Is Lap-Band Surgery Right for You?

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How Much Does Lap-Banding Cost?

The cost of Lap-Band surgery depends on various factors including your body weight, the surgeons, anaesthetist, hospital, ancillary charge (pharmacy and so on), whether you have private health insurance and the purchase of the Lap-Band.

The cost of a Lap-Band can start from about $5,000 if you have the right surgeon and health insurance. Without insurance the cost can be up to $17,000. Contact your surgeon for more information.

What are the Benefits of Lap-Banding?

A five-year study found that Lap-Banding has the following benefits compared to laparoscopic gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) surgery.

• less invasive
• less risk of complications caused by the operation
• shorter operative time
• less blood loss
• shorter hospital stay
• decreased complication rates

Roux-en-Y Surgery creates a small pouch out of a portion of the stomach. This helps the person gain control over their hunger.

Other features of the Lap-Band are that it’s reversible (it can be removed) and it’s adjustable. Some experts claim that by helping to reduce people’s body weight, it is saving lives and reversing some cases of type 2 diabetes.

What are Some Possible Side-Effects?

• Eating too much food can stretch the Lap-Band pouch and cause vomiting, nausea and pain
• Infections after the operation
• The need for further surgery to re-adjust the band
• Many foods are poorly tolerated after Lap-Band surgery and should not be eaten or only eaten in small amounts
• No caffeine is allowed during the first three months after surgery
• Carbonated drinks are not recommended for people who have had Lap-Band surgery. The carbonation can cause gas, bloating and an increase in stomach size
• A modified diet is vital during the first few months after surgery

Lap-Banding can help some people with appetite and weight control. For long-term weight control, it must be combined with healthy eating and regular physical activity. See your GP for more information.



For ideas about how to keep your weight control new year's resolutions, read CalorieKing Australia's article New Year's Resolutions That Work under "Related Articles" below.

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• New Year’s Resolutions That Work

References :

This article was compiled in consultation with CalorieKing.com.au experts and in reference to the following sources:

ABC, The 7.30 Report, ‘Surgery Offers New Hope for Obese’, http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2006/s1636596.html

About.com, ‘Women’s Health – Understanding Why You Eat’, http://womenshealth.about.com/od/fitnessandhealth/a/weightlossurg_4.htm?p=1

Carolina Weightloss Surgery, ‘How Does the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y) Work?’, http://www.lgbsurgery.com/howdoes.html

Health Network, 'Lap Band Surgery', http://www.healthnetwork.com.au/searchpage.asp?id=256

Lapband.com, ‘About the Lap-Band System – How it Works’, http://www.lapband.com/get_informed/about_lapband/how_it_works/

Lapband.com, ‘Lap-Band Surgery – Costs’, http://www.lapband.com.au/costs.html

Obesity Surgery Centre, ‘Lap-Band Candidates’, http://www.obesitysurgery.net.au/who-qualifies.html

Renaissance Healthcare Systems, ‘Lap-Band System Benefits’, http://www.obesehelp.net/lap-band-benefits.htm

Royal Australasian College of Physicians, ‘Media Release – The ‘Diabesity’ Epidemic: Australia’s Ticking Time Bomb – RACP Congress’, http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:SyKN5a1336EJ:www.racp.edu.au/download.cfm%3FDownloadFile%3D642B6039-005C-922C-5430F5F6B867C387+royal+australian+college+of+physicians+diabesity+epidemic+australia's+ticking+time+bomb&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=au

Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, ‘Lap-Band System’, http://www.vcu.edu/lesspainsurgery/obesity/lapband/faqs.html

www.lapband.us, ‘Lap-Band Diet’, http://www.lapband.us/lap-band-diet.html

Last updated: December 23rd, 2008