With North American obesity numbers on the rise, the number of people looking to weight loss surgery for relief is also on the rise. In Canada, nearly one in four residents are considered obese. That number increases to one in three for the American public.

For the past two decades, obesity rates have increased significantly in Canada and the United States. The rate of increase for men was 10 per cent in Canada and 12 per cent in the United States. It was slightly less for women.

The trend shows no signs of easing as a recent study of 34 OECD countries put the United States and Canada in the top 3 countries with the highest childhood obesity rates. In Canada that number is one in four, with an even higher rate in the United States.

For adults as well as children, being overweight or obese can have a devastating effect on their health. Diabetes, heart disease, metabolic disorders, high blood pressure, joint problems, sleep apnea, and other chronic health problems are common conditions related to being severely overweight. Not to mention the tremendous negative emotional and psychological impact of simply carrying a few extra pounds.

It is clear that an active lifestyle combined with a healthy diet is the key to maintaining a healthy body weight. What isn't clear is how a severely overweight or obese person gets to a BMI or Body Mass Index that can be maintained with diet and exercise.

Losing a large amount of weight in the form of excess body fat is a daunting task. With a large majority of this group already experiencing health problems, the chances of success without surgical intervention are low.

A number of surgical interventions are available. Of these, gastric banding or laparoscopic banding has proven to be the best choice with high success rates and a much lower risk of complications. Laparoscopic banding is a minimally invasive operation with a lower rate of operative complications than gastric bypass. It has demonstrated its effectiveness and is proven to be the best and safest choice for most weight loss surgery candidates.

While there are plenty of clinics offering gastric banding surgery throughout North America, a potential candidate should choose their provider wisely. The experience of the surgeons, effectiveness of the program, aftercare and support should all play a role when you're deciding who to trust with your health.

Leaders in the field like Slimband have performed thousands of gastric banding surgeries. They have experienced surgeons as well as the dedicated support staff needed to ensure success. The whole process from assessment to surgery to aftercare and support needs to be seamlessly delivered to ensure the best results. Weight loss surgery leaders like Slimband should be your first choice when considering your weight loss surgery options. The Slimband surgical weight loss clinic has one of the most active gastric banding programs in the world with over 6,000 surgeries performed to date.

The surgery itself involves the placement of a gastric lap band around the top of the stomach in order to reduce the volume of food the stomach can hold. This reduces the amount of food that can be ingested, curbs hunger, and leads to significant weight loss.

Many studies have been conducted that review the effectiveness and safety of weight loss via gastric banding. The results are promising:

The average gastric banding patient loses 1 - 2 pounds per week consistently

The average band patient loses about 50 per cent of their excess weight within a year of undergoing the operation

• Lower mortality rate versus gastric bypass surgery
• Reversible - the stomach will return to normal size if the band is removed
• No cutting or stapling of the stomach
• Outpatient procedure
• Fast recovery
• The band can be easily adjusted (filled)
• Fewer complications versus gastric bypass surgery

As with any surgery there are potential complications, though considerably lower incidence as compared to gastric bypass.

• Standard risks associated with outpatient surgery
• Productive burping
• Ulceration
• Gastritis
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastric band slippage
• Stoma obstruction

John C. of Toronto had a gastric band inserted 3 years ago by Slimband because of high blood pressure and concerns over diabetes. He dropped over 150 pounds and now maintains his weight with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

"Slimband gave me the tools that allowed me to build a future that looks brighter than I ever thought possible. The combination of the Slimband, as well as the nutritional and lifestyle coaching they provided has helped me go from 408 pounds all the way down to 258 pounds, and I've kept it off for 2 years! I don't have any more back or joint pain, and my edema, as well as risk for type 2 diabetes, are things of the past. More than ever I feel confident knowing that this time my past struggles with weight will actually stay in the past."

If you are a potential candidate for weight loss surgery, consider your options carefully when choosing your gastric banding clinic. Your weight loss success and higher quality of life are in their hands.

