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How Much Weight Have People Lost From Lap Band Surgery?

Lap-Band is the registered trademark for a surgical procedure designed to help severely overweight people lose weight, by limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold. The name comes from the type of surgical procedure used (laparoscopy) and the silicone band used to bind part of the stomach. The system is adjustable, controlled without further surgery, and reversible, the stomach returning to completely normal function in most cases.

  1. How It Works

    • Lap-Band uses a silicone gastric band that has inflatable sections on the inner surface. Once the band is surgically installed around the top part of the stomach, the sections are inflated via an external port according to the needs of the patient. The constriction of the stomach limits food intake, enabling the patient to lose large amounts of weight without many of the drawbacks of dieting, such as emotional stress and the physiological consequences of yo-yo dieting.

    Success

    • Most patients lose fifty to sixty percent of their excess weight within two years of having this surgery. As of June 2006, over 200,000 patients have had this procedure, reporting an average weight loss of 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per week. This procedure is a long-term solution, meant to be in place for several years.

    Candidates

    • This system is recommended for people who are 100 pounds or more overweight and have not succeeded with other weight loss methods. The criteria set by the National Institute of Health for candidates is that the patient have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35 to 39, and have associated medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol.

    Advantages

    • This minimally invasive approach has advantages over other types of gastric bypass surgery. Laparoscopy involves a relatively small incision, resulting in a smaller scar. Also, this procedure doesn't involve intestinal re-routing, cutting, or stapling of the stomach. There is less post-operative pain, and the hospital stay and recovery time are shorter. Since the stomach itself is not cut, and the band is adjustable, there is less chance of nutritional deficiency. Also, the adjustable band can accommodate the nutritional needs of pregnancy.

    Risks

    • Any surgery has certain risks, such as bleeding and infection. Complications specific to Lap-Band are band slippage, which can cause heartburn and vomiting, or the band may erode into the stomach, requiring removal. Always consult a qualified surgeon when considering this procedure.

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