The LAP BAND is a type of weight loss procedure that is used to reduce the amount of food you eat. The procedure ultimately changes the design of the stomach by shrinking the area that holds food. The LAP BAND itself is a silicone belt that wraps around the top portion of the stomach. Because the part of the stomach that recognizes hunger fills up faster, with a lesser amount of food, the patient is less likely to overeat and then weight loss occurs. There are some requirements and criteria that have to be met prior to being a candidate to have the LAP BAND surgery.
BMI
BMI stands for body mass index. It is a type of scale that physicians and medical personnel use to determine how much fat or muscle someone carries on the torso. The numbers range from 19 to 50, with 19 being a low health risk and 50 being a high health risk. The BMI is calculated by dividing body weight by height and multiplying by 703. Some physicians also take into consideration that those who are 100 pounds or more overweight also qualify for the surgery. Those who are reaching a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese, and are possible candidates for weight loss surgery along with a current medical condition such as diabetes. Those with a BMI of 40 or above do not have to have a current medical condition and automatically qualify. The only difference with BMI would be a miscalculation of the index. The reason for this could be someone who has a high muscle mass or bone density. This could throw the numbers off slightly. Someone who is a body builder and has built muscle mass would not be a candidate for LAP BAND surgery, even at a BMI of 35. A qualified physician is the only individual who can make the final determination.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a type of disease that affects the blood glucose levels in the body. Because diabetes can be controlled in some cases by having weight within a healthy range, the LAP BAND surgery may be recommended by the patient's physician. For patients who have uncontrolled diabetes, the fluctuating blood sugar levels may cause an increase in appetite and weight gain. By having the LAP BAND procedure done, the patient may be better able to portion control what they eat, lose the weight and eventually get their glucose levels within a normal range between 80 and 100mg.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a serious condition that can lead to stroke, hypertension and heart attack. Cholesterol levels are measured by both HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. The HDL or high density lipoproteins are the good levels of cholesterol, and you want these numbers to be just above 40mg in order to promote good blood cholesterol. LDL or low density lipoprotein is the bad type of cholesterol, and these levels need to stay lower than 200mg in order to maintain optimal health. If the cholesterol levels are high, the patient may be considered a good candidate for LAP BAND surgery, even if their BMI isn't over 35.
Hypertension
Hypertension is also referred to as high blood pressure. Hypertension is also a requirement for LAP Band surgery if the client is 100 pounds or more overweight or has a high BMI. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to several health problems such as heart attack, blood clot or stroke. In combination with being overweight, hypertension puts an individual at greater risk than those who are at a normal weight level.
Mental Readiness
Other requirements for the LAP BAND surgery include a mental readiness for the weight loss surgery. Someone who may be an emotional eater or compulsive eater may not be approved for the surgery if the physician fears he will put the weight back on again. An individual must also have proven medical documentation that she has tried to lose weight before and failed.
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