Advantages of LAP-BAND
Minimal Trauma
- Least invasive surgical weight loss option
- No intestinal re-routing
- No cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel
- Small incisions and minimal scarring
- Reduced patient pain, length of hospital stay, and recovery period
Fewer Risks and Side Effects
- Researchers report 10 times less operative and short-term mortality than with gastric bypass surgery
- Lower risk of nutritional deficiencies than are associated with gastric bypass
- Reduced risk of hair loss
- No “dumping syndrome” related to dietary intake restrictions
Adjustable
- Tightness of the LAP-BAND can be adjusted to meet each patient’s weight loss needs
- Adjustments are performed without additional surgery
- Permits pregnancy; the band can be deflated to allow more food intake during pregnancy
Reversible
- Removable at any time
- After removal, stomach and other anatomical structures usually return to their original forms and functions
Effective Long-Term Weight Loss
- More than 300,000 LAP-BAND® System devices have been implanted worldwide
- Academic publications with up to ten years of follow-up