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Obesity affects more than someone’s waist measurement or pants size, and a surprising number of health risks are connected to obesity. Americans are one of the largest groups of overweight people and have the associated health problems.

There are several popular approaches to bariatric surgery, and the one known as the LAP-BAND is one of the most widespread. It does have some unique features, and this leads to some common concerns.

Bariatric surgery is a blanket term for surgeries used to obtain weight loss for the morbidly or severely obese. It comes with associated health benefits such elimination of diabetes and high cholesterol.

This is an article describing what changes will need to be made in order to live comfortably with your new Lap Band. It is a major lifestyle change, so you need to be prepared for what happens after the surgery is complete.

This article is describing the different options a person has when deciding how to pay for Lap Band surgery. It’s a popular weight loss surgery option many consider since it is completely reversible.

This article was written to address many of the most frequent questions and concerns surrounding the Lap Band surgery process. Find out more about this weight loss surgery option.

Weight loss surgery has become a popular method for helping those that are severely obese to successfully lose weight. Unfortunately, what many people fail to realize is that there are some things that occur after weight loss surgery that need to be seriously taken into consideration. Almost all methods of weight loss surgery are major forms of surgery, particular those that cause permanent changes to the digestive and gastric system. Because of this, it is absolutely essential that you be willing to follow many of the lifestyle changes that you will have to make for the rest of your life. Failure to do so could result in more complication than you ever experienced from obesity. Immediately after your surgery, you must be willing to commit to living on a liquid diet for a few weeks. This is absolutely essential, and can be more difficult than a person thinks. However, failure to do so could result in disaster. You will also have to realize that with most weight loss surgeries, the dietary changes that you make will have to be followed strictly for the rest of your life, especially in those permanent weight loss surgery cases. You must be willing to commit to a lifetime of monitoring, or in the case of a reversible weight loss surgery such as Lap Band surgery, commit to the monitoring as long as the band is in place. Some of the weight loss surgeries performed create a difficulty for some medical conditions to be found easily, and frequent monitoring from your doctor will help in catching these problems early on. And finally, after weight loss surgery, you need to have reasonable expectations for yourself and what the surgery can do for you. You are not going to miraculously lose all of your excess weight overnight. While you will experience significant weight loss in the first few weeks after surgery due to the liquid diet you are on, do not get discouraged if once you return to normal food, you only experience loss of a pound or two a week. It took time to put the weight on your body, and it will take time to take it off. Just be patient.

There are a number of issues people face when they ate obese or overweight. Below are some frequently asked questions about obesity that may help you understand the different health issues.

What is the difference between being obese and morbidly obese?

An obese person weighs between 10 and 30 percent more than the recommended weight for their height. A morbidly obese person weighs 50 percent or more, than what their weight should be.

What causes a person to be obese or morbidly obese?

There are a number of different factors that can cause a person to gain weight and become obese or morbidly obese. From environmental and psychological conditions, to physical conditions and medications they take, there are a number of different factors besides simple overeating that can cause both forms of obesity to occur.

Why is it called "morbidly" obese?

The more weight that is on our body, the higher at risk we are for developing serious health conditions. Those that fall under the morbidly obese category are at extremely high risk for developing health problems that are potentially life-threatening.

I'm obese and have tried diet and exercise with no success. What options are available to me to help me lose weight?

First, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine why you are unable to loose weight. If there is a physical problem, medication may be required to treat the condition. Then, you can research options for various weight loss surgery options that can help you to lose weight and keep it off for life.

What weight loss surgeries are available?

There are a number of different weight loss surgeries that have helped many people to lose weight. Lap band surgery and gastric bypass surgery are two of them most commonly used methods of weight loss surgery that have come to be very popular for those suffering from obesity and morbid obesity.

Is there any chance I won't be a good candidate for weight loss surgery, even though I am obese?

Yes, there is a chance that a person may not be a good candidate for these types of surgeries. Being obese or morbidly obese is not the only factor that is taken into consideration when deciding if this procedure is right for you. You should schedule an appointment with a specialist in weight loss surgery, to determine whether a surgery would be a good choice for your particular case.

If you've gained a large amount of weight over the years, you know that you don't feel or look as good as you'd like. You probably find that your energy level and stamina aren't the same as before you gained weight. It's hard to move around to complete simple tasks, or find clothes that fit. But these aren't the only issues with being significantly overweight.

Obesity and Your Health

Obesity is related to many serious health problems. A person is generally considered obese if his or her body mass index, or BMI, is 30 or over. The health problems related to obesity can include heart disease, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, joint and back injury, and certain forms of cancer. Obesity can contribute to disability and even death. Overweight and obese people may have increased problems with asthma, sleep apnea, and arthritis. Being overweight is also associated with a higher incidence of liver and gallbladder problems, including gallstones. When a person is overweight, his or her heart works harder to pump blood; the heart might not receive sufficient amounts of oxygen as a result of excess body weight. There is more stress on bones and joints; they must support the excess weight, and are more prone to injury and arthritis. The body's response to glucose metabolism can be affected. Even if you don't consume foods high in sugar or fat and cholesterol, your body's processing of these substances can be affected, although the exact mechanism is not understood. There is also a higher incidence of breast and colon cancers in people who are overweight. Sleep apnea, a condition in which a person stops breathing for periods of time during sleep, and associated with risk for stroke, is often improved or ameliorated with weight loss. Genetics does play a role in whether or not you are at risk for some of these disorders; if you do have the genetic pre-disposition, obesity will increase your risk further. Often, it is very difficult for an obese person to lose weight and maintain the weight loss with healthy diet and exercise alone. In some cases, you might not be able to increase your activity until you've lost some weight. Depending on your health status, your doctor may prescribe medication to assist, and may discuss various forms of weight loss surgery with you. It's not only important for you to look and feel your best, but to reduce your risk of health complications associated with being significantly overweight. If you would like to learn more about weight loss surgery, contact our bariatric surgeons in New York today.

With various methods of weight loss surgery available, it can become difficult to determine which one is the best option. Important factors to consider when deciding between bariatric surgery options are the procedures' potential benefits and possible risks. The LAP-BAND® has been touted as a safe method of weight loss surgery, but like other surgeries, it is not without risks.

Advantages of the LAP-BAND®

There are numerous benefits to choosing the LAP-BAND® system including:

• Weight loss - With an average of one and half to two pounds lost per week, patients lose weight at a safe, natural rate.
• Adjustable - The saline in the silicone band can be added to or reduced to adjust the size of the opening to the lower stomach.
• Reversible - The gastric band can be removed if necessary.
• Safety - The procedure has the lowest complication rate and lowest mortality rate compared with other weight loss surgeries. It also has a low risk of malnutrition.
• No dumping syndrome - Rapid gastric emptying, referred to as dumping syndrome, can occur with gastric bypass surgery, but not with the LAP-BAND® procedure.
• Minimally invasive -The laparoscopic procedure tends to produce less pain and scarring.
• No stomach stapling or cutting - Unlike gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is bound, not cut.
• Quicker recovery - Compared to other procedures, the LAP-BAND® typically results in a shorter hospital stay and quicker overall recovery.

Possible Risks and Complications

The major surgical LAP BAND® risks are significantly less than more invasive bariatric surgery procedures. Because a laparoscopic procedure is used, there is no opening of the gastric cavity and no cutting, stapling, or bypassing of the intestine, most of the side effects associated with obesity surgery and potential for infection are avoided. The most significant complication associated with the LAP-BAND® procedure is the enlargement or alteration in the size of the upper stomach pouch. This could be caused by slippage of the band or stretching of the wall of the pouch. Additionally, there is the potential risk of the silicone band eroding into the stomach.

Bariatric surgery requires a considerable physical, mental, and financial commitment. Before making the decision to have weight loss surgery, a prospective patient should make sure that the surgery is worth the risks and potential sacrifices.

Factors Affecting Weight Loss Surgery Results

Bariatric surgery results can be affected by the:

• Patient's age - Although older patients can still lose weight, a person's metabolism can slow down as he or she ages.
• Patient's pre-surgery weight - Typically, heavier patients are able to lose more weight.
• Patient's overall health - Healthier patients tend to lose weight more efficiently than patients with additional health concerns.
• Weight loss surgery chosen - In most cases, gastric bypass patients lose weight faster than LAP-BAND® patients.
• Ability of the patient to exercise - If health problems or other extenuating circumstances hinder the patient's exercise program, it will be more difficult to lose weight.
• Self motivation and commitment from patient to follow dietary guidelines and other post-surgical care.
• Support from family and friends.

