Am I a Candidate

Treatment for Obesity

 

Obesity is a chronic medical condition which if not addressed will have significant medical complications. Generally, the criteria for surgical weight loss procedures is a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater; or,BMI of 35 or greater if the patient has associated medical conditions that are related to obesity.

One of the weight loss options recognized by the National Institute of Health for the treatment of clinically severe obesity is the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding and is offered at Lovelace Westside Hospital. Surgery for weight loss is not a quick fix but a journey and lifestyle change.

Each individual should clearly understand what the proposed journey involves. Talk with your primary care physician and attend one of our no-cost seminars to learn more about the LAP-BAND® journey.

The LAP-BAND System may be right for you if:
• Your BMI is 40 or higher
• Your BMI is 35 or higher and also suffer from one or more health problems such as Type II diabetes or hypertension, osteoarthritis, or sleep apnea
• You have been overweight for more than five years
• Your serious attempts to lose weight have had only short-term success
• You do not have any other disease that may have caused your obesity
• You are prepared to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle
• You are willing to continue being monitored by the specialist who is treating you
• You do not drink alcohol in excess