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Signs it’s time for Lap-Band® surgery

January 16, 2020

Do you want to learn to love going for bike rides again, or taking a stroll after dinner? Do you want to have the energy to play with your kids in the yard all afternoon, or finally take that yoga class your best friend has been talking about? You may feel like your size is holding you back, and after many failed diets or weight reduction plans, you’re considering your options. If bariatric surgery, like the non-anatomy altering Lap-Band® Procedure, has crossed your mind, you must first understand why it could be right for you. There are certain requirements you must meet before moving forward with the Lap-Band System.

Obesity

In order to qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure, you must have a specific Body Mass Index (BMI) that puts you in the obese or extremely obese category. BMI, which is a simple calculation that uses a person’s height and weight, should be at least 40kg/m2. If you have one or more comorbid obesity-related conditions, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure if you have a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2.

Comorbid diseases

If you have any obesity-related comorbid diseases or conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure. Weight loss can often reverse or improve the symptoms of these diseases.

Multiple failed weight-loss attempts

If you have tried and failed multiple consecutive diets or weight reduction alternatives, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure. Diets or weight reduction methods include supervised diets, strict exercise regimens, or behavior modification programs.

Patients who elect to undergo the Lap-Band Procedure must make the commitment to making major lifestyle changes, including significant changes to their diet. If you want to learn more about Lap-Band and if it’s right for you, speak to a specialist by calling 1-800-LAPBAND.

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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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