Obesity Surgery Becomes Option for More People

When you think of weight-loss surgery, what comes to mind? You probably think that it’s an extreme option for the severely overweight or obese, which is essentially what it was. Until now. This story was covered by Andrew Pollack of The New York Times.

Following a request by the pharmaceutical company Allergan to significantly lower the qualifications necessary for weight-loss surgery, using the company’s Lap-Band device, a panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers recommended a broader use of the lap-band system to combat the nation's obesity problem.

This means that the number of Americans eligible for the Lap-Band operation could easily double, according to the article. This translates into more sales for Allergan and more insurance coverage for the operations.

Many people have had success with the Lap-Band surgery, but it is still important to consider potential side effects and failed operations. Long-term weight reduction is also difficult to maintain. Since more people would qualify for the surgery, it would be necessary to make sure the procedure is as safe and effective as possible.

A final decision regarding this recommendation will be made within the next few months. If the proposal does pass, it would be surprising considering weight-loss drugs continue to fail to meet FDA criteria. “It would be kind of ironic if people have access to surgery and not medical therapies, where they can go from Weight Watchers to surgery and have nothing in-between,” said Dr. Louis J. Aronne, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Current guidelines say that weight-loss surgery is appropriate for people who have failed to lose weight through diet and exercise and have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 and above, or 35 and above if a person has at least one serious health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, that is tied to obesity. Allergan seeks to lower these qualifications to a BMI of 35 with no associated health problems and to 30 with such associated health problems.

In the article, an example is given of a person who is 5 feet 6 inches with diabetes needing to weigh 216 pounds to qualify for the surgery under its current guidelines. Under Allergan’s proposal, that same person could weigh 30 pounds less, or 186 pounds to qualify.

According to federal statistics, nearly 20 percent of the adult population has a BMI between 30 and 35, more than double the population above 35. Of those between 30 and 35, about half have some associated health condition.

Some obesity experts say that surgery has proven to be the only way many people can lose a lot of weight and keep it off. A Swedish study even suggests that weight-loss surgery prolongs lives. Bariatric surgeons say the operations have become safer since the obesity thresholds were first set in 1991 in a meeting organized by the National Institutes of Health.

Lap-band surgery is considered to be a less radical operation than its alternative, gastric bypass. Lap-banding is also reversible and less expensive. However, the average weight-loss that results from banding is 20 percent, less than that of bypass.

It’s important to remember that surgery is a very extreme form of weight loss and any operation involves risks. Surgery also does not address the psychological reasons we overeat or are unfit; an important factor that must be conquered to sustain long term weight loss. Surgery should be the last resort if absolutely nothing else works. Camp Shane weight-loss camp and Shane Diet Resorts weight-loss program believe that anyone can lose weight through proper diet and exercise. Evaluate all of your options when you decide how to begin your new, healthy lifestyle. There are many options out there, some more extreme than others, but it’s usually the most simple approach that works the best and has the most long-term results.

For more information on weight-loss camps for children, visit www.campshane.com. If you’re a young adult or adult looking to get fitter, healthier and happier, visit www.shanedietresorts.com.

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