Weight Loss Surgery – Lap Band, Gastric Bypass – Bariatric Surgery Cost

According to the latest statistics, more than 30 percent of adult Americans are obese. This means that about 72 million people carry excess weight, which they are unable to get rid of through diet and exercise. While the most common motivating factor behind diet attempts is the desire to look better, obesity also carries many serious health risks. Overweight people are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, heart and circulatory problems, and gallbladder disease. In addition, obesity greatly increases the risk of most cancers, such as breast, prostate and colon cancers.

While widely publicized, these alarming obesity facts seem to have little to no effect on the waistlines of most Americans. However, their failure to lose weight cannot be attributed to lack of willpower alone. Often, obese people suffer from emotional eating disorders and/or genetic predisposition that render them unable to change their eating habits and achieve permanent weight loss. Many more people who are able to lose weight go through drastic diets only to see the scales climb back up to their pre-diet weight. In these and many other cases, bariatric surgery offers hope of a steady weight loss that lasts.

In addition to inducing lasting weight loss, bariatric surgery helps improve patients' overall health. As the unhealthy pounds melt away, many individuals notice a significant improvement in their blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, and physical stamina. If the patient's blood tests indicate a stable improvement, the doctor might allow him or her to go off certain blood pressure, blood clots and diabetes medications, such as Plavix and Avandia. This change significantly reduces the patient's risk of suffering the side effects of Avandia or Plavix. Thus, the patient does not have to worry about becoming a stroke or heart attack Avandia / Plavix victim.

Although weight loss surgery does not provide instant, effortless results, this surgical treatment helps many obese individuals begin their journey towards a healthier, happier life. Two forms of bariatric surgery that are recommended and performed more often are gastric banding and gastric bypass. Gastric banding is also known as Lap-Band and Realize band surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon places a special band around the stomach, creating a small pouch in the upper stomach that empties into the lower stomach. The purpose of this treatment is to restrict the amount of food the stomach can contain, which makes patients feel fuller faster. Additional benefits of gastric banding surgery are adjustability and reversibility. Thus, the width of the band can be easily adjusted by saline injections, and the band can also be completely removed once the weight loss is completed or if complications occur.

Gastric bypass is a more complex form of weight loss surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon staples the upper portion of the stomach and re-routes the small intestine (creating a bypass). A gastric bypass procedure both decreases the size of the stomach and reduces nutrient absorption through the intestines. As a result, gastric bypass patients are able to lose excess pounds rapidly. However, due to the reduced absorption, it is crucial that their weight loss is carefully monitored by a qualified doctor who can adjust vitamin and supplement regimen to ensure that the body remains well nourished.

Obese individuals considering surgical weight loss methods should consult with experienced surgeons to thoroughly evaluate their health and choose the most suitable surgical techniques. In addition, during one-on-one consultations, potential patients can obtain answers to questions about weight loss surgery cost and available insurance coverage. Most individuals are relieved to discover that bariatric surgery insurance typically covers 80 percent of gastric bypass costs and Lap Band surgery costs. However, to qualify for insurance, most patients have to prove that their bariatric treatments are medically necessary. This is usually accomplished by demonstrating that the individual has a body mass index above 35; he or she suffers from obesity-related health problems, such as high cholesterol; and the patient has unsuccessfully tried to lose weight through diet and exercise. Most bariatric surgeons are highly experienced at working with insurance companies and provide patients with valuable advice on how to maximize their coverage.

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