Living with the LAPBAND^®

The effectiveness of the LAPBAND^® System depends on the success of the surgery and the ability of the patient to change his or her diet and eating behavior. Clinicians offering the LAPBAND^® System treatment have committed to being able to provide long-term care for their patients, including dietary, behavior modification and counseling support. After bariatric surgery, LAPBAND^® System patients must maintain scheduled follow-up visits. Follow-up may require four or more visits during the first year and include a review of the patient’s progress and discussion of any concerns or problems that are pertinent at that time.

Patients are encouraged to eat a balanced diet and to avoid the problematic eating patterns of their pre-surgery lifestyle. The restrictive effect of the band produces feelings of early satiety and longer-lasting fullness. This reinforces the patient’s ability to be content with smaller meals when solid food is eaten and well chewed. At the appropriate time, patients are encouraged to increase physical activity and exercise, which is very important to weight loss, good health and improved quality of life.

LAPBAND^® System is FDA-Approved

To date, more than 150,000 patients worldwide have undergone the LAPBAND^® System procedure. Since the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the LAPBAND^® System in June 2001, interest in and use of the LAPBAND^® System have been rapidly growing in the U.S. In line with its FDA-approved guidelines for indications, the LAPBAND^® System is intended for people who are morbidly obese—those who are at least 100 pounds overweight or who are at least twice their ideal body weight. The term “morbidly” connotes the fact that individuals who carry this much excess weight face an increased risk of developing a number of serious health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoarthritis.