Jun 05 (HeartCenterOnline) - A new treatment called the Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System has received FDA approval, marking the first FDA-approved minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of obesity. According to an FDA press release issued today, the surgically implanted band is secured around the upper part of the stomach and inflated with saline to create a small pouch in the stomach. The goal of the treatment is to give people a greater feeling of fullness after eating smaller amounts of food.

The procedure used to implant the Lap-Band is called a keyhole surgery. According to a HeartCenterOnline article on minimally invasive surgeries, keyhole surgeries involve smaller "keyhole" incisions and shorter recovery times than more invasive surgeries. In the treatment of obesity, more invasive surgeries include gastric stapling and gastric bypass.

After recovering from the keyhole surgery, patients will continue to have an open "portal under the skin." Through this portal, physicians will be able to adjust the Lap-Band to be tighter or looser, depending on the patient's needs.

Obesity poses dangerous health risks, such as higher cholesterol levels, higher blood pressure and a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Over time, it could lead to heart disease or even heart failure. Diet, exercise and other strategies for losing weight have shown promising results in reducing these risks. For a related story, click on the following: Liposuction shown to improve cholesterol level.

For additional information about obesity, including the epidemic of obesity that has been identified among African American women, visit HeartCenterOnline's Weight and Obesity Center.

Copyright 2001 HeartCenterOnline