Struggling with obesity is a serious issue that affects not only your self-esteem but your overall health. We are all bombarded with information about fad yo-yo diets, fitness programs, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes all of which are equally terrifying when it comes to your personal health. After years of battling to shed unwanted pounds you begin to feel weight loss take its toll on your health and optimism.

Obesity is quickly becoming the number one cause of death for Canadians yet the Health Care system is not geared towards treatment of the disease, as doing so would likely bankrupt it. Instead Canada has chosen to focus on prevention, but how will this help those currently struggling with their weight?

There are a few options for Canadians who are looking to take charge of their obesity though surgical means. The most common surgical procedures are Gastric Bypass (Stomach Stapling) or Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap Band). Gastric Bypass surgery is much more invasive than Laparoscopic Banding and is covered in Canada for patients who chronically suffer with obesity. Gastric bypass involves the physical removal of a large portion of your stomach, to bring it back to its natural size.

Laparoscopic Banding on the other hand is not nearly as invasive. It requires only a small incision in order to place an adjustable band at the bottom of your esophagus. Not only is the procedure less invasive it is also completely reversible unlike Bypass Surgery.

Recently a landmark study out of Australia found that patients who underwent Lap Band surgery were five times more likely to be cured of diabetes within two years of the surgery than patients undergoing standard treatment for diabetes. This is great news for obese diabetics, who could see their diabetes vanish by choosing to undergo Lap Band surgery.

Here are some resources to help make a choice that is right for your health:
• The Benefits of the Gastric Band
• TLBC the best Choice
• Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN) video clip on the Lap Band and Diabetes