Surgical Weight Loss
	By Dr. Chris Cobourn MD, FRCSC, General & Bariatric Surgeon www.obesitysurgery.ca View The Plastic Surgery Clinic's profile

  Weight loss. One of the hottest topics of our decade. Half of Canadians are overweight, and those carrying extra pounds are prone to a host of problems including high blood pressure and cholesterol, arthritis and joint problems, coronary artery disease, gallbladder problems, breathing difficulties, cancer and diabetes. It comes as no surprise that obesity is the latest leading cause of death. Even a slight reduction in weight can make a big difference when it comes to overall health.

  Those that want to lose weight and improve their lifestyle can turn to a new technique - Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (Gastric Banding). This is a safe and effective procedure that works strictly by reducing food intake, with a goal of losing two to three pounds a week.

  During the procedure, an adjustable band is placed through a simple laparoscopic procedure around the upper stomach, creating a small partition of the patient’s stomach. This reduces how much the stomach can hold, causes the person to feel full quickly and slows the flow of food into the remaining stomach. Food empties into the lower stomach at a controlled rate, maintaining the feeling of fullness longer. The band is attached to
tubing that connects to a port that is implanted under the skin on the abdominal wall. The size of the band can easily be adjusted to suit a patient’s needs. For instance, if weight loss is not adequate, fluid can be added through the port via a needle, and the band tightens, further curbing the transit of food.

  As weight problems are often linked to overeating, this one hour procedure offers a steady but sustained weight loss for many, along with a quick recovery. Most gastric banding patients lose between half and two-thirds of their excess weight over 12 to 24 months following surgery. The gastric band can remain in place for life, so the weight loss can be sustained. The procedure can also be reversed where the device is removed and the stomach returns to its normal shape and function.

  Gastric banding surgery has fewer short and long term problems when compared to stomach stapling (Gastric Bypass). The adjustable nature of the band and the lack of malabsorption of nutrients make it the ideal surgical weight loss solution for appropriate patients. Gastric banding is recommended for people with morbid obesity and only during a consultation with a bariatric surgeon can you find out if you qualify for the procedure

Surgical Weight Loss / Laparoscopic Band clinics in Canada:
> The Surgical Weight Loss Clinic