The contest, which received hundreds of entries, was promoted at the National Women's Show in Toronto, which ran from November 5 - 7, 2010. As the winner, Olga will receive a Slimband surgical procedure and 4 years of follow up care valued at $16,000.

"This should be the end of the diet road for me," said Olga.

Before her current job as a receptionist for a medical company in Mississauga, Olga not only tried various diets unsuccessfully, she even worked for the companies that promoted them. But now the stars have aligned for Olga as she prepares for permanent weight loss success.

Slimband decided to hold the contest to give the gift of weight loss to someone who might not otherwise be able to afford the procedure. Visitors to the November 2010 National Women's Show were encouraged to fill out a ballot at the Slimband booth. The contest was open to all Ontario residents.

Slimband has been North America's premier weight loss surgery clinic for more than 10 years. Their experienced team of surgeons has given more than 6,000 men and women a permanent solution to losing weight and keeping it off. Slimband has offices and fill locations across Canada.

"We are pleased to be giving Olga the chance of a lifetime," said Lisa Borg, Vice President of Marketing for Slimband. "I speak for everyone at Slimband when I say we're excited that we are able to give Olga, a lifelong dieter, a permanent solution to achieving weight loss success."

The prize package, a Slimband gastric banding procedure valued at approximately $16,000, will be awarded to one lucky National Women’s Show attendee on November 10, 2010.

To enter the drawing, attendees must visit the Slimband booth (#807) to complete and submit the contest registration form prior to 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 7, 2010. Only one entry per attendee is allowed. The winner will be chosen by random drawing and need not be present to win. Official rules and requirements are available online click here.

One of the biggest events of its kind, the National Women’s Show is a three-day event that has something for everyone. Food and wine sampling, fashion and beauty, celebrity speakers, fashion shows, free makeovers, entertaining ideas, weight loss solutions, travel, cooking demonstrations and of course-shopping!

For a specially discounted entrance free coupon from Slimband please click here.

Katie Jay, director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, author of Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story and successful WLS participant, will offer an engaging and motivating presentation sharing insights into the importance of changing your thinking and behavior to be successful after weight loss surgery. Her presentation will also touch on the Top 10 Stages of Transformation - an explanation about how to move through the common post-surgical stages, with an emphasis on the mental and emotional transformations that take place.

"We are privileged to have Katie join us for this event and provide us with inspiration based on her vast experiences as a certified life coach and successful weight loss surgery patient." says Sharon Mueller, Director of Patient Support at Slimband. "We sought after a speaker who has strong personal ties to the weight loss surgery community. Katie Jay has been on the world's stage, and we are very interested in how her insights will galvanize all of our patients in achieving their weight loss goals."

To learn more about this event please click here.

Presale tickets are $30 (includes buffet lunch) until November 7, 2010. Tickets are available online click here.

The rebranding has provided the company with an opportunity to evolve, and further infuse a fresh and positive attitude into the company’s overall image. The rebranding exercise has been rolled out across all facets of the company, with the launch of Slimband.com as a key component. The new website serves not only as an information and knowledge resource, but also as an opportunity to interact with staff, as well as current and future clients through the addition of an online community.

Lisa Borg, Slimband Marketing Director said “The Laparoscopic Band Centre (TLBC) has grown strongly over the past four years and our business plan supports further growth and expansion. The development of a strong, distinguishable brand is firmly aligned with our plans and one element which will help us build on our success within the weight loss surgery industry.”

The new brand name will replace The Laparoscopic Band Centre (TLBC) name, website and logos with immediate effect.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery (LAGB) not only results in sustained weight loss for morbidly obese patients, but it also provides an improvement or remission of Type 2 diabetes in 83% of the patients. This news, the results of a new study, was presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The event was held in Dallas, Texas, and Slimband was there to learn first-hand about the ground breaking study.

