Weight Loss Surgery - Laparoscopic Band
This type of weight loss surgery is done using long, thin instruments to place an adjustable band around the top part of the stomach.
A laparoscopic gastric banding is a type of weight loss surgery that uses small medical instruments and a camera to place an adjustable band around the top of the stomach. The instruments are inserted into three or four small cuts in the abdomen.
- The band creates a small pocket or pouch that holds food in the upper part of the stomach. The pouch will fill quickly and give a feeling of fullness sooner than before the surgery. This feeling of fullness should decrease the amount of food that can be eaten at one time.
- The band can be adjusted by accessing a special reservoir, also known as a port. The port is placed under the skin on the abdomen. It is adjusted by using a small needle to put in or take out sterile water from the band.
- If water is put into the band, you will feel full quicker. If water is taken out of the band, you will be able to eat more.
Some benefit plans may provide coverage for weight loss surgery if you meet certain requirements and/or receive prior authorization. Please review your coverage documents and/or call the number on your health plan ID card for more information.
Weight loss surgery is not a cure for obesity. Certain lifestyle changes are necessary for the surgery to be successful. Some lifestyle changes include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and following the recommendations of your healthcare providers. Prior to considering weight loss surgery, you should know your BMI, or Body Mass Index. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has an online tool to help you determine your BMI. Here are some guidelines that are used to determine who may be a candidate for weight loss surgery.
- You have no significant mental illness or active dependence on drugs or alcohol.
- You have severe obesity that has been present for more than 5 years and has not responded to diet, exercise and medication.
- You have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 or more. For men, that typically means over 100 pounds overweight. For women, it typically means over 80 pounds overweight.
- You have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35, along with another medical condition that could be improved by weight loss (for example, diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or heart disease).
Prior to surgery, you will meet with a dietician and mental health provider. The goal of these visits is to teach you about the diet you must follow and make sure you are ready for the significant lifestyle changes you must make to have a positive outcome. You should tell your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and supplements). Ask about specific instructions you should follow before surgery. These may include:
- A special diet and exercise program
- Medications you should not take before the surgery, such as blood thinners
- Regular medications you should take on the day of your surgery
- How many hours you should stop eating and drinking before the surgery
If you are a smoker, you should quit as smoking can interfere with your recovery. The longer you are not smoking before surgery, the better your chances for a smooth recovery.
During your surgery, you will likely receive general anesthesia to keep you comfortable and pain free. With general anesthesia you are put into a deep sleep and are unable to see, hear or feel anything. Other types of anesthesia may be used during this surgery, but they are less common.
- You may go home the day of your surgery, but some people need to stay in the hospital overnight.
- Pain medication and help at home may be needed while you recover.
Some benefit plans may provide coverage for weight loss surgery if you meet certain requirements and/or receive prior authorization. Please review your coverage documents and/or call the number on your health plan ID card for more information. The estimates shown apply when the service is determined to be a covered service, eligible for in-network reimbursement.
What should I ask my healthcare provider before having weight loss surgery?
- Are there any alternatives to weight loss surgery?
- Which type of weight loss surgery is best for me? What are the benefits and risks of each?
- Why are you recommending one particular weight loss surgery over another?
- What is your experience in doing this type of surgery? What is your complication rate?
- Is there any special preparation for the surgery? (If so, get clear instructions on what you need to do.)
- What type of anesthesia will I have? What are the possible side effects?
- What are the possible complications for this surgery?
- How will I feel after the surgery? Will I have to modify my activity?
After your surgery, you should know what you had done, what medication was given, and what symptoms you should report to your healthcare provider after discharge. You should also understand all home care instructions (including medications and side effects) and follow-up plans. Your surgeon should also tell your primary care physician the details of your surgery and treatment plan.
- Don't forget to make arrangements for transportation to and from the facility and help at home.
Some benefit plans recommend or require that members receive treatment for certain conditions (including cancer, bariatric surgery, bowel surgery, and heart procedures/surgeries) at a Center of Excellence (COE) facility.
- If you have questions on COE benefits, call the number on your health plan ID card or go to myuhc.com and search under the extra programs section on the benefits and coverage tab.
Source UHC.com
Also known as:
Weight Loss Surgery - Laparoscopic BandWeight Loss SurgeryWeight GainLapbandLap Band SurgeryLap BandLAGBGastric BypassGastric BandingBariatric SurgeryAdjustable Gastric Banding
A laparoscopic gastric banding is a type of weight loss surgery that uses small medical instruments and a camera to place an adjustable band around the top of the stomach. The instruments are inserted into three or four small cuts in the abdomen.
- The band creates a small pocket or pouch that holds food in the upper part of the stomach. The pouch will fill quickly and give a feeling of fullness sooner than before the surgery. This feeling of fullness should decrease the amount of food that can be eaten at one time.
- The band can be adjusted by accessing a special reservoir, also known as a port. The port is placed under the skin on the abdomen. It is adjusted by using a small needle to put in or take out sterile water from the band.
- If water is put into the band, you will feel full quicker. If water is taken out of the band, you will be able to eat more.
Some benefit plans may provide coverage for weight loss surgery if you meet certain requirements and/or receive prior authorization. Please review your coverage documents and/or call the number on your health plan ID card for more information.
Weight loss surgery is not a cure for obesity. Certain lifestyle changes are necessary for the surgery to be successful. Some lifestyle changes include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and following the recommendations of your healthcare providers. Prior to considering weight loss surgery, you should know your BMI, or Body Mass Index. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has an online tool to help you determine your BMI. Here are some guidelines that are used to determine who may be a candidate for weight loss surgery.
- You have no significant mental illness or active dependence on drugs or alcohol.
- You have severe obesity that has been present for more than 5 years and has not responded to diet, exercise and medication.
- You have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 or more. For men, that typically means over 100 pounds overweight. For women, it typically means over 80 pounds overweight.
- You have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35, along with another medical condition that could be improved by weight loss (for example, diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or heart disease).
Prior to surgery, you will meet with a dietician and mental health provider. The goal of these visits is to teach you about the diet you must follow and make sure you are ready for the significant lifestyle changes you must make to have a positive outcome. You should tell your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and supplements). Ask about specific instructions you should follow before surgery. These may include:
- A special diet and exercise program
- Medications you should not take before the surgery, such as blood thinners
- Regular medications you should take on the day of your surgery
- How many hours you should stop eating and drinking before the surgery
If you are a smoker, you should quit as smoking can interfere with your recovery. The longer you are not smoking before surgery, the better your chances for a smooth recovery.
During your surgery, you will likely receive general anesthesia to keep you comfortable and pain free. With general anesthesia you are put into a deep sleep and are unable to see, hear or feel anything. Other types of anesthesia may be used during this surgery, but they are less common.
- You may go home the day of your surgery, but some people need to stay in the hospital overnight.
- Pain medication and help at home may be needed while you recover.
Some benefit plans may provide coverage for weight loss surgery if you meet certain requirements and/or receive prior authorization. Please review your coverage documents and/or call the number on your health plan ID card for more information. The estimates shown apply when the service is determined to be a covered service, eligible for in-network reimbursement.
What should I ask my healthcare provider before having weight loss surgery?
- Are there any alternatives to weight loss surgery?
- Which type of weight loss surgery is best for me? What are the benefits and risks of each?
- Why are you recommending one particular weight loss surgery over another?
- What is your experience in doing this type of surgery? What is your complication rate?
- Is there any special preparation for the surgery? (If so, get clear instructions on what you need to do.)
- What type of anesthesia will I have? What are the possible side effects?
- What are the possible complications for this surgery?
- How will I feel after the surgery? Will I have to modify my activity?
After your surgery, you should know what you had done, what medication was given, and what symptoms you should report to your healthcare provider after discharge. You should also understand all home care instructions (including medications and side effects) and follow-up plans. Your surgeon should also tell your primary care physician the details of your surgery and treatment plan.
- Don't forget to make arrangements for transportation to and from the facility and help at home.
Some benefit plans recommend or require that members receive treatment for certain conditions (including cancer, bariatric surgery, bowel surgery, and heart procedures/surgeries) at a Center of Excellence (COE) facility.
- If you have questions on COE benefits, call the number on your health plan ID card or go to myuhc.com and search under the extra programs section on the benefits and coverage tab.
Source UHC.com
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