A study of two popular bariatric surgery procedures—Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric banding—found that both had very good weight loss outcomes at 6 years after surgery. Weight loss was faster, greater and remained “significantly better” six years after gastric bypass compared with patients who received a gastric band, according to the researchers. However, patients with the band lost 65 percent of their excess weight at six years, which is quite a successful outcome. Gastric bypass patients lost on average, 79 percent of their excess weight after six years. The study, published in Archives of Surgery is one of the longest studies in the United States of these two common weight loss procedures, to-date. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Gastric Banding’
Gastric Bypass Surgery Study: Positive Outcomes
Monday, January 30th, 2012Weight Loss Surgery May Help Obese Adolescents
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Childhood obesity is a serious and growing problem. Over the past 30 years, obesity rates among children have tripled. A recent study In the Journal of American Medical Association shows that gastric banding surgery, such as LAP-BAND®, can and have been, more effective than traditional weight loss programs promoting diet and exercise.
The February 10th issue of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) reported that gastric banding may be more effective for achieving weight loss than lifestyle changes1.
The randomized controlled trial conducted by Paul E. O’Brien, M.D, FRACS, and colleagues of Monash University and the Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, included 50 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18, with a BMI higher than 35. Twenty five patients underwent laparoscopic gastric banding, while the remaining 25 entered a program of lifestyle intervention. This program included increased activity level, behavior modification and reduced calorie intake. Participants in both groups were followed for two years. (May 2005-September 2008).
Twenty four of the patients in the surgical group completed the study while 18 in the lifestyle group completed the program.
The study revealed that the gastric banding group lost an average of 76 pounds. This is an overall average loss of 28 percent of total body weight and 79 percent of excess weight. The lifestyle group lost an average of 6.6 pounds or an average of 3.1 percent total weight loss and 13 percent excess weight loss.
“At entry, 9 participants (36 %) in the gastric banding group and 10 (40%) in the lifestyle group had the metabolic syndrome. At 24 months, none of the gastric banding group had the metabolic syndrome compared with 4 of the 18 completers (22%) in the lifestyle group,” the authors noted.
“In this study, gastric banding proved to be an effective intervention leading to a substantial and durable reduction in obesity and to better health. The adolescent and parents must understand the importance of careful adherence to recommended eating behaviors and of seeking early consultation if symptoms of reflux, heartburn, or vomiting occur. As importantly, they should be in a setting in which they can maintain contact with health professionals who understand the process of care. This study indicates that, in such a setting, the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding process can achieve important improvements in weight, health, and quality of life in severely obese adolescents,” the researchers concluded.
You can get more information on weight loss surgery such as gastric banding, gastric bypass or medically supervised weight loss programs by contacting one of our patient advocates today. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping you reach your weight loss goals. Register for a free seminar and see which one of our weight loss programs has proven to be the most effective for weight loss in adolescent patients in Louisiana.
1. O’Brien, Paul E., et al. (2010). Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding in Severely Obese Adolescents. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303(6):519-526.

I have been going to dog-training classes. My dog is not the problem. I am. I can’t seem to be consistent in my approach to Ruby, so in her confusion she misbehaves.
Allergan, makers of the LAP-BAND System are extending their C.H.O.I.C.E. campaign to include a “Live My C.H.O.I.C.E.” LAP-BAND contest. Three winners will be chosen to receive the LAP-BAND, plus 12 months of follow up care. The winners will have access to health educators who will support them during their initial year post surgery. The educators will assist winners in finding local support groups and provide one-on-one counseling via telephone. The winners will also share their weight loss story with others throughout the 12 months to educate, and inspire those struggling with obesity. Obesity is a nationally recognized disease that has serious health related consequences. The LAP-BAND has been proven to help those 80 to 100 pounds overweight to effectively lose weight and keep it off.

Could where you live actually determine how long you live? According to the United Health Foundation, it can! In their annual report, “America’s Health Rankings,” the UHF provides an analysis of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis1.
For those patients who have struggled with weight their whole life, bariatric surgery may seem like the final solution. It’s true that, for the