Lap Band Surgery - Who is a Candidate for the Lap-Band?

Lap-band surgery is recommended for those persons who are 90 pounds or more overweight and have or are likely to have medical complications that will be helped, and in many instances, cured by substantial weight loss. While weight loss surgery is not for everyone, there are a large number of patients for whom losing a lot of weight is imperative, including those suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart trouble, shortness of breath, arthritis and orthopedic (bone) problems with their legs, hips or back.

The NIH (National Institutes of Health) requirements for lap-band surgery are the same as for any other weight loss surgery. These criteria were originally set in the early 1990s and have not changed. If your BMI, or body mass index, is between 35 and 39, and you also have associated severe medical problems or co-morbid conditions, you are considered to be a candidate for the lap-band. These conditions usually include diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol. But if your BMI is greater than 40, then it is not required that there be any associated medical problems.

Most insurance companies also require a history of previous attempts at weight loss. How stringent these requirements are can differ from one insurance company to another.

Many people do not meet the NIH requirements or do not have the insurance benefit for weight loss surgery, but they may still be able to pursue the procedure by paying for it themselves.

To summarize, you may be eligible for lap-band surgery if:

— You are at least 18 years old.

— Your BMI is 40 or you weigh at least twice your ideal weight or at least 90-100 pounds more than your ideal weight.

— You have been overweight for more than five years.

— Your serious weight loss attempts have had only short-term success.

— You are not suffering from any other disease that may have caused your obesity.

— You are prepared to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.

— You are willing to continue being monitored by the specialist treating you.

— You do not drink alcohol in excess or use drugs.

If you do not meet the BMI or weight criteria, you still may be considered for surgery. Your surgeon may have additional criteria.

Physicians and healthcare professionals commonly use the "Body Mass Index" (BMI) as a way of helping to determine obesity. BMI is a number calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by his or her height in square meters. Although a patient's BMI cannot be used to determine actual percentage of body fat or overall health condition, it is a means of categorizing weight in terms of nationally recognized standards. These standards-derived from years of research and data-are based on the probability of whether or not a person will be healthy or unhealthy as they age.

There are websites, such as www.healthatoz.com that provide free BMI calculations. Click on Tools and then look for Health tools and select Body Mass Index Calculator.

A Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 is by definition morbid obesity. Lesser BMI may be morbid if associated by serious co-morbid conditions.

Body Mass Index standards are:

*    Healthy = BMI 18.5 to 24.9
*    Overweight = BMI 25 to 29.9
*    Obese = BMI 30 to 39.9
*    Morbidly Obese = BMI 40 to 49.9
*    Super Obese = BMI 50 or higher

Answering the question "Am I Morbidly Obese?" may give you the courage you need to take the first step towards weight loss surgery.

BMI is only one of many factors surgeons consider when determining whether or not a patient is a good candidate for weight loss surgery.