Gastric Banding Surgery
Gastric Banding Surgery, or adjustable gastric band surgery, is a very popular weight-loss surgery. With over hundreds of thousands of people already "banded," gastric banding surgery is the most well-known weight-loss surgery.
How Gastric Banding Surgery Works
Gastric Banding Surgery works by restricting the upper portion of the stomach, ergo reducing the stomach's capacity. By reducing the stomach's capacity, people feel fuller faster helping them eat less food. Gastric Banding Surgery is typically done laparoscopically, or using many small incisions in the patient's stomach.
Placing the device, either Lap-Band or Realize Band, around the upper portion of the stomach, physicians can adjust the tightness around the stomach, thereby effectively managing weight-loss.
Cost of Gastric Banding Surgery
The cost of gastric banding surgery depends on the specific implant that will be used during the procedure. Average costs tend to hover around $20,000 to $25,000 in the United States. Costs can decrease with Medical Tourism, one study found that bariatric surgery in Mexico saved patient's 70%, from what they would have spent in the U.S.
Am I a Candidate
Being a good candidate for gastric banding surgery depends on a few things, most notably your BMI (body mass index). Having a high BMI of 40, and being between the ages of 18 to 65 will put you in a good spot for qualifying for gastric band surgery. Sometimes however, having a lower BMI can still put you in a good range for the surgery. If patient's health risks have increased because of their obesity, then patients with BMIs of 35 can be considered good patients for the surgery. Ultimately it depends on your bariatric surgeon, and your dedication to post-surgery considerations.
Lap Band Surgery Risks
One of benefits of choosing gastric banding surgery verse another bariatric surgery is because risks and complications are a lot lower. There is also the fact that since this surgery has been around a lot longer then gastric sleeve, there are more known problems. Surgeons know what to expect 5, 10 or 15 years post-surgery.
Overall, gastric banding surgery is the safest bariatric surgery today. It's the most common bariatric surgery in the World, and is offered in many different counties. Most notably, United States, India and Mexico.