Weight Loss Surgery Results

 Weight loss surgeries do not have guaranteed results. In fact, some procedures have a one-third to almost one-half long-term weight loss failure rate. Many of these failed surgeries are caused by a patient's lack of behavioral change or any of the other reasons listed above. However, many patients have achieved long-term weight loss and have benefited from overall improvement in health. Typically, gastric bypass patients lose approximately 60 percent of their excess weight and patients who have a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure (LAP-BAND® or REALIZE^TM Band) lose between 40 and 50 percent of their excess weight. In most cases, whichever weight loss surgery a patient chooses, obesity-related health problems dramatically improve after surgery. Because each type of bariatric surgery can produce different results, it is important that potential bariatric surgery candidates speak with their weight loss surgeon before deciding which, if any, surgery is best for them.

Weight loss, weight gain, and weight maintenance can be simply explained by calories "in" versus calories "out". If you consume more calories than you burn, then you will gain weight. It is a simple explanation, but not always a complete one. There are many factors that can cause obesity.

Causes of Weight Gain

The following factors, either alone or in conjunction with one another, can contribute to weight gain and obesity. To learn more about how to deal with obesity-related health concerns, consult a weight loss surgeon to discuss your options. High-calorie/ high-fat diet - Typically overweight and obese people consume far more calories than their body needs. Inactivity - The lack of physical activity in the lives of sedentary men and women keep them from burning the calories necessary to offset the amount of calories consumed. Medications - Certain medications, including some corticosteroids, antidepressants, high blood pressure prescriptions, and antipsychotic medications, can lead to weight gain. Pregnancy - Although it is necessary to gain weight during pregnancy, some women find it difficult to lose this weight after the baby is born. Quitting smoking - Although cigarette smoking is considered a greater threat to health than obesity, many smokers tend to gain weight after quitting. This could be a change in metabolic rate from the lack of nicotine or the weight gain could be caused by nicotine's ability to raise the rate at which your body burns calories (the lack of nicotine causes slower burning of calories). It could also be caused by a smoker trading one addiction (smoking) for another (overeating). Medical problems - Some medical conditions, including low thyroid function or Cushing's syndrome (causes excess production of hormones by the adrenal glands), can cause weight gain. Genetics - Although genetic makeup does not sentence a person to being obese, genetic makeup can dictate how and where the body stores and converts fat. Age - As people age, muscle mass tends to decrease, which decreases metabolic rate. Although there are numerous factors that can contribute to weight gain and obesity, there are ways to combat obesity. Discuss bariatric surgery options with your doctor to determine the best way to achieve a healthy weight. Procedures such as LAP BAND surgery offer a minimally invasive weight loss surgery option for patients.

Bariatric surgery is not something you do without being properly prepared. It is important to follow your bariatric surgeon's instructions prior to surgery. Another important part of preparing for weight loss surgery is making sure that you are mentally prepared for the potentially life-changing results of the surgery. Many times all of the testing, screening, and securing of payment, especially from an insurance company, can take some time. However, you need to be sure to take the steps necessary for your weight loss surgery.

Pre-surgical Instructions for Bariatric Surgery

Prior to having bariatric surgery, you will most likely have to undergo several tests. Below are some of the common pre-bariatric surgery tests that will help determine if you are a LAP BAND surgery candidate:

• complete blood count (CBC)
• urinalysis
• chemistry panel
• glucose tolerance test (to check for diabetes)
• chest x-ray
• electrocardiogram (EKG)
• gallbladder ultrasound
• pulmonary function test
• echocardiogram
• cardiology evaluation
• psychiatric evaluation

Most likely, your bariatric surgeon will give you a specific list of steps for your weight loss surgery, but in general, here is an overview checklist for your bariatric procedure:

• Only consume clear liquids starting at 6:00 am the day before your surgery.
• Quit smoking at least six weeks before the surgery.
• Follow your surgeon's instructions regarding your regular medications.
• Bring supplies for the length of your hospital stay (typically two to three days).
• Understand the risks of your surgery.
• Follow any instructions given to you by your bariatric surgeon.

Mental Preparation for Weight Loss Surgery

More than other types of surgeries, LAP BAND surgery will most likely trigger emotional changes and challenges. To prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for your bariatric surgery, you can: Research and understand the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of your procedure. Speak with patients who have already had the weight loss surgery. join a support group if possible.

• Discuss the procedure in detail with your doctor.
• Start a journal.
• Build a support network of family and friends so they can be a part of your journey and can help you over the obstacles.