Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Weight loss surgery – Who is the Best Candidate for a Lap Band Procedure?

Weight loss surgeryAlthough Southern California is known for health food and outdoor activities on its sunny beaches, there are still rising numbers of obese individuals. This is in line with the rest of the country, with approximately 30% of Americans currently meeting the standards of obesity. When diet and exercise alone aren't doing the trick, there are weight loss surgical procedures that can be used as a potential last resort. One of these surgical options which have become more and more popular involves the use of a lap band, or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

This type of surgery involves the placement of the lapband, or adjustable belt, around the upper portion of the stomach. This is constructed out of silicone, and it can be tightened when needed by adding saline into the band to inflate it. The band is connected to a port, which is placed right under the abdominal skin, which can then be opened or closed to put saline in and out of the band. Like gastric bypass surgery, this is a way to reduce the size of the stomach, so that you can control how much food is able to go into the body. It is also a way to slow down the digestive process, giving a feeling of increased fullness.

This type of weight loss surgery can be extremely effective, but it is not recommended for everyone. Most surgeons will not perform this procedure unless there is a demonstrated history of other failed weight loss attempts using traditional diet and exercise. It is also only available for those with a certain minimum BMI, and who have health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes that are caused by this excessive weight. It is not recommended for those who only need to lose a few pounds or those who are mentally unstable, or dependent on drugs and alcohol, as they may have difficulty with the aftermath of the procedure.

It may be necessary to lose weight before the procedure can be performed, in some cases. Before you can go in for a lap band Los Angeles, you will first need to sit down with a doctor for a thorough consultation to learn more about what your options are. They will need a full medical history to determine if you are a good candidate, and you will need to learn all the information about the risks associated with this drastic yet potentially lifesaving procedure.