1. SAGB PMA P070009. Available at:
    http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/
    PMAApprovals/ucm106554.htm
  2. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, data on file.
  3. SAGB PMA P070009 and LAP-BAND PMA P000008. Available at:
    http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/
    PMAApprovals/ucm106554.htm
    and http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/
    DeviceApprovalsandClearances/PMAApprovals/ucm113712.htm
    , respectively.
  4. Miller K, Pump A. Mechanical versus suture ?xation of the port in adjustable gastric banding procedures: a prospective randomized blinded study. Surg Endoscopy. 2008;22(11):2478-2484.
  5. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, study data on file.
  6. LAP-BAND vs. Other Bands. Allergan. Available at:
    http://www.lapband.com/get_informed/obesity_weight_loss/
    lapband_vs_other/#chart
    .Accessed June 12, 2009.
  7. SAGB PMA Supplement P070009/S003. Available at:
    http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/
    DeviceApprovalsandClearances/PMAApprovals/ucm100350.htm
  8. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, REALIZE® Patient Guide. Available at: www.REALIZE.com
  9. Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004;292:1724-1737.
  10. Tolonen P, Victorzon M, Niemi R, et al. Does gastric banding for morbid obesity reduce or increase gastroesophageal reflux? Obes Surg. 2006;16:1469-1474.
  11. Cremieux P, Buchwald H, Shikora S, et al. A study on the economic impact of bariatric surgery. Am J Managed Care. 2008;14:51-58.
  12. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Position Statement on Sleeve Gastrectomy as a Bariatric Procedure. September 3, 2007. Available at:
    http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/resources/sleeve_statement.pdf
  13. Brethauer S, Hammel J, Schauer P. Systematic review of sleeve gastrectomy as staging and primary bariatric procedure. Surg Obes Related Dis. 2009;5:469-475.
  14. Cottam D, Qureshi S G, Mattar S., et al. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as an initial weight loss procedure for high risk patients with morbid obesity. Journal of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeon European Association for Endoscopic Surgery. 2006;20(6):859-863.
  15. RAND Health Fact Sheet. Weight loss surgery is more effective than diet and exercise in helping severely obese people lose weight. Washington, DC. RAND Corporation, 2005.
  16. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Surgery for morbid obesity: what patients should know. Toronto: FD-Communications, Inc., 2007.
  17. Wittgrove A, Clark G. Laparoscopic gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y—500 patients: technique and results, with 3-60 month follow-up. Obes Surg. 2000;10(3):233-239.
  18. Schauer P, Ikramuddin S, Gourash W, et al. Outcomes after laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Ann Surg. 2000;232(4):515-529.
  19. Presutti R, Gorman R, Swain J. Concise review for clinicians. Primary care perspective on bariatric surgery. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2004;9:1158-1166.
  20. Eid GM, Cottam DR, Velcu LM, et al. Effective treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Related Dis. 2005;2:77-80.
  21. Buchwald H. 2004 ASBS consensus conference statement, bariatric surgery for morbid obesity: health implications for patients, health professionals, and third party payers. Surg Obes Related Dis. 2005;1:371-378.
  22. Shirmer, B, Schauer P. Bariatric surgery training: getting your ticket punched. J Gastrointest Surg. 2007;11:807–812.
  23. Weiner R, Weiner S, Pomhoff I, et al. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy – influence of sleeve size and restricted gastric volume. Obes Surg. 2007;10:1297-1305.
  24. University of California San Diego Medical Center. Sleeve gastrectomy. Available at:
    http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/obesity/surgery/
    gastric-sleeve.htm
    . Accessed May 6, 2009.
  25. Himpens J, Dapri G, Cadiere G. A prospective randomized study between laparoscopic gastric banding and laparoscopic isolated sleeve gastrectomy: results after 1 and 3 years. Obes Surg. 2006;16:1450-1456.
  26. Langer F, Reza Hoda M, Bohdjalian A, et al. Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding: effects on plasma ghrelin levels. Obes Surg. 2005;15:1024-1029.
  27. Frezza E. Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity. The future procedure of choice? Surg Today. 2007;37:275–281.
  28. Ethicon Endo-Surgery. Which weight loss surgery Is right for you? [Patient brochure.] 2009. DSL# 09-0499.
  29. Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. F as in fat: how obesity policies are failing in America. Washington, DC. July 2009.
  30. American Heart Association. Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2007;116:1081-1093.
  31. U.S. Census Bureau. Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009. Available at:www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/09s1298.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  32. National Institutes of Health. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/ob_home.htm. Accessed June 2, 2009.
  33. The Endocrine Society. Understanding Obesity. Available at: http://www.obesityinamerica.org/understandingObesity/index.cfm. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  34. National Institutes of Health Guidelines on Overweight and Obesity: Electronic textbook. Available at : http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/e_txtbk/txgd/4326.htm. Accessed July 30, 2009.
  35. Buchwald H, Estok R, Fahrbach K, et al. Weight and type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2009;122(3):248-256.