Siouxland Surgery

Medical Considerations

Lap Band
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Weight Loss Surgery Medical Considerations

Before all else - your health comes first.

Take Charge Video

Obesity & Your Health Video

Video Transcript

Before you can use the LAP-BAND® System to help you lose weight and live healthier, you need to qualify medically. This means being currently healthy enough for the minimally invasive procedure. While only a physician or surgeon can give you a complete medical evaluation, the criteria listed here should help you get started. You may also want to ask your surgeon about other criteria he or she may use.

LAP-BAND® may be right for you if:

  • Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is at least 40, or
    • your BMI is 35 or higher with one or more obesity-related health condition.
    • you are at least 100 lbs overweight.
  • You are at least 18 years old.
  • You have been overweight for more than 5 years.
  • Your serious weight loss attempts have had only short-term success.
  • You are not currently suffering from any other disease that may have caused your excess weight.
  • You are prepared to make major changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.
  • You do not drink alcohol in excess.
  • You are not currently pregnant. (Note: If you become pregnant after having this procedure, the band can be adjusted for the duration of your pregnancy.)

The LAP-BAND® System is a minimally invasive procedure that has helped thousands of people lose weight. But be aware that there are reasons why you may not be as a candidate. You and your doctor should review your medical history to make your medical decisions together.

The LAP-BAND® System is not right for you if:

  • You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn’s disease.
  • You have severe heart or lung disease, or any other disease that makes you a poor candidate for any surgery.
  • You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (dilated veins). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel).
  • You have portal hypertension.
  • Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance, you might have a narrowed opening.
  • You have/experienced an intraoperative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement.
  • You have cirrhosis.
  • You have chronic pancreatitis.
  • You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
  • You have an infection anywhere in your body, or one that could contaminate the surgical area.
  • You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment.
  • You might be allergic to materials in the device.
  • You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device.
  • You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases.

Keep in mind that only a qualified physician/surgeon can properly evaluate all the factors in your case. This result is a guideline for you, and can help you make the decision to seek more information about weight loss surgery using the LAP-BAND® System.