subject: Diabetes Patients: You Don't Have to Gain Weight for Lap Band [print this page] Diabetes Patients: You Don't Have to Gain Weight for Lap Band
For many people, obesity is a problem that affects their lives on a daily basis. More importantly, obesity has adverse affects on a person's health. According to the CDC, a person who is obese is 3-4 times more likely to develop diabetes than a person who is not. [1] This terrifying statistic has led people to consider their weight-loss options, and weigh the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle against the disadvantages of carrying around extra weight.
For many, bariatric surgery seems like the only option. From the gastric bypass procedure, to a duodenal switch, many people are frightened of the idea of undergoing major surgery. The risks of these surgeries are life changing, and sometimes result in infection and death. But some find haven in the idea of a reversible laparoscopic band being the key to helping them manage their diabetes.
The Lap Band has been blossoming in the media as a "quick fix" weight loss idea, overshadowing some of the other procedures because of the reversible nature of the band implant. Since the procedure is minimally invasive and reversible, most people consider the surgery to have less risk, and patients feel more comfortable with the choice to obtain the Lap Band.
But some people weren't qualifying for the surgery. To some, losing weight means relieving themselves of their issues with diabetes (pills, shots, dietary restrictions.) But for many, their previous weight loss attempts had left them at a place where they weren't obese, but were still overweight and struggling to lose even a few pounds. With the idea that the lap band could possibly put their diabetes in remission, some people were taking it upon themselves to pack on the extra pounds to qualify for the bariatric procedures.
The idea that a patient would want to put themselves through extremely poor conditions in order to obtain better health has never been the aim of any medical professional. The Food and Drug Administration reexamined the affects of the Lap Band on health and found that lowering the Body Mass Index requirements for the procedure would be in the best interest of patients, namely those suffering from Type 2 diabetes. [2]
The FDA recently lowered the minimum BMI requirements for gastric bypass from 35 to 30. As a result, this would mean that a woman who is 5'7" could now weigh 192 pounds to qualify for the lap band so long as she didn't have any major health problems. This is down 32 pounds from the previous minimum requirement of 224 pounds.
Minimum BMI requirements might continue to go lower and insurance companies will jump at the chance. Over the last 10 years health care costs directly related to obesity have increased by about 1/3. Insurance companies find that they will make their money back within a few years for covering the cost of lap band surgery. Considering that the cost of a one-time procedure matches the cost of two years of treatment for a diabetes patient, insurance companies stand to be on-board, financially, with the procedure. [3]
The Lap Band is available in southern California from a number of surgery centers. Love Lap Band (http://www.lovelapband.com) has a number of options and clinics to suit the Los Angeles/Rancho Cucamonga area.
[1] Eberhardt, MS; Ogden, C; Engelgau, M; Cadwell, B; Hedley, AA; Saydah, SH. "Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Adults with Diagnosed Diabetes --- United States, 1988--1994 and 19992002". Center for Communicable Disease. (November 19, 2004 ) . 53(45);1066-1068. Accessed 28 Feb. 2011. http://www.cdc.gov.
[2] Maugh II, Thomas H. "FDA Approves Wider Use of Lap Band". The Los Angeles Times. (February 16, 2011). Accessed on 28 Feb, 2011. http://www.latimes.com/health/la-na-lap-band-20110217,0,6472853.story
[3] Carollo, Kim. (January 21, 2011). "Woman With Diabetes Gains 85 Pounds to be Eligible for Gastric Bypass." Retreived February 28, 2011 from the ABC News website: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/diabetic-woman-gains-weight-qualify-bariatric-surgery/story?id=12720809&page=1
