Continued from: The Weight-Loss Surgery: Liposuction.

Who can have Gastric Lap-Band: The extremely obese (those with a BMI of 40 or above who are about 100 pounds overweight).

Those with a BMI between 35 and 40 may be considered if other conditions such as severe sleep apnea or severe diabetes are present.

What Gastric Lap-Band surgery entails: An inflatable band is placed around the top part of the stomach.

Attached to the band is a piece of tubing, which is attached to an access port located just under the skin of the stomach.

Saline or water is injected into the access port, which engorges the band around the stomach, narrowing the opening and allowing less food into the stomach.

What to expect immediately after the Gastric Lap-Band procedure: A liquid diet for several days and then you can eat soft, easily chewable, nutrient-dense foods that are high in protein.

After six weeks, the band is tightened and you can begin eating four to six small meals a day, but you can expect cramping, nausea, or vomiting after eating a large meal, and drinking water before or during a meal can cause bloating, low food intake, or vomiting.

How long it takes to see Gastric Lap-Band results: It takes two to three years to see maximum weight loss. You can expect to lose about 40 to 50 percent of excess weight.

Gastric Lap-Band telltale signs:

• A strange little lump on the abdomen where the access port is anchored in the skin to allow for adjustments.
• Five tiny scars around the abdomen from where the laparoscope was inserted.

Gastric Lap-Band mortality stats: 1 death per 2,000 procedures.