A Brief Guide on Lap Band Surgery

Today, there are several different lap band manufacturers that have been approved for medical procedures in both this country and Europe. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration),however, only approves two.

Two FDA Approved Lap Bands

The two lap bands that the FDA has officially approved are:

1. SAGB (Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band), which is made by Johnson & Johnson. Interestingly, in 1994, the very first international workshop for laproscopic lap bands was held in Belgium. This was the first band that was introduced there.
2. The Allergen gastric band, which was approved by the FDA in 2001.

While these are the most expensive lap bands out there, they are also the ones that have the greatest amount of test data available. Furthermore, they are also the types that are known to have the least amount of complications.

Lap Bands Approved in Europe

In Europe, three other lap bands are also approved. These are:

1. The Midband, with ‘MID’ standing for Medical Innovation Development, made by a company in Limonest, France. It was first introduced to the market in 2000.
2. The Heliogast Band, which is manufactured by Helioscopie, which is based in the Rhone-Alpes, also in France. This came to the market in 2003.
3. The MiniMizer, which is created by HopsiMedical. It is an adjustable gastric band using two phases and that comes with retaining loops.

Other Options

There are other options out there if you are still not able to get achieve the figure you wanted to achieve, however. These are the BIBs (gastric balloon surgeries) and the AGBs (adjustable gastric band) procedures. There are also permanent options, which are far more drastic and that are being phased out. This includes the gastric bypass/BPD, the gastric wrap and the gastric sleeve.

BIB

The BIB is suitable for people with a BMI of about 28. If they have secondary conditions, you may be able to find balloon surgery near you if you have a lower BMI. The BIB is a temporary solution that has to be removed after about six months.

AGB

AGB is available for people with a BMI of 35. Those with a BMI of between 32 and 35 may be considered with secondary health conditions. It can be permanent, but can also be reverse, usually quite easily with little risks of complications.

The Importance of BMI

The BMI (body mass index) is the main measurement used in determining whether or not someone is a good candidate for any type of gastric surgery. Someone whose BMI is above 27 is classed as overweight and someone whose BMI is above 30 is classed as obese. Those with a 35 and above BMI are known as morbidly obese. However, as more and more people are becoming obese or even morbidly obese, some are changing these descriptions, suggesting that only those with a BMI over 40 are actually morbidly obese. Either way, however, as soon as your BMI goes over 25, you start to be at risk of health conditions.