Lap Band Surgery - Weight Loss Results with the Lap-Band

The lap-band surgery is a tool to help you achieve sustained weight loss by limiting how much you can eat, reducing your appetite and slowing digestion. Remember, though, that the lap-band by itself will not solve morbid obesity, nor will it ensure that you reach your goal weight or even that you lose weight at all. The amount of weight you lose depends both on the band and on your motivation and commitment to a new lifestyle and eating habits. Some people lose more than others, and though you may never reach your ideal weight, chances are good that with weight loss your health and self-image will improve.

It's important to note that although lap-banding has been extremely successful for many people, it is not a miracle solution for weight loss. You must be committed to making the necessary changes in your lifestyle. You will need to develop good eating habits and follow a regular exercise program for gastric banding to be truly effective.

Weight loss surgery actually fails in those persons who drink large quantities of regular soft drinks, consume sweets, ice cream, chips and fatty fried foods. If you are one of these people and feel you cannot switch to diet drinks and cut out sweets and fried foods then loss weight surgery is not for you.

The average reported weight loss following a lap-band operation is between one-third and two-thirds of excess weight. Some people lose up to 100 percent of their excess weight and some do not lose any weight.

Assume, for example, that you currently weigh 350 pounds, and for your height your ideal weight is 155 pounds. Thus, you are 195 pounds overweight. One third of this is 65 pounds and two-thirds is approximately 130 pounds. With the aid of the lap-band surgery, you will probably be able to lose between 65 and 130 pounds.

Some people lose more weight than others. As demonstrated in the example, you may never reach your ideal weight, but in most cases your health will improve, along with your self-image.

Many patients are concerned about how fast they will lose weight after gastric banding. You may be able to lose two or three pounds each week in the first year after your operation. However, many patients are only able to lose one pound each week. Research has proven that while gastric bypass produces a greater weight loss within the first year following surgery, gastric lap-banding results in an equal weight loss at the five year mark. Both procedures are excellent options for helping you lose excess weight-and keep it off.