Comparing the Lap Band with the other weight loss techniques

If someone guessed what is the most recurring thought of an obese person, it would be that if only I could eat less, I would have a slimmer body. Well, now a days wishes don’t come true but there have been remarkable advancements in medical science that can grant the obese people this wish. Some of these advancements are the Lap Band surgery, Sleeve gastrectomy, Gastric bypass etc. This surgery limits the amount of food that one eats by making you feel full earlier.

Lap band surgery is the least invasive procedure for weight loss today and it doesn’t involve any kind of metal stapling or amputing of body parts unlike gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. In fact, the whole procedure is performed laparoscopically. What that means is that small incisions are made in the abdomen and then the gastric band is placed around the stomach  through these incisions. A surgeon uses a camera to place the band.

Let’s have a better look on the procedures of gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and lap band understand their differences more clearly. Let’s start with the gastric bypass.

Gastric bypass

1.    This may be performed openly or laparoscopically.

2.    The stomach is cut and rerouting of the intestines is done to improve the digestion.

3.    It is an irreversible process.

4.    The rate of complications is about 24%.

5.    The reoperation rate is 6%.

Sleeve gastrectomy

1.    This procedure is performed laparoscopically.

2.    In this procedure, almost 80% of the stomach is amputed.

3.    It is also an irreversible process.

4.    The rate of complications is about 18%.

5.    The reoperation rate is 3%.

Lap band

1.    This procedure is performed laparoscopically.

2.    No amputing or cutting is done.

3.    It is a reversible process.

4.    The rate of complications is 6%.

5.    The reoperation rate is 1%.

Also, whereas the gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy may take up to three days in the hospital, Lap band takes hardly one hour to perform.

The best candidates for the lap band surgery are the persons who have a BMI of 40 kg per meter square or a BMI of 30 kg per meter square with one or more obesity related conditions. It is only  indicated for persons who have tried other weight loss techniques like supervised diet, exercise etc. and failed. Also, if they choose to go for it they have to make significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

There is no disregarding the fact that the Lap band is a fairly simple and less problematic surgery. Also, it is not a very pricey surgery. The average lap band cost is estimated to be $14,000. Also, you can directly pay through cash without going through the hassle of an insurance company. If you fulfill the basic requirements for the lap band surgery, you can have the surgery done as soon as your surgeon can give you an appointment. And if you are getting an insurance done then the lap band surgery cost may also cover the nutritionist costs and lap band fills.So, all in all, it is a win- win situation for the obese.

Hospital Jerusalem is the leading expert for Bariatric solutions and the only accredited hospital with an official medical tourism certificate issued by the state of Baja California. Tummy tuck, Lap Band,  Gastric bypass etc. are some of the procedures that are performed at Hospital Jerusalem.