Twelve years after she famously underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost 150 pounds, Carnie Wilson confirms another weight loss surgery. This time it's the Lap Band!

As PEOPLE reports, Wilson had lap-band surgery on January 18. Wilson has had a hard time losing her baby weight telling PEOPLE “Having children derailed me a bit. I’m just frustrated with these pound

Wilson has two daughters, Lola, 6, and Luciana, 2, with her musician husband Rob Bonfiglio, 44. So far the Wilson Phillips singer has lost 30 pounds.

“It was the right decision for me and I’m doing really well so far,” Wilson tells PEOPLE. “It’s all about taking good care of myself.”

Wilson, 43, underwent gastric bypass, a different weight-loss surgery, in 1999 and ultimately lost 150 pounds. She regained some of her weight, however, and even appeared on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club in 2006 in another attempt to shed the pounds. Her doctor advised her to consider having the gastric band placed after she had regained two-thirds of her weight, her blood-sugar levels began climbing, and she became in danger of developing diabetes.

In the upcoming premiere of TV Guide Network's reality show, Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On, Wilson's health becomes the focus when it's apparent she won't be able to keep up the rigors of a comeback tour if she doesn't lose weight. She reveals to her fellow bandmates, her sister Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips, that she's decided to undergo the lap-band surgery four weeks before their comeback tour is scheduled to kick off.

The group has also reunited to record the comeback album "Dedicated," which will drop on April 3. The album will cover songs originally sung by their famous musician parents — Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas.

The eight-episode reality series Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On premieres on Sunday, April 8 at 9/8c on TV Guide Network.

More about Carnie Wilson:
Carnie Wilson (born April 29, 1968) is an American singer and television hostess, perhaps best known as a member of the pop music group Wilson Phillips.

Her Early life and musical career:
The daughter of American 1960s pop icon Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, and his first wife, Marilyn, she co-founded Wilson Phillips with her younger sister Wendy and childhood friend Chynna Phillips when they were in their teens. They released two albums, Wilson Phillips and Shadows and Light, sold 12 million albums, and charted three #1 singles and six top 20 hits before breaking up in 1993.
Carnie & Wendy Wilson continued to record together, releasing the Christmas album Hey Santa! in 1993, and they joined with their father for a critically successful (yet commercially unsuccessful) 1997 album, The Wilsons. She also sang "Our Time Has Come" with James Ingram for the 1997 animated film Cats Don't Dance.

In 2003, Carnie attempted to launch a solo music career with the album For the First Time. The album featured a remake of the Olivia DiNucci penned Samantha Mumba ballad "Don't Need You To (Tell Me I'm Pretty)," retitled "I Don't Need You To," as its first single. However, the single failed to gain interest and the album was ultimately shelved when Carnie regrouped with Wendy and Chynna as Wilson Phillips in 2004.
Reunited, the band released a third album, named California, which appeared on Sony Music's record label. The album featured cover songs primarily from the 1960s and 1970s, and specifically highlights the musical glory days of their parents' California-based musical groups: The Mamas & the Papas and the Beach Boys.

In 2006, Carnie released an album of lullabies, A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart, created shortly after the birth of her daughter Lola. She released her second solo effort in October 2007, a Christmas album entitled Christmas with Carnie featuring a song written by her husband; "Warm Lovin' Christmastime".

Television career:
From 1995-1996, Carnie hosted her own short-lived syndicated television talk show Carnie!. The series was launched during the mid 1990s wave of popularity in "tabloid" talk shows, which followed the sudden successes of Ricki Lake and Jerry Springer. Former Cosmopolitan Magazine Bachelor-of-the-Month Chris Greeley was a guest on the television pilot.

She later guest-starred on episodes of That 70s Show in 2001 and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch before joining the fourth season of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club in 2006.

Wilson has also been a correspondent on Entertainment Tonight and in 2006 hosted a special on E! entitled 101 Celebrity Slimdowns. Wilson became a cast member of the CMT series Gone Country in January 2008. In April 2008, she was a cast member of the VH1 series Celebracadabra. In July 2008, she starred in a new show called Outsider's Inn.

She hosted GSN's new edition of The Newlywed Game, which premiered April 6, 2009, until late 2010 when she was replaced by Sherri Shepherd.

In addition, a show starring Wilson, Carnie Wilson: Unstapled, began airing on Game Show Network on January 14, 2010. In August 2011, Wilson became a judge on the ABC show Karaoke Battle USA.
On January 2, 2012, Wilson appeared on ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap, trading places with actress Tracey Gold for a week.

