Although results will vary by individual and based on compliance, one can experience as much as a 100 percent decrease in excess weight immediately after surgery.

Based on tracking of the previous 7317 surgical candidates, this percentage decreases to less than 40 percent at year one post-operatively, but then increases over time to much as a 50 percent excess weight loss at year eight and a 60 percent loss at year 11.

The importance of these results is the weight loss appears to be steady - and even improves over time.

As with any major surgery, risks and complications are possible. Even so, the track record of the stomach banding procedure at Spring Branch Medical Center is outstanding - especially compared to other types of obesity surgeries. Upon request, Dr. Oria will provide a detailed list of results.

An overview of the results is as follows:

1) Of the 7317 stomach banding procedures performed between 1980 and 2003, only 52 major complications have occurred - a rate of less than one percent (0.7).
2) Of the major complications, 22 involved gastric perforation.
3) Seven deaths - a rate of one one-hundreths of the total number of procedures - have occurred.
4) Revisions to the surgery average .17 percent per year.
5) Reversal of the procedure average 0.4 percent per year.
6) Five deaths have occurred during reoperations.

In contrast, a published report in the February, 2001, Gastroenterology Magazine revealed a mortality rate of 1.5% for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

The following are testimonials of actual patients:

HOPE R., Houston, TX (6/30/04):
"I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Oria and his staff. They are superb professionals, and have more than exceeded my expectations from beginning to present. They care, they are concerned, and they want to know, and want you to know … Thank you God for Dr. Oria and his staff."

ANGIE S., Coldspring, TX (6/26/04):
"I had surgery 2/27/03 and have lost 85 pounds. I am very pleased with my surgery and would recommend it to everyone."

SHARON W., Livingston, TX. (1/22/04):
Me and my husband met with Dr. Oria and he is the most caring doctor I have ever met! … Dr. Oria does not advertise and has a steady flow of patients. He was Dr. Molina's assistant for 20 years. That makes me very comfortable about his abilities."