Weight loss surgery techniques, such as gastric banding, have been shown to be effective in reducing body weight and obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes. Although the results of these procedures are widely beneficial, there are some complications. Following surgery, patients are at risk of losing needed lean body mass and skeletal muscle mass due to the serious complications associated with rapid and sustained weight loss. This new study investigated whether growth hormone treatment could prevent or reduce these losses.

"Besides its more commonly known effect on linear growth during childhood, growth hormone benefits body composition throughout life by increasing muscle mass and reducing fat mass," said Dr. Silvia Savastano, M.D., Ph.D., researcher at University Federico II of Naples in Italy and lead author of the study. "The results of our study show that the use of short-term treatment with growth hormone during a standardized program of low calorie diet and physical exercise is effective in reducing the loss of muscle mass and increasing the loss of fat mass after bariatric surgery."

In this study, Dr. Savastano and her colleagues evaluated women who underwent laparoscopic-adjustable silicone gastric banding surgery and were diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency after the procedure. These women were divided into two groups where both groups participated in a standardized diet and exercise program, but only one group also received growth hormone. After a follow-up period of six months, women receiving growth hormone experienced a significant decrease of fat mass and an increase in lean body and skeletal muscle mass.

"This evidence opens a new frontier for growth hormone therapy in the management of morbidly obese patients," said Dr. Savastano. "However, growth hormone treatment can be costly and a careful cost-benefit analysis that also takes into account the cost of commonly used therapy for management of morbidly obese patients is needed."

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Cholesterol levels: The optimal target is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. For high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the recommended level is more than 50 mg/dL for women and more than 40 mg/dL for men.

A physician can help with a treatment plan to meet these guidelines. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight loss, smoking cessation and limited alcohol consumption all are beneficial. Medications also may be needed. For example, research has shown that most adults with high blood pressure and diabetes require multiple drug therapies to reach blood pressure goals.

The bottom line: Risks and complications from diabetes and heart disease are intertwined. People with diabetes who manage heart disease risks can help avoid life-threatening complications.

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9751, or visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.

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