To date, this is the largest long-term study on the impact of gastric banding on diabetes. This study strongly suggests that there is a definite connection between diabetes and morbid obesity. The study noted that the patients who achieved and maintained a significant weight loss also realized the greatest remission of diabetes in a shorter time frame.

The study included 95 participants who ranged in age prior to surgery from 21 to 68 years, with an average BMI (Body Mass Index) of 46. Researchers from New York University (NYU) Medical Center conducted the study from January 2002 through January 2004. Approximately 88% of the patients were taking oral medications to control their diabetes and about 15% were using insulin. On average, the patients had been diagnosed with diabetes about 6 and 1/2 years before surgery.

As routine follow up to the surgery, the patients’ weight was monitored and blood tests were done. During the first year, researchers followed each patient on a monthly basis, and during the second year the follow-ups were every three months. After that, the follow-ups were annual unless more frequent visits were needed.

At the end of the five-year follow-up period the data clearly showed that in about 40% of patients, diabetes was in remission and in about 43% it was improved, which resulted in a combined improvement/remission rate of 83%.

The incidence of diabetes and obesity is on the rise and that has resulted in several studies for effective methods for sustaining weight loss and for diabetes remission. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be an excellent option for the treatment of morbid obesity as well as a way to improve Type 2 diabetes.

ASMBS is a non-profit organization that works to progressively move forward in the science of gastric banding surgery. This includes educating both medical professionals and the lay public about gastric banding surgery as the treatment of choice for morbid obesity. The ASMBS also educates regarding the risks and benefits of the surgery.

For additional information about laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery, visit Slimband.com.

Slimband understands the financial pressures faced by many people due to the current economic conditions and does not want this to be a stumbling block in achieving long term weight loss success. Slimband Physician's Assistant, Dr. Umar Dar said "I believe this new payment option will make weight loss surgery a viable option to many who had previously overlooked it due to the associated costs. I'm glad that those people will now have the chance to start their weight loss journey and experience long term weight loss success."

Under the new payment plan, patients will continue to have access to Slimband's extensive post-op support program, which is among the most comprehensive in Canada. The 4 year post-op program includes features such as regular in-person and online events, advice and assistance from fitness and nutrition experts, and access to fill adjustments at locations convenient for patients.

The survey was completed by 386 post-operative Slimband patients from across Canada. The participants were aged between 21 years and 68 years old, and 88% of the participants were female. Almost three quarters of participants were part way through their weight loss journey, with the remainder either having only recently received surgery, or having reached their goal weight.

The impact of weight loss on self esteem was one of the main themes to emerge from the survey. A remarkable 70% of all participants reported that self esteem and self belief had increased with weight loss. One participant reported, “I have more confidence and make decisions more easily. I don't question myself and just live in the moment more”.

Lifestyle changes, such as increased energy levels and an improved sex life were reported by 60% and one third of all participants respectively. Such lifestyle changes came as a surprise to some participants, with one patient noting that the most unexpected weight loss benefit was “having so much energy, so quickly!”

A reduction in weight associated health issues was common among many participants, with 58% reporting a decrease in general aches and pains. Participants also reported a reduction in problems such as heart burn, joint swelling, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. When asked to name the most rewarding benefit of surgery, participants indicated that it was the knowledge that weight loss was having a positive impact upon life expectancy and overall health that mattered most.

The CN Tower Climb is not only a great physical challenge, but also a fantastic fundraising event. The event’s main purpose is to raise funds for the World Wildlife Fund, and in turn combat global warming—our greatest current environmental threat. Slimband’s fundraising efforts contributed over $500 to the cause.

The Slimband team, consisting of members David Ku, Ioana Pescarasu, Leo Palermo, Jen Prosen and Yvonne Tsui completed the trial in fantastic time; all well under the average time of 25 to 40 minutes. A standout performance however, was that of Leo Palermo who completed the climb in 15 minutes and 58 seconds, placing him amongst the top 10 competitors.

Slimband congratulates these employees not only on their completion of the climb, but also on their support of the WWF through fund raising efforts.