Lap Band Surgery in India-Benefits, Risks and Costs

In India the LAP-BAND System has been proven thetoo fast.oBand slippage - 1 in 100 chances is always
safest, simplest and effective way to treat severefixed laparoscopically.oDeath - The nationwide death
obesity. If you are seriously overweight, therate is 3 in 10,000 or less, which makes the Lap-Band a
LAP-BAND System can help you achieve a happier,saferprocedure than routine surgeries like hernia repair
healthier life!or gallbladder removal.
In India the Lap-Band system is the least invasive of allCost for Lap Band Surgery:
weight loss surgeries. The system includes anLap band surgery is one very popular form of Obesity
adjustable silicon elastic band that is surgically placedsurgery which putting things simply causes weight loss
around the stomach. The band induces weight loss byby making the stomach smaller. The cost of lap band
restricting food intake; when eating less, your bodysurgery is not cheap by any means. For an
draws from its own fat to get the energy it needs.experience surgeon to perform the operation will cost
The Lap-Band is the only adjustable weight lossat least $17,000 upwards to $30,000 to get the
surgery; in fact, band adjustment is a regular part ofoperation carried out in the US.
follow up for this procedure and is done without theBut lots of people are getting their surgery done in India
need of surgery. Inflating or deflating the band canfor much cheaper. For example you can get an all
adjust the amount of food you can eat. The band isinclusive deal in India for quarter of an amount as
adjusted, as needed depending on your weight losscompared to the USA. Indian hospitals have very well
progress or other reasons like pregnancy or illness.trained surgeons, as good as the US surgeons if not
How is Lap Band placed?better. The price normally includes pick-up at the
The name Lap-Band comes from Laparoscopicairport, hospital, band, physician fees, and pre-op
Gastric Band. Laparoscopy is the surgical techniqueworkup. So, all that is needed is to add the cost of a
used to place the band. With Laparoscopy theflight.
surgeon makes a few incisions in the abdominal wallWhy Go for Lap Band Surgery in India.
and inserts narrow, hollow tubes. Extremely small andIndia is promoting the "high-tech healing" of its private
thin instruments are then passed through the tubes.healthcare sector as a tourist attraction. The
The instruments include a microscopic camera thatgovernment hopes to encourage a budding trade in
sends video to a monitor that is used by the surgeonmedical tourism, selling foreigners the idea of traveling
to see inside the abdomen. This technique is the leastto India for low-cost but world-class medical treatment.
invasive of all weight loss surgeries and has the leastMerging medical expertise and tourism became
risk of complications.government policy when finance minister, called for
Once the instruments are in place, a small tunnel isIndia to become a "global health destination". For
made behind the top of the stomach. The band is thenexample, a Indian hospital, successfully conducted a
pulled around the stomach to form a ring. This ring iscomplex heart operation on an 87-year-old American
then locked holding securely the band in a circle aroundpatient at a reported cost of $8,000 (EUR7,000,
the stomach.£4,850) including the cost of his airfare and a
There are many advantages of the Laparoscopymonth's stay in hospital. The patient claimed that a less
over an open surgery where a larger incision iscomplex operation in America had earlier cost him
required. After a Laparoscopy surgery most people$40,000.
experience much less pain, there are fewerAs health care costs skyrocket, patients in the
Complications and patients are able to recover muchdeveloped world are looking overseas for medical
faster, resuming activities usually within a few days.treatment. India is capitalizing on its low costs and highly
BENEFITS OF LAP-BAND SURGERYoVery low risk,trained doctors to appeal to these "medical tourists."
with 1/10th or less the chance of complicationsEven with airfare, the cost of going to India for surgery
compared to gastric bypass surgeryoThis is the onlycan be markedly cheaper, and the quality of services
surgery that is adjustable, allowing decreasing oris often better than that found in the United States and
control stomach size even many years later. This willUK. Indeed, many patients are pleased at the prospect
prevent weight regain.oSafe for pregnancy by allowingof combining their tummy tucks with a trip to the Taj
opening of the stomach size to eat more whileMahal. Many countries have developed links for
pregnant.oAll adjustments are done with no furtherspeedy treatments in India for their citizens. In many
surgery.oProven to work worldwide with manycountries people often have to wait for extended
doctors, surgeons and nurses undergoing theperiods of time to undergo operations. In India, medical
procedure themselves.oOnly surgery that is reversible,treatment is not only fast but also costs a fraction of
with the stomach completely returning to normal sizewhat it costs in USA or Europe. Even tele-consultancy
and function if necessary for any medical condition.is available connecting U.S. and European medical
RISKS OF LAP-BAND SURGERYoInfection - 1 in 200;experts to Indian facilities for expert opinions and
treated with antibioticsoVomiting/Nausea - possible,transmission facilities.
most patients have it once or twice only if they eat