Weight loss surgery takes many forms including the increasingly popular gastric lap band procedure.

It is a type of bariatric surgery that offers a promising remedy to the problem of obesity. More specifically, gastric lap band is designed for obese patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 40.

In some other cases, patients with a BMI of 35-40 may undergo this procedure if they have certain co-morbidities that will improve with weight loss. Such conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea.

Gastric lap band entails placement of a band on the upper part of the stomach to reduce its size. The band is inflatable and adjustable so that it can be corrected accordingly over the course of time as per the patient’s needs. A patient who has undergone the lap band procedure will experience faster satisfaction with minimal intake of food. When used in tandem with other useful measures like eating healthy foods and reducing appetite, gastric banding results in significant weight loss over the course of time. Less food consumption means less weight gain and ultimately, reduction of BMI.

In comparison to the other types of bariatric surgery; sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, why choose the lap band procedure?

Most notable is the fact that gastric banding is the least invasive of all the procedures because it can be performed via laparoscopy. This means the surgery will take a shorter time, the patient will have minimal scars and a shorter stay in the hospital. Since the procedure is associated with lesser pain than that experienced with open surgeries, the patient will also have a faster recovery.

Secondly, with gastric lap band, there is no re-routing of the patient’s intestines or removal of any part of the stomach.

On the other hand, sleeve gastrectomy is quite radical as it involves removal of greater than 80% of the stomach. Similarly, gastric bypass entails re-routing the patient’s intestine in a bid to bypass some digestion. In light of this, gastric lap band has an edge over the other procedures in that the patient will not experience malabsorption because without amputation of the stomach or cutting of the small intestines, there is no interference with normal absorption.

Looking for more reasons why gastric banding is superior to other bariatric procedures? Well, here is more insight on its benefits .

Unlike the other procedures which are permanent; lap band is reversible and removable if so desired.

The safety profile of this procedure is also commendable although just like any surgery, it may be accompanied by a few minor complications.

Notwithstanding, well researched scientific databases from the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery have shown that gastric lap band is associated with the least life-endangering complications, the least rate of re-operation and shortest post-operation hospital stay.

It therefore suffices to say gastric banding is an answer to those searching for inexpensive weight loss surgery.

Tracy McManamon on Google+