The decision to have Lap Band surgery is not one to be made without careful consideration and research. If you think you may be a candidate for this type of surgery, you are probably wondering what obesity really is and whether you yourself are obese. This article will provide facts about both obesity and Lap Band surgery.
Put simply, obesity is the excess accumulation of body fat. One can be overweight without being obese: a body builder who has a lot of muscle, for example. Obesity is a cosmopolitan disease that affects all races worldwide. However, certain ethnic and racial groups appear to be particularly predisposed. Obesity is second only to smoking as a preventable cause of death in the U.S. In the morbidly obese population, the average life expectancy is reduced by 9 years in women and 12 years in men.
Research and scientific insight have prompted some to classify this condition as a disease that affects nearly one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million). The number of overweight and obese Americans has continued to increase since 1960, a trend that is not slowing down. Moderate to severe cases have been known to cause liver disease, hypertension, constipation, heat intolerance, and increased risk under anesthesia. You may a candidate for Lap Band surgery if you are classified as severely or morbidly obese, which generally means a BMI greater than 40.
Your doctor will examine your medical records and evaluate your Body Mass Index to determine whether you are a good candidate for Lab Band surgery. If it is determined that you are, you will then need to meet with a team of medical professionals including nutritionists and psychologists in order to prepare you for this life changing procedure. You will need to begin a regular exercise program before your surgery, and will adhere to it after your surgery as well. You will also need to follow the dietary guidelines outlined by your team of medical professionals. These guidelines are part of the reason why it is so important to have a full understanding of the procedure before you commit.
Severe obesity can be a medically and physically debilitating condition, and gastric Lap Band surgery may be the best option for you, but only your doctor can tell you for sure. You should research the procedure, and topics like emotional eating, obesity, dieting and stress, and related subjects before consulting with your doctor to determine whether this type of surgery is right for you. |
