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