Personal life:
Wilson married musician Rob Bonfiglio in 2000. In April 2005, they welcomed their first daughter, Lola Sofia Bonfiglio. On June 12, 2009, their second daughter, Luciana "Luci" Bella, was born.

Weight problems:
Wilson has had a lifelong battle fighting obesity. During her Wilson Phillips fame she reached a lifetime weight peak of almost 300 pounds on her 5'3" frame. Her weight led her to be parodied on Saturday Night Live by Chris Farley and also publicly mocked by Howard Stern.

Dieting was ineffective; she lost weight only to regain it later. In August 1999, she underwent gastric bypass surgery, which she felt was a life-saving decision. The procedure was broadcast live on the Internet. As a result, she went from a size 28 to a size 6 and lost 150 pounds. In 2003, Wilson posed nude for Playboy to display her new body. Carnie later toured TV talk shows and hosted her own infomercial to publicize her satisfaction with the procedure. However, she eventually gained back some weight and ended up as a contestant on the fourth season of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club in 2006. Over the course of the show, Wilson lost 22 pounds, which she eventually gained back.
In May 2008, Wilson was widely ridiculed for her weight gain and vowed to get back in Playboy shape, and hopefully pose nude for them again.


Source: Carnie Wilson Has Another Weight Loss Surgery, This Time It's The Lap Band!

Weight loss surgery? Really? For me? Why?

What’ll it cost me?

Perhaps a better question is “What’ll it cost you if you don’t?”

With today’s uncertain economy and rising healthcare costs, it’s normal to wonder if now is the time to consider the LAP-BAND^® AP System.

Extra weight on a person often goes hand in hand with extra financial burden.

Obesity can have significant medical costs over time. Weight loss surgery can help reduce the cumulative cost of living with obesity: like weight loss programs, prescription medicine and hospital visits.

Knowing this, you may want to consider these questions:

• What are your current out-of-pocket healthcare expenses? Are they due to go up?
  
• What are your current prescription and over-the-counter medication costs? Are they due to go up?
  
• How many times a year do you see a doctor or specialist? Has that gone up over time?
  
• How many days have you missed work over the past few years? Has that gone up?
  
• How much have you spent on non-surgical weight loss programs? (WeightWatchers®, Jenny Craig®, etc.) Did that work?
  
• How much have your costs for groceries and dining out gone up?
  
• How much have you spent on additional clothes due to your weight gain?

Acting now by using the LAP-BAND^® System to help you significantly reduce your weight — may also reduce your weight-related costs!


Source: What Will It Cost Me To Get Weight Loss Surgery?

You had weight loss surgery with a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band several months ago, maybe even years ago and it’s been less than successful in your opinion. “It just didn’t work for me” you told yourself. And now you’re hesitant to even tell others about it because once again you tried and failed. But here’s a thought - maybe your success was merely delayed.

The beauty of the LAP-BAND® System is that you can pick up where you left off. And if you never got on, well – that ship can sail again.

The LAP-BAND is a tool. It’s designed to help you in your weight loss journey. It is not a “silver bullet”. It is not a panacea. It is not going to “do it for you”. You have to work it, just as with any tool. A pen doesn’t work too well just sitting on the desk and a paint brush doesn’t work too well either just resting on the easel.

Patients that do well with the LAP-BAND typically lose 1-2 pounds per week. Some do even better with reducing their caloric intake, eating properly, making better food choices and exercising regularly.
But you say to yourself, “If I could do that, I wouldn’t need the LAP-BAND”.

When in the “green zone” the LAP-BAND restricts the amount of food you can eat, so that you can get back on the boat (eating properly). It gives you a chance to change some eating habits. You’re less hungry (you’ve got less capacity to eat) and you’re combining that with changing what you eat every day and adding in an exercise routine. Now you’re on the road to success with the LAP-BAND.

Just know that no weight loss surgery procedure or device is going to “make decisions for you”. The weight loss surgery procedure that you choose will have no idea specifically what you’re eating. To be successful, you’re going to need to change some things.

So, if you continue to eat things that you know aren’t “on the program” – there’s a good chance your weight loss journey will be a short one. If you don’t regularly exercise and monitor the calories going in versus the calories going out, then your weight loss journey will likely be a bumpy one.

Get back on track. Go back to see your weight loss surgeon and his/her staff.

Re-dedicate yourself to yourself and… to your family.

Use the tool. Lose the weight!

Source: Maybe you've already had a LAP-BAND and it's not doing it for you ?

As you well know, there are many, many variables that assist in the decision making process of a person that’s about to undergo weight loss surgery.

Will I be able to do more things? Which things? What will I be able to eat? What will I not? Which surgery is right for me? Which ones potentially carry more risk? Can I afford it? How can I not afford it? Which procedures are permanent? Which ones can be adjusted? What if medical science and technology change one day? Which ones are reversible?

