February 17, 2011
Lap-Band Receives Official FDA Approval
Allergan gets the go-ahead to change market their gastric banding device to less obese patients.
The FDA has approved the marketing and use of the Lap-Band device for surgical weight loss to less obese patients. Last December, an advisory panel voted to approve this change and now that the official approval has been granted, the marketing changes can begin.
Lap-Band is made by Allergan, the same medical manufacturer that brings us Botox and Latisse. It shrinks the stomach so obese patients can more easily cut back on their eating and lose the dangerous extra pounds that may be threatening their lives.
Model Photo
The FDA had approved the device to treat adults with a BMI of at least 40 or at least 35 plus another health problem. This change will allow patients with a minimum BMI of 35 or higher or at least 30 plus another health problem. A BMI of 30 is considered obese.
Dr. Ted Khalili of the Khalili Center for Bariatric Care in Beverly Hills says, “This approval will open up the door for millions of patients to do the surgery. By some estimates up to 20 million patients will qualify for surgery.” This of course will greatly improve Allergan’s bottom line, but it may also increase the numbers of less than credible weight loss surgery centers that don’t follow up with patients properly and don’t offer the full package of nutritional information needed for real success. “Don’t ever go to a surgeon based on a billboard. That’s the worst thing you can do. Ask other doctors ask for referrals, ask other patients that have had surgery.”
Dr. Kai Nishi, also with the Khalili Center for Bariatric Care in Beverly Hills, says that those with a BMI of 30-35 are in danger of serious health conditions. “There was nothing magical about the BMI of 35 cutoff. Patient’s with a BMI of 30-35 still have medical problems related to their weight such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc. and therefore stand to benefit from weight loss after gastric banding just as much as a patient that has a BMI of 40.”
Gastric banding is for patients who are morbidly obese or are overweight with health troubles caused by their weight. “The ideal candidate for the Lap-Band, or adjustable gastric banding procedure, is someone who is highly motivated to change their lifestyle, who is more of a volume eater rather than a sweet eater, and who can exercise without any restrictions,” says Dr. Nishi. “People with esophageal dysfunction, large hiatal hernias, severe gastroesophageal reflux, gastroparesis, may not be candidates for gastric banding.”
– http://www.americanhealthandbeauty.com/articles/?article=4210
