Lap Band Q&A
90%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers
that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not.
See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings
or Add Your Review
View Before and Afters
Average Lap Band Cost: $9,325
Learn about Lap Band
84 people and 23 doctors are talking about Lap Band
Get Free Email Updates
Does Lap-Band Work on Low BMI but Overweight People?
asked 1 year ago by lowbmi in San Jose, CA
Latest answer by Ricardo M. Bonnor, MD
Question viewed 1,191 times
Tags: 150-169 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, candidate, diabetes
My BMI is 28, I am 5'3" and weigh 160 lbs. I have a high triglyceride. Both of my parents have type 2 diabetes. My doctor has told me I am at high risk of getting type 2 diabetes and have to lose 20-30 lbs. I have struggled with my weight, been on so many diets, weight loss programs, and appetite suppressants, and none have worked long term. I have found a reputable doctor in Mexico who is willing to band me. But will LapBand work on me and help me lose 30 pounds and keep it off?
4 answers to Does Lap-Band Work on Low BMI but Overweight People?
+1
Lap band for low BMI patients and diabetes
If you have a low BMI such 32 to 35 and diabetes and high triglycerides you may want to consider a more metabolic operation such as gastric bypass. If you have metabolic conditions such as diabetes at a low BMI then the lap band may not work well for you. Please consult with a bariatric surgeon that performs all operations on a routine basis to see what is best for you.
+1
Lap-Band lower BMI
The FDA recently approved the use of the Lap-Band in lower BMI patients. The Lap-Band is the lowest risk weight loss surgery procedure currently available. Most insurance companies will not cover surgery in patients with a BMI of 30 - 35. Non-surgical diets have very high failure rates.
+1
Gastric banding for low-BMI patients
The FDA recently ruled that banding is safe may be effective for patients with lower BMI than previously recommended. The previously accepted lower limit has been 35. That limit has now been lowered to 30.
This does NOT mean that your insurance company will pay for your surgery. No insurance company will cover bariatric surgery unless you meet the NIH Guidelines: BMI of 40 or greater, or BMI of 35-40 with comorbidities.
I will also caution you to research...
more
Mark Pleatman, MD
Bloomfield Hills Bariatric Surgeon
Bloomfield Hills Bariatric Surgeon
+1
Lap band: can it be used for lower amounts of weight loss
In my opinion, the risks are generally not worth the benefits when compared to other methods of weight loss. To the best of my knowledge, bariatric surgeons reserve this option for people who are significantly higher than their ideal body weight (approximately 80 lbs on average). However, the indications may vary according to percieved risks and benefits in individual cases. Seek qualified surgeons and obtain at least two opinions plus the advice of a nutritionist.
more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon