The University of Minnesota Department of Surgery’s Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin (pictured on far left) recently proctored for Dr. Daniel Smith (pictured in middle with Sandy Jones, PA, on right) who is credentialed in two adjustable gastric banding procedures currently available at The Center for Weight Management. One of Dr. Smith’s first LAP-BAND® System patients have already lost 100 pounds in 2008. Most recently, he added the REALIZE™ Band as an additional offering for bariatric patients. While Dr. Smith maintains gastric bypass is the gold standard for bariatric surgery, weight-loss surgical candidates come to the center