Healthier Weight Launch Gastric Band Patient Card

Healthier Weight, one of the UK’s leading gastric band providers, has launched a new gastric band Patient Card that can be easily carried at all times, providing patients with round the clock expert help.

This practical innovation was introduced so patients can receive help any time of the day or night from the Healthier Weight team who provide an emergency out of hours service for all their patients, wherever they are in the world.  

Dr David Ashton, a recognised authority on obesity and its treatment, commented, “We wanted to give patients an easy reminder of where to call in case they needed help – possibly when travelling abroad where gastric band surgery has not yet been introduced or, indeed, in some parts of the UK where it is not a routine procedure”.  

“Gastric banding is a remarkably safe procedure but just occasionally – and often whilst on holiday – a patient may pick up a stomach bug and start vomiting.  In these circumstances they may need to visit a doctor or hospital who knows very little about the band.  A quick call to our emergency helpline and the doctor can be provided with expert advice and the patient can be reassured.  So far we have helped our patients in the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Spain and the Sudan”.

It is estimated that there are some 250,000 gastric bands in place worldwide with the number increasing year on year.  Gastric banding has recently overtaken gastric bypass as the number one weight loss procedure in the USA.  

At Healthier Weight patients are always encouraged to consider a gastric band before any other weight loss surgery procedure because it is such a safe operation and completely reversible.  In addition all surgery patients benefit from an unrivalled aftercare package that has been tailored to suit patients' needs following surgery.  Healthier Weight’s blend of clinical reviews, medical expertise, personal support, information and advice ensures that all patients are monitored, informed and reassured every step of the way

For further editorial information please contact: Victoria Schlesinger  tel: 01242 211188 or email: victoria@montpelliergroup.com (Montpellier Marketing Communications Group)

For more information on Healthier Weight please contact Chrissie Twigg Tel: 0121 693 4482 or email: chrissietwigg@healthierweight.co.uk  www.healthierweight.co.uk

Healthier Weight was formed in 2005 by Dr David Ashton, BSc MD PhD, after a lifelong interest and five years intensive research into effective weight management models from around the world. Healthier Weight has a network of centres in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and Italy.  Healthier Weight also offers non-surgical weight loss and medically supervised weight loss programmes.