Breakthrough LAP-BAND Technology

 It seems that every day, we hear reports of something new to help us lose weight. We are inundated with new pills and/or some new diet. Even with all that is available to help us control our weight more and more people are becoming seriously over weight.

 According to the Surgeon General's recent "call to action" obesity has reached nationwide epidemic proportions. In 1999, an estimated 61 percent of U.S. adults were overweight., along with 13 percent of children and adolescents. Obesity among adults has doubled since 1980, while the number of overweight adolescents has tripled. Increases in obesity are associated with dramatic increases of health conditions. Obesity can be a degenerative and debilitating disease. The National Institute of Health reports that obesity substantially increases the risk of morbidity (diseases) and mortality (death) from Diabetes (type 2), breathing difficulties (i.e. asthma), heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, cancer, and joint problems. In addition, a recent study reported that obesity causes more harmful effects on health than either smoking or problem drinking.

 Seriously overweight patients who have never been able to keep pounds off with diet pills, exercise, or other weight loss programs now have a minimally invasive surgery option that significantly reduces food intake. Compared to more conventional surgeries that involve stomach stapling intestinal rerouting, this minimally invasive approach results in fewer complications and shortened hospitalization and recovery.

 The BioEnterics LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System (INAMED Health, Santa Barbara, CA) is the newest surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, thereby restricting the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. Studies have shown that many of the above mentioned health conditions improve as patients with the LAP-BAND System lose their excess weight.

 Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. Since there is no cutting, stapling or stomach rerouting involved in the LAP-BAND System procedure it is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries. The surgeon uses long, slender instruments to implant the device. By avoiding the large incision of open surgery, patients generally experience less pain and scarring. In addition, the hospital stay is shortened to less than 24 hours. Patients can typically resume normal activities within 1 week, which is quicker than with other surgical alternatives.

 Because no permanent changes are made to the body's physiology, the procedure can essentially be reversed. If necessary, all of the system components can be removed from the body with no damage to the digestive organs. The stomach will generally return to its original form and capacity once the band is removed.

 To date, more than 95,000 patients worldwide have undergone the LAP-BAND System procedure. Since the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the LAP-BAND System in June 2001, interest in and use of the LAP-BAND System have been rapidly growing in the U.S. In line with its FDA approved guidelines for indications, the LAP-BAND System is intended for people who are morbidly obese–those who are at least 100 pounds overweight or who are at least twice their ideal body weight. The term "morbidly" describes the fact that individuals who carry this much excess weight face an increased risk of developing a number of serious health conditions.