When patients are diagnosed with high blood pressure (or hypertension) patients often think that the only treatments available come in the form of medication. But the solution could lie with the patient and their ability to control their excess weight. Fat cells in the body put a strain on blood vessels and cause high amounts of pressure in the blood stream. The two conditions have a strong relationship and drugs may only mask the condition.

Often a person who is obese may have been struggling with their weight for years. In these cases, weight-loss surgery could be a promising alternative; new advancements in bariatric surgery, like the lapband could hold the key to healthy weight loss. The lapband system has been proven to help many patients that have tried dieting, extreme exercising and haven’t seen results. The lapband surgery is one of the most successful procedures for weight loss, allowing patients to lose anywhere from 2-5 pounds a week, depending on how interactive they are with their weight-loss goals. This procedure is less risky than any other procedure due to the fact there is no stapling of the stomach, making the procedure virtually reversible. With the lapband system the patient will be able to eat healthy food and become full faster and stay full longer. When looking into the options about lapband surgery it is important to ask the lapband surgeon if this surgery is right for the patient.

The lap band is a silicone band that is placed laparoscopically and can be performed during a simple outpatient procedure, which often means that if patient is feeling good, they can be sent home that same day. The band is placed on the upper part of the stomach, creating a smaller new stomach. By creating this new smaller stomach the patient will feel full faster and stay full longer. The silicone band will help the food stay in the upper stomach which helps the body feel full.

This silicone band comes with port that is placed just below the skin, and is connected to the band by a small flexible tube. The port is not visible to the eye, though the patient might be able to feel it through their skin. Through this port the lap band surgeon is able to adjust how much saline should be in or out of the lap band, depending on weather or not the patient is experiencing healthy weight loss.

The cost of the lapband system ranges from $15,000 to $18,000. The lap band is covered by most PPO insurance, but if coverage isn’t available, patients are encouraged to research their financing options. Not all insurance plans cover bariatric procedure, so it’s important to make sure that bariatric insurance is included in an individuals plan. For example anthem blue cross lap band coverage depends on the insurance plan of each individual, as well as each patient’s ability to meet the criteria for bariatric coverage. Some insurance patients must meet certain requirement in order for the lap band operation to be approved.

For more information about the lapband and its high blood pressure treatments please visit www.lovelapband.com or call (877)919-9997.