An FDA Advisory committee has just approved new Lap Band Surgery guidelines requested by Allergan (the maker of the Lap-Band) to lower the BMI requirements for the adjustable gastric band.

Current guidelines for gastric banding say surgery is appropriate for either a BMI of 40 or more or a BMI of 35 or more with at least one serious health problem (Diabetes, high blood pressure, etc). The New guidelines now name surgery acceptable at 35 and above without an associated health problem, and 30 or above with one.

As a multi-disciplinary Weight Loss facility Texas Bariatric Specialists (TBS) is already equipped and ready to handle the new Weight Loss Surgery guidelines, which specifically call for consistent follow-up visits to either have fluid inserted into the band or have fluid removed, depending on the patient.

Dr. Nilesh Patel, TBS Founder and fellowship-trained Bariatric Surgeon had this to say “Having consistent follow-up visits by a doctor who is board certified in bariatric surgery is going to be the difference between a successful weight loss program and just a surgery.”

For more information about the new Lap Band Surgery guidelines or about Texas Bariatric Specialists please visit our website at http://texasbariatricspecialists.com

About Texas Bariatric Specialists

In the past five years, Dr. Patel’s San Antonio-based Weight Loss practice has performed 2500 surgeries and has expanded offices in nine cities across Texas including Austin, Corpus Christi, Killeen, New Braunfels, Boerne, San Antonio, Baytown, Beaumont, and Del Rio.

Dr. Patel is now regularly featured within “Ask the Expert” segments on local news programs, is recognized as a Centers of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and remains an advisory board member for ObesityHelp.com. His practice continues to exceed national averages for weight management success due to surgical expertise, compassionate care and exemplary pre-surgery and post-surgical consultation services.