LAP-BAND® System AdvantagesThe goals of obesity surgery are to improve health and quality of life, as well as to increase lifespan. Research has demonstrated that bariatric (weight loss) procedures such as LAP-BAND are more effective than non-surgical treatments for weight loss and long-term control. When compared to other bariatric surgeries, LAP-BAND has several advantages: Minimal discomfort and traumaBecause it is usually performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive or keyhole surgery), LAP-BAND typically has a shorter recovery time and patients are able to return home the day after surgery. Most people are able to return to normal activity in about 7 days. Laparoscopic surgery uses much smaller incisions that traditional open surgery procedures so there is minimal scarring and less pain and discomfort from the incisions. Fewer side effects than other weight loss surgeryLAP-BAND surgery is considered safer than other bariatric surgeries because of its lower operative and short term complication rate. This is largely due to the procedure not involving cutting, stapling or diversion of the intestines as is seen in other bariatric surgeries. While LAP-BAND does reduce the amount of food that you eat, your entire digestive tract is left intact so that your risk of nutritional deficiencies is less than those associated with gastric bypass. Other complications of gastric bypass such as dumping syndrome are also avoided with the LAP-BAND System. Adjustable means better control of weight lossThe LAP-BAND system is adjustable, allowing your surgeon to "fine tune" your weight loss to achieve the maximum rate of safe weight loss and ensure that you stay healthy and comfortable. The LAP-BAND System works by not only reducing the amount of food that you are able to eat and slowing digestion, but also reducing the amount of food you want to eat. With the LAP-BAND you feel full sooner and the feeling of fullness last longer so that you don't feel the urge to eat as often. Effective long-term weight lossInformation on both the short and long-term effectiveness of LAP-BAND continues to grow. The outstanding weight loss results achieved with LAP-BAND spans an entire decade and it is considered the standard of care by hundreds of surgeons worldwide. Experience in the United States shows weight loss at 36 months which compares favorably with the weight loss achieved with gastric bypass. Other studies indicate a 90% resolution or improvement in conditions like asthma, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux. LAP BAND has also demonstrated a 79% resolution or improvement of high blood pressure in obese patients with diabetes. Other medical benefits seen in patients who have had LAP-Band surgery are improvement of:
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