But at the end of the day, safety is always top of mind.

• The Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure is less invasive than the sleeve or gastric bypass procedures because it involves no re-routing or partial removal of internal organs.
  
• Banding has a favorable long-term safety profile compared to gastric bypass.
  
• Banding has 3 times fewer total complications than the sleeve procedure.
  
• Banding has 5 times fewer serious complications than the gastric bypass procedure.
  
• Banding has been shown to have a shorter operative time, shorter hospital stay and shorter time to return to work 5than gastric bypass.

Again, there’s a lot that goes into the decision. Be sure to talk to your surgeon about which option is best for you.

So, what's the "green zone" and how do you get there from here?

The green zone is an expression that's often used to describe where a LAP-BAND® patient is in regards tohis/her hunger and eating regime. Certainly, just because a patient has had surgery doesn't mean they can eat whatever they want or that they can maintain the same food choices they've made in the past. Far from it.

In order for a tool like the LAP-BAND® System to work effectively, it needs to be fine tuned. That requires multiple visits to a care provider that has the ability to adjust the band, whether that's putting more fluid in or taking some out which as you likely already know adjusts the "fit" (or restriction) of the band. Just know that it's a process to get there and requires assessments from a healthcare provider to get you to the "green zone".

Many bariatric practices require frequent "office visits" post surgery so as to monitor a patient's progress, offer encouragement and perhaps to perform an adjustment. Many people say that a key advantage of the LAP-BAND® System over the other procedural alternatives is that it's adjustable. And reversible too for that matter. Every LAP-BAND® System has the ability to be customized for fit, so as to bring about a sense of satisfaction(lack of hunger) to the patient after a modest and healthy meal.

Comparisons from one patient to the next in regards to who has what amount of fluid in their specific band is futile. We're all different people inside and out. And even two people of similar size (on the outside) may not require the same amount of fluid in order to both feel satiated. So, stop asking your fellow band patients how much fluid they have in their band. Their answer won't matter to your LAP-BAND®.

What does matter – is your hunger and getting you to your "green zone".

Imagine a color spectrum moving from yellow to green to red. I know, the colors are not in the order we were all taught in school – but bear with me. Think of it as the colors of a stop light. Yellow means caution. Green means go, while red indicates it's time to stop. Some would say that yellow represents "not quite there" while red indicates you may be over filled. And that leaves us with green. The best zone of the 3. It's the "go zone". Fully satisfied after modest meals, eating the right kinds of foods and losing weight.

[attachment=23819:stayingreenzone.png]

Here are a few questions to help you identify within which zone you're currently residing.

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Your healthcare professional may also ask you

• How often are you hungry?
• What foods have you eaten recently?
• What foods give you trouble?
• What are your portion sizes?
• What time is your first meal of the day?
• What time of day is your last meal?
• Do you drink liquids with your meals?
• And how often do you exercise?

All of these are good questions for self reflection as well – but you'll only get "a fill" (if needed ofcourse) by seeing and being evaluated by a qualified professional from your bariatric surgeon's office.

Allergan's Executive Council of top LAP-BAND® surgeons from across the country recommends 11 visits within the first year of your surgery in order to optimize your excess weight loss results. Read that again. 11 visits within year 1. Let's be clear though, success is not just EWL or # of pounds lost – it's about feeling good and being healthy. And getting back to doing the things you enjoy.

The aftercare algorithm that Allergan's experts came up with are only their recommendations. They are only for others to consider as each healthcare professional is responsible forhis/her own medical decisions. But with that said, here's what they came up with: Follow up visits should occur at week 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 and then again at 24 months.

That's 11 visits within 12 months of your surgery date. So with that said, if you're a year out and you aren't seeing the results you anticipated and also haven't seen your support team several times over the course of the last 12 months, you need to ask yourself why?

And if you're not in the "green zone", call your bariatric surgeon's office and ask for an appointment to discuss your options.

Source: Finding the Green Zone

NEW STUDY FINDS THAT GASTRIC BANDING PAYS FOR ITSELF IN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETES AND FOUR YEARS FOR PATIENTS WITHOUT DIABETS


Analysis Demonstrates Gastric Banding is a Safe and Cost-Effective Weight-Loss Surgery Procedur


Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) today announced a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases that found the cost of a gastric
banding weight-loss surgery procedure, such as Allergan’s LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System, was offset by reductions in obesity-related medical costs within 2.25 years for surgery eligible patients with diabetes, and within four years of the procedure for all surgery eligible patients.

