Posted on 01/14/2008 8:43:51 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
In India the LAP-BAND System has been proven the safest, simplest and effective way to treat severe obesity. If you are seriously overweight, the LAP-BAND System can help you achieve a happier, healthier life!
In India the Lap-Band system is the least invasive of all weight loss surgeries. The system includes an adjustable silicon elastic band that is surgically placed around the stomach. The band induces weight loss by restricting food intake; when eating less, your body draws from its own fat to get the energy it needs.
The Lap-Band is the only adjustable weight loss surgery; in fact, band adjustment is a regular part of follow up for this procedure and is done without the need of surgery. Inflating or deflating the band can adjust the amount of food you can eat. The band is adjusted, as needed depending on your weight loss progress or other reasons like pregnancy or illness.
How is Lap Band placed?
The name Lap-Band comes from Laparoscopic Gastric Band. Laparoscopy is the surgical technique used to place the band. With Laparoscopy the surgeon makes a few incisions in the abdominal wall and inserts narrow, hollow tubes. Extremely small and thin instruments are then passed through the tubes. The instruments include a microscopic camera that sends video to a monitor that is used by the surgeon to see inside the abdomen. This technique is the least invasive of all weight loss surgeries and has the least risk of complications.
Once the instruments are in place, a small tunnel is made behind the top of the stomach. The band is then pulled around the stomach to form a ring. This ring is then locked holding securely the band in a circle around the stomach.
There are many advantages of the Laparoscopy over an open surgery where a larger incision is required. After a Laparoscopy surgery most people experience much less pain, there are fewer Complications and patients are able to recover much faster, resuming activities usually within a few days.
BENEFITS OF LAP-BAND SURGERY
•Very low risk, with 1/10th or less the chance of complications compared to gastric bypass surgery
•This is the only surgery that is adjustable, allowing decreasing or control stomach size even many years later. This will prevent weight regain.
•Safe for pregnancy by allowing opening of the stomach size to eat more while pregnant.
•All adjustments are done with no further surgery.
•Proven to work worldwide with many doctors, surgeons and nurses undergoing the procedure themselves.
•Only surgery that is reversible, with the stomach completely returning to normal size and function if necessary for any medical condition.
RISKS OF LAP-BAND SURGERY
•Infection - 1 in 200; treated with antibiotics
•Vomiting/Nausea - possible, most patients have it once or twice only if they eat too fast.
•Band slippage - 1 in 100 chances is always fixed laparoscopically.
•Death - The nationwide death rate is 3 in 10,000 or less, which makes the Lap-Band a safer
procedure than routine surgeries like hernia repair or gallbladder removal.
Cost for Lap Band Surgery:
Lap band surgery is one very popular form of Obesity surgery which putting things simply causes weight loss by making the stomach smaller. The cost of lap band surgery is not cheap by any means. For an experience surgeon to perform the operation will cost at least $17,000 upwards to $30,000 to get the operation carried out in the US.
But lots of people are getting their surgery done in India for much cheaper. For example you can get an all inclusive deal in India for quarter of an amount as compared to the USA. Indian hospitals have very well trained surgeons, as good as the US surgeons if not better. The price normally includes pick-up at the airport, hospital, band, physician fees, and pre-op workup. So, all that is needed is to add the cost of a flight.
Why Go for Lap Band Surgery in India.
India is promoting the "high-tech healing" of its private healthcare sector as a tourist attraction. The government hopes to encourage a budding trade in medical tourism, selling foreigners the idea of traveling to India for low-cost but world-class medical treatment. Merging medical expertise and tourism became government policy when finance minister, called for India to become a "global health destination". For example, a Indian hospital, successfully conducted a complex heart operation on an 87-year-old American patient at a reported cost of $8,000 (€7,000, £4,850) including the cost of his airfare and a month's stay in hospital. The patient claimed that a less complex operation in America had earlier cost him $40,000.
As health care costs skyrocket, patients in the developed world are looking overseas for medical treatment. India is capitalizing on its low costs and highly trained doctors to appeal to these "medical tourists." Even with airfare, the cost of going to India for surgery can be markedly cheaper, and the quality of services is often better than that found in the United States and UK. Indeed, many patients are pleased at the prospect of combining their tummy tucks with a trip to the Taj Mahal. Many countries have developed links for speedy treatments in India for their citizens. In many countries people often have to wait for extended periods of time to undergo operations. In India, medical treatment is not only fast but also costs a fraction of what it costs in USA or Europe. Even tele-consultancy is available connecting U.S. and European medical experts to Indian facilities for expert opinions and transmission facilities.
Most of my local doctors are from India, so why not just go to India and make it easier for them, and cheaper for you?
$17K - $30K? You could spend the rest of your life on Weight Watchers for less than that, with no danger of infection at all!
My wife’s sister had four root canals and crowns done in Mumbai for US $250. Inflation is creeping up, but it will be a long time before prices match US levels.
That’s just fine, really, if everything goes well.
Who’s going to deal with potential complications?
So far I'm doing well as far as post-surgical recovery. The band has,without being tightened yet,has already had an effect on my appetite. My doctor tells me that the band itself,due to its placement sends an "I'm full" message to the brain. My goal weight is 200 lbs,I'm about 6'1".
The surgery doesn't eliminate a diet and exercise program,my doctor has me on a low-carb diet and I get on the treadmill every day.What is has done is cut my appetite WAY down and I'm not hungry.It seems to me to be a very viable program.I had to jump through a lot of hoops over a 10 month period before I could have the surgery,but I feel it was worth it.I'm 68 years old and have eleven grandkids I want to see grow up.Without this surgery I don't think I would've survived another five years.
Suzi I tried 'em all,every diet you can think of and Weight Watchers.I went from 338 to 329 on Weight Watchers over a four month period. My surgery was covered by Medicare,(partially) and by my own insurance as second-pay...and it wasn't as expensive as you've seen mentioned on this thread,so far my EOB's total about $8K.
ping
I’m glad it’s helping you.
south africa is also a popular destination for cosmetic procedures...plus you get longer routine hospital stays, and recoup time at luxury hotels. As long as these countries can offer top notch care...it’s a win win for all.
What if the procedure goes badly? Do you think a court in India would award you or your heirs any damages?
This is the problem with just having the surgery in say Mexico or India....the treatment is not just the procedure, it is much more involved than that, and involves an intensive post-op care/support program in concordance with the surgery.
We had a CME lecture about just this topic a few months ago...the guys in Mexico are really gung-ho to do the procedure, but that's all they'll do.
There is a paucity of post-op care, little or nothing offered in support therapy etc....and god forbid you have a surgical complication itself such as infection, band slippage, erosion or malpractice.
Let the buyer beware...
Be careful, this place is full of self appointed “fat cops” who love nothing more than to tell you you are overweight only because you are a lazy slob who simply does not use self control. They seem to think choosing to use any medical treatment, or even seeking medical advice only makes you some form of irresponsible leftist looking for somebody else to blame, rather than taking responsibility.
Yes, there are such uneducated, closed minded arrogant pricks right here on FR.
From your keyboard, to the hills of Iowa, LOL
As surely as night followeth day doth reply #15 follow reply #14.
Congratulations! How is it going?
I've had two adjustments and everything is going OK. I stick to the lo-carb diet,am never hungry and just have to chew,chew,chew,because I found out the hard way that swallowing too big a piece of meat can be painful for a while.
All in all I'm very satisfied with my progress and so is my doctor.
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