Posts Tagged ‘Ethicon Realize band’
Monday, May 11th, 2009
The U.S Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality recently reported a 21% decline in obesity surgery related complications between 2001 and 2006. This was despite the fact that more older and more sick patients were electing to have surgery compared to previous years. Insurance companies also paid less to hospitals, 13%, because of the decrease in the number of complications. Hopefully, this report will lead to more insurance companies offering obesity surgery as a benefit for their patients and increasing the access of patients to these life-changing procedures.
The reasons for the decrease in complications were:
- increased use of laparoscopy and minimally invasive surgical techniques
- increased number of gastric band procedures
- decreased number of gastric bypass procedures
- increased surgeon experience
For more info, go to
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/04/29/hscout626473.html
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Add new tag, Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support |
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
The recent appearance of actress Kirstie Alley on Oprah underscores the biggest problem with conventional weight loss programs like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. Even the few who are disciplined enough to strictly adhere to the program and lose a large percentage of their excess body weight, typically gain it back within the first several years. If your BMI is more than 35, the failure rate of nonsurgical weight loss programs is 95%. Ask yourself how many have you failed? ALL of our patients have tried these diet programs multiple times prior to deciding to have a surgical weight loss procedure and our program performed over 1,400 new procedures last year alone.
It’s newsworthy when a paid celebrity weight loss spokesperson like Kirstie Alley or Oprah regain their weight because it emphasizes just how difficult it is in our society to lose weight and keep it off, even if you are being paid to do it. The reason those who undergo surgery experience much more success is because weight loss procedures create literal “restriction” that limit calorie intake and control hunger. It’s a lifestyle change that one makes for the long haul, not a temporary change in eating habits. Such temporary changes only lead to temporary results, if at all.
To learn more, call our office at 702-384-8446 and reserve a spot at one of our free educational seminars.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Friday, April 24th, 2009
We are happy to announce that we have resumed the psychological support group and the first meeting was last night at 6:30 p.m. This is open to both new and veteran patients who have had gastric band, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve. Rachael Handley our new psychologist is moderating the groups and our first meeting was quite successful. Patients struggling with emotional and stress eating are most likely to benefit from this support group. Look for updated info about Rachael and our new nutritionist, Prudence, as we continue to update our website. The addition of Rachael and Prudence to our program team will be beneficial to all our patients in their weight loss and weight maintenance phases. Welcome Rachael and Prudence!
If you are interested in attending a support group, call the office at 313-8446 for meeting dates and times.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support |
Monday, April 20th, 2009
The recent news about United Airlines charging obese travelers for an extra seat reminds me of some of the “milestones” our patients reach on their weight loss journeys. Here are some that frequently come up in support group:
- Not needing to use the seat belt extension on the airplane
- Being able to sit in a booth at a restaurant instead of waiting for a table
- Being able to go on a ride at Disneyland that you couldn’t before
- Crossing your legs when sitting on the couch
- Seeing your shoes when standing up
- Weighing what it says on your driver’s license
What’s your favorite “milestone?” Send some in for others to enjoy.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
Hey everyone, check out our YouTube videos under the patient success stories section of the website and also at our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LVGBIpatients. These videos highlight a few of our many patients sharing their inspirational stories. Follow the link and click on the yellow subscribe button to become a member and you will receive automatic alerts when we upload a new video and instant connection with other Gastric Band Institute patients. If you’re interested in being featured in an upcoming YouTube video, please contact Melissa at: Melissa@bandandbypass.com.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Patients frequently ask me “Why do I have to eat so slow?” I think it helps to understand why patients who have had the band, bypass or the sleeve need to eat much slower than they did before surgery. The major component of weight loss with all three procedures is restriction, or limiting the capacity of the new pouch or stomach to hold food. Eating slow small bites allows the new surgical pouch to fill up with pieces of food in an orderly fashion. This also gives time for the brain to recognize the stretch on the stomach pouch so that the patient can recognize when they should stop eating which would be BEFORE discomfort sets in. Those who eat too fast fill the pouch in a random fashion and the pieces of food are then more likely to obstruct the outlet and cause vomiting. Also, those that eat too fast may miss the signal from the brain telling them the pouch is full and to stop eating. Eating meals should take 20-30 minutes. This is especially important for band patients because how tight we can make the band is dependent on how well the patient can eat properly and not get food stuck. If you are frequently getting food stuck, that’s as tight as we can make the band or we may even have to take some fluid out. If patients learn to eat slower and never get food stuck, then we are able to make the band a little tighter.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Friday, February 6th, 2009
A common question we hear from patients considering gastric band surgery is which band they should choose, the Allergan Lap Band or the Ethicon Realize Band. In my opinion, the difference between the two is minimal since the weight loss results, complications, and adjustments are fairly identical. There are some subtle differences in design and placement technique between the bands, but for the most part, we could place either band safely in any patient.
Most patients are familiar with the Lap Band as it has been FDA approved for placement in the U.S. for about 6 years now. The Realize Band, although available in Europe for over 10 years, was recently approved by the FDA last year. Dr. Atkinson and I are certified to place either band. Typically, our physician assistants, Brian and Melissa, will discuss with patients both bands in the pre-operation meeting and before surgery the patient will tell us if they have a preference. About 90% of patients don’t have a preference and leave it up to Dr. Atkinson or myself to decide at the time of surgery which one we think would be the most appropriate for the individual patient. Success or failure is not related to the brand of the band. It is directly related to the patient’s commitment to the lifestyle changes that we strongly encourage during the pre-op classes.
–Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, las vegas, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Realize Band |
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