For years, weight loss surgery has been reserved mostly for the morbidly obese. That included people who weighed a hundred pounds or more than they should.
Now, the FDA has made a change that will open up the operation to people with a lot less weight to lose.

FDA lowered the weight standards for surgery, making the lap band procedure more accessible to people.

Morbidly obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 qualify, or 35 if there’s another health indication like diabetes or high blood pressure. The new guidelines lowered the threshold to a BMI of 30 when there are other health problems. But the requirement is still 40 for otherwise healthy people.

Lap band is considered the least invasive form of weight loss surgery. The operation itself takes 30 minutes to an hour. But the effect can be life-changing.
Advocates say the lap band helps not only with obesity. It also reduces the risk of joint problems, hypertension, even cancer. Still, bariatric surgeons say it should be the option of last resort.

Those opposed to the idea said it would make weight loss surgery too accessible, and discourage patients from trying less expensive options like diet and exercise first.
An estimated 26 million patients who previously did not qualify for surgery may now choose the lap band as a tool for major weight loss.

Read more: http://www.kens5.com/news/Less-obese-people-now-qualify-for-lap-band-surgery-116672169.html