Gastric bypass surgery and stomach stapling are more complex than the lap band procedure. In lap band, no part of the digestive tract would be removed and the procedure is reversible. This is why it is popular among patients who are unwilling to undergo permanent changes under surgery.

What is basically done in a lap band surgery is that a silicon band is placed around the upper part of the patient’s stomach. The band would be inflated and shrink the capacity of the stomach to store food. It acts like a stomach girdle, so to speak. The feeling of this constrictive device would make the patient feel less hungry and easily satiated by smaller meal portions. This is actually going to make the patient go on a diet without the discomfort of the pangs of hunger.

This treatment is considered to be safer than other procedures that have lasting and irreversible effects. To date, over 200,000 procedures of this kind are performed annually across the globe. Over the years, seeking the treatment overseas is growing popular because the costs are less compared to the ones offered in the U.S. Neighboring countries such as Lap Band Mexico would offer the procedure for far less the amount it would cost in the U.S. ( see Mexico Gastric Lap band Costs compared to the USA) This is economical yet one has to study this option carefully since it is related to one’s health. There are other things to look for such as post-surgery consultations and the availability of the doctor to attend to any arising complications.

There is ample protection for patients within the United States but the same could not be said for those overseas. There simply is no guaranteed recourse should anything in the treatment go wrong. Despite the procedure being simple, the recovery period is important and crucial for this procedure to successfully contribute to one’s weight goals. You would be secure seeking this treatment from a well-equipped medical facility with experienced doctors. This could not be said with certainty about the options overseas.

Not all doctors could be qualified enough to use such a procedure. The surgeon must have the necessary training and license to practice this procedure on any patient. Surgeons in Asia and Latin America may or may not be qualified to do so.

Alternative places to visit is Private Gastric Banding in UK, Gastric Lap Band Surgery in Belgium,

Here’s a few question you will need to ask to check whether the private surgery will cover:

• Does the private surgery cover the pre–op assessment blood tests and ECG? Surgeon, physician and dietitian fees?
• Are all hospital costs and operation costs included? Fees for surgeon and anaesthetist? What happens if there’s complications and you need to stay in hospital or need more specialised care?
• Is Follow up treatment included? What period of care is covered? How many visits to the surgeon (and how many band fills is incurred?) What about the dietitian? Does it include blood tests for RNY/BPD/DS patients? What if you need additional care?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding your private surgery for gastric banding and what it entails. Many gastric band surgery packages will offer two band fills which normally is not enough. As many patients require several more adjustments over the next two years after the surgery to reach their weight loss goals. If possible get a package with slightly more of surgeon appointments and dietitians follow–up after surgery than to be faced with the dilemma of not doing as well as you had hoped and having to find the money for additional appointments.

Its a pity but most of the UK private health insurance companies will not reimburse the costs of the gastric band surgery as they see obesity is a chronic condition. BOSPA is lobbying the private insurers to adopt a more enlightened approach – treating the obesity will more than likely reduce the likelihood of the insurer having to pay out for many other treatments over subsequent years.

Some patients chose to travel to France or other countries like Belgium for gastric lap band surgery which will be done privately because the basic costs of the operation are considerably lower. However, you may miss out on the follow up care services that UK surgery will provide. Many surgeons may actually refuse to see you even privately if you have had your gastric surgery done abroad.

Whichever route you choose to follow for your surgery, the most important aspect is the follow up care and typically that provided at specialist UK obesity surgery centres will undoubtedly be the best. Multidisciplinary teams of doctors will ensure that the correct attention is given to all aspects of follow up such as weight loss progress, diet, exercise and social aspects, as well as the correct functioning of the alterations made to your anatomy by the surgery. This quality of care should not be compromised by your seeking treatment privately.

• You are aged 18 or over.
• You have tried all conventional methods of weight loss, like exercise and diet, but have failed to lose any significant amount of weight.
• You don’t have any medical or psychological reasons for not carrying out the procedure.
• You understand the long-term commitment to having a gastric band fitted, for example you continue to reduce your food intake and maintain a regular exercise regime.

Funding for the cost of the operation for gastric banding will vary across the UK and will depend on your local PCT. PCTs can only set aside an amount of money for this type of gastric banding surgery. If you are recommended for surgery, as a treatment for obesity. Typically gastric banding usually costs around £7,000 if you do it privately.

If you feel you qualify for gastric banding in the UK and would like to have the operation on the NHS, as all your attempts you have used to lose weight have failed you will need to discuss all possible options with your GP or surgeon.