Most of us think we can stand to lose a couple of pounds here or there and take the necessary steps to address those little problem areas. For many others, the extra weight is a true health hazard. That’s when bariatric procedures can help and the benefits of lap band surgery are numerous.
Obesity is one of the leading health hazards in the United States and some estimates show that it costs us nearly $200 billion a year to fight. Unfortunately, eating less and exercising more just isn’t enough for some. Family history, physical limitations, and even psychological roadblocks keep them from reaching their weight loss goals.
Bariatric surgery is often the only way for these folks to lose the excess weight and keep it off. Numerous studies have shown that weight loss surgery is superior to medical weight loss to lose excess weight and keep it off.
For more than four decades, lap band surgery has been a popular procedure to help patients lose that excess weight initially and keep that weight off in the long run. There are many benefits of lap band surgery: it’s proven effective, minimally invasive, and can be adjusted. It is also reversible and can be removed easily and safely if no longer needed. When it comes to the science and history of weight loss, lap band surgery has been a giant leap forward.
WEIGHT LOSS HAS A SKETCHY PAST
The history of weight loss in the United States is… complicated. In the 1950s, many American women discovered miraculous diet pills that really worked. Of course, we now know these so-called “weight loss” pills were actually just speed, a highly addictive stimulant and distant cousin to crystal meth.
In the years since, so many weight loss schemes and fads have come and gone. Right now you can probably think of at least one Facebook friend who’s constantly selling some kind of probiotics, supplements, or diet plan via social media.
Unfortunately, because of the history of weight loss in the United States, far too many people feel like there aren’t any real, medically proven weight loss solutions available.
That simply isn’t true. Because of the obesity epidemic, bariatric surgeons and medical weight loss centers have begun offering a variety of weight loss surgery options. Unlike diets, exercise, and other “miracle” cures, treatments like lap band surgery can result in sustainable, long-term weight loss.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM LAP BAND SURGERY?
Undergoing surgery for weight loss is the right option for many people, especially after other methods of weight loss have failed. Rather than launching another doomed diet, so many Americans are instead benefiting from weight loss surgery.
Indeed, after many types of weight loss surgery, most people will keep all the lost weight off for 18 to 24 months. After about the two-year point, some people will regain some of that weight, but only a portion.
The techniques used by our San Diego bariatric surgeons are tried and true and backed by many medical studies. Gastric bypass has been performed for over 50 years, and every year, more than 200,000 weight loss surgeries of all kinds are performed here in the United States. That number will only grow in the future.
In fact, because this field has grown so much over the decades, surgeries like gastric bypass, lap band surgery, and other forms of medical weight loss have become much safer. This increased level of safety is due to specialized bariatric centers of excellence which undergo rigorous certifications to make sure they offer the highest level of safety and quality.
Doctors better understand the potential side effects that can result from these operations, letting patients make informed choices about the benefits and potential risks.
UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF LAP BAND SURGERY
For patients with obesity-related health conditions, lap band benefits can be a lifesaver. That’s because these medical implants help patients safely and quickly lose weight. A patient feels full faster and cutting or stapling the stomach or small intestine isn’t necessary which helps reduce side effects.
Just as importantly, the weight loss process takes place under the guidance of medical professionals. Medical weight loss programs let patients lose weight in a healthy, controlled manner. As you are carefully followed we can make sure you stay on track with your weight loss.
The lap band involves the placement of an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. Because it restricts the size of the stomach, the surgery also restricts the amount of food intake at any one time. There are many advantages to this method; for instance, it’s a minimally invasive surgery that does not tend to leave much of a scar. The recovery is very quick and the surgery is done outpatient meaning you can go home right after the procedure is done.
As your body becomes used to eating less food, hormone changes begin to keep those all-to-familiar hunger pangs at bay. Along with an improved diet and increased physical activity, lap band surgery gives you the best opportunity to reach your weight goals.
Not only is the surgery reversible, but a surgeon can also adjust the amount of saline solution in the band to meet the individual’s changing weight loss needs. And unlike other forms of bariatric restrictive procedures, there is no cutting or stapling of the patient’s stomach.
Of course, what really matters is this: a lap band can help patients drastically reduce their weight in a short amount of time. It’s a sustainable weight loss solution that can have a major positive impact on your health for years or decades to come. For all these reasons and more, the lap band benefits countless people all over the world.
OLDE DEL MAR SURGICAL CAN BE YOUR RESOURCE
If you have any questions about bariatric surgery insurance or lap band benefits, don’t hesitate to reach out to Olde Del Mar Surgical. We are here to help you determine the right weight loss solution for you. In addition to adjustable gastric band surgery, we also offer gastric bypass, gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), duodenal switch, and other bariatric procedures. We also can perform these surgeries robotically which will lead to less pain and quicker recovery.
We have decades of experience with bariatric procedures and our complication rate of 1% is much lower than the national rate. We also offer support services and other resources after the surgery is complete. The surgery is just one piece of the weight-loss puzzle–Olde Del Mar Surgical will give you everything you need to ensure you lead a long, healthy life.
Want to learn more about the benefits of lap band surgery or any of our other surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures? Reach out to set up a consultation, take an assessment, or read more about what you can expect before and after surgery. We look forward to hearing from you!
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