Gastric Bypass | Lap Band | Sleeve Gastrectomy | Gastric Plication

The FDA announced its approval of the weight loss drug, Qsymia (previously known as Qnexa), which is only the second new obesity drug to be approved this century.  In February, an advisory voted 20-2 to approve the drug in a preliminary vote.  The drug makers, Vivus, had proposed the name Qnexa in the drug’s application, […]

A new adjustable weight loss device has been approved by the FDA for clinical study in the US. The VIBRYNT PREVAIL Implant System is an investigational device that is designed to assist with weight loss by limiting food consumption. It is implanted on top of the stomach laparoscopically and restricts the stomach’s ability to expand. […]

CMS has announced their final decision on whether Medicare will cover the sleeve gastrectomy. Having proposed in April to only allow coverage of the sleeve as part of a randomized, controlled trial, CMS changed their decision after the final public comment period. CMS announced that they are allowing regional CMS contractors to decide on an […]

Yesterday the FDA approved the first new weight loss drug to be available in the United States in 13 years. The drug, lorcaserin, is the first prescription obesity medication to have won the FDA’s blessing since it approved orlistat in 1999.  Made by San Diego-based Arena Pharmaceuticals, the drug will be sold under the brand […]

Dr. John Morton presented one of the top 8 papers at today’s opening session of the 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The paper was an analysis from the BOLD database; he compared the gastric band (lap band), gastric bypass, and sleeve. The BOLD Database is a rich source […]

Today in San Diego, CA, the 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery kicked off its plenary sessions. After ASMBS President Dr. Robin Blackstone launched the session with an opening address, the top 8 papers as selected by the ASMBS were presented. One paper addressed post-operated weight loss from gastric […]

Today at the 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), Rex Ryan, head coach of the New York Jets, spoke about his own experiences with weight loss surgery. Announcing that he’s lost 100 pounds, Ryan told the audience his goal is to lose another 25 pounds. His ‘lucky vest’ […]

Weight Loss surgery has proven to be a highly effective and safe tool in fighting morbid obesity, yet the number of people getting surgery has stalled in the past few years. A brief history of the numbers: Weight loss surgery experienced slow and steady growth since the first procedure was performed in 1954, followed by […]

A new report on obesity provides recommendations that, if implemented correctly, could profoundly impact the health of the nation over the next decade, but only if every American makes it a priority. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to identify catalysts to speed progress in obesity prevention.   Obesity is a […]

An ingredient found in hot sauce could play a part in weight loss in the future, according to a new study published in this month’s issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences.  Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital studied the weight loss results of two potential future surgeries, in comparison with today’s weight loss surgery options. […]