Gastric banding is a treatment for obesity. Performed by a surgeon, this procedure involves placing a band that has an inner balloon around the top of the stomach. This balloon connects to a port near the skin that allows the surgeon to inflate and deflate the balloon. This allows the patient to safely lose weight according to the surgeon's recommendation. Patients must meet certain criteria to be eligible for this surgery, with the criteria varying according to device manufacturer and surgeon.
Obesity
People who plan to have gastric band surgery must be obese. A general rule is that she must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or obesity-related medical conditions and a BMI of 35 or more. Some surgeons or device manufacturers require that you be at least 100 pounds overweight or double your ideal body weight.
Age
Generally, only patients between the ages of 18 and 60 are considered for this surgery, but an individual surgeon may decide to perform the surgery on an adolescent if the benefits outweigh the risks.
History of Being Overweight
The patient is commonly required to have been overweight for a period of five years or more. Also, less-invasive methods to lose weight must have been attempted, such as conventional diet and exercise plans.
Compliance
The patient must be capable of compliance, as followup care will be needed. She must be psychologically stable and able to understand and comply with the dietary restrictions that will follow the surgery. She must not consume a great deal of alcohol and must understand the surgical risks prior to the procedure.
Obesity Must Be Without Medical Cause
One device manufacturer recommends that the candidate considering gastric band surgery be obese for reasons other than medical issues. Like the other criteria, this requirement may vary by surgeon and device manufacturer.
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