What are the Lap Band Requirements in Columbus Ohio?

228,000 people had bariatric surgery in 2017.

You might be about to join their ranks.

When considering major weight-loss surgery, there are several things to take into account. The first is the type of surgery you'll want to have.

Most people who have bariatric surgery opt for the sleeve, while a smaller portion chooses to have the lap band.

You'll want to talk to your Columbus area doctor about which one is the right solution for your long-term health.

In this article, we'll go over the lap band requirements so that you can decide if it might be for you.

Lap Band vs. the Sleeve

These are two terms that many people considering weight loss surgery hear, but what is the difference?

A gastric sleeve, or a gastrectomy, is when the team of doctors cut away a large portion of a patient's stomach. What's left is a very small area, which leaves you less of an appetite and unable to consume much food at all. It also means your body will not require nearly as much food for you to feel the sensation of fullness.

The lap band also reduces the size of your stomach but does so in a different way. Instead, you'll have a band placed around your stomach to make it difficult or impossible to take in large amounts of food.

You'll have a port in your stomach that can be accessed. The purpose of the port is to inject yourself with saline. This can increase or decrease the size of your stomach, which will affect the portions that you intake.

Lap Band Requirements

Simply wanting to lose weight is not enough to qualify you for a lap band procedure. There are a few criteria you'll need to meet in order to ensure that you are a good candidate.

No surgery is without risks, and therefore a doctor will not perform an operation if he or she thinks it is risky for the patient. This is why requirements are in place.

In order to have the surgery, you must have a BMI of at least 40. Your BMI can be as low as 30 if you also have at least one obesity-related condition.

You cannot drink alcohol in excess.

You must be at least 18 years of age.

You must have attempted to lose weight previously several times and been unsuccessful.

You must be committed to changing your lifestyle and your food habits. Many people erroneously believe that a gastric surgery is a free ticket to a thin body. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way and you'll need to start adopting a healthy lifestyle in addition to reducing your intake.

You cannot currently be pregnant. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant after the band is placed, you'll need to speak with your doctor about whether this is the right surgery for you. If you do become pregnant or plan to, you may need the band adjusted or taken off completely.

You also cannot currently have a disease that makes you gain weight. For example, many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, gain weight due to fluctuating hormone levels. This must be under control before the doctor will consider operating.

What Disqualifies You From Having Lap Band Surgery?

While the qualifications for lap band surgery are relatively clear, what about the things that disqualify you for the surgery?

Unfortunately, the list is fairly long. This is because surgery on an obese patient can already be high risk. Adding any of these complications can make it so.

You cannot receive the lap band if you have:

  • Pancreatitis

  • Drug or alcohol addiction

  • An inflammatory disease of the GI tract

  • Lupus, connective tissue autoimmune issues or symptoms of any autoimmune issues. You also may not have the surgery if someone in your family has one of these diseases.

  • Gastric injury

  • Narrowed esophagus or stomach

  • Heart or lung disease

  • Portal hypertension

  • Any disease that could cause bleeding in the stomach or esophagus

  • Cirrhosis

What Else Disqualifies You From Lap Band Surgery?

There are a few other reasons why you may be disqualified from lap band surgery. These include:

  • Being on long-term steroid treatment

  • Allergies to materials in the lap band

  • Inability to cope with pain

Benefits of Lap Band Surgery

One reason many individuals choose the lap band surgery over the gastric sleeve is because of its many benefits. Lap band surgery is minimally invasive, which means they don't have to make large incisions to place it. Instead, most doctors insert it laparoscopically, meaning they only make a couple of tiny, barely noticeable incisions. It is also temporary, meaning it can be removed in the future if needed.

It is also an effective tool to help you manage weight loss and kick-start a new healthy lifestyle. The lap band alone will not force you to lose weight, but if you use it in conjunction with a reduced caloric intake and exercise, you'll see the results you desire.

Is Lap Band Surgery Right For Me?

Your doctor may have even more lap band requirements that have not been mentioned in this article. This is because he or she likely has specific experience in the area and may have his or her own set of standards and criteria.

If you think you might be a candidate for lap band surgery in Columbus, make an appointment with your GP. He or she can speak with you about what your options might be and can refer you to someone who will handle the surgery.

For more information on gastric surgery, or you think you might be a good candidate, contact us today.

A Wonderful Experience

"The program at Central Ohio Bariatrics is awesome. All the information and time spent with me was perfect. I have had a wonderful experience and loved the atmosphere and demeanor of all the staff here! Since surgery, I can climb stairs without being winded, cross my legs comfortably, do more exercises without pain, put on shoes and socks, and reach the middle of my back with both hands.” - Jennifer Turner

Don’t Wait. Start Living Again

"My advice to someone thinking about weight loss surgery is: don’t wait. Do it and start living again. I couldn’t have asked for better care from start to finish. Dr. Custer and his team are very caring, compassionate, and non-judgemental. I felt prepared in every way before surgery. Now I can walk up and down stairs, play with my grandchildren, run, exercise, breathe, genuinely smile, and be happier than I have been in years.” - Mildred Pritchard