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Lap-Band |
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Review
Summary |
The Lap-Band system is a surgery done by laparoscopy to place a silicon elastomer band around a patient’s stomach. It is intended to restrict the amount of food that a person can take in by creating a small pouch out of the upper part of the stomach. The band controls the flow of food between the “two” stomachs and this action allows patients to feel fuller sooner and for longer periods of time. |
| Ingredients At A Glance |
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The Lap-Band is made of a silicone elastomer. This material is considered optimum for use inside the body because it will not degrade and it is compatible with human tissue. It is foreign to the body and there is a reaction to it, but it is in the nature of innocuous fibrous tissues forming around the band. The system can be adjusted to alter the amount of food that can be taken in by adding or removing saline from the band. This is done with a fine needle without surgery. The Lap-Band can be removed and the stomach returns to its original form.
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| Cost |
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This is a surgical procedure and it is extremely expensive. We found an offering from a clinic in Mexico where the standard package costs $8,250.00 and it includes one night stay at the hospital, two nights stay at the hospital’s hotel (plus breakfast), all pre op and post op nourishment, ground transportation (airport-hotel-airport), surgeon and staff fees, preliminary tests, Lap-Band system, follow up via online consultations with their nutritionists, band adjustments for life and 24-hour support from their staff. The deluxe package adds air fare to the package and that brings the cost to $8750.00. Several sites we found linked to US facilities, but costs were not given unless you signed up with name, and a lot of personal information prior to them releasing cost data. There is a link to www.MediCredit.com for those people who wish to explore financing options.
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| Website In Focus |
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The Litenfree website provides an abundance of information about the Lap-Band system and a general picture of what one can expect during and from the surgery, including a timetable from arrival until the end of the recovery period. There is an application to fill out before one can qualify, along with multiple methods of contact, such as a toll-free number, local number, and email address. There are biographies of the three surgeons who perform the surgery at the 250-bed, private OCA Hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. A corporate video about the facility is available on the site. Six personal testimonies (five women and one man) are provided on the site. But this is just one site – there are many listed on the internet – one has only to log on and search under Weight Control Surgery.
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| Positives |
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• Apparently, it is safe to leave in place during a pregnancy, although adjustment is required
• The company claims that the surgery is less invasive than other gastric surgeries and the recovery times are less painful and quicker.
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| Negatives |
• The surgery is quite expensive and it is unlikely to be approved by many major medical insurance companies (according to one of the testimonials)
• The Lap-Band will not work unless patients make major adjustments in their diets and also, they must exercise. Generally speaking, the morbidly obese are a group of people who have difficulty with this, but there are no facts on this website about any healthy risks if patients don’t adhere to the diet and exercise requirements
It is not clear if Lap-Band adjustments can be made using one’s local surgeon, or if travel back to the place of surgery is necessary. It would hardly be convenient or economical to travel for any problems that could arise.
• Their customers do not like them at all and have negative things to say about their experiences. Click here to read a popular Lap Band Blog.
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| Final Thoughts |
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Granted, the Lap-Band system is designed for people with severe weight problems, but it really is an extreme solution. Since diet and exercise are such a big part of this process, one wonders if those habits should be required to be well established before undergoing major surgery. It is unclear if this is any part of the screening process. As with any extreme weight loss solution, it should only be undertaken on the advice of a trusted physician.
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