Patient Demographics

Obesity: A National Epidemic

Obesity is a health problem of epidemic proportions. According to 2006 figures from the US Census Bureau, 43% of Americans are overweight or obese. Approximately 15% of individuals in this group - about 19 million people - are severely or morbidly obese with a body bass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or more.

The epidemic is growing. It is estimated that by 2012, nearly half of the American population will be overweight or obese (BMI >25 kg/m²) and 16% of these individuals (about 25 million Americans) will be severely or morbidly obese.

Fortunately, there is something we can do now to help people control their weight and keep these projected numbers from becoming a reality.

Obesity in the United States

Identifying LAP-BAND^® Adjustable Gastric Banding System Patient Candidates

The LAP-BAND^® System is indicated for use in morbidly obese patients who:

• Have a BMI >40 kg/m2; OR
• Have a BMI >35 kg/m2 with one or more severe comorbid conditions; OR
• Are >100 pounds over their estimated ideal body weight;
• Have failed more conservative weight loss treatments (e.g., medically supervised diet, exercise, behavior modification programs); and
• Have made a commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

The LAP-BAND^® Procedure

The LAP-BAND^® System is inserted laparoscopically. The slip-through buckle design of the LAP-BAND^® System facilitates placement of the band around the stomach. The procedure generally takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the surgeon's level of experience with the LAP-BAND^® System.

Three techniques can be used to place the band:

Perigastric: dissection starts on the lesser curve at the midpoint and continues behind the stomach toward the angle of His;

Pars flaccida: dissection begins lateral to the midpoint in the space of the pars flaccida and continues over to the angle of His; and

Pars flaccida to perigastric: begins with the pars flaccida technique, but ends with the band being placed from the angle of His through to the perigastric opening.

Patient Follow-up and Aftercare

Because the LAP-BAND^® System is typically placed using a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure, patients are usually back home the day after the surgery. Shorter hospital stays allow patients to resume their regular activities sooner and reduce the strain on hospital resources.

The LAP-BAND^® System allows you to monitor a patient's progress through his or her weight loss experience. The first adjustment to the LAP-BAND^® is usually performed six weeks after surgery. During subsequent office visits (usually every six weeks), stoma size can be adjusted by changing the volume of saline in the band through the access port to help patients get just the right fit to help them on their weight loss journey. Adjustments typically continue to be made for at least one year to optimize healthy, continuous weight loss.

RISK INFORMATION

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