Scientists Explore Lap Band Option?s 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!

Scientists Take a Closer Look at the Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

For men and women who are fed up with what can seem like a never-ending struggle to lose weight, bariatric surgery has become an increasingly popular option. Over the last decade, the number of people electing surgical options for weight loss has skyrocketed. In 2007, an estimated 170,000 people underwent weight loss surgery in the United States alone.

There is a strong consensus among the medical establishment that obesity is a very clear risk to the public?s overall health. Furthermore, traditional methods of weight loss, such as diet changes and exercise regimens, appear to be unable to turn the tide of obesity for millions of overweight men and women.

However, despite the growing popularity of weight loss surgery, there are also a number of significant risks associated with these procedures. Taking the health risks of obesity into consideration, many doctors advise that the dangers inherent in any major surgery still outweigh the long-term health risks of being significantly overweight.

Still, scientists around the world are engaged in ongoing studies that are seeking to highlight and eliminate the risks associated with weight loss surgery. This week, we?ll review the results of several recent studies that have focused on possible dangers associated with these procedures.

Many Doctors Do Not Fully Understand the Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

The media has been diligent in reporting the potential dangers of gastric bypass surgery and other weight loss procedures, and the scientific and scholarly presses have also released a substantial amount of information on the subject. However, according to the results of a recent study conducted by the Duke University Weight Loss Surgery Center, a sizable number of physicians do not have a clear grasp of the magnitude of the risks that are associated with these procedures.

The impact of this lack of understanding has several consequences, according to the researchers who conducted the study. Some physicians who don?t fully understand the process of weight loss surgery may be reluctant to recommend it as an option to their overweight patients. This could deprive many obese men and women with their best opportunity to lose weight.

On the other hand, other doctors who don?t fully understand the risks of weight loss surgery may recommend it to patients for whom the procedure is overly dangerous. The authors of the study asserted that this problem may account for some of the complications that patients suffer after undergoing weight loss surgery.

Based on these findings, the authors of the study recommended that candidates for weight loss surgery visit an accredited, full-service center for comprehensive screening before electing to undergo a procedure. This approach has the best chance of eliminating risk factors and screening out high-risk patients.

Suicide and Heart Disease are Major Risk Factors for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh recently undertook a study designed to assess the post-surgery death rates of patients who had undergone weight loss surgery. According to their analysis, weight loss surgery patients have a risk of death that is much higher than that of the general population.

In addition, it was found that weight loss surgery patients stood particularly high risk of dying as a result of suicide and coronary heart disease. Although the factors that cause suicide are complex, the researchers asserted that this statistic underscores the importance of psychological screening for weight loss surgery candidates.

Heart disease was the leading cause of death for weight loss surgery patients, with 20% of the sample studied succumbing to coronary heart disease. The authors underscored the importance of adhering to a heart-healthy diet in the post-surgery period, even after desired levels of weight loss have been achieved.

New Study Stresses Importance of Psychological Assessment of Candidates for Weight Loss Surgery

A team of researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University recently assessed the psychological implications of weight loss surgery. According to the researchers, the stress of major surgery and recovery, paired with the confusion and conflicting feelings that can be incited through rapid weight loss, can pose the threat of severe emotional damage to patients who undergo the procedures.

Based on a review of hospital records, the research team found that as many as 20% of all patients who underwent weight loss surgery were not adequately screened by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists prior to the procedure. The team suggested the implementation of more thorough screening protocols in the future, with particular emphasis on identifying eating disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, emotional or binge eating, or a history of noncompliance with medical directives.

If you?re considering weight loss surgery, talk to a qualified expert in the field to determine if this is the right approach for you. Please check back each week for more of the diet and weight loss news you need!

Researchers Explore New Horizons in Weight Loss Surgery

The world is facing a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions. Millions of overweight and obese men, women, and children are suffering as a result of less-than-healthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. Scores of debilitating diseases and health conditions are worsened by the stress that excess weight can place on the body.

Although the health risks associated with obesity are now well-known, for many people, the prospect of shedding excess pounds can feel like an uphill battle. Often, the challenge of carrying out a complete makeover one?s eating habits and lifestyle can be overwhelming.

As a result of this conundrum, surgical procedures designed to help people lose weight have skyrocketed in popularity over the last several decades. Once rare, these procedures are now performed over 200,000 times each year in the United States alone. Although results vary depending on the patient and the procedure, a significant number of the individuals who undergo weight loss surgery experience health improvements as a result.

Still, the rising popularity of weight loss surgery has also attracted some controversy. One frequently cited concern is the relatively high risk of problems and complications that have been linked to traditional weight loss surgery techniques.

To help overcome this dilemma, some researchers have begun focusing on developing new weight loss surgery procedures that are safer and carry fewer risks of complication. This week, we?ll review the results of several recent studies that have described and assessed new weight loss surgery techniques.

Researchers Create Non-Invasive Approach to Secondary Weight Loss Surgery

In an effort to reduce the relatively high risks of morbidity and even mortality that have been linked to traditional methods of weight loss surgery, researchers are working to develop new techniques that bear less potential for complications. A new technique devised by researchers at the Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, New York may represent the leading edge in this type of work ? the team?s weight loss-inducing procedure is completely non-invasive.

There?s just one catch: the new technique, known as StomaphyX, is only effective on patients who have previously undergone traditional gastric bypass surgery. In some cases, patients who have already had surgery for weight loss continue to gain weight when, over a period of time, their surgically-shrunken pouches begin to return to normal size. When this occurs, surgeons can use StomaphyX to help resize the pouch and limit stomach capacity.

In the preliminary study, the new technique was used successfully to resize the gastric pouches of five patients. At press time, no negative effects had been observed. While more research will be needed to definitely determine the safety of the procedure, it may well prove to be a significantly safer alternative to a second or third round of invasive gastric bypass surgery.

Ulcer Treatment Procedure May Provide Safer Alternative to Gastric Bypass Surgery

A minimally-invasive procedure that has been used to treat ulcers for decades is now being considered as a way to help patients lose weight without incurring the high risks of complications associated with gastric bypass surgery.

The procedure involves the removal of part of the tissue known the vagus nerve in the esophagus. In preliminary testing, this has been shown to result in safe, rapid weight loss with few or no side effects. The first study showed that overweight patients were able to lose an average of 18.4 percent of their excess body weight in the first six months after the procedure was performed.

Although the procedure has been used as an ulcer treatment for many years, it was not considered as a viable weight loss procedure until recently, when the public health threat associated with growing rates of obesity and overweight began to be more widespread. The results of the study assessing the promise of this procedure as a tool for weight management were presented in a session at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Mesh May Help Prevent Hernias for Gastric Bypass Patients

Post-surgery hernias are one of the most common ? and potentially dangerous ? complications faced by patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery. However, the results of a new study conducted by researchers at the Department of General and Transplant Surgery at Barlicki Hospital in Lodz, Poland suggest that the strategic use of mesh may help circumvent this problem.

In a study that compared 34 patients in whom surgical mesh was used to close incisions with 36 in whom standard sutures were used, the patients whose wounds were closed with mesh clearly benefited. While eight of the patients with standard sutures developed hernias, none of the patients in the mesh group followed suit. More testing will be needed before the procedure is widely accepted as common practice in the field, but this new technique may significantly increase the overall safety of gastric bypass surgery.

If you?re considering gastric bypass surgery, consult with a specialist to determine if one of these less-invasive procedures may be right for you. Don?t forget to check back each week for more of the weight loss research news you need to succeed!

Researchers Assess Risks, Complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Perhaps no single other medical advance holds as much promise for turning back the tide of the obesity epidemic than gastric bypass surgery. Over the last several years, thousands of obese men and women have turned to this surgical procedure as a means of regaining control over their weight and health. However, despite the fact that gastric bypass surgery is clearly an effective means of losing weight, the safety of the surgery remains in doubt.

In the procedure, surgical changes are made that reduce the size of the stomach and disconnect part of the small intestine. As a result, the capacity of the stomach is significantly decreased, and the patient is forced to implement radical changes in their eating habits. Post-surgery weight losses of more than 100 pounds are not uncommon.

Still, scientists remain split over whether gastric bypass surgery represents a safe alternative to traditional approaches to weight loss, such as diets and exercise. Over the last few years, many conflicting reports on possible complications of gastric bypass surgery have led to further confusion.

This week, we'll dive into the controversy surrounding gastric bypass surgery with a review of several recent studies that have sought to assess the safety and success of the procedure.

Some Gastric Bypass Patients Suffer from Malnutrition, Study Shows

Part of the standard procedure for gastric bypass surgery results in a "rerouting" of the patient's digestive system. Stomach capacity is decreased, and part of the small intestine is closed off, resulting in the "bypass" that lends the procedure its name.

However, concerns are now surfacing that this bypass procedure may be limiting the ability of patients who undergo the procedure to absorb essential nutrients.

Scientists from the Washington Hospital Center recently presented data at a conference indicating that post-surgical bacteria growth in the small intestines could block the body's ability to process, digest, and absorb vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the food that has been consumed. The chief concerned mentioned by the scientists was the possibility of calcium deficiencies, caused when alterations in the patient's intestinal bacteria disrupted nutrient absorption.

The team reported that this risk could be averted by adapting surgical techniques. The scientists also called for more standardization in the procedures that are used when performing gastric bypass surgeries.

Extremely Obese Patients May Be at Greater Risk for Complications after Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to help morbidly obese individuals lose weight and improve their overall health. However, according to the results of a recent study, patients who weigh more than 450 pounds may be at particular risk for post-surgery complications and problems.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Medicine, found that post-surgery complications often went undiagnosed in extremely obese patients, increasing their seriousness and impact. In part, it was found that standard diagnostic and imaging equipment is often ineffective for use on extremely obese individuals. Physicians who used standard equipment to perform post-surgery check-ups on extremely obese patients often missed signs of potential problems.

The researchers urged the use of appropriate equipment in order to improve post-surgery care for extremely obese patients. They also cautioned that extremely obese individuals who may be considering gastric bypass surgery should take these additional risks under advisement.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Could Increase Risk for Brain Disorders, Research Shows

A study conducted by scientists at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences indicates that gastric bypass surgery patients may be at higher risk for a number of neurological symptoms and disorders, including confusion, audio and visual hallucinations, optic neuropathy, weakness, pain, and loss of sensation in the legs and feet, among others.

Although the exact source of these neurological symptoms remains unclear, the scientists theorized that they could be the result of key vitamin deficiencies that result after gastric bypass surgery. All of the patients who experienced troubling neurological symptoms also had nutritional abnormalities, including low levels of copper, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium in their bloodstream.

The doctors urged a focus on the post-surgery nutrition of gastric bypass surgery patients. They also urged educational efforts to inform patients to keep aware of neurological symptoms.

If you or a loved one is considering gastric bypass surgery, talk to your doctor to find out if this procedure is the right option. Please check back each week for more breaking diet and weight loss research news.

Gastric Bypass Surgery: Is it Safe?

The United States -- and, increasingly, many other developed nations -- is in the throes of a serious obesity epidemic. More people are overweight and obese than at any other time in history, and obesity-related health care problems have begun exacting a significant toll.

As the obesity rate has skyrocketed, some have begun taking extreme measures to regain a svelte shape. One of the most drastic methods of fighting obesity is gastric bypass surgery. Typically reserved only for the severely overweight, this procedure drastically reduces the capacity of the stomach.

As such, the amount of food that can be eaten at any one time is significantly limited. Some patients also develop sensitivity to certain types of food, resulting in severe gastric distress if consumed. Taken together, these two factors lead to rapid weight loss in the months following the surgery.

Clearly, gastric bypass surgery is an effective means of losing weight. However, the procedure has been at the center of an intense debate, prompting many critics to call its safety into question.

The controversy surrounding gastric bypass surgery has fostered a great deal of research interest in recent years. This week, we?ll review some of the most significant breakthroughs achieved by research teams around the world.

Larger Hospitals Mean Fewer Complications for Gastric Bypass Surgery Patients

One of the most controversial aspects of gastric bypass surgery has been the relatively high rate of post-surgery complications associated with the procedure. Compared to many other types of surgeries, the risk of serious illness, injury, and, in rare cases, even death after gastric bypass surgery is fairly high, ranging from 7% to 15%, depending on the type of procedure that has been performed.

Several prominent research teams have sought to identify factors that could contribute to the risk of complications following gastric bypass surgery. One recent study, conducted by independent medical assessment firm HealthGrades, focused on identifying the types of medical facilities that posed the greatest risk of post-surgical complications for patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery.

According to the team?s findings, the lowest risk of complications was associated with high-volume hospitals that were not only large in capacity, but also served the greatest number of patients. They also found that hospitals with more experience in performing gastric bypass surgeries tended to pose the lowest risk of complications for patients undergoing the procedure.

New Technique Discovered to be Effective in Treating a Common Complication of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Although there are many potential complications that have been associated with gastric bypass surgery, one of the most common problems is the post-surgery development of gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures. This common complication occurs when the opening between the newly-formed gastric pouch and the small intestines narrows.

A team of scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri determined that gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures can be safely and effectively treated using a method known as endoscopic balloon dilation. In this method, physicians use a balloon-like device to gently widen the narrowed gastric bypass.

Among patients who experienced the complication, 79% were successfully treated with one round of endoscopic balloon dilation. A small number more required two treatments. Furthermore, among patients who underwent the intervention, weight loss in the year after surgery was not slowed. According to the research team, this could represent a major breakthrough in the safety of gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Reduces Severity of Adult-Onset Diabetes

The prevalence of Type II diabetes has skyrocketed over the last several decades, a trend which many researchers link to the obesity epidemic that is overtaking the United States and many other developed nations.

Although gastric bypass surgery?s primary purpose is to help severely overweight patients shed pounds, researchers have also found that the procedure can have other positive health impacts, as well. A recent study conducted by scientists at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle found that patients with diabetes were able to reduce or even stop their prescription drug regimen after undergoing surgery and losing excess weight.

Some physicians and scientists have begun to explore the possibility of suggesting gastric bypass surgery for non-morbidly obese patients with diabetes. While further study is necessary to determine the efficacy of this approach, preliminary findings indicate that the procedure can drastically reduce the severity of many diabetes-related symptoms and health problems.

If you?re considering gastric bypass surgery, be sure to consult with a licensed medical professional who can help you assess all of your options. Check back each week for the breaking research news that can help you achieve success in your weight loss journey!