Could you or someone you know have written the letter below?

Many people ask me if the Lap-Band® is right for them, and although I cannot give a definitive explanation without meeting them face to face, there are some guidelines that can help in the decision-making process. These factors include weight, medical conditions, previous attempts at losing weight and how ready an individual is to make the change.

Before we go any further, some might be asking themselves, ‘what is a Lap-Band®?’ A Lap-Band® is an inflatable silicone device that fits on the top portion of the stomach. The band is inserted laparoscopically (which is often called minimally invasive surgery, but I like to call it keyhole surgery), in which a few small incisions are made for insertion throughout the entire procedure.

The benefits of this adjustable band are that patients who undergo surgery start to feel fuller and reach healthier levels of food intake that were previously harder to obtain. The Lap-Band® is a member of a surgical revolution, and there are some factors that help determine if someone is a potential candidate for this procedure.

Of these factors, weight is one of them, but there are some specific guidelines that go beyond just being overweight. A potential candidate must have a BMI of over 35 or 40, with 30 being the marker for obesity.

Other factors that could make someone a candidate are medical conditions related to obesity, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. These medical conditions are often called co-morbidities, and they can make life difficult and often have negative social results; they can even prevent an employer from hiring an individual in some cases. But not all hope is lost, since we can identify these problems and come up with solutions that will benefit one’s health.

Other factors I look at when determining a potential candidate are an individual’s history with weight problems and methods for losing weight. If someone has been overweight for years and has made serious attempts at dieting and physical activity, as well as abstained from excessive drinking, that person could be considered a potential Lap-Band® candidate.

Oftentimes, people purchase bestselling books, DVDs, dieting programs, gym memberships and personal training sessions, which proves they are dedicated to their health and by no means not trying. For individuals who find themselves in this situation, a Lap-Band® can make all of those routines effective and deliver the results that were originally intended.

Some of the final determining factors are the psychological factors that ask candidates to consider the lifelong changes they are about to make and if they are ready to make a permanent change in their lifestyles. These changes include committing to a healthy diet, regular physical activity and general follow-ups with a doctor or dietician about their progress.

Attendance to support groups is also essential to one’s success, as it becomes much easier both emotionally and from a routine standpoint to maintain goals. At my practice, Texas Bariatric Specialists, we have monthly support groups with our dietician for all of our major cities to ensure our post-operative patients their success. While this may not be the easiest of decisions, I have heard many amazing stories from patients who made this commitment, and as a surgeon, I am committed to seeing my patients succeed.

A while ago, a woman came to my office and told me an emotional story about how she could never give birth because of her weight and the complications labor could have on her body. While she kept her head high and adopted three children she loved deeply, she felt she would never experience the support of a baby shower, the guessing of the baby’s gender or the kicks to the stomach. Thankfully, this story ends on a high note because only two months after her procedure, I found out she was pregnant.

In my time as a surgeon, I’ve met a lot of people, and the things that matter most to me are these success stories and finding the solutions to problems people might have struggled with their whole lives. At the end of the day, the answer to the question is to be, and for me, giving others their lives back is my life.

Dr. Nilesh Patel is a fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon and is recognized as a Centers of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society of Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Surgery. For more information, visit www.bypassdoc.com.