease in overweight runs up to 60% after eight years since the surgery. The average reduction of weight makes up a healthy number of one-to-two pounds a week. The achieved weight is maintained for years, weight loss is gradual and lasting. Many health problems caused by obesity, including asthma, diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome, and high blood pressure, improve or resolve simultaneously with weight loss.