The study evaluated healthcare claims data from 7,310 patients who had undergone gastric banding compared to claims from a matched control group of 7,306 surgery eligible obese individuals who did not have weight-loss surgery, for the purpose of quantifying the potential savings of gastric banding. The study found that while post-surgery medical costs for the gastric banding group declined slightly, medical costs for the control group continued to rise, thus resulting in significant savings for the banding sample. These findings underscore the critical effect gastric banding has on containing healthcare costs among the target population.

“Although the gastric banding procedure is associated with upfront costs, our analysis shows that those costs are recovered in a relatively short period of time, particularly for obese patients with diabetes,” said study lead author Eric A. Finkelstein, Ph.D., of Duke University and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore. “Although the potential for cost-savings should not drive coverage decisions, some insurance providers are hesitant to cover the costs of bariatric procedures for fear they will break the bank. These results may allay some of those concerns,” Finkelstein said.

Currently, one in three American adults is obese. Due to increased medical expenditures, absenteeism, and presenteeism (reduced on the job productivity due to health reasons), obesity now costs U.S. businesses roughly $70 billion per year. The total medical bill for the nation as a result of obesity is now projected at $147 billion per year, or nearly 10 percent of all medical expenses in the United States.This figure is projected to reach 16-18 percent of all U.S. healthcare costs in the next 20 years. Given its known correlation to life-threatening co-morbid conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even premature death, obesity is a disease that requires medical treatment. Furthermore, medical research has found that if left untreated those individuals who are currently obese will likely remain obese, highlighting the unmet clinical need among obese patients for the availability of and reimbursement for effective treatment options.

“This study is consistent with the vast findings from the published literature that support gastric banding is an effective and safe weight-loss surgery procedure that can produce sustained weight loss, ultimately resulting in reduction of obesity-related comorbid conditions and medical costs,” said Frederick Beddingfield, M.D., Allergan's Vice President of Clinical Research and Development. “Research of this kind is integral in our efforts as a company to ensure appropriate access to and affordability for the LAPBAND® System procedure for patients across the country.”

Source: New Study Finds That Gastric Banding Pays for Itself In Approximately Two ... - PR Newswire (press release)

I wanted to share the new "NOW" LAP-BAND Radio Ad! Have any comments ? What are your thoughts ?



Source: Listen to the new "NOW" LAP-BAND Radio Ad! Comments ? Thoughts ?

Because tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, I thought this "band friendly" recipe would be quite appropriate to share:

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
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Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Serving size: 1
Recipe makes: 10


Ingredients:
4 large cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 cups)
1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can low-fat cream of chicken condensed soup
10 ounces (about 2 cups) reduced-fat 2% shredded cheddar cheese
1 (4 ounce) can mild green chopped chilies, drained
about 10 low-carb flour tortillas


Cheesy Topping:
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can low-fat cream of chicken condensed soup
8 ounces light or fat free sour cream
1 ½ cups 2% reduced fat shredded Mexican shredded cheese blend
¼ cup sliced green onions (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray;
set aside.
2. Mix together the chicken, yogurt, condensed soup, shredded cheddar cheese, and green
chilies. Stuff each tortilla with ½ cup of chicken mixture, and roll up. Place each rolled up tortilla
seam side down in the baking dish. Set aside.
3. Mix together all ingredients for the topping, except the green onions. Spread the cheesy topping
evenly over the enchiladas.
4. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until toasty and bubbly.
5. Sprinkle chopped green onions over enchiladas and serve

Source: Happy Cinco de Mayo! Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Two new studies published in the current issue of Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, a peer-reviewed journal, add to the large body of scientific evidence which supports that the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System, made by Allergan, Inc., is a safe and effective weight-loss procedure. One study concluded that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedure can be safely performed in a community medical practice, with patients experiencing meaningful excess weight loss. The second study examined patients who received LAGB following the failure of gastric bypass and found they achieved significant weight loss two years post-banding procedure.

While a wealth of data has been published in the literature worldwide, questions have recently been raised about the safety and effectiveness of the LAP-BAND® System, specifically with respect to average weight loss and complications. These two new studies support that the advanced product technology of the LAP-BAND® AP System, combined with surgical technique and patient aftercare result in positive clinical outcomes. The LAP-BAND® System has an 18-year safety and effectiveness record, including almost 10-years in the United States, with more than 650,000 procedures performed worldwide, leading to more than two million patient years of exposure for the device.

