REALIZE Band Indications and Contraindications
Gastric Banding Indications
According to the National Institutes of Health, you may be a candidate for surgery if you:
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40
OR
- Have a BMI of at least 35 with one or more serious obesity-related conditions
AND meet BOTH of the following criteria
- Have failed more conservative weight loss alternatives
- Are at least 18 years of age
Gastric Banding Contraindications
Situations where the risks are greater than the benefits that would be gained from surgery are contraindications. These include:
- Inflammation of the digestive tract, including ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn’s disease
- Severe heart or lung disease
- Upper digestive tract bleeding conditions due to enlarged or fragile veins
- Portal hypertension
- Abnormal digestive tract anatomy
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Infection of any type, anywhere in your body
- Known allergies to the implant materials
- Using steroids for a long period of time or within 15 days of surgery
- Currently pregnant
- Younger than 18 years of age
- Unwilling to make significant changes in eating and behavior patterns
- Conditions or behaviors that would make it difficult to appropriately follow directions
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