The Lap-Band, or adjustable gastric banding system, has become a popular weight loss option for obese patients. Many of these patients also suffer from other conditions that can be improved by weight loss, like sleep apnea, diabetes or hypertension. Before undergoing any type of surgery, it is important to know if it is right for you.

Criteria

Recommendations for Lap-Band surgery are based on a person's Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a formula that determines a person's body fat by creating a ratio between weight and height. A normal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 25.

BMI Requirements

The National Institutes of Health requires that to be eligible for the Lap-Band procedure (or any weight loss surgery), a person must have a BMI of 40 or higher. People in that category are at least 100 pounds overweight.

Exceptions

If there is an associated condition that can be helped by weight loss--sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, heart disease--the BMI requirement is lowered to 35.

Insurance

Having the Lap-Band procedure covered through health insurance features different requirements based on the insurer. However, submitting letters from your doctor detailing your fight with obesity and your attempts to lose weight can show that the surgery is a medical necessity. If insurance is unavailable, a patient can still pay for the surgery him/herself.

Behavior Modification

As part of your recovery, you must be willing to follow the plan of a nutritionist begin a prescribed exercise regimen and be willing to submit to some behavior modification therapy.

Source:

Lap-Band.com: Get Informed

National Institutes of Health: Laparoscopic gastric banding

LapBandSurgery.net: Consumer Guide to the Lap-Band Procedure