Key Study Findings Published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases:

The first study, by James B. Ray, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Shahla Ray, Ph.D., of the Center for Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery, Bloomington, IN, followed one surgeon's practice for five years (March 30, 2004 to December 2, 2009) in which 442 LAGB procedures were performed. The study found that on average patients achieved 48 percent excess weight loss at two years and 60 percent excess weight loss at five years, with no evidence of weight re-gain over the duration of the study. Percent excess weight loss (% EWL) is defined as the percent of "excess weight" – i.e., the weight above ideal weight – that is lost. Follow-up information for 94 percent of patients was available. Patients were seen two weeks postoperatively and then every six weeks for the first year, every three months for the second year and twice yearly thereafter. Adjustments were made according to weight loss, level of satiety and hunger. The perioperative mortality rate was zero percent and the explantation rate (i.e., band removal) was low – less than two percent. Four patients required reoperation within 30 days. Long term complications were band slippage in nine (2.0%), port problems in 14 (3.1%) and band erosion in two (0.4%). The authors concluded, based on their substantial database, that LAGB is safe and effective, produces sustained weight loss, and has a low long-term failure rate.

"In bariatric surgery, surgeon experience and technique is critical to optimizing patient safety and weight-loss outcomes," said Dr. Ray. "In addition, the procedure that is chosen must meet the expectations of the patient in terms of both efficacy and safety. Our study shows that with the use of advanced band technology by trained surgeons and meticulous follow up care, patients can undergo a minimally invasive procedure in a community setting and achieve successful and sustainable weight loss."

The second study by Katayun Irani, M.D., Heekoung A. Youn, R.N., Christine J. Ren-Fielding, M.D., George A. Fielding, M.D. and Marina Kurian, M.D. from the New York University Langone Medical Center, NY, evaluated 43 patients who had received LAGB after failing to achieve satisfactory weight loss following gastric bypass surgery. Failure was defined as persistent morbid obesity or failure to maintain at least 50 percent EWL at 18 months post gastric bypass. For patients in this study, mean body mass index (BMI) before gastric bypass was 50.4, and they still met the definition of morbid obesity (average BMI of 43.3) more than six years on average after the procedure. Two years after receiving LAGB, the average BMI was 35.2. The study re-operation rate for complications related to LAGB was 10 percent and included two band erosions, one band slip, one port flip, and one case of persistent dysphagia. The study re-operation findings are in line with the medical literature, which finds the re-operation rate of LAGB is higher when performed as a secondary procedure versus as a primary procedure. The researchers concluded that LAGB is a safe and effective procedure to help failed gastric bypass patients achieve successful weight loss.

"Our study demonstrated that gastric bypass is not for everyone and many factors can contribute to the failure of gastric bypass, resulting in patients not meeting their weight-loss goals," said Christine J. Ren-Fielding, M.D., Department of General Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, NY. "For those who have been unsuccessful in achieving a healthy weight following gastric bypass, the data shows that a gastric banding procedure performed by a skilled bariatric surgeon is an effective way to achieve sustained weight loss due to its low rate of complications and a very low mortality rate. The LAP-BAND® System not only can be a first-line surgical treatment option, but can also potentially be used safely as an adjunct to other bariatric operations when weight loss is not achieved."

The Food and Drug Administration has approved marketing the Lap-Band weight-loss surgery to patients who are significantly less obese than those who now use the device, according to an announcement Wednesday by its maker, Irvine-based Allergan Inc.

The approval allows Allergan to market the device to patients with a body mass index of as low as 30 if they have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, the company said.

That would make an estimated 26 million more Americans eligible to receive the device. Overall, an estimated 37 million Americans now meet the criteria for receiving the device, Allergan said in a news release.

The Lap-Band surgery was initially only reserved for patients with a body mass index, or BMI, of 40, which translates to a 5-foot-9 patient who weighs 270 pounds. In the last couple of years, surgeons and the FDA have looked favorably on using both procedures on patients with a BMI of 35 and at least one medical condition. That translates to a patient of the same height with a weight of 236 pounds.

In December, an FDA advisory panel recommended that the Lap-Band be approved for patients with a BMI of 30 if they have failed at diets and weight-loss drugs and have at least one weight-related medical condition. For the 5-foot-9 patient, that translates to a weight of about 203 pounds. The FDA approval was based on a study of 149 patients who had an excess weight averaging 62.8 pounds and had been obese, defined as a BMI greater than 30, for an average of 17 years.

More than 65% of the patients were no longer obese after one year, according to Allergan, and there were improvements in their cholesterol levels, diabetes, hypertension and quality of life. About a third of the patients had their conditions completely resolved. Allergan has agreed to follow patients in that study for another five years.

The FDA approval should make it more likely that insurance companies will pay for the procedure for patients with BMIs under 35.

Medicare, will pay for Lap-Band surgery for patients older than 65.