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Deciding to pursue bariatric surgery

December 8, 2020

Have you tried to lose weight in the past but have not found success? If you are beginning to feel hopeless, you aren’t alone. Thousands of individuals have stood in the same place you are right now. It may be time to consider alternative weight-loss options like bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery options include sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, duodenal switch, and gastric banding with the Lap-Band® Program.

Bariatric procedures are life-changing procedures and the decision to pursue surgery should not be taken lightly. It requires a major commitment and willingness to change your life. Individuals must meet specific requirements.

Failed weight-loss attempts

Before individuals are able to undergo a bariatric procedure, they must go through a thorough evaluation by their surgeon. The screening process includes ensuring you are healthy enough for the procedure and that you have failed with more conservative weight-reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise, and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

BMI

In order to pursue weight-loss surgery, your BMI must be a certain number. With Lap-Band Surgery, your BMI must be at least 40 kg/m2 or higher, or at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. For instance, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure at a BMI of 30 kg/m2.

These qualifications are in place to ensure that you lose weight safely. If you are wondering if Lap-Band is right for you, talk to a specialist today.

For full safety information, visit: https://www.www.lapband.com/safety/

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Important Lap-Band® System Safety Information

The ReShape Lap-Band Systems are approved for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of at least 30 with health conditions related to obesity, who have not seen success with other weight loss methods, like supervised diet, exercise, and behavior modification programs. Choosing this surgery means committing to changes in eating habits for the long term.

The Lap-Band procedure is not approved for individuals under 18 yo, those with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or lead to poor results, such as inflammatory or cardiopulmonary diseases, problems with the stomach and digestion, symptoms or family history of autoimmune disease, scarring of the liver, individuals unable or unwilling to follow the necessary dietary restrictions, individuals with alcohol or drug addictions, or those currently pregnant. Individuals who become pregnant after band placement may require deflation of their bands.

The ReShape Lap-Band Systems, a long-term tool, may need to be adjusted if you get pregnant, sick, or malnourished. Be careful with anti-inflammatory drugs as they could make the band wear away. Like any surgery, placement of the Lap-Band may have complications such as risks from drugs and methods used, general surgery risks, how well your body handles a foreign object, or in rare cases, risk of death.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with metabolic and bariatric surgery that you and your doctor should discuss. Potential risks associated with the Lap-Band include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach blockage, constipation, swallowing difficulty, diarrhea, abnormal stools, abdominal pain, weakness, incision pain, infection, fever, hernia, chest pain, band movement, stomach pouch expansion, unusual healing, pain at the port site, port movement, and/or hair loss. Additional surgery might be needed. Losing weight quickly could lead to complications requiring more surgery. 

Talk to your doctor, and/or visit our website at www.lapband.com/safety/ for more information on its benefits and risks.

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