San Francisco Bariatric Surgeon Now Offers A New FDA-Approved Treatment For Obesity
San Francisco, CA - As the obesity epidemic in America continues to grow, it becomes even more important for overweight patients to understand their choices and use the services of an experienced bariatric surgeon. The doctors at Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (LapSF) remain leaders among bariatric surgeons by announcing it will now offer the REALIZE band to their patients.
Board-certified bariatric surgeon Paul Cirangle is excited to offer his patients another option for obesity. The REALIZE Band is a surgically implanted device used to help a person lose weight. It consists of a silicone band, tubing, and an injection port. "The REALIZE band has a unique design which has shown to be as effective as the currently available Lap-Band," says Dr. Cirangle. The surgeons at LapSF have performed more than 1,100 lapband procedures.
The REALIZE Band is used for weight loss in obese adults for whom non-surgical weight loss methods have not been successful. They must be willing to make major changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. To be eligible for lapband surgery, a person must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 30, classifying them as obese. People who suspect they fall in this category should go online for a free BMI calculator.
Fellowship-trained Dr. Cirangle is among the first bariatric surgeons in the United States to offer his patients the new REALIZE band, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson for the treatment of obesity. He has recently completed training mandated by the FDA and practices at a certified Center of Excellence.
Dr. Cirangle made it clear that he never promotes one lapband over another, but matches the most effective device to each individual patient's requirements and preference based on his expertise and experience. According to Dr. Cirangle, "Early indications show that the REALIZE band may reduce the incidence of painful swallowing, food impactions and port related complications," which can sometimes be associated with a lapband.
Lapband surgery achieves excellent long term weight-loss for morbidly obese patients. LapSF has an exceptionally high success rate, with patients averaging a drop of 50-60 percent of excess body weight with the lapband. In addition, a recent report from the Journal of the American Medical Association has detailed the numerous other health benefits of weight loss surgery.
LapSF offers impressive statistics in their practice. According to Dr. Cirangle, diabetes is cured in 77 percent of patients and resolved or improved in 86 percent of patients. Most patients are off all of their diabetes medications or have significantly reduced doses in the first three months after surgery. Blood sugar glucose levels and Hemoglobin A1c levels usually return to normal or near normal. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is cured in 62 percent of patients and resolved or improved in 78.5 percent. Most patients are able to reduce their blood pressure medications to a single medication within a few months. Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and high triglycerides) improved in more than 70 percent of patients. Obstructive sleep apnea is cured in 86 percent of patients. Risk of death is decreased by 89 percent.
LapSF is a busy weight-loss surgery practice based in San Francisco. LapSF also has offices throughout Northern California including Eureka, Sacramento, Stockton, Chico, San Jose, Petaluma, Healdsburg, Monterey and Los Osos. In addition, Dr. Cirangle also has offices in Hawaii including the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island (The Surgical Weight Loss Center of Hawaii). LapSF remains of the forefront in weight loss surgery, and is the only practice on the West Coast to offer all four weight-loss surgery procedures. Along with the Lap-Band and REALIZE band, they also perform gastric bypass surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Stomaphyx and the duodenal switch.
Dr. Cirangle recommends that anyone interested in the lapband or other weight-loss surgery options such as the vertical sleeve gastrectomy should research the possibilities beforehand and use only the services of a board-certified bariatric surgeon with proven experience and expertise in the procedure desired. To learn more about lapband options, contact LapSF at www.lapsf.com
SOURCE: Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco