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What is Morbid Obesity?
Morbid obesity exists when excess
weight is associated with undesirable
implications for general health and
when:
- a person weighs at least twice
his or her ideal weight or
- a person weighs at least 100
lbs. (45 kilos) more than his or her
ideal weight.
The above statements provide only a
general description of morbid obesity.
The exact degree of excess weight is
determined using the Body Mass Index
(BMI), which employs both weight and
height to calculate the measurement.
We use the term "morbid obesity"
because this degree of excess weight may
considerably reduce life expectancy and
is associated with an increased risk of
developing conditions or diseases such
as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Joint problems
- Gallstones
- Cerebral infarction
- Heart and vascular diseases
- Psychosocial problems
With sufficient weight loss, your
health can be improved, your risk of
developing associated conditions or
diseases can be reduced, and the quality
of your life can be enhanced.
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How Can You
Lose Weight?
Non-surgical
intervention:
Many overweight people have tried and
failed to lose unhealthy excess weight.
There are many slimming diets, "cures"
and products that advertise success.
However, numerous studies have
demonstrated that diets and weight-loss
aids rarely succeed in helping people
achieve the desired result of
long-lasting weight reduction. In fact,
many people have succeeded in losing
weight only to regain it when they stop
dieting.
Surgery:
If diets, exercise programs, and other
non-surgical methods have failed to help
you achieve long-term weight loss, you
may want to consider an operation to
artificially reduce the capacity of the
stomach and to help decrease your
appetite. The BioEnterics® LAP-BAND®
System's innovative surgical technology
can help you attain desirable
weight-loss results.
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The
BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System
The word LAP-BAND is the abbreviated
and trademarked combination of two words
(LAP from laparoscopic and BAND from
gastric band). The BioEnterics®
LAP-BAND® System's silicone elastomer
band is placed around the upper part of
the stomach to create a small stomach
pouch which can hold only a small amount
of food. The lower, larger part of the
stomach is below the band. These two
parts are connected by a small outlet
created by the band. Food will pass
through the outlet ("stoma" in medical
terms) from the upper stomach pouch to
the lower part more slowly, and you will
feel full longer.
One of the major advantages of the
BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System is that
the diameter of the band outlet is
adjustable to meet your individual
needs, which can change as you lose
weight. The inner surface of the band
can be inflated with liquid (saline
solution) or deflated to modify the size
of the stoma. The band is connected by
tubing to a reservoir, which is placed
well under the skin during surgery.
After the operation, the surgeon can
control the amount of saline in the band
by entering the reservoir with a fine
needle through the skin. The BioEnterics®
LAP-BAND® System is a unique surgical
treatment because in many cases the size
of the stoma can be customized to
accommodate your changing needs without
further surgery.
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The
Advantages of the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND®
System at a Glance
- Less
invasive:
Of all the operations for severe
obesity, the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND®
System method is considered to be
the least traumatic. The operation
can usually be performed using
laparoscopy (using small incisions
and long instruments rather than a
single large incision). The
procedure requires no cutting or
stapling of the stomach.
-
Adjustable:
In many cases, no follow-up
operation is necessary to modify the
diameter of the stoma.
- Avoids
irreversible damage:
If the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System
needs to be removed for any reason,
the stomach generally returns to its
original form.
- Reduced
hospital stay:
Patients normally leave the hospital
within two to four days of the
laparoscopic operation, or four to
eight days if an abdominal incision
is required or if complications
occur.
- Quicker
recovery:
After the laparoscopic procedure,
patients usually resume normal
activities within a week or two, and
within four weeks if the procedure
is not done laparoscopically or if
there are complications.
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How
Much Weight Can You Lose with the
BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System?
The amount of weight you may lose
depends on several things. The average
weight loss in the United States
clinical study was approximately 36-38%
of excess weight, 2 and 3 years after
surgery. It is important to remember
that the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System
is an aid to support you in achieving
lasting results by limiting food intake,
reducing appetite and slowing digestion.
However, for the ultimate success of the
operation it is very important that you
play an active part in the effort to
lose weight and keep it off by adopting
a different lifestyle and eating pattern
for the rest of your life.
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Who Can be
Considered for the BioEnterics®
LAP-BAND® System?
In order to determine whether the
BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System is
appropriate for you, the following
criteria will be used:
1. You are an adult (at least 18
years old).
2. You weigh at least twice your
ideal weight or You weigh at least 100
lbs. (45 kilos) more than your ideal
weight.
3. You have been overweight for more
than 5 years.
4. Your serious attempts to lose
weight have had only short-term success.
5. You are not suffering from any
other disease which could have caused
you to be overweight.
6. You are prepared to make
substantial changes in your eating
habits and lifestyle, and to continue
being monitored by the specialist
treating you.
7. You do not drink alcohol in
excess.
In order to be considered for the
BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System operation,
you will have to meet the above
requirements. If you weigh slightly
less, you still may be considered if you
are suffering from serious health
problems. The surgeon treating you may
have additional criteria.
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The Rest
of Your Life
Your motivation and commitment to
adopt a new lifestyle are extremely
important for your successful, long-term
weight loss. You must be determined to
adhere to the new eating habits for the
rest of your life.
Exercise is an equally important
component of your changed lifestyle.
Adequate exercise will not only help you
in your battle against excess weight,
but it will also benefit your general
health and well-being.
If you need psychological counseling,
we recommend that you discuss this with
your doctor. He or she can refer you to
a therapist.
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Risks and
Complications
There are risks and complications,
including death, associated with all
major surgical procedures. Although the
laparoscopic technique used to place the
BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System is
considered minimally invasive and is
associated with reduced operative
complications, it is still a surgical
procedure and severe obesity increases
the risks.
The BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System is
designed to be adjustable after surgery
and to assist you in losing weight and
maintaining your weight loss. However,
immediately following the surgery, and
for years thereafter, there are risks of
complications associated with placement,
movement, infection, or leakage of the
band or reservoir, etc. Some patients
experience more nausea and vomiting than
others. Rapid weight loss may cause
problems, and there is a risk that you
may not lose weight or that you may gain
weight. The band may need to be removed
or replaced.
It is of utmost importance that you
discuss the possible benefits and all
the possible risks of obesity surgery
with your doctor.
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Caution: This device is restricted
to use by or on the order of a
physician. | 
