The Lap Band system is a medical device manufactured by Allergan Inc. It is used in laparoscopic gastric binding surgery. In this surgical procedure, the upper portion of the stomach is made smaller by wrapping a medical device such as the Lap Band system around it. The goal of this surgery is to facilitate weight loss.
The Lap Band System
The Lap Band system is made of three parts -- a ring, a silicone tubing and a port. The inner part of the ring is made up of inflatable cushions that can be inflated by injection of saline solution. The solution is injected into the cushions via the tubing that is attached to the ring and the port. Saline solution is injected into the cushions in the ring by a physician. This process is done until a comfortable level of tightness is obtained around the upper part of the stomach.
The ring is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach while the port is situated under the skin of the chest. To fill up the ring with saline solution, a physician injects the solution into the port, it then travels through the tubing to the cushions in the ring. This makes the ring tighter. To make it loose, a physician simply removes some saline solution from the ring.
How I Works
Allergan Inc. explains that the Lap Band system works by reducing the amount of food in the stomach at one time. Due to this, weight is lost gradually and kept off as well. When implanted, the system creates a small pouch above the stomach which holds food that is consumed. Because of this, patients feel full faster and food passes into the rest of the stomach slowly.
Time Frame
Recovery time from Lap Band system surgery is relatively faster when compared with other weight loss surgeries, such as the gastric bypass procedure. As noted by Allergan Inc., you can resume your normal activities about one week after the Lap Band system is implanted.
Indications
The Lap Band system is not right for everyone even though it is indicated for use in weight reduction. Candidates who have a Body Mass Index -- BMI -- of at least 40 can qualify for Lap Band system surgery. Also, to be eligible for this surgery candidates should have a BMI of at least 30 and a severe disease. In addition, people who are 100 lbs over their estimated ideal weight, should qualify for Lap Band system surgery. Lap Band system candidates must have been severely obese for at least five years and unsuccessfully tried to lose weight with non-surgical methods to be eligible for this system.
Contraindications
The Lap Band system should not be implanted in certain patients, such as pregnant patients or individuals who have autoimmune diseases. Also, candidates who have conditions that preclude them from having surgery -- such as an infection -- should not have Lap Band system surgery, as well as those who have stomach problems. Lap Band system candidates who cannot comply with rules or changes suggested by their physicians are not suitable for implantation of this device. Furthermore, those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs should not have Lap Band system surgery.
FDA Status And Weight Loss Results
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the Food and Drug Administration reports that the Lap Band system was approved for use in the U.S. in 2001. As for weight loss results with the Lap Band system, the FDA notes that some patients lost between 25 percent to 75 percent of their excess weight. While the average weight loss seen with the Lap Band system was 36 percent, some people experienced no weight loss at all.
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