If you're considering surgery for weight loss, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recently recommended that more people have access to Allergan’s Lap-Band procedure. The FDA is expected to adopt the recommendation which would make about 27 million adults eligible, most of them women. Lap-Band surgery involves implanting a silicone belt or collar around the upper part of the stomach. After the procedure, the stomach is reduced to the size of a golf ball and can only hold about an ounce of food.
Lap-Band surgery has already been approved for people who are considered morbidly obese, or adults with a body mass index, of least 40, and those with a BMI of 35 who have at least one obesity-related health problem. The FDA panel’s latest recommendation allows people with a body mass index between 30 and 35 to be eligible for the procedure. It's good news for some, but not everyone is applauding the move. Some medical experts say more long term, large studies need to be done. Others site an up to 50-percent complication rate, meaning the band could fail or a patient may not lose at least 30-percent of their excess weight.
Lap-Band surgery has already been approved for people who are considered morbidly obese, or adults with a body mass index, of least 40, and those with a BMI of 35 who have at least one obesity-related health problem. The FDA panel’s latest recommendation allows people with a body mass index between 30 and 35 to be eligible for the procedure. It's good news for some, but not everyone is applauding the move. Some medical experts say more long term, large studies need to be done. Others site an up to 50-percent complication rate, meaning the band could fail or a patient may not lose at least 30-percent of their excess weight.
Before you choose Lap-Band, consider the fact that you may experience nausea, vomiting, ulceration, gastritis, gastro-esophageal reflux, heartburn, bloating, difficulty swallowing, dehydration, constipation and or weight regain. Other complications that can occur during surgery include bleeding, infection, slippage of the band, erosion of the device into the outside stomach and deflation of the band because of leakage.
Despite the possible complications, many people have positive experiences with the Lap-Band technique and enjoy better health as a result of their weight loss. If you're thinking about having the procedure, discuss the pros and cons with your doctor and make an informed choice.
For more information, click here: http://www.womensenews.org/story/health/101207/fda-panels-ok-lap-band-surgery-stirs-critics
Despite the possible complications, many people have positive experiences with the Lap-Band technique and enjoy better health as a result of their weight loss. If you're thinking about having the procedure, discuss the pros and cons with your doctor and make an informed choice.
For more information, click here: http://www.womensenews.org/story/health/101207/fda-panels-ok-lap-band-surgery-stirs-critics
To learn more about Lap-Band from the Allergan website: http://www.lapband.com/en/home/
No comments:
Post a Comment