Scientists Explore Lap Band Options - Advantages Over Gastric Bypass

Pros and Cons of the Lap Band

As the public health costs of the obesity epidemic have spiraled ever higher in the United States and other industrialized nations, scientists have been searching for treatments that could help millions of overweight men, women, and children achieve shed excess pounds in a safe, steady, and predictable manner. Everything from new diets to over-the-counter weight loss treatments have been developed in recent years, but nothing has yet been able to significantly reduce the problem on a large scale.

However, if any one procedure can be said to be universally effective as a weight loss tool, bariatric surgery would be it. Although procedures like gastric bypass surgery almost always help the patients who undergo them lose weight, safety concerns and frequent complications remain problematic.

Because of the dire health impacts of obesity, scientists around the world have focused their attention on the task of devising weight loss procedures that are both effective and safe. One of the most popular alternatives that is gaining wider acceptance in the research community is the less-invasive procedure known as ?gastric banding? or ?lap banding.?

This week, we?ll survey several recent studies, explore the pros and cons of the lap band as an alternative to gastric bypass surgery.

Lap Band More Effective Than Low-Calorie Diet

Men and women who were an average of 50 pounds overweight lost more weight after gastric banding than they did on a low-calorie diet. The results of a recent study conducted by scientists at Monash University Medical School in Melbourne, Australia bolstered growing praise for the gastric banding alternative to gastric bypass surgery.

In the study, a sample of 80 overweight men and women were split into two groups. One group was instructed to follow a very strict 500-calorie diet, while the other group underwent gastric banding.

In the first six months, the rate of weight loss between the two groups was roughly equal. But after two years, it was found that the patients in the low-calorie group had regained all of the weight they initially lost. In contrast, the gastric band patients had lost an average of 87% of their excess weight and, for the most part, kept it off. The gastric band group also reported a much higher quality of life than their counterparts in the low-calorie diet group.

Very Obese Patients Fare Better With Lap Band, Study Shows

In a study that compared gastric bypass surgery with lap banding, it was found that morbidly obese individuals typically have much better outcomes with lap banding.

Although the very obese are most in need of weight loss help, many in this group suffer complications in the aftermath of gastric bypass surgery at a disproportionate rate when compared to less-obese patients. Scientists at a commercial bariatric surgery center in Portland, Oregon recently took up the challenge of making weight loss procedures safer for the very obese with a study that compared the long-term outcomes of lap bands and gastric bypass surgery.

According to the results of the study, the lap band procedure was safer for morbidly obese patients in the long-term. Because the procedure is less invasive, there are far fewer complication risks during and after the surgery, an important consideration for morbidly obese individuals.

Although gastric bypass patients lost more weight in the first four years after surgery, the results for 5-year weight loss were statistically similar. This, paired with the drastic reduction of complications associated with the lap band procedure, makes this alternative a viable option for the very obese.

Lap Band Surgery Safe for Overweight Adolescents

Although the trend of obese teenagers seeking out gastric bypass surgery has skyrocketed in recent years, many researchers have expressed concern about the safety of this procedure for younger patients. However, the results of a recent study conducted by scientists at the NYU Medical Center indicates that lap banding procedures have very favorable safety and efficacy ratings among this age group.

Among a group of obese 13- to 17-year-olds, the lap band procedure was equally effective in spurring weight loss. In addition, these patients experienced far fewer complications than did their counterparts who underwent gastric bypass surgery. The scientists concluded that this procedure may be preferable for overweight adolescents.

If you?re considering weight loss surgery, make sure that you consult with a qualified medical professional to help make the right decision. Please check back here each week for more of the research news you need to succeed in your journey to better health!

Low Carb Diets and Weight Loss

In the last few decades, many of the longest lasting diet crazes have been low carb diets. Some of the more popular low carb diet plans include the Atkins and South Beach diets. Many people have successfully used these diets to maintain a healthy weight.

For those that are constantly researching diet plans, you will notice the fact that the low carb diets are still popular even though they have been in the news for some time now. These plans are not a fad that will fade any time soon.

Low-Fat Diet Plans

After decades of education that points to the benefits of low-fat diet plans, Americans are now the fattest people on earth and getting fatter each year. More worryingly, the occurrences of diabetes is also increasing. As a result, it is believed that over 30 million Americans have taken up some sort of low carb diet.

Low carb diets, a common term which means low carbohydrate diets, are diet plans that are designed to promote weight loss while at the same time attempting to reduce the amount of carbohydrates in a diet. The reason many people begin a low carb diet is because the consumption of carbohydrates is linked to obesity and increased insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes. There is not a consensus among nutritionists regarding the effectiveness and safety of a low carb diet, yet many rely on the seemingly strong evidence that lends truth to the claim that a low carb diet can actually promote weight loss.

