Sometimes people ask how well the Lap Band works. New results from a five-year, multi-center clinical trial are helping us answer that question. In this study, patients were followed for 5 years after Lap Band surgery, to evaluate how safe and effective the procedure was for them. Approximately 150 adults were followed in this study. […]

There was a great TedTalk given by Sandra Aamodt. She explains why losing weight by ‘dieting’ is so much more difficult than most people realize. Including the majority of healthcare providers!

It’s well-known that carrying too much weight puts stress on the heart, joints and organs, but a number of recent studies have shown that obesity may even be harmful to our cognitive abilities. One study conducted at the University of Washington revealed that obesity may induce physical changes in the brain that make it difficult […]

One of the main risks associated with obesity is type 2 diabetes, a serious and costly disease. A recent report from the American Diabetes Association estimated that the cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States 2012 was $245 billion, including $176 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion in reduced productivity. And costs […]

Bariatric surgery has benefits beyond weight loss. It often improves many weight-related  health problems, and has been shown to be especially effective at improving type 2 diabetes. Now, new research shows that it can help patients control their diabetes for years after surgery.  The landmark STAMPEDE (Surgical Treatment And Medications Potentially Eradicate Diabetes Efficiently) trial […]

Dr Christine Ren Fielding was featured on the Dr Oz show, along with Dr George Fielding. They were invited to be on the show to discuss the lap band, specifically its use in lower BMI patients. Although many associate bariatric surgery with a treatment for patients with over 100 pounds to lose, it is an […]

Most of our patients are familiar with Body Mass Index (BMI). It is the most commonly used measurement of body size, but it is not a perfect indicator of obesity or risk. Because BMI is a measurement that uses only a person’s height and weight, it doesn’t account for other factors such as body composition. […]

New guidelines have been issued by leading medical groups including the American Heart Association, with the goal of fighting the nation’s obesity epidemic, specifically by urging primary care doctors to be more aggressive about helping patients lose weight. Many people have been on their own when it comes to slimming down, left to sift through […]