HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Davis Clinic, headquartered in Houston, Texas, announced today that it will begin offering the LAP-BAND System in patients with a body mass index between 30 and 35, allowing greater access to care for individuals suffering from the disease of obesity.
“In February of this year, the FDA approved the LAP-BAND System for use in patients whose body mass index (BMI) is between 30 and 35,” stated Kimberly Taylor, Marketing & Administrative Director for The Davis Clinic. “We are excited to see that the FDA understands the efficacy of surgical treatment for obesity. To be able to offer a long-term solution to individuals struggling with their weight who – prior to the FDA’s approval – could not have bariatric surgery, is quite rewarding because we know surgical intervention works in treating this disease.”
Prior to the FDA’s approval of the LAP-BAND System in lower BMI placement, an individual had to have a BMI of at least 35 in order to undergo bariatric surgery of any kind. The FDA’s approval of the device being placed in lower BMI patients opens the door for surgical treatment of obesity in no less than 26 million people in the United States.
“Insurance currently does not cover bariatric surgery for individuals whose BMI is below 35; however, we are hopeful that in the next few years, we will see that change. For the time being, the procedure must be done on a cash-pay basis, but of all procedures available today, the LAP-BAND is certainly the most affordable when an individual must pay for surgery themselves. When bariatric surgery is performed by experienced surgeons who have a strong aftercare program, the procedure can be very effective with respect to weight loss and maintenance,” stated Jamie Carr, Clinical Director at The Davis Clinic.
“Bariatric surgery has made vast improvements in the last ten years with respect to patient safety and quality outcomes. We’ve learned from the patient population that it’s imperative that we treat the whole person in a comprehensive manner, because surgery is only a tool. Success comes when individuals take their surgical tool and combine it with behavior and lifestyle changes,” stated Dr. Robert Davis of The Davis Clinic. “We’re encouraged to now be able to offer a minimally invasive procedure such as the LAP-BAND to individuals whose BMI is between 30 and 35. It can certainly provide the tool they’ve been lacking, and allow them the opportunity to finally be successful with their weight loss,” said Dr. Davis.
Because insurance does not cover the procedure in individuals with a BMI below 35, The Davis Clinic provides BLIS Care Complication Protection to all its self-pay patients. This means that every surgeon at The Davis Clinic meets strict outcome criteria and provides their self-pay patients a minimum of 90-day complication protection. “While the chances of suffering a complication are quite low in the hands of a qualified surgeon, complications can arise from time-to-time. BLIS Care Complication Protection provides our patients with peace of mind in knowing that should a complication arise, they are financially secure,” stated Ms. Carr.
The Davis Clinic is set to perform the LAP-BAND System procedure in a patient whose BMI is 32 on Friday, July 1. “We anticipate this to be the first of many procedures we are now able to perform in patients with a BMI between 30 and 35, thanks largely in part to the FDA’s approval for use in this patient population,” stated Ms. Taylor. “We are excited to be able to offer our comprehensive aftercare program to these individuals and to help improve the quality of their lives,” stated Ms. Carr.
The LAP-BAND® System is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc. For information on the LAP-BAND System, visit www.lapband.com.
BLIS, BLISPay, and BLIS Care Complication Program are registered trademarks of BLIS, Inc. For more information on BLIS Insurance Services, BLISPay, or the BLIS Care Complication Program, please visit www.bliscompany.com.
The Davis Clinic continues to lead the way in surgical and non-surgical weight management, providing exceptional care for individuals simply needing to lose a few pounds, to treating individuals who are super morbidly obese. Information about The Davis Clinic may be found online at www.thedavisclinic.com.
CONTACT:
The Davis Clinic
Kimberly P. Taylor, 713-464-6000
Marketing & Administrative Director
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Surgery Health Hospitals Medical Devices FDA General Health
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