Are Low-Carb Diet Plans Boring?

A common complaint about these diets, however, is that they are so boring. Many dieters complain that "there's not enough variety," or "it gets so monotonous," or "there's nothing to eat." Fortunately for people who are motivated to keep with their low carbohydrate diet plan in order to meet their goal of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, there are ways to add flavor and diversity to one's weekly menu.

There is no reason that low carb dieting has to be boring. In fact, low carb dieting is not about eating a bland diet of raw vegetables and red meat, but instead it is about enjoying really delicious, really diverse foods.

Add Variety

The low carb diet is now considered as one of the most commonly used plans among dieters. It is therefore no doubt that as many people were drawn to it, many companies have developed services by providing recipes and quick-food choices in super markets designed especially for people committed to these plans. There are a number of ways to make these diet plans more exciting.

In addition, there are many cookbooks that cater to these diet-conscious menu seekers. For example, Cajun Clark, Internet presence and cookbook guru, has released his Sweet & Sassy! cookbook. This is not for the faint of heart, but it is for novice to advanced dessert makers, or anyone who wants to get to someone's heart through their stomach.

The low carbohydrate diet is not just a fad. History has shown it is a way of life, and a smart roadmap toward a healthy lifestyle.

Researchers Review Pros and Cons of Plastic Surgery

Most of us who are in the process of trying to lose weight are looking to improve our appearance and boost our self-confidence. Of course, eating right and working out are the best way to shed excess pounds and shape up, but sometimes, you need a bit of extra help to help the process along.

Many men and women who are dieting or who have already reached the end of their weight loss journey seek out the services of cosmetic surgeons. Skillful plastic surgery can virtually turn back time, helping you return your face and body to the way they looked before age -- and weight -- intervened.

However, despite the popularity of plastic and cosmetic surgery, some recent studies have called into question the safety and effectiveness of some of these procedures. Considering the skyrocketing demand for plastic surgery, researchers around the world are focusing on the issue, attempting to identify problem areas and devise safer surgical techniques. This week, we?ll review the results of several recent studies that have weighed the positive and negative outcomes of plastic surgery.

Plastic Surgery May Help Ease Depression in Some Patients

Many patients who have undergone plastic or cosmetic surgery have attested to these procedures? ability to boost mood, attitude, and self-confidence, but the results of one recent study indicate that these widespread beliefs might actually have scientific credibility. According to the findings of a research project that were presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery conference in San Francisco, some types of plastic surgery may actually help to alleviate mild to moderate depression.

The study analyzed the pre- and post-surgery depression of a sample of 362 patients. Before plastic surgery, 61% of the sample reported taking prescription anti-depressants. However, follow-up data reported that only 32% continued taking the drugs after their plastic surgery. This indicates that the surgery may have decreased the incidence of treatable by depression by as much as half. 98% of the respondent indicated that the procedure had dramatically boosted their self-esteem.

The scientists point out that it would be wrong to infer that the surgery actually ?cured? the patients? depression. However, a combination of factors ? including the sense of proactive control involved in taking steps to address a perceived flaw ? indicates that some sort of causal relationship may exist for some patients.

Women with Breast Implants at Higher Risk for Suicide

Based on the conventional wisdom surrounding breast augmentation, one would think that the boost in self-confidence that comes with the procedure would decrease the risk of suicide among women who had undergone the operation. However, according to the results of a study conducted by scientists at the Canadian Public Health Agency and Cancer Care Ontario, women with breast implants actually stand a greater chance of committing suicide than their counterparts without breast implants.

The scientists studied health data from nearly 25,000 women who had undergone breast implant surgery over a 25-year period. They found that the overall mortality rate of women with breast implants was virtually indistinguishable from the larger group of women as a whole. However, women with breast implants were 73% more likely to commit suicide than women in the general population.

Although the reasons behind this phenomenon are not yet clear, the researchers hypothesized that it may have something to do with the self-esteem and self-confidence issues that prompted the women to seek out breast implants in the first place. They called on the scientific community to research this issue further.

Obese Patients Undergoing Breast Reconstruction Face Unique Risks

When women with breast cancer undergo a mastectomy, some opt for the procedure known as ?breast reconstruction,? which rebuilds the breast mass lost in mastectomy and offers a more natural look. However, the results of a recent study conducted by scientists at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center indicate that this procedure may not be safe for women who are obese or significantly overweight.

Women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35 experienced significantly more complications than their counterparts at normal body weights. For women with BMIs that approached or exceeded 40, nearly 100% of patients experienced some type of post-surgery complication. The authors suggested that some patients may want to lose weight before undergoing breast reconstruction.

If you?re considering plastic surgery, talk to a licensed practitioner to determine the right kind of procedure. Please be sure to check back each week for more of the diet and weight loss news you need.