Laproscopic Surgery - Lap Band Surgery

Open v. Laparoscopic Surgery Checklist

As you consider the benefits of open v. laparoscopic surgery, you’ll need to gather as much information as possible in order to make an informed decision. Below are several factors that should be relevant in your analysis.

Background of Laparoscopic Surgery
The background of the open v. laparoscopic surgery dichotomy dates back only a few years, as the open technique was used for years before the newer and more modern laparoscopic approach grew in prevalence.

Best Candidates for Lap Band Surgery
The best candidates for either type of bariatric surgery are those people who are obese and are facing potential health risks due to their obesity. Generally, these best candidates have a BMI of at least 40, and almost all of them have attempted at least one other weight loss technique that did not succeed.

Uncertainty and Risk of Lap Band Surgery
There is uncertainty and risk associated with any surgery, and whether you undergo the open or laparoscopic procedure, the uncertainty and risk are similar. Although statistically minor in number, patients may have to deal with infections and bleeding, nutritional problems and dumping syndrome.

Planning for Lap Band Surgery

Planning for surgery is a collective effort between you and your doctor. Generally, planning for surgery involves making sure that you’ve blocked off enough time to recover properly and that you understand the lifestyle changes that will be necessary after the procedure to ensure a positive result.

Preparing for Lap Band Surgery
Preparing for surgery also involves a collective effort between you and your doctor, and these preparations include any guidelines involving diet, fluid intake and exercise as they lead towards your surgery and being psychologically prepared for the diligence required after the surgery to continue your weight loss.

Where Lap Band Surgery is Performed
Where surgery is performed is always a standard answer, regardless of whether your doctor uses the open or laparoscopic method. Given the nature of the procedure, this surgery is always performed in the hospital.

How Lap Band Surgery is Performed
How surgery is performed depends on the method you use. The open bariatric surgery method involves a large incision in the abdomen and larger instruments. The laparoscopic method involves a smaller incision, smaller instruments and a camera that helps guide those instruments to the target area.

Anesthesia and Lap Band Surgery
Anesthesia is a part of any surgery, and given the invasiveness of either method of bariatric surgery that’s used, general anesthesia is always administered. This means that a patient will not be awake during the surgery.

Post Procedure - Lap Band Surgery
Post-op considerations are extremely important with bariatric surgery, regardless of the method used. These surgeries are the beginning, rather than the end, of the weight loss process, which means that you’ll need to follow a strict diet and exercise program.

Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Candidacy

If you’re considering bariatric surgery to help you bring your obesity under control, you need to first understand whether or not you’re a candidate for this procedure. Coming to a decision on your candidacy involves answering several questions, and three of these common questions are, “How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for a laparoscopic bariatric surgery (lap-band surgery)?”, “How will I be evaluated for laparoscopic bariatric surgery (lap-band surgery)?” and “Will my insurance help offset the costs of laparoscopic bariatric surgery?” Each of these questions is answered below, but for more specific information, you should contact a cosmetic surgeon for a complete consultation.

How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for a laparoscopic bariatric surgery (lap-band surgery)?

Generally speaking, the best candidates for this procedure are those patients with a BMI of at least 40 and who have been obese for at least five years. These patients generally also have at least one weight-related health condition and have attempted at least one other weight loss strategy without positive results.

How will I be evaluated for laparoscopic bariatric surgery (lap-band surgery)?

Your evaluation prior to any bariatric procedure will be extremely thorough. Obviously, your BMI and overall health will be closely scrutinized. You will also need to work through an entire medical history with your doctor to identify and potential risks that would be in place if the surgery ensues. For instance, any allergies or potential reactions to anesthesia will be identified.

Will my insurance help offset the costs of laparoscopic bariatric surgery?

This is never an easy answer. In general, health insurance policies will cover procedures that are considered medically necessary, such that the procedure in question will help prevent future problems and costs. Insurance companies will not usually cover procedures that are considered elective. Ask your doctor whether or not this procedure is medically necessary, and at that point contact your insurance company for a coverage decision. Make sure that you document any communication between you and your carrier in order to avoid any confusion once the surgery is complete.

Overall, you have a lot to think about in terms of a laparoscopic bariatric procedure. Three common questions prospective patients have in regards to this procedure are, “How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for a laparoscopic bariatric surgery (lap-band surgery)?”, “How will I be evaluated for laparoscopic bariatric surgery (lap-band surgery)?” and “Will my insurance help offset the costs of laparoscopic bariatric surgery?” If you’re looking for specific answers to these questions as they related to your individual situation, contact a cosmetic surgeon today to schedule a complete consultation.

Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Specifics

As you continue your research into the possibilities surrounding laparoscopic bariatric surgery, one of the most important aspects of this research involves the specifics of the procedure and how it’s performed. Generally, three of the most common questions regarding this surgery are, “Where are incisions placed for a laparoscopic bariatric surgery procedure?”, “What are some variations to the common laparoscopic bariatric surgery method?”, “What are some of the risks associated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery?” Each of these questions is answered below, but for information that applies specifically to your situation, contact a cosmetic surgeon to schedule a consultation.

Where are incisions placed for a laparoscopic bariatric surgery procedure?

The incision or incisions needed for a laparoscopic bariatric surgery are always placed in the abdominal region. However, as opposed to the open incision method, the incisions used with laparoscopic bariatric surgery are quite small in nature. The theory behind this strategy is that smaller incisions generally reduce the chances of any incision/wound-related complications arising.

What are some variations to the common laparoscopic bariatric surgery method?

There are very few variations to the common laparoscopic bariatric method. Generally speaking, many medical professionals consider the laparoscopic method as a whole a variation from the “traditional” open incision method, but smaller variations within the laparoscopic method do exist in the form of incisions being placed in different parts of the abdomen and different types of instruments being used to guide the surgeon.

What are some of the risks associated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery?

Although the risks that relate to incisions are reduced by using the laparoscopic method are reduced significantly, there are still uncertainties to consider with this type of surgery. Patients can experience problems after the surgery with malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. Other risks include the onset of dumping syndrome, whereby food ingested is not properly digested and feelings of nausea and dizziness result.

Overall, three of the most common questions regarding the specifics of laparoscopic bariatric surgery are, “Where are incisions placed for a laparoscopic bariatric surgery procedure?”, “What are some variations to the common laparoscopic bariatric surgery method?”, “What are some of the risks associated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery?” Each of these questions is answered above in general terms, but for more specific information as it relates to your individual situation, you need to contact a cosmetic surgeon for a full, complete and detailed consultation and evaluation.

Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Preparations and Recovery

If you’ve decided to pursue the option of laparoscopic bariatric surgery as a means to help your obesity, you need to consider the steps necessary for proper preparation and recovery. Examples of patient questions regarding these aspects of the procedure include, “What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?”, “What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?”, “How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?”, “When can I pursue my normal activities again?” and “How long can I expect results to last?” Each of these questions is answered below, but you’ll need to consult with a cosmetic surgeon for information that relates to your particular situation.

What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?
There are several steps that you should take to prepare for this surgery, and you and your doctor will carefully plot these steps to make sure that you maximize your chances for success. Generally speaking, these steps involve making sure that your body is ready for the surgery, that you are psychologically prepared to handle the process and that you have given yourself enough time to properly recover from this procedure.

What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?
The day of your surgery will go by quickly. You will be placed under general anesthesia, which means that you won’t remember the surgery itself, but you will remember the hours leading up to your procedure. Patients always experience a wide range of emotions that day, including fear, anxiety, excitement and overall anticipation. These feelings are quite normal, which means that you need to be prepared to handle them.

How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?
Your first memory after the surgery is complete will most likely entail a feeling of grogginess, as you’ll be waking up from anesthesia in the recovery room. Beyond that, you will feel some soreness, as the surgery itself is somewhat invasive. You’ll look much better, but the long-term results will take some time to achieve.

When can I pursue my normal activities again?
You’ll need some time to resume your normal activities. You should expect to stay in the hospital for at least two days after the surgery is complete merely as a precaution. After you’re released, you’ll need at least three weeks to resume your active pursuits, but you should be up and around and functional within a week of the procedure’s completion.

How long can I expect results to last?
The surgery itself is only the beginning of the process of bringing your obesity under control. It’s an important first step, but you’ll need to follow the after-care guidelines carefully to make sure that the procedure is successful and so that complications don’t arise. If you follow the dietary and exercise guidelines, there’s no reason to expect that these results won’t last a lifetime and that your overall health and psychological outlook will improve dramatically.

Generally speaking, patients have several questions as they relate to the preparations for and recovery from laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Examples of these questions include, “What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?”, “What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?”, “How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?”, “When can I pursue my normal activities again?” and “How long can I expect results to last?” If you’d like more specific information, contact a cosmetic surgeon today for a complete consultation.