How the Lap-Band®
Program Works

Take control with the Lap-Band Program.

The Lap-Band helps give you control over
your body, your hunger, and your food.
Watch Now
Find a Surgeon

Minimally Invasive, Adjustable, Reversible Weight-Loss Solution

The Lap-Band® Program gives you control over your body, your hunger, and your food.
Compared to other bariatric surgeries, the Lap-Band Program offers the safest, least invasive, lowest risk procedure, with the lowest rate of complications.1

The Lap-Band Program is personalized for every person, with an adjustable Gastric Band that can be tightened and loosened as your body changes over time. It is the only bariatric surgical solution that gives you control. You can continue to enjoy the foods you love and avoid costly supplements. You can adjust the Lap-Band to major life events—like pregnancy. And you gain long-term control over your weight.

If your Lap-Band needs to be removed for any reason, it is easily reversible.

The Lap-Band Process

What to Expect from the Program

Preparation

Your first step toward successful surgical weight loss is finding a surgeon qualified to perform the Lap‑Band Procedure through our surgeon locator. Meet with them to understand the procedure
and how to plan for it.

Placement

The adjustable Lap-Band Gastric Band is
placed around the stomach to reduce its capacity. The resulting shape is similar to an hourglass, which helps promote a feeling of fullness, limits the amount of food that can be consumed at one time, and slows the movement of food from your stomach.

Recovery

Recovery from the Lap-Band Procedure is typically faster than other bariatric surgeries. Placement is performed same-day within an ambulatory surgery center or other outpatient setting. In fact, the process usually takes less than an hour. Patients can quickly get back to work and normal life. They avoid disruption and can accelerate to the next steps in their weight-loss journey.

Aftercare and Support

The Lap-Band Program offers the most comprehensive aftercare program in the industry and is fully customized to your needs for adjustments and other aftercare support.

In addition, Lap-Band is supported by the ReShapeCare™ Program, an effective, convenient virtual health coaching Program that works in conjunction with your Lap-Band Surgeon’s staff to provide nutritional counseling, education, and coaching.

The Lap-Band® procedure is covered by most insurance companies. Please check with your insurance company or surgeon to see if it is covered.

Lose Weight With Portion Control Without Giving up Foods You Love

Losing significant weight is nearly impossible if you are always hungry.
The Lap-Band Program helps you control your feeling of fullness and how much you eat, giving you more power over your hunger and more control over your weight loss. And because the Lap-Band Program does not cut, staple, or remove the stomach or reroute the intestines like other bariatric surgeries, it allows you to enjoy the healthy foods you love mindfully and in moderation.

The Path to Long-lasting Weight Loss

The biggest weight-loss challenge is maintenance, not original weight loss.

The Lap-Band Program helps you take control through all stages of the weight-loss journey. By encouraging healthy portion control and overall weight management, the Lap-Band Program delivers the safer, smarter, and lasting path to sustained weight loss.

Click the tabs below to learn more.
  • lap-band illustration

    The Lap-Band

    Safest and Reversible

    During the Lap-Band Procedure, a Gastric Band is placed around your stomach in the course of a minimally invasive, outpatient laparoscopic surgery. The band limits the amount of food you can eat to help you feel full sooner and longer. The Lap-Band is both removable and adjustable—when your needs change, it changes. Even if you are considering other bariatric surgeries, start with Lap-Band.

    Watch Procedure
    gastric sleeve illustration

    Sleeve Gastrectomy

    Cuts and Staples Organs

    Sleeve Gastrectomy removes 80% of the stomach,2 and what’s left behind is roughly the size of a banana. This helps patients lose weight by limiting the capacity of their stomach; however, this bariatric surgery is irreversible and involves cutting and stapling of the stomach.3 Patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy are at risk for malnutrition and require long-term supplements and vitamins to avoid possible deficiencies.

    Watch Procedure
    gastric bypass illustration

    Gastric Bypass

    Cuts and Re-routes Organs

    Gastric bypass is a restrictive procedure that limits the capacity of your stomach and alters the way nutrients are absorbed. It not only reduces the size of your stomach, but it also reroutes your small intestines and digestive tract. Hundreds of staples are used in this procedure.4 Patients who undergo gastric bypass are at risk for malnutrition and require long-term supplements and vitamins to avoid possible deficiencies.

    Watch Procedure
    lap-band illustration

    The Lap-Band

    Safest and Reversible

    During the Lap-Band Procedure, a Gastric Band is placed around your stomach in the course of a minimally invasive, outpatient laparoscopic surgery. The band limits the amount of food you can eat to help you feel full sooner and longer. The Lap-Band is both removable and adjustable—when your needs change, it changes. Even if you are considering other bariatric surgeries, start with Lap-Band.

    Watch Procedure
    gastric sleeve illustration

    Sleeve Gastrectomy

    Cuts and Staples Organs

    Sleeve Gastrectomy removes 80% of the stomach,2 and what’s left behind is roughly the size of a banana. This helps patients lose weight by limiting the capacity of their stomachs; however, this bariatric surgery is irreversible and involves cutting and stapling of the stomach.3 Patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy are at risk for malnutrition and require long-term supplements and vitamins to avoid possible deficiencies.

    Watch Procedure
    gastric bypass illustration

    Gastric Bypass

    Cuts and Re-routes Organs

    Gastric bypass is a restrictive procedure that limits the capacity of your stomach and alters the way nutrients are absorbed. It not only reduces the size of your stomach, but it also reroutes your small intestines and digestive tract. Hundreds of staples are used in this procedure.4 Patients who undergo gastric bypass are at risk for malnutrition and require long-term supplements and vitamins to avoid possible deficiencies.

    Watch Procedure
  • woman running

    A Smarter Approach

    Lap-Band offers a smarter approach to weight loss because it adjusts to your changing life needs, does not require that you restrict food choices, and delivers significant results in one year.

    • You Change, Lap-Band Changes with You:

      The Lap-Band is adjustable—it is designed to change with your changing needs. This means that if your weight-loss goals shift or you have a major life event like pregnancy, the Lap-Band can adjust without interrupting your life.

    • Enjoy the Foods You Love and Ditch the Supplements:

      The Lap-Band does not restrict food choice. Unlike other bariatric surgeries that rely on partial “amputation” and permanent alterations that require you to limit the kinds of foods you eat, the Lap-Band Program gives you the path to enjoying the foods you love through portion control and healthy eating habits. You avoid the costly supplements and have the freedom of choice.

    • Significant Results in Just One Year:

      Lap-Band Patients lose an average of 65% of their excess weight in the first year and 70% in the second year.5 The Lap-Band Procedure has been performed over 1,000,000 times since 1993, and it is backed by over 25 years of clinical evidence.6

  • gastric bypass illustration

    Lasting Benefits

    On average, patients kept off 60% of their excess body weight after 5 years of having the Lap-Band.7

    This success is supported by experts who will provide you with the utmost care and help you explore the ongoing benefits of the Lap-Band Program. They stay with you from your procedure through your weight-loss journey. They will also help you sustain a healthy and well-balanced diet while exercising regularly. You will receive the tools and techniques that will help you live a long-term healthy lifestyle, while the Gastric Band helps reduce your hunger urges.

    The result: benefits beyond weight loss including improvements in serious weight-related medical conditions such as diabetes and asthma.8-10

Gastric Bypass

The Lap-Band Procedure

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Next Steps on Your Path to Taking Control

You’re determined and motivated to transform your life and make a long-lasting change.
It’s time to take control and learn about a weight-loss solution that just might be the one for you.

Get Smart

Start your journey by getting educated. Watch our free 20-minute online seminar to gain a deeper understanding of the weight-loss procedure, benefits, and how the Lap‑Band Program aligns to your goals.

Watch Now

Get Connected

Gain guidance from a weight-loss expert and qualified surgeon who will provide you with information about the Lap‑Band Gastric Band and help you determine if you are medically qualified for the Lap-Band Weight-loss program.

Find a Surgeon

Get Started

The Lap-Band Program is a minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery. Compared to other bariatric surgeries, it is the safest, least invasive, lowest risk procedure, with the lowest rate of complications.

Watch Now

Get Results

After your procedure, your support team will help you achieve success with the Lap-Band System. They will help you realize long-term benefits, with proven, lasting results that span more than 20 years.11

Tips for Success

In 20 minutes, you can be on your path with Lap-Band.

Watch Our Free Online Seminar

Hey Baby! The Ideal Program for Women Who Wish to Become Pregnant.

The Lap-Band is the only bariatric surgery option that is adjustable and adaptable to the changing requirements of pregnancy.12 The Lap-Band Program gives you the freedom to lose weight now to improve fertility and lower pregnancy-related complications,12 such as nutritional deficiencies. Adjust the band to your changing nutritional and physical requirements during pregnancy.

The Lap-Band® procedure is covered by most insurance companies. Please check with your insurance company or surgeon to see if it is covered.

Important Lap-Band® System Safety Information

The Lap-Band System is indicated for weight reduction for patients with obesity, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. It is indicated for use only in adult patients who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have this surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

The Lap-Band System is not recommended for non-adult patients (patients under 18 years of age), patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant.

The Lap-Band System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill, or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin, should be used with caution and may contribute to an increased risk of band erosion.

Placement of the Lap-Band System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body. Most common related adverse events include: Band slippage, pouch dilation, stoma obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal dilation, cholelithiasis, incisional infection, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required. Rapid weight loss may result in complications that may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation.

Important: For full safety information please click here or talk with your doctor.
CAUTION: Rx only.

References
  • ASMBS Informed consent forms
  • ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Procedures: Sleeve Gastrectomy. https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures#sleeve
  • Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy | MedlinePlus [Online]. Available: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007435.htm. [Accessed: December 13, 2016].
  • Gastric Bypass Surgery | MedlinePlus [Online]. Available: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007199.htm. [Accessed: December 13, 2016].
  • Robert Michaelson, Diane K. Murphy, Todd M. Gross, and Scott M. Whitcup. LAP-BAND® for Lower BMI: 2-Year Results from the Multicenter Pivotal Study. Obesity (2013) 21:1148–1158.
  • Data on file. ReShape Lifesciences Inc.
  • Ray James, Ray Shahla. Safety, efficacy, and durability of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in a single surgeon U.S. community practice. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.
  • Dixon John, Chapman Leon, O’Brien Paul. Marked Improvement in Asthma After Lap-Band Surgery for Morbid Obesity. Obesity Surgery. 1999.
  • Dixon John, O’Brien Paul. Health Outcomes of Severely Obese Type 2 Diabetic Subjects 1 Year After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. Diabetes Care, Volume 25, Number 2. February 2002.
  • Dixon John, Schachter Linda, O’Brien Paul. Sleep Disturbances and Obesity: Change Following Surgically Induced Weight Loss. Arch Intern Med/Vol 161. Jan 8, 2001.
  • O’Brien, Annemarie Hindle, Leah Brennan, Stewart Skinner, Paul Burton, et al. “Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Weight Loss at 10 or More Years for All Bariatric Procedures and a Single-Centre Review of 20-Year Outcomes After Adjustable Gastric Banding.” Obesity Surgery. The Journal of Metabolic Surgery and Allied Care. Published online: 06 October 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-018-3525-0.
  • Dixon J, et al. Birth Outcomes in Obese Women After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2005.

Lap-Band
1001 Calle Amanecer
San Clemente, CA 92673

1-800-Lap-Band

RESHAPE, RESHAPE LIFESCIENCES, LAP-BAND, the ReShape Lifesciences and the LAP-BAND Logos are trademarks of ReShape Lifesciences, Inc. ©2021-2022 ReShape Lifesciences, Inc. All rights reserved. Powered by Bluewater.