Lap Band Surgery can be a life changing procedure, but who is eligible to have this surgery done? There are a number of criteria that any patient must meet before they will be considered for this type of procedure. Lap Band surgery is not considered a cosmetic surgical procedure, instead this procedure is only used for patients who are obese, and who suffer from increased medical and health risks because of this obesity. To qualify there are specific criteria that needs to be met, and this procedure is done only after a lot of testing and careful consideration.
Body Mass Index
One of the most important criteria for Lap Band surgery is Body Mass Index, or BMI. While Lap Band Surgery is considered both safe and effective it is not the solution for everyone who needs to lose some weight. Your BMI, which is based on both your weight and height, is the criteria that helps determine whether you are a good candidate or not. Your classification using the BMI can be overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. The BMI formula is the number of pounds that you weigh divided by the number of inches squared in your height. A healthy BMI is somewhere between 19 and 25, while a rating anywhere from 25 to 30 means you are overweight. If your BMI is 31-39 you are considered obese, and a BMI of 40 or above classifies you as morbidly obese.
The criteria for Lap Band Surgery can vary. If you are considered morbidly obese with a BMI of 40 or more then you are considered a good candidate. As of February 16, 2011 patients who have a BMI of 30 or above and have one or more obesity related health conditions are also considered good candidates. If your weight is at least one hundred pounds more than your ideal weight you may also meet the criteria for Lap Bound surgery, and this is true if your actual weight is double what youir ideal weight should be. The criteria also specifies that you must be at least 18 years old, and no older than 60.
There are some other criteria for Lab Band surgery as well. You must have had a problem with excess weight for a minimum of five years, and programs for dieting and exercise must have been tried and failed before this surgery can be an option. Your obesity can not be caused by an illness, and your alcohol consumption must be low or moderate. In addition you have to be able to make a commitment to changing the way you eat and live. If all of the criteria are not met then you may not be a good candidate for Lap Band surgery.