LAP-BAND® Surgery Resource

Lap Band Information – What is Lap Band Surgery

LAP-BAND®

LAP-BAND® is an implant that wraps around your stomach to reduce one’s weight. Lap Band Surgery is part of the gastric banding surgery family and is currently the most popular weight loss surgery option.  Lap Banding Surgery provides people suffering from obesity a tried and true method to lose weight.

Why is LAP-BAND^® So Successful?

Lap Band Surgery is successful for a number of reasons. First, it’s adjustable and reversible; the LAP-BAND is able to adjust for patients as a way to manage their weight loss. Second, it’s less invasive then other weight loss surgery options. Third, it’s the less expensive.

Lap Band Surgery is Adjustable. Lap Band Surgery is completely reversible. By adjusting the Lap Band, patients are able lose weight effectively. By adjusting the band throughout the whole weight loss process, patients are able to get down to their desired weight effectively.

Lap Band is Less Invasive. Lap Band surgery is done laparoscopically (also known as keyhole surgery). A large incision is not required. The stomach area is accessed via four to six very small incisions (1cm) which are then closed with self- dissolving sutures. Because LAP-BAND system is less invasive, there are reduced risks and complications.

The Adjustable Gastric Band operation is performed under general anesthesia and can last between 30 minutes to over an hour.

Lap Band is Inexpensive. The cost of Lap Band Surgery is less than other bariatric (weight loss) surgeries and financing is available.

The LAP-BAND^® System was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2001 for use in weight reduction for severely obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or for adults with a BMI of at least 35 plus at least one severe obesity-related health condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

Lap Band is Being Used As a Tool To Rescue Surgeries. With the proliferation of bariatric surgeries, there have been increasing numbers of unsuccessful attempts at losing weight. With failed bariatric surgeries from year’s past, Lap-Band along with Gastric Sleeve have become much tools to help surgeons correct previous surgeries — known as rescue surgeries.