The first gastric band is known as the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band and was patented in 1985 by Obtech Medical of Sweden, which is now owned by J&J/Ethicon Endo-Surgery. The LAP-BAND System received approval from the FDA in the United States in June of 2001.

The lap band or adjustable gastric band surgery is not indicated when severe cardiopulmonary diseases or other conditions exist because this will make one a poor surgical candidate. It's usually contraindicated if the surgery or treatment represents a formidable risk to the patient. Also an allergic reaction to materials contained in the band or people who have exhibited pain intolerance to implanted devices are also contraindications for lap band surgery.

If your bariatric, weight loss or lap band surgeon approves you for lap band surgery after an extensive consultation, you'll be required to undergo pre-operative exams and lab tests before you're medically cleared for surgery. The lap band surgery is usually not performed if one has any untreated glandular disease such as hypothyroidism, where other measures may still be taken to remedy it. In general, gastric banding, including the Lap Band procedure and weight loss system, is indicated for people for whom their Body Mass Index is above 40, or those who are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more over their estimated ideal weight according to the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables, or for those between 30 to 40 years of age with co-morbidities, which may improve with weight loss. Co-morbidities include high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis.

After adjustable gastric band surgery, if the patient is considering pregnancy, ideally the adjustable gastric band or lap band patient should be in optimum nutritional condition prior to the conception. Deflation of the band may be required prior to the planned conception.

Unlike patients who have surgical weight loss procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, duodenal switch or biliopancreatic diversion, it's unusual for gastric band patients to experience nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption of micro nutrients.

The surgeon carefully uses a specialized needle to avoid damage to the port membrane and the port membrane may be sutured in place. The adjustable gastric band or Lap Band is an inflatable silicone prosthetic device. It's placed around the top portion of the stomach using what is called keyhole laparoscopic surgery. Lap band or gastric band placement, unlike the traditional malabsorptive weight loss surgery - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, biliopancreatic and duodenal switch, does not cut into or remove any part of the digestive system.

Following this weight loss surgery, adjustments, which are also called 'fills', may be performed using a fluoroscope so the radiologist may assess the placement of the band, the port and the tubing, which runs between the port and the band. The initial weight loss in gastric banding is slower than with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery but statistics show that over a five year period the weight loss outcome is similar. Gaining weight can happen with any surgical weight loss procedure including the more radical procedures that initially result in a rapid weight loss.

Following surgery, the patient may be prescribed a liquid only diet, followed by soft foods and then solid foods for a certain length of time which will vary with each surgeon and manufacturer. The lap band may remain deflated during pregnancy. Once breast feeding or bottle-feeding is finished the band may be gradually re-inflated to help with postpartum weight loss if it's necessary.

A common occurrence for lap band patients is the regurgitation of non-acidic, swallowed food from the upper pouch, which is commonly called productive burping and is not a normal occurrence. Erosion can occur; this is where the band may wear away a small area on the outside of the stomach which can lead to migration of the band to the inside of the stomach.

On occasion, the narrow passage into the lower part of the stomach may become blocked by a large portion of food that hasn't been chewed. Lap band and adjustable gastric band post-surgery digestive complications include nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux, stoma obstruction, constipation, dysphagia, diarrhea, and abnormal stools.

Regarding medical travel for lap band surgery, make sure if you're traveling away from home for surgery to figure in the travel time and related travel expenses for both the weight loss surgery and your follow-up appointments. The cost of lap band surgery will vary from country to country and place to place and you may find low cost lap band surgery in Mexico and several countries. Houston, Texas seems to be one of the most popular places for lap band surgery in the US. Other destinations include Chicago, Illinois, California, Florida and Canada. There isn't one established price for lap band surgery. And make sure to plan for the psychological effects of any weight loss procedure you undergo.

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