Weight Loss Surgery Proving a Valuable Tool to Combat Rising Obesity Rates

Obesity in adults and children leads to conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. With current obesity rates reaching what the American Center for Disease Control (CDC) calls a widespread epidemic, people are finding that diet & exercise alone are not always enough. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) December 21, 2011 - With North American obesity numbers on the rise, the number of people looking to weight loss surgery for relief is also on the rise. In Canada, nearly one in four residents are considered obese. That number increases to one in three for the American public.

For the past two decades, obesity rates have increased significantly in Canada and the United States. The rate of increase for men was 10 per cent in Canada and 12 per cent in the United States. It was slightly less for women.

The trend shows no signs of easing as a recent study of 34 OECD countries put the United States and Canada in the top 3 countries with the highest childhood obesity rates. In Canada that number is one in four, with an even higher rate in the United States.

For adults as well as children, being overweight or obese can have a devastating effect on their health. Diabetes, heart disease, metabolic disorders, high blood pressure, joint problems, sleep apnea, and other chronic health problems are common conditions related to being severely overweight. Not to mention the tremendous negative emotional and psychological impact of simply carrying a few extra pounds.

It is clear that an active lifestyle combined with a healthy diet is the key to maintaining a healthy body weight. What isn't clear is how a severely overweight or obese person gets to a BMI or Body Mass Index that can be maintained with diet and exercise.

Losing a large amount of weight in the form of excess body fat is a daunting task. With a large majority of this group already experiencing health problems, the chances of success without surgical intervention are low.

A number of surgical interventions are available. Of these, gastric banding or laparoscopic banding has proven to be the best choice with high success rates and a much lower risk of complications. Laparoscopic banding is a minimally invasive operation with a lower rate of operative complications than gastric bypass. It has demonstrated its effectiveness and is proven to be the best and safest choice for most weight loss surgery candidates.

While there are plenty of clinics offering gastric banding surgery throughout North America, a potential candidate should choose their provider wisely. The experience of the surgeons, effectiveness of the program, aftercare and support should all play a role when you're deciding who to trust with your health.
Leaders in the field like Slimband have performed thousands of gastric banding surgeries. They have experienced surgeons as well as the dedicated support staff needed to ensure success. The whole process from assessment to surgery to aftercare and support needs to be seamlessly delivered to ensure the best results. Weight loss surgery leaders like Slimband should be your first choice when considering your weight loss surgery options. The Slimband surgical weight loss clinic has one of the most active gastric banding programs in the world with over 6,000 surgeries performed to date.

The surgery itself involves the placement of a gastric lap band around the top of the stomach in order to reduce the volume of food the stomach can hold. This reduces the amount of food that can be ingested, curbs hunger, and leads to significant weight loss.

Many studies have been conducted that review the effectiveness and safety of weight loss via gastric banding. The results are promising:

- The average gastric banding patient loses 1 - 2 pounds per week consistently

- The average band patient loses about 50 per cent of their excess weight within a year of undergoing the operation

-Lower mortality rate versus gastric bypass surgery
-Reversible - the stomach will return to normal size if the band is removed
-No cutting or stapling of the stomach
-Outpatient procedure
-Fast recovery
-The band can be easily adjusted (filled)
-Fewer complications versus gastric bypass surgery

As with any surgery there are potential complications, though considerably lower incidence as compared to gastric bypass.

-Standard risks associated with outpatient surgery
-Productive burping
-Ulceration
-Gastritis
-Nausea and vomiting
-Gastric band slippage
-Stoma obstruction

John C. of Toronto had a gastric band inserted 3 years ago by Slimband because of high blood pressure and concerns over diabetes. He dropped over 150 pounds and now maintains his weight with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

"Slimband gave me the tools that allowed me to build a future that looks brighter than I ever thought possible. The combination of the Slimband, as well as the nutritional and lifestyle coaching they provided has helped me go from 408 pounds all the way down to 258 pounds, and I've kept it off for 2 years! I don't have any more back or joint pain, and my edema, as well as risk for type 2 diabetes, are things of the past. More than ever I feel confident knowing that this time my past struggles with weight will actually stay in the past."

If you are a potential candidate for weight loss surgery, consider your options carefully when choosing your gastric banding clinic. Your weight loss success and higher quality of life are in their hands.

For further information, please contact the Slimband Clinic of Toronto at 1.800.700.7373, or visit their website at www.slimband.com They are located at 64 Prince Arthur Ave.

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