Realizing Weight Loss with REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band
All it took was twenty years and obesity has now become a worldwide epidemic. With millions of Americans who are currently clinically overweight, obesity will soon replace smoking as the primary cause of preventable death. As the cases of obesity continue to rise, more and more people are looking for an effective solution to their weight problems.
What is the REALIZE Gastric Band?
Luckily, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration already gave the go signal to Ethicon Endo-Surgery to market its product, the REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band. This product is a surgical implant for weight loss in people who are suffering from morbid obesity. It is made from soft silicone and is wrapped around a person’s stomach. It works by “separating” the stomach into two chambers: the upper and the lower. In doing so, the upper chamber becomes smaller and is only able to accommodate about 4 ounces of food. As a result, the food intake becomes limited; thus, making a person feel satiated at once and for a longer period of time.
Who can use it?
Ideally, the REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band is for people who are morbidly obese and who have a minimum Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2. Likewise, this surgical implant was designed for people who have already tried traditional weight loss approaches such as diet and exercise. The REALIZE band may also be used to improve the condition of people who are suffering from obesity-related health problems like diabetes.
Is it safe and effective?
Since the REALIZE gastric band is already FDA-approved, it only means that it is safe and effective to use. As a matter of fact, the product completed several clinical trials first before it got approved by the FDA. In a three-year test conducted on 276 patients, it was found out that 35 percent of them lost more than 50 percent of their excess body weight while 10.5 percent lost more than 75 percent of their excess body weight. Likewise, out of the 276 patients, only nine experienced adverse side effects.
The Appeal of Bariatric Surgery
Yet despite of the fact that products like the REALIZE Gastric Band are safe and effective, not many people are willing to go under the knife for it. In fact, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASBMS), out of the 15 million Americans who suffer from morbid obesity, only 205,000 people will be going through bariatric surgery. This means that the majority of them are still waiting for better weight loss alternatives.
One of the best alternatives comes in the form of natural weight loss supplements. Like the REALIZE gastric band, these products are capable of helping a person drop weight by curbing his appetite. However, unlike the gastric band, this weight loss method is painless since it does not involve any form of surgery. It is also relatively inexpensive so anybody that has a weight problem can afford it. As for whether or not they are safe, these supplements are made from all-natural ingredients so they do not cause side-effects like other weight loss products out there.
