The Rise of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedures As a Way to Treat Obesity

There are various causes of obesity that include: lifestyle habits, genetics, and environmental issues. Lack of exercise, high-calorie food intake, overeating, and consumption of too much food, can all contribute to obesity. Obesity related health conditions include: heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In recent years, obesity has been on the rise. Traditional diet and exercise programs have been shown to be ineffectual at treating obesity over the long term. Because, obesity can be treated medically and surgically, there has been a significant rise of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, also known as Lap-Banding, is a type of weight loss surgery designed for obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. It uses an inflatable adjustable gastric Lap-Band which is implanted around the top portion of a person's stomach by way of laparoscopic surgery. For people younger than 21 years of age, the rate of laparoscopic adjustable gastric Lap-Banding (LAGB) increased 7-fold from 2005 to 2007 according to the results of a study in the United States reported in the print issue of Pediatrics. As well, a report presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in June 2008 showed that 31,333 bariatric surgery procedures were performed from 2004 to 2007. During this period, the use of laparoscopic adjustable gastric lap-banding procedures increased from 7% to 23%. As well, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development says 25 per cent of Canadians are obese, and the rate is expected to increase by five per cent over the next 10 years. The result has been an increase in Lap-Band procedures in Canada.

The popularity of Lap-Banding is due to the surgery being a safe and minimally invasive procedure. As well, it is a fully reversible procedure. The lower cost and lower morbidity rates compared with laparoscopic gastric bypass is another benefit of having the procedure. Because the Lap-Band is adjustable, individual care can be optimized to meet the patient's needs after the procedure. People who choose the Lap-Band technique tend to lose the desired weight and keep it off long term. It is a beneficial procedure as it can help a person with excess weight feel full and satisfied eating less which results in a dramatic weight loss. The procedure is an outpatient procedure and recovery time is good as people can get on with their lives reasonably quickly after surgery.

Lap-band procedures are safe. In fact, on Feb. 16, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave approval to expand the use of the Lap-Band to include obese individuals with a BMI of 30 to 34 who also have an existing conditions related to their obesity. With the Lap-Band, no cutting or stapling is involved like the gastric bypass surgery and less than 1% of patients report any complications. If you are interested in Lap-Band surgery take the time to investigate the procedure so you will make an informed decision. This will ensure that you get the best weight loss outcome and you will live a longer and healthier life while feeling great about your physical appearance.

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