Facts About the Lap-Band Surgery

Lap-Band surgery is an abdominal surgery in which the doctor places a silicone gastric band around the patient's stomach in order to make the stomach smaller. This restricts how much food the patient can eat and leaves the patient feeling satisfied and full after eating smaller portions than the ones that created this sensation before the surgery.

Significance

• Lap-Band surgery is considered a less invasive surgical alternative to gastric bypass for drastic weight loss.

Requirements

• Patients who get Lap-Band surgery should have a BMI of at least 40 or they should be 100 or more pounds overweight. They should have made a sincere effort to lose the weight before resorting to surgery.

Warning

• Lap-Band surgery is considered a major surgery. Patients are at risk of complications such as infection, allergic reactions and a tear in the wall of the stomach.

Considerations

• Patients who drink a lot of alcohol, high-calorie sodas or milkshakes are often advised against Lap-Band surgery. Liquids can flow past the band and into the rest of the stomach, prevent the person from losing weight.

Reversal

• The Lap-Band can be removed from the patient's stomach if the patient has an adverse reaction to the band.