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We invite you to view these videos to learn more about our bariatric surgery procedures and our comprehensive approach to treatment and follow-up care. Our video segments will introduce you to Dr. Kim, our staff members, and patients as they describe what sets the Live Life Again Center for Bariatric Surgery apart from other practices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Office Location:
David D. Kim, M.D., F.A.C.S.
35 Veranda Lane Ste 100 Colleyville, Texas 76034
Click here to view a map

Fort Worth Patients:
(817) 717-7447
Dallas Patients:
(214) 614-7036
FAX:
(817) 581-6127

BMI Calculator





What does your BMI mean?

BMI 18-24
= Normal Weight
BMI 25-29
= Overweight
BMI 30-34
= Moderate Obesity
BMI 35-39
= Severe Obesity
BMI > 40
= Morbid Obesity

BMI, or body mass index, is a system of measurement that helps a patient figure out how overweight he or she is. A BMI of 20 to 25 is considered normal. 25 to 30 is considered overweight. 30.1 to 34.9 is considered obese. You are a candidate for weight loss surgery if your BMI is 40 or greater or if you have a BMI between 35 and 39.9 along with a serious health problem. The U.S. FDA has recently approved the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System for use in patients who have a BMI of 30 or more and at least one serious health problem (comorbidity) related to obesity.

"I thought I was a pretty happy fat person. Hiding behind my jokes and laughter, I did not know how much my weight controlled my life. I never knew what true happiness was until I had my surgery. Some people don't like to tell people when they have had weight loss surgery but I tell everyone because I feel everyone deserves to be this happy!"

- Melissa F.
Life changed forever on September 27, 2006

Dr. Kim — The REALIZE™ Band Expert

Thank you for spending some time with us to further increase your bariatric education. Our practice serves parts of Fort Worth, Arlington, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Southlake, and surrounding areas. I would like to share with you a new bariatric surgical device. It's called the REALIZE™ Band. Both LAP-BAND® and REALIZE™ Band surgical procedures are restrictive. This means they restrict the size of the stomach and decrease the amount of food that is consumed before feeling full.

About the REALIZE™ Band

The REALIZE™ Band creates a small egg sized pouch by gently compressing the top part of the stomach. This pouch is easily filled with less than four ounces of food, helping a patient feel satisfied and full. The rate at which food enters the upper part of the stomach from the upper pouch — and thus the amount of food consumed before an individual feels full — can be adjusted. This adjustment is made by adding saline into a port that connects to the band. The band itself is made of plastic bio-compatible materials. The inside of the port is essentially a soft inner tube reservoir for saline. As saline is injected, the inner tube fills, the band expands, and the stomach becomes more restricted. The port is implanted on top of the muscle, underneath the skin, and it can not be seen. The REALIZE™ Band procedure performed by our Dallas-Fort Worth area surgeon typically takes about 30 minutes to perform. It is done so under general anesthesia and the patient is discharged later the same day.

The REALIZE™ Band procedure has been performed for approximately 10 years. While first being used in Europe the procedure was known as the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band, which was actually the first adjustable restricting device. Over 100,000 of these bands have been implanted world-wide.

Physically, the REALIZE™ Band is the widest of all bands. The band's manufacturer, Ethicon, feels this feature helps improve hunger control when compared to other bands. It is a high volume (9ml total capacity) and low pressure band. This allows for a patient to feel full with less chance of experiencing swallowing difficulties. The REALIZE™ Band is a very safe and durable device. We are happy to provide those in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with this procedure as it has been very effective in helping patients lose significant amounts of weight. Dr. Kim was selected to be among the first surgeons in the U.S. to be trained to insert the REALIZE™ Band. Since the band was introduced in the United States, Dr. Kim has inserted numerous bands to help his patients lose weight and change their lives. He has been impressed with the weight loss experienced by patients and has been very happy with the progress they have made. Patients can expect to lose one to two pounds per week.

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Risks of the REALIZE™ Band

When considering weight loss surgery, Dr. Kim will carefully review with you the risks of the procedure, the risks of living with obesity, and the health benefits associated with weight loss so you can make an informed decision. One thing is certain; morbid obesity (defined as a Body Mass Index of 35 or greater) is a dreaded disease. Patients with morbid obesity have a 400 percent greater chance of developing Diabetes Type II than non-obese individuals. They also have a 300 percent greater chance of developing heart disease, a 167 percent chance of suffering a stroke, a 50 percent greater chance of developing breast cancer, and other types of cancer, than individuals who do not have weight problems. This equates to a shorter life and a diminished quality of life.

Risks associated with this surgery are very low. Because REALIZE™ Band surgery does not involve cutting or stapling, it is ten times less risky than gastric bypass surgery. Recovery is also much faster. In most cases people return to work in a matter of days.

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Costs and Financing

For patients who do not have insurance coverage, price is also an important consideration. The REALIZE™ Band System is half the price of gastric bypass surgery. Many patients can finance the procedure for around $200 a month.

REALIZE™ Band Success Rate

With very high success rates, REALIZE™ Band patients at our Dallas-Fort Worth can lose weight and change their lives. The statistics regarding the REALIZE™ Band procedure are impressive. If we look at just the cure rates of Diabetes alone after banding, 85 percent of patients are cured. Dr. Kim and his staff also believe depression is a dreaded disorder that impacts the every day lives of many patients. 90 percent of morbidly obese patients suffer from depression. This is compared to only 10 percent of the general population. When depression is related to a person’s weight, a complete or significant improvement can be achieved through weight loss.

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Additional Features

The REALIZE™ Band also has some additional features that are quite interesting. Their software program allows you to track your weight, for instance. It also allows you to enter daily food diaries to measure the calories, grams of protein, fats, and carbs that you are consuming. Some of our patients have found this to be an attractive feature that causes them to choose the REALIZE™ Band over other banding procedures. If you desire, our Dallas-Fort Worth area bariatric surgeon can follow your progress as well. Of course, the software allows this only with your permission.

Learn More by Contacting Our Practice

We are a committed team of professionals whose only mission is to see you succeed. Utilizing education for sound nutritional principles and state-of-the-art band fills performed in the office, we achieve high success rates and a safety record that has resulted in the distinguished "Center Of Excellence” designation. This award was presented by our national weight loss society, known as the ASMBS. Together with the patient, we will give you detailed diet and exercise instructions. If you would like to learn more about the REALIZE™ Band, or other weight loss procedures, contact our Dallas-Fort Worth area practice today.

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