Lap Band Surgery Requirements

Bariatric weight loss surgeries are often recommended for people, who are dangerously obese. These surgical procedures are meant for achieving weight loss in such people. Such surgeries can be of different types. There are gastric bypass surgeries that create a shortcut for passage of food, by bypassing a major part of the stomach and small intestine, thereby curbing the amount of food consumed and the amount of nutrients absorbed. Gastric banding is another type of weight loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach, so that less food is consumed and the body weight can be reduced. Lap band surgery is a form of adjustable gastric banding procedure that is very much popular as a weight loss method in highly obese people.

This surgery is usually performed on extremely obese people, under general anesthesia. While this procedure is mostly done laparoscopically, some cases may require an open surgery. The surgery involves positioning of an inflatable silicone ring around the top portion of the stomach, so that a small pouch is created. This small pouch acts as the stomach for the person, who has undergone this surgery. As this pouch called stoma, is very small, it has the capacity to hold small amounts of food. When compared to a normal stomach that can hold at least six cups of food, the stoma can hold only ½ to one cup of food. This results in reduction of food intake. The band that is fastened around the stomach ensures that the food in the stoma passes to the remaining portion of the stomach in a slow manner, so that the person feels full for a longer time. This leads to gradual weight loss of the person, who has to follow a strict diet for achieving best results.

Requirements

Lap band surgery is not performed on each and every obese person. There are some requirements that have to be met with by the person, so that he can resort to this method of weight loss.

• Now, you know that only obese people can opt for this surgery. However, the BMI (body mass index) plays an important role in making a person eligible for this surgery. A person with a BMI of 40 and above can opt for this surgery. If the BMI is between 35 and 40, but the person has medical conditions (like sleep apnea and high diabetes), that can be improved by reducing body weight, then also, this surgery can be done.
• Even the body weight of the person can be considered as a criterion, instead of the BMI. The body weight must be 45 kilograms or more, above the ideal body weight of the person.
• The age of the person must be between 18 to 55. In some cases, others too can be considered for this surgery.
• Lap band surgery requirements include evidence of past weight loss programs (mainly medically supervised ones). In other words, the person must have tried other weight loss methods, before opting for this surgery. This requirement is important for insurance purposes.
• The person must have a history of obesity. He/she must be obese for the last 5 years or more, so as to become eligible for this surgery.
• Apart from the above mentioned criteria, other requirements include affordability and awareness about its complications and risks. The person must be ready for the aftercare, which include diet and other lifestyle changes.

This was about the lap band surgery requirements, that has to be met with, so as to get eligible for this surgery. But it is always better to consider all other options for achieving weight loss, before resorting to any bariatric weight loss surgery. You must be aware of the possible complications, before opting for this surgery.