Physician Corner: Minimally Invasive Weight Loss Surgery August 15, 2011

Obesity is a serious health epidemic that targets one in four Americans. It contributes to a wide variety of medical conditions that cause poor health and early death. If you are 100 pounds overweight and other weight loss treatments haven't worked, you may be a candidate for a specialized surgery that uses small incisions to place a soft, adjustable band around part of the stomach.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001 for use in the U.S., this device, called a Lap-Band, temporarily slows digestion and limits how much you can eat, resulting in reliable weight loss. Patients report feeling full, with less of an appetite, while still eating less.

Robert Cahn, M.D., board-certified general surgery specialist at Tuality Healthcare medical staff, will explain the procedure and answer your questions.

Official Website: http://www.tuality.org