International Entertainment News: GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER GRETCHEN WILSON ASKS AMERICA TO JOIN HER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY

GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER GRETCHEN WILSON ASKS AMERICA TO JOIN HER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Audio, hard copy requests, contact information and more available at: http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/32103/press.html

NEW YORK, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- STORY INFORMATION: THIS IS A MULTIVU SPECIAL REPORT BROUGHT TO YOU BY ALLERGAN, INC.

OBESITY IS AN EPIDEMIC AND CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS LIKE TYPE 2 DIABETES AND EVEN PRE-MATURE DEATH.

GRETCHEN WILSON, COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST, HAS SEEN THE EFFECTS OF SEVERE OBESITY FIRST-HAND. TAMMY, GRETCHEN'S CLOSE FRIEND AND DAUGHTER'S NANNY, STRUGGLED FOR YEARS UNTIL GRETCHEN SPOKE TO HER ABOUT WEIGHT-LOSS OPTIONS.

NOW, GRETCHEN IS HELPING OTHERS THROUGH "COUNTRY BANDS TOGETHER," AN EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO HAVE COURAGOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH LOVED ONES ABOUT OBESITY AND TREATMENT.

"Talk with those in your life who struggle with obesity, no matter how uncomfortable you feel bringing up the issue. I did it and the conversation helped someone I care about take an important step in her weight-loss journey. "

GRETCHEN'S SUPPORT HELPED TAMMY EXPLORE OPTIONS BEYOND DIET AND EXERCISE, CHOOSING THE LAP-BAND AP® ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING SYSTEM, THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE IN GASTRIC BANDING FOR USE IN WEIGHT REDUCTION IN SEVERELY OBESE ADULTS.

JOIN GRETCHEN. PLEDGE TO START A COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION AT COUNTRY-BANDS-TOGETHER-DOT-COM.

I'M RACHEL FRANK.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELEVANT INDICATIONS FOR USE, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, AND ADVERSE EVENTS FOR THE LAP-BAND® SYSTEM.

Indications: The LAP-BAND® System is indicated for use in weight reduction for severely obese patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 or a BMI of at least 35 with one or more severe comorbid conditions, or those who are 100 lbs. or more over their estimated ideal weight. The LAP-BAND is indicated for use only in severely obese adult patients who have failed more conservative weight-reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise, and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have this surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

Contraindications: The LAP-BAND® System is not recommended for non-adult patients, patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, (e.g., inflammatory or cardiopulmonary diseases, GI conditions, symptoms or family history of autoimmune disease, cirrhosis), who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, who have alcohol or drug addictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant.

Warnings: The LAP-BAND® System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required at some time. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill, or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Patients should not expect to lose weight as fast as gastric bypass patients, and band inflation should proceed in small increments. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin, should be used with caution and may contribute to an increased risk of band erosion.

Adverse Events: Placement of the LAP-BAND® System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient?s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body.

Band slippage, erosion and deflation, reflux, obstruction of the stomach, dilation of the esophagus, infection, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required.

Rapid weight loss may result in malnutrition, anemia, or other complications that may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation.

Important: For full safety information please visit www.lapband.com or call Allergan Product Support at 1-800-624-4261.

CAUTION: This device is restricted to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Audio: http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/32103/press.html
Source: ALLERGAN

AUDIO PROVIDED BY: ALLERGAN

CONTACT:

FOR STORY INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: MultiVu Media Relations,1-800-653-5313, EXT. 3 OR EMAIL RADIO@MULTIVU.COM

Web site:

http://www.countrybandstogether.com

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