Lately, the success of the LAP-BAND^® System has been getting lots of media attention. Read some of the recent articles below.

• Associated Press
  June 11, 2009
  An article from the Associated Press highlights that professional golfer John Daly is back on PGA tour and “looking trimmer than in his last PGA start thanks to LAP-BAND^® surgery that has helped him lose 61 pounds.” Daly says, "Golf is my life. I mean it's the only thing I've been able to do to provide for my family, for myself… I think I'm giving myself a chance to be the best player that I can be, and to me, that's all that matters."
• E! News
  May 13, 2009
  E! News featured “Guiding Light” star Caitlin Van Zandt discussing her weight loss of nearly 100 pounds. Caitlin expressed frustration with her past attempts at losing weight, “I was the person who was not going to lose weight because I tried everything and failed.” Caitlin notes, “I looked at my options and I really liked the idea of the LAP-BAND AP^® System because it is something that is lifelong.” The segment shows before and after photos of Caitlin while the host notes, “Take a look at Caitlin. Ninety-two pounds lighter, sporting a pair of size eight jeans and a curve-hugging sweater. Quite a change from before when she was a size 16.” The segment states that Caitlin’s mom, Barbara, had the procedure, too, and displays before and after photos of Barbara and Caitlin together. Caitlin comments, “I never thought I would be able to be healthy and that I would feel good in my own skin.”
• Cable Radio Network
  May 5, 2009
  Cable Radio Network aired an interview conducted with Caitlin Van Zandt. Caitlin recalls how at the age of 20 she faced being put on cholesterol medication and had asthma due to her weight. Caitlin says that she has now lost 92 pounds with the LAP-BAND AP^® System and describes that it creates a small portion at the top of her stomach which allows her to eat less and helps her lose weight in a “healthy and safe way.” She notes that she chose LAP-BAND AP^® System because it is “reversible and adjustable.” Caitlin notes that she is currently working with WomenHeart on the “Heartfelt Moment” campaign to raise awareness of the connection between heart disease and being significantly overweight. Caitlin mentions the Web site, http://www.heartfeltmoments.org, and notes that the site contains tools to help women evaluate their risk and tips to start the conversation with a loved one.
• Soap Opera Digest
  April 1, 2009
  Soap Opera Digest featured a four-page article on Caitlin Van Zandt. The article discusses that Caitlin has the LAP-BAND AP^® System and has lost nearly 100 pounds, and that the surgery was also written into the “Guiding Light” story line. After losing weight, Caitlin now feels that she is at a normal weight, her cholesterol is down and she is able to run on the treadmill without getting out of breath. The article includes photos of Caitlin at various points of her weight-loss journey. She says she wants to hit the 100 pound weight-loss mark, but explains, “[My surgery] was all about being healthy and feeling normal, and now I’m both of those things.” Caitlin explains that she hopes her fans will be inspired by her honesty, but she also wants people to realize she had the procedure for herself and her health. The article also features a sidebar about Caitlin’s mother, Barbara, and her LAP-BAND AP^® System surgery and weight-loss success.
• People
  March 23, 2009
  People magazine featured "Guiding Light" star Caitlin Van Zandt at the one-year anniversary of her LAP-BAND AP^® System surgery. Highlighting Caitlin's weight loss and the overall improvement in her health and happiness, People conducted a photo shoot centered on a theme of summer beauty and glamour. The article begins by noting, "A year after LAP-BAND^® surgery, Caitlin Van Zandt is 90 pounds lighter and ready for the beach." The article references that to keep in shape Caitlin eats a healthy diet of fish, yogurt and almonds, and exercises regularly. The article also includes a before picture of Caitlin, noting that she has gone from a size 20 to a size 8.
  
  Also, People.com posted an additional article highlighting that Caitlin has lost 90 pounds "a year after getting LAP-BAND^® surgery," and has gone from a size 20 to a size 8. The article notes that Caitlin had "a device known as a LAP-BAND^® placed around her stomach...thereby limiting how much she can eat." Caitlin says she is "much happier," and that the biggest change in her life is the ability to buy smaller clothes and show off her new physique. The article highlights Caitlin's new healthier diet and exercise plan.
• Entertainment Tonight
  March 23, 2009
  Entertainment Tonight featured "Guiding Light" star Caitlin Van Zandt at the one-year anniversary of her LAP-BAND AP^® System surgery. The segment notes, "Caitlin Van Zandt underwent LAP-BAND System surgery last year, shrinking her stomach to the size of a golf ball," while displaying visuals of the LAP-BAND AP^® System. Caitlin tells Entertainment Tonight, "I feel comfortable telling everybody that I was a size 20 and right now I am fitting into tens and eights." The segment features "before" video from last year at the time of her surgery, as well as current footage of Caitlin trying on clothes. Additionally, behind-the-scenes video from the People magazine shoot is also featured, along with mentions that the magazine is on newsstands now. The segment teases further footage that viewers can see on ETOnline.com.
• WeightLossSurgeryChannel.com
  February, 2009
  Weight Loss Surgery Channel Online reported on Allergan's new partnerships with Lindora^® and Curves^®. The piece notes the program with Lindora is a "new post-operative support program to help LAP-BAND^® patients adopt a healthy lifestyle," and notes the program is called the LAP-BAND^® Therapeutic Lifestyle Change program, an expansion of the My LAP-BAND^® Journey program. The segment also mentions that Allergan's partnership with Curves International includes discounted membership rates for female LAP-BAND^® patients. Video shots of the LAP-BAND^® Web site are featured as well. View the segment: http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/programs/wls-news/wls-news-february-13-2009.html
• Health Corner
  January, 2009
  Health Corner featured actress Caitlin Van Zandt and Dr. Michael Roizen discussing Caitlin's success with the LAP-BAND AP^® System. Caitlin describes her struggle with weight, lack of success with diets and exercise and says, "I had given up hope." But, her moment of truth came when she learned there was an option that could help her lose the weight and keep it off. The segment explains that, along with her mother, Caitlin underwent gastric banding surgery with the LAP-BAND^® System. Caitlin explains that the LAP-BAND^® is adjustable and removable. The segment says that Caitlin has teamed up with Dr. Michael Roizen to help others understand that weight-loss surgery can help them lead a healthier, happier life. Dr. Roizen describes the dangers of belly fat, including diabetes, sleep apnea and heart disease, and says his advice to people is that, "If they can't make it with diet and exercise, and many people can't, then they need to talk to their surgeons about other options, such as gastric banding." Additionally, the segment mentions that Caitlin incorporated the gastric banding procedure into the storyline on "Guiding Light."
• US Weekly
  September, 2008
  US Weekly featured a four-page article about Caitlin Van Zandt and her weight loss with the LAP-BAND AP^® System, accompanied by before and after pictures and a sidebar in which Dr. Michael Roizen discusses the LAP-BAND AP^® procedure. The article notes that six months after surgery, Van Zandt, who is a spokesperson for the "Moment is Now. Here is the Truth." obesity health education campaign, sponsored by Allergan, has shed 65 pounds and went from a size 20 to a 12. Caitlin explains that the idea of gastric bypass scared her but that the LAP-BAND^® is "adjustable, reversible, and quick" and that she was able to leave the hospital the on same day as her procedure and went back to work a few days later. "The band takes away your hunger," she explains. "Food has become purposeful, when before it was endless." The article also notes that Caitlin's mom, Barbara, had the procedure.
• TV Guide
  May 29, 2008
  TV Guide published an article regarding Caitlin Van Zandt's LAP-BAND^® AP System surgery. The Q&A concerns the reactions of fans to Caitlin's weight loss and the parallel story line involving her character, Ashlee Wolfe, on "Guiding Light." TV Guide calls LAP-BAND^® "minimally invasive, unlike gastric bypass, and considered safe." Caitlin talks about her personal self consciousness with her weight and says she now feels fantastic. She says, "I'm never going to be Hollywood skinny. But already the change is amazing. I no longer run to food because I'm sad or bored, and I'm in therapy letting go of all sorts of emotional weight. Every day I'm feeling more and more like the ideal me." Caitlin also discusses how she is sad that some of her fans - some of whom identified with her on the basis of her size - are disappointed with Ashlee's weight-loss storyline, but says that ultimately the decision was a personal one and she prefers to be a role model for those who want to take charge of their health.
• People
  May 16, 2008
  People magazine features an article on Caitlin Van Zandt's weight-loss journey with the LAP-BAND^® AP System in a two-page spread. Titled "Gastric on TV and in Real Life," the article reveals that - like her character Ashlee on "Guiding Light" - Caitlin also "had a device known as a LAP-BAND^® placed around her stomach [...] thereby limiting how much she can eat." It is noted that the surgery took only 40 minutes and Caitlin describes what her meals look like on her new healthy diet. Caitlin highlights that she never felt very good about herself and she hopes her personal weight-loss journey will inspire people. Caitlin says, "I chose to take control of my life and raise awareness that you can be healthy." Barbara Van Zandt, Caitlin's mother and fellow LAP-BAND^® AP System patient, notes that "When she would try and find clothes, it was always a struggle. Now Caitlin has become a shopper!" Caitlin is down two dress sizes so far. Ellen Wheeler, the executive producer of "Guiding Light," is also quoted about her decision to write the surgery into the show. Included with the article are several before and after pictures of Caitlin.
• Entertainment Tonight
  May 15, 2008
  Entertainment Tonight features Caitlin Van Zandt's experience with the LAP-BAND^® AP System. Caitlin's decision is described as courageous and inspirational, and she clearly states that she is excited to get the LAP-BAND^® AP System and describes what it means to her to get happier and healthier. The show describes how the LAP-BAND^® works in great detail, including Dr. George Fielding, New York University leading bariatric surgeon, using the actual LAP-BAND^® to show how he puts it on the stomach and how it works to reduce your hunger. The procedure is described as minimal, lasting only about 45 minutes with little cutting. They show how Caitlin was back at work at "Guiding Light" within a week, and the soap opera's executive producer talks about how she felt she had to make Caitlin's journey Ashlee's as well, as Caitlin plays Ashlee on the show. It's also noted how Caitlin has lost more than 40 pounds in two and half months, and that she feels happier and more confident. Finally, the segment describes the average weight loss with the device as being 1-2 pounds a week, the typical cost of the procedure, and also directs viewers to LAPBAND.com for more information. They also note that viewers can learn more about Caitlin's journey in People magazine, and follow it on "Guiding Light."
• CNN Fit Nation
  April 28, 2008
  CNN's Fit Nation aired a segment featuring LAP-BAND^® System patient Patty Hill. CNN has been following Patty through her weight-loss journey, and when viewers last saw her in January 2008, she described how she chose the LAP-BAND^® System over gastric bypass due to a heart condition and the fear from watching a friend die from complications from bypass surgery. In Friday's segment, Patty explains that the surgery was not an easy way out for her. Three years ago, at nearly 280 pounds, she "couldn't fit in a rollercoaster without sitting in a fat seat" and "had to ask for a seat belt extender" on planes. The reporter gives a brief explanation of the procedure and shows animation noting, "it shortens the digestive track and limits calorie intake" and also notes that, "laparoscopic banding or LAP-BAND^® is a simpler operation." During the description of the procedure, LAP-BAND^® System animation is shown. Patty explains "with this surgery, it's a tool. It's definitely not a solution. I still have to diet, I still have to watch what I eat; it's not an easy way out at all." She says she has no regrets and that her decision "probably added 15 to 20 years to my life."
• Soap Opera Weekly
  April 15, 2008
  The cover of Soap Opera Weekly announces "controversies" in soaps, including Caitlin Van Zandt's character Ashlee's weight loss surgery on "Guiding Light." John Driscoll who plays Coop (Ashlee's boyfriend), is interviewed and discusses the reasons why Ashlee made the decision to have gastric banding surgery, and reveals a few plot points around the episode involving the procedure. John is asked what kind of research Caitlin did to prepare for the role, and whether she "knows something about this topic too." John responds that the writers did the research and that, "I don't want to say Caitlin did [have surgery]. As an artist, Caitlin was able to get into the character and bring some good stuff to this story." An accompanying photo of Caitlin includes a caption that says the actress is "clearly taking her character's gastric banding procedure to heart. Here she is on March 29, looking thinner than she does onscreen in scenes filmed two months ago."
• May 22, 2007
  
  Khaliah Ali, daughter of Muhammed Ali, leads Obesity Health Education Campaign
  Khaliah Ali, fashion designer, author and daughter of former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, experienced a life-changing "moment of truth" the year after her son was born. At 335 pounds, more than 100 pounds heavier than her father's best fighting weight, Ali feared her battle with weight would prevent her from seeing her son grow up.