I've heard a lot about lap band weight loss surgery, and never really looked into it until after finding out that one of my old friends from school had it done. I'm not the weight I'd like to be, but I doubt I qualify for such a surgery, even though it would be nice to never worry about gaining weight again. This is a pretty nice site, with plenty of information, and a phone number to call if you want to talk directly to someone.
This surgery is less invasive because it doesn't involve stapling, and it's adjustable - a band that wraps around the upper part of your stomach. The hospital stay is usually only a day, and it offers less of a risk of nutritional deficiencies, along with a lowered risk for hair loss. Adjustments don't require another surgery, and can even be adjusted for pregnancy. It isn't permanent, and since there are less dietary restrictions, the weight loss is more natural.
There's a calculator on the site to see if you qualify, that uses your BMI (body mass index) based on your height and weight. I don't qualify, even with the lower BMI threshold for diabetics, but it's a really easy way to find out if you do without having to make an appointment. I guess that's a good thing, but it's also disappointing, considering the nice before and after photos they have up on the site with the testimonials.
