The Cost of Lap Band Surgery

The lap band surgery is used to drop excessive amount of weight. It is possible by manipulating the intake food of stomach. Inflatable band is used in this process to divide the stomach in to two parts, lower and upper. It is fitted around the stomach as like belt which will reduce the intake of liquids and food of stomach. A small opening is made by the surgeon in between lower and upper sections which is useful to pass some amount of food but it is very small amount.

Cost of the surgery: Nowadays cost of the lap band surgery is big problem. It is in between $12,500 to $30,000. Several factors are included in determining the costs of lap band surgery. They are:

1. Diagnostic tests and laboratory fees: Depending on the person’s priority to surgery approved diagnostic tests are performed, while declaring the person’s eligibility for the surgery is concluded by using preoperative laboratory tests.

2. Hospital Fees: The facilities which are available with the Hospital may decide the cost of the surgery. Before signing up for the surgery, candidates are advised to observe the clinic and hospital environment.

3. Doctor’s fee: The big portion of lap band surgery fee is paid to bariatric surgeon as professional fees. The surgeon who has more experience could pay ample amount to their services. Since this procedure requires experts in handling tools and laparoscopic elements. Then only the surgery will be successfully completed.

4. Visits: Patient should visit the surgeon before and after the surgery for a complete guidance. These are called fallow up visits. The cost of these visits can be included in the surgery amount.

Factors that Affects externally:

1. Geographical location: The cost of the lap band surgery will be high in urban areas. It is more expensive in metropolitan cities when compared to the rural areas.

2. Surgery procedure: If patient wants to stay in hospital to ensure recovery, then it will cost more when compared to self maintenance.

3. Insurance Policy: Most of the insurance providers don’t provide complete amount. So, care should be taken while providing the documents and papers needed for the insurance.

4. Additional Charges: Additional procedures after the lap band surgery include body contouring, Extra Skin Removal, liposuction, face lift and breast lift operations may charge high amount to pay. Normally these are not included in the health insurance policy of patient so it should be paid by the patient separately.

17. January 2012 18:28 by bariactric | Comments (0) | Permalink

How the Lap Band Device Works?

If you are obese or overweight, dieting might seem impossible to lose weight. Most people have experienced the problem with those diets, where attempt for weight loss is followed by a period of weight gain. Those who have tried several non-surgical methods to lose, lap band surgery has given a new hope for weight loss.

With lap band weight loss surgery, you do not have to be opened up and only minor incisions will be made. During the surgery, a small stomach pouch is created in the upper portion of the stomach. Usually, this stomach pouch will hold only about ½ to 1 ounce of food. This pouch connects to the rest of your stomach pouch from an outlet known as stoma. Usually, you feel full when the upper stomach is full and you can control your weight gain and finally lose weight.

The entire procedure is very easy in which the band is positioned around the stomach to create a smaller pouch. In future, if you want to alter the size of the procedure, then the band can be easily adjustable with only a short office visit. In this way, you can inflate or deflate the lap band whenever needed and you are able to control the amount of food that you eat.

As soon as the surgery, you have to follow liquid diet for few days. Then you will be back to your normal diet, but you need to listen to your doctor’s suggestions to ensure that you eat properly. You can also stretch the smaller pouch if you want to eat more than what is necessary to fill the stomach. Once you feel full, you need to stop eating more otherwise there is no meaning for lap band surgery.

26. November 2011 04:26 by bariactric | Comments (0) | Permalink

Facts about Lap Band Surgery

Lap band surgery is the fastest growing invasive laparoscopic weight loss surgery program in US. Lap band process help patients in losing weight up to 90 percent of their excess body weight when diet and exercise do not help in losing the unwanted weight .Knowing facts about lap band surgery will help you to decide whether to go for it or not. The main theme of the lap band surgery is to help in restricting caloric intake in people who are obese and are tired after trying with all severe weight loss programs. The lap band surgery process is a proven one, safe, less painful with fewer complications, quicker recovery and effective method of weight loss worldwide.

Lap band is a flexible band that is placed around the upper part of the stomach with very few slits. Small tubes are injected into the skin of the stomach through notches to the operating part and are connected to the system after it is in proper place. Adjustments are made to the lap band through the access port directly under the skin. Especially intended devices and cameras are injected from the tubes to do surgery. Camera will take the pictures and then sends to the monitor which helps surgeon to look into the abdomen.

Lap band helps in reducing the weight loss through confining food consumption by slowing digestion. By restraining the food taken at each time reduces the hunger sensation and help individual to eat less which helps in reducing great amount of weight. The gastric pouch formed by gastric bands will reduce the amount of food taken and slows the clearing process from the abdomen to the intestines. The lesser the pouch the lesser is the digestion rate and you will feel fuller sooner and for longer time. The band is adjusted and lets you take the less or more food as required.

The lap band can be adjusted during surgery. Below the skin, access port will be created and it is linked to gastric band through tubing. Inflating or deflating can be done through saline and is effortlessly added or it can be removed by the doctor through the access port by means of thin needle. Adjusting the incision is a different feature of lap band surgery.

There are several rules to be followed during the lap band surgery:

  • The person who wants to undergo the lap band surgery should have 18 years of age.
  • Patient must have a BMI greater than 40 and 100lb weight.
  • Patient should have a serious history of all other weight loss programs attempts.
  • Patient must suffer from over weight for a period of at least 5 years.
  • Women, who are pregnant and other conditions which enhance weight gain, are not eligible for the lap band surgery.
  • Emotionally the person must ready to undergo the lap band surgery and must be ready to follow all the changes which support the surgical process.

Apart from all the advantages there are also has some risks associated with lap band surgery. With lap band surgery there is a risk of death both during and after the process. It is very important to discuss all the risks associated with the surgery with a medical professional prior to the surgery.

2. October 2011 18:22 by bariactric | Comments (0) | Permalink

Comparison between Lap Band and Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most common types of weight loss procedures, which are being used over 30 years and with impressive weight loss results. On the other hand, lap band surgery is a modern approach for weight loss and is less invasive and making it more popular due to its long term weight loss and fewer side effects.

Here is the brief comparison between lap band and gastric bypass surgery:

Procedure

Lap Band Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery

The procedure

A silicon belt is fitted around the upper part of the stomach and creates a 1-2 oz stomach pouch

Portion of the stomach is stapled to reduce the portion size and small intestine cut and rerouted

Weight loss approach

Reduces amount of food intake and slows your digestion process

Reduces amount of food intake and also reduces absorption

Dietary guidelines

1. 800 calories/day for initial 2-3 years and then 1000-1200 calories per day

2. Consume foods rich in protein

3. Drink 6-8 cups of water a day between meals

4. Avoid high carb and high calorie foods

5. Avoid carbonated drinks

1. 800 calories/day for initial 1-2 years and then 1000-1200 calories per day

2. Consume foods rich in protein

3. Drink 6-8 cups of water a day between meals

4. Avoid high carb and high calorie foods

5. Avoid carbonated drinks

Operating time

One hour

Two hours

Hospital stay

2 days

2-3 days

Time off from work

1 week

2-3 weeks

Recovery time

About 6 weeks

About 3 months

Eating habits

1. 3 small meals a day is recommended

2. Avoid snacking in between the meals

3. Consume food slowly and chew thoroughly

1. Eat small amounts

2. Avoid snacking in between the meals

3. Consume food slowly and chew thoroughly

Nutritional supplements

Multivitamin and calcium

Multivitamin, calcium, iron and B12

Advantages

1. Adjustable

2. Reversible

3. Simple and relatively safe procedure

4. Less invasive

5. Short recovery time

6. Less malnutrition risk

1. Rapid weight loss within 6 months

2. Controls the amount of food can be eaten

3. Reduces the amount of calories absorbed by the body

18. September 2011 19:32 by bariactric | Comments (0) | Permalink

Is It Worth To Consider Lap Band Surgery?

Lap band surgery, also called as adjustable gastric banding surgery (LAGB), is one of the most popular weight loss procedures nowadays. But several researches suggest that this weight loss surgery may not be successful without several pitfalls.

Making a decision to have lap band surgery is a big step, so make sure that you are prepared well for everything that lies ahead. All the decisions that need to be made are crucial and they should be given the utmost attention.

When you are decided to make such a big step, it is important to choose a qualified surgeon to fulfill all your needs. Spend some time to select the surgeon who is expert in performing the surgery. Good experience can make a huge difference in the success of your surgery. Doctor referrals are a good way to find a bariatric surgeon. Ask your primary care physician to make any recommendations of doctors who specialize in lap band surgery. Also search internet and visit the doctor’s website to find the information about their practice. Several surgeons host seminars for general public regarding weight loss procedures, where you can find more information.

After selecting the best bariatric surgeon, then cost is the thing that makes a big difference on your surgery. The costs can differ based on where the procedure is conducted and on the persons specific condition. It is very important to note all related costs and consider all the financial issues before the surgery takes place. While discussing the costs, you should ask about all the costs of the lap band surgery from start to finish. The totals cost includes: pre-op tests, physician charges, hospital charges, and associated surgery fees. Generally, the cost of the lap band surgery can range from $17,000 to $30,000.

After the surgery, you can expect gradual weight loss for up to two years. Weight loss after stomach banding is usually much slower than that following gastric bypass. The surgery is less invasive with less operative risk. There is less blood loss, shorter hospital stay and decreased complications rate.

7. August 2011 20:58 by bariactric | Comments (0) | Permalink

About Bariatric Care Center

The Bariatric Care Center is dedicated to the holistic approach to morbid obesity. We believe that surgery is only a small fraction of the whole process of losing weight and a powerful tool when used appropriately. In order to achieve that, our team includes a specialized panel in Psychiatry, Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

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