Weight-Loss Surgery Can Cure Diabetes for the Obese

Bariatric Partners: New study reported by the Journal of the
American Medical Association shows that surgical weight loss can play
a significant factor in controlling in Type 2 diabetes.
HOUSTON--(Business Wire)--
An estimated three in every four obese people suffering from
diabetes can be cured of the disease with bariatric surgery, according
to a groundbreaking new study reported in the current edition of the
Journal of the American Medical Association. Experts say this finding
opens the door to changes in the treatment of diabetes that are as
profound as the discovery of insulin. "It's truly exciting to see a
medical study document what we have seen in our practice - patients
with Type 2 diabetes can lose weight safely and reduce or eliminate
their need for diabetic medications including insulin," said Richard
Collier MD, who along with Drs Matthew St. Laurent and Ata Ahmad,
performs gastric band surgery at JourneyLite of Houston.

According to JAMA, researchers have found that 73 percent of
patients, who underwent a stomach reducing surgical procedure, were
cured of Type 2 diabetes when compared to only 13 percent of diabetics
that followed other forms of conventional therapy - dieting, weight
loss and medication - went into remission. Diabetes is the
fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. The death toll from
diabetes has grown by nearly 50 percent in the past 20 years.

Obesity is a growing national epidemic. From 1976 to 2004, the
percent of adults (age 20 to 74 years in the United States who were
obese) more than doubled from 15 to 32.9 percent. Nearly 20 million
Americans have Type 2 diabetes.

How Gastric Bands Work

The band used in this bariatric study is surgically placed around
the top of the stomach. Part of the stomach is stitched over it to
hold the device in place, while the access port is secured closer to
the skin. Once the band is in place, a saline solution can be injected
into the access port. The fluid travels along the silicone tubing, and
then fills the circular inflation membrane, making the band tighter.
This constricts the stomach opening, and reduces the amount of space
inside, giving the patient an earlier feeling of fullness, limiting
food consumption. Adding or removing saline through the access port,
according to the patient's needs, can adjust the band's tightness.
This system allows for long-term, non-surgical adjustability.

About JourneyLite

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, under the parent
company of Bariatric Partners, Inc., JourneyLite is a leading provider
in the United States of surgical treatment for obesity through
laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The goal of
JourneyLite is to provide the highest quality patient surgical
experience along with the most comprehensive patient aftercare
programs available in the marketplace today. JourneyLite patients may
receive LAGB support services at any facility across the country,
regardless of the site of surgery. Information about JourneyLite may
be found online at www.journeylite.com.

About Bariatric Partners, Inc.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bariatric Partners,
Inc. is a national for-profit healthcare company that specializes in
partnering with leading bariatric surgeons across the country to
provide minimally invasive surgical treatment for the disease of
obesity. Bariatric Partners, Inc., along with its physician partners,
owns and operates specialty ambulatory surgical centers - branded
under the name JourneyLite - in key markets across the United States.
All JourneyLite facilities focus primarily on the laparoscopic
adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgical procedure for the treatment
of obesity. Further information about Bariatric Partners, Inc. may be
found online at www.bariatricpartners.com.

de La Garza Public Relations Inc.
Jorge Moya, 832-496-1299
jorgem@delagarza-pr.com

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