Major scientific contributors within the bariatric and psychiatric industries
publicized the results of a recent study demonstrating that
LAP-BAND(R) patients who regularly attend support groups
experience considerably higher rates of post-surgical weight
loss. Authors Dr. Kathryn A. Kaiser, Dr. Susan Franks and
Dr. Adam Smith discussed their findings at the 26th Annual
American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
Meeting.
Published last month in Surgery for Obesity and Related
Diseases (Vol. 5, Issue 3), the study divided gastric
banding patients into groups based on frequency of
attendance and then calculated the percent of excess weight
lost 12 months after surgery. Results show that patients who
attended four or more support sessions lost significantly
more weight.
"While I am certainly pleased, I can't say that I'm
surprised by the findings," commented Dr. Adam Smith of Fort
Worth LAP-BAND(R). "Our practice has always been dedicated
to the total care of the LAP-BAND(R) patient. As such, we
maintain one of the most active weight loss support programs
anywhere, which meets weekly. Previously, all of these
investments were supported by the results and impacts that
I, personally, was seeing with our patients. Any formal
validation that we can receive and provide to the industry
is just icing on the cake."
As Dr. Smith suggests, the study's observation offers
important insight into the improvement and advancement of
post-operative weight loss support available to LAP-BAND(R)
patients. Currently, support group attendance is encouraged,
but optional. The long-term impact of weight loss surgery
for gastric band patients could be improved through stronger
encouragement of support group participation.
About the Authors of the Study
Dr. Kathryn Kaiser is currently a Postdoctoral Scholar with
the Section on Statistical Genetics, Department of
Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research covers the
effects of gastric band surgery, issues related to various
obesity interventions and resistance to weight loss.
Dr. Susan Franks, a clinical neuropsychologist and associate
professor at University of Texas Health Sciences Center,
studies psychosocial, cultural, and environmental
determinants of health and disease. Her studies focus on
chronic disease management (especially of obesity and type
II diabetes).
About Adam B. Smith, D.O., FACOS
Dr. Smith has been an advanced laparoscopic surgeon for 13
years. In 2004, he opened Fort Worth LAP-BAND(R), a private
practice dedicated to the treatment of obesity. Recently, he
introduced a new procedural option to the North Texas
region, Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS). Dr.
Smith focuses all of his professional efforts on
contributing to the bariatric industry through patient care,
new procedural offerings, and obesity research.
More information about Dr. Adam Smith, Dr. Susan Franks, and
Dr. Kathryn Kaiser can be found at
FortWorthLapBand and hsc.unt.edu.
Source
American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery