Bradley Waggoner, MD

FDA Expands Use of Banding System for Weight Loss

The Feb. 16, 2011, approval expands the use of the LAP-BAND to include obese individuals with a BMI of 30 to 34 who also have an existing condition related to their obesity.

The FDA approved the LAP-BAND in 2001 for use in severely obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40, those with a BMI of at least 35 and who also have an existing severe condition related to their obesity, such as heart disease or diabetes, or those who are at least 100 pounds overweight. BMI is a general measure of body fat based on an individual’s weight and height.

“Obesity is a major public health concern in the United States,” said William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director for science at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “A healthy lifestyle and weight loss are keys to improvements in health and a person’s overall quality of life.”

Use of the LAP-BAND in patients with BMIs between 30 and 40 was examined in a U.S. study. Results showed that 80 percent of patients lost at least 30 percent of their excess weight and kept it off for one year. Some patients in the study lost no weight, while others lost more than 80 percent of their extra weight.

In the same study, more than 70 percent of patients experienced an adverse event related to LAP-BAND, most often vomiting and difficulty swallowing. The events ranged from mild to severe but most were mild and resolved quickly.

Seven out of 149 patients needed other procedures after implantation: four to remove the LAP-BAND, two for port revisions, and one to reposition the LAP-BAND.

The LAP-BAND works by limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time and increasing the time it takes for food to be digested, to help people eat less. It is placed around the upper part of the stomach during a surgical procedure. The band creates a small stomach pouch that holds a small amount of food.

The LAP-BAND should not be used in certain people, for example, those who are poor candidates for surgery, have certain stomach or intestinal disorders or an infection, take aspirin frequently, or are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs. It should also not be used in those not able or willing to follow dietary and other recommendations.

Source: Reprinted with editorial adaptations from materials provided by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://opa.yale.edu/health-medicine

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If you are considering weight loss surgery, you owe it to yourself to choose a physician who is not only highly skilled, but caring and compassionate as well. Many physicians out there will treat your obesity. Dr. Waggoner will treat you!

To contact us for more information and/or to reserve your seat for the next free seminar, please click here.

Study Finds Lap-Band Weight Loss Surgery in Very Obese Adults Improves Mental Health

One year after weight loss surgery with laparoscopic gastric banding, extremely obese adults demonstrate not only better physical health but also improved psychological health, a new study shows. The results were presented recently at The Endocrine Society’s 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego.

“Surgical treatment, such as laparoscopic gastric banding, is increasingly recognized as the most effective means of achieving weight loss and improving blood sugar control in morbidly obese patients with Type 2 diabetes,” said study co-author Andrew Johnson, MD, of Southmead Hospital in Bristol, U.K.

“However, until now, the long-term psychological status of morbidly obese individuals undergoing gastric banding has been unclear despite its increasing use,” said Johnson, a consultant physician specializing in diabetes and endocrinology.

Laparoscopic gastric banding, also called the “Lap-Band” procedure, is a minimally invasive weight loss surgery. It involves repeated adjustment of a band to gradually make the stomach smaller and limit food consumption.

Four men and 21 women (ranging in age from 30 to 58 years) participated in the study and had the weight loss surgery. Of these 25 patients, 16 had Type 2 diabetes and nine did not. All had a body mass index (BMI, a measure of body fat) that classified them as morbidly obese.

Participants completed psychological testing before surgery and six and 12 months after surgery. These tests measured general anxiety and depression, quality of life, and social anxiety, that is, anxiety related to what others might think of one’s appearance.

Compared with before surgery, patients’ psychological test scores improved significantly at both six and 12 months after surgery. They had better psychological and physical quality of life, reductions in levels of general anxiety and depression, and reductions in their levels of social anxiety.

As shown in other studies, gastric banding significantly reduced BMI and hemoglobin A1c, a measure of blood sugar control over time.

“These results provide evidence one year after gastric banding that psychological health improves in parallel with physiological health,” Johnson said.

Researchers at the University of the West of England in Bristol also contributed to this study.

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Source: The Endocrine Society. http://www.endo-society.org

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If you are considering weight loss surgery, you owe it to yourself to choose a physician who is not only highly skilled, but caring and compassionate as well. Many physicians out there will treat your obesity. Dr. Waggoner will treat you!

To contact us for more information and/or to reserve your seat for the next free seminar, please click here.

Are You a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

There are so many things to consider when deciding whether or not weight loss surgery is the best option. The following are basic questions to ask yourself:

• What do I expect from undergoing a weight loss surgery procedure such as gastric bypass or Lap-Band® System?
• Have I sufficiently exhausted the traditional weight loss methods of diet and exercise.
• What is my Body Mass Index?
• Am I truly a candidate for weight loss surgery?
• Am I willing to make life-long changes after the surgery to keep the weight off?

The above questions should help to get you going, but as you learn more about your weight loss options, expect to have more questions. The more informed you are regarding weight loss procedures and options, the better prepared you will be when the time comes to make your decision. Keep track of your research and have questions ready to ask your doctor on your next visit.

To learn more about obesity surgery options such as the LAP-BAND System, attend one of our free weight loss surgery seminars. Dr. Bradley Waggoner of Cypress Bariatric & General Surgery hosts free LAP-BAND System Seminars each month from his bariatric clinic in North Houston.

There are so many things to consider when deciding whether or not weight loss surgery is the best option. The following are basic questions to ask yourself:

• What do I expect from undergoing a weight loss surgery procedure such as gastric bypass or Lap-Band® System?
• Have I sufficiently exhausted the traditional weight loss methods of diet and exercise.
• What is my Body Mass Index?
• Am I truly a candidate for weight loss surgery?
• Am I willing to make life-long changes after the surgery to keep the weight off?

The above questions should help to get you going, but as you learn more about your weight loss options, expect to have more questions. The more informed you are regarding weight loss procedures and options, the better prepared you will be when the time comes to make your decision. Keep track of your research and have questions ready to ask your doctor on your next visit.

To learn more about obesity surgery options such as the LAP-BAND System, attend one of our free weight loss surgery seminars. Dr. Bradley Waggoner of Cypress Bariatric & General Surgery hosts free LAP-BAND System Seminars each month from his bariatric clinic in North Houston.

2011 Schedule Set for Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminars in Houston Area

 

"It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not."
~ Anonymous

 

Meet Dr. Waggoner And Learn More About
Your Weight Loss Surgery Options!

Houston Area: If you've been thinking about bettering your health and life-expectancy by having a surgical weight loss procedure, then we encourage you to attend our free weight loss surgery seminar.

Dr. Bradley Waggoner will host these seminars and will be on hand to answer all of your questions as they pertain to your weight loss surgery options such as Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass Surgery or LAP Band System Surgery.

Below are the Weight Loss Surgery Seminar dates for 2011. The seminars will be held at North Cypress Medical Center Hospital* in the Houston, Texas area.

Dr. Bradley Waggoner's Free Seminar Schedule Please Call 281-640-8373 to Reserve Your Space
January 2011
January 18	NCMC	6:00 pm
February 2011
February 12	NCMC	10:00 am
March 2011
March 1	NCMC	6:00 pm
April 2011
April 16	NCMC	10:00 am
May 2011
May 3	NCMC	6:00 pm
June 2011
June 7	NCMC	6:00 pm
July 2011
July 9	NCMC	10:00 am
August 2011
August 2	NCMC	6:00 pm
September 2011
September 10	NCMC	10:00 am
October 2011
October 4	NCMC	6:00 pm
November 2011
November 17	NCMC	6:00 pm
December 2011
December 20	NCMC	6:00 pm

Weight Loss Surgery Seminar Location:
North Cypress Medical Center Hospital
21214 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429

For more information, directions, and/or to reserve your seat, please contact us.

Updated Spring/Summer '09 Schedule For Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminars

Meet Dr. Waggoner And Learn More About
Your Weight Loss Surgery Options!

"Success is not a doorway, it's a staircase."
~Dottie Walters

Houston Area: If you've been thinking about bettering your health and life-expectancy by having a surgical weight loss procedure, then we encourage you to attend our free weight loss surgery seminar.

Dr. Bradley Waggoner will host these seminars and will be on hand to answer all of your questions.

The following are the Weight Loss Surgery Seminar dates for May through June 2009:

May
May 30 @ 10:00 am

June
June 13 @ 10:00 am
June 30 @ 6:00 pm 

The seminars will be held at North Cypress Medical Center located just off Highway 290 in the northwest area of Houston.

For more information, directions, and/or to reserve your seat, please contact us.

Addressing Post-Operation Questions Concerning LAP-BAND System Surgery

In our last post, we addressed questions you may have regarding pre-operative procedures leading to LAP-BAND System Surgery. We invited you to come to our ongoing drop-in seminars that feature post-op patients who attend to share their experiences with you. Dr. Bradley Waggoner is also on hand at each seminar to address surgery specific questions. These seminars are held monthly. For the schedule, location, and contact information, click here.

Today, we will discuss questions you may be having regarding what to expect after your LAP-Band surgery:

Post-Operative Research
Approved by the FDA in June 2001, LAP-BAND System surgery is the safest, least invasive and only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. One of the questions foremost in your mind after the safety issue (of which you can read more about here and even view a short video), is the amount of weight loss you can anticipate losing with Lap-Band surgery.

The Weight Loss Question
Of course, weight loss results will vary and the pounds won't come off by themselves. A weight loss of 2-3 pounds a week in the first year after the surgery is possible, but one pound a week is more likely. Remember, that you should loose weight loss gradually to prevent health problems and to reduce the possibility of having the dreaded saggy skin folds.

The main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems (like diabetes, for example) connected with severe obesity.

Other Questions
Additional questions like, will I be sick a lot after the operation, recovery time and more are covered in this FAQ.

Questions? Let us be of service to you. Contact us or give us a call at 281.640.8373 if in Houston, or dial toll free at 866.938.5677.

Pre-Operative LAP-BAND System Surgery Questions

Of course you have a lot of questions regarding LAP-BAND System Surgery. So, let's start at the beginning.

Pre-Operative Research
First, we want to make sure that you are a LAP-BAND candidate. See this blog posting, "Do You Qualify for Lap-Band Surgery?" to begin your research.

Next, if in the Houston area, you are invited to attend a free seminar on LAP-BAND System Surgery hosted by Dr. Bradley Waggoner. To find out why patients feel so comfortable in choosing Dr. Waggoner to perform their Lap-Band Surgery, see this link. The free LAP-BAND seminars are ongoing and can be attended at any time.

During the seminars, you'll have the opportunity to meet patients who will share their LAP-BAND System surgery experience, have your questions answered and gain encouragement. The seminar schedule is continuously updated for each month's meeting place and time and can be viewed on this blog and on Dr. Waggoner's website.

Stay-tuned for the next installation of this blog where we will discuss any post-operative questions you may have. Until then, feel free to contact us at any time to learn more about lap-band surgery or to schedule a personal appointment with Dr. Waggoner.

Compare Lap-Band System Surgery and Gastric Bypass Surgery

There are multiple options when it comes to choosing a weight loss surgery plan. We want you to be as informed as possible, and to start you on this journey, the below¹ is a very basic outline of advantages on two of the most successful types of weight loss surgeries available.

But before we get started, we advise that you also conduct an interview with your doctor to make sure the plan you choose will fit-in with any pre-existing medical conditions you may have.

Dr. Bradley Waggoner is a very experienced advanced laparoscopic surgeon who is now focusing the majority of his practice toward laparoscopic bariatric surgery, of which include both of the procedures we will be outlining today. If you'd like to set-up an appointment to further discuss your weight loss surgical options, please contact us, or attend one of our free weight loss surgery seminars.

LAP-BAND® System

• Lowest mortality rate
• Least invasive surgical approach
• No stomach stapling or cutting, or intestinal re-routing
• Adjustable
• Reversible
• Lowest operative complication rate
• Low malnutrition risk

Gastric Bypass Surgery

• Rapid initial weight loss
• Minimally invasive approach is common
• Longer clinical experience in the U.S.
• Slightly higher total average weight loss reported than with purely restrictive procedures

The above comparison shows some of the advantages of these two weight loss surgeries. To learn more about Lap-Band System Surgery click here, and to learn more about Gastric Bypass Surgery, click here.

To learn more about the differences between a lap-band procedure and a gastric bypass procedure, click here.

¹Source: LAP-BAND System/Allergan, Inc.

What is Lap-Band System Surgery?

Approved by the FDA in June 2001, LAP-BAND System is the safest, least invasive and only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed.Since its clinical introduction in 1993, over 200,000 LAP-BAND procedures have been performed around the world.

"Lap-Band System" is the brand name of the FDA-approved, adjustable gastric band used in the procedure. A Lap-Band is a silicone belt that goes around the top of the stomach. This results in the ability to control your hunger and achieve a "feeling of fullness," or satiety. Ultimately, you eat much less and should feel full sooner.

A key component of the Lap-Band System is its adjustability. The band is connected to a port, which enables the device to be inflated over time to expedite the weight loss.

To learn more about Lap-Band System Surgery please click here.

Did You Know?
We want you to have the FAQs about your weight loss surgery options! Attend one of our free weight loss surgery seminars this summer. Dr. Bradley Waggoner, Bariatric Surgeon, will be hosting these free seminars discussing medical weight loss options on June 3, and June 28. Call us for more information and to reserve your seat.

If you cannot make one of the June seminars, more weight loss surgery seminars will be scheduled throughout the summer. Check back here often to learn more.

Beat The Heat and Attend Dr. Bradley Waggoner's Free Seminar on Weight Loss Surgery This Summer!

We don't need to tell you how hot the long summer days can be in the south! And if you've been carrying excessive weight, the humidity can become quite unbearable and even quite possibly a hazard to your health. So, if you think you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery and have been waiting for the right moment to talk to a weight loss surgeon, we have the perfect solution for you!

Dr. Bradley Waggoner will be on hand throughout the summer months hosting free weight loss surgery seminars. Among your options to consider is Lap-Band System Surgery which will be a topic of discussion you won't want to miss. You'll be in good company along with fellow candidates who might ask questions you may not have thought to mention.

The first of the seminars will be held on June 3rd at 6:00PM followed by a second seminar on June 28 at 10:00AM. Both weight loss surgery seminars will be located at North Cypress Medical Center in northwest Houston. Click on the below address which will forward you to contact information for reserving a seat, along with driving directions.

North Cypress Medical Center
21214 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429

Additional seminars will be hosted throughout the summer. Stay tuned for additional dates. We look forward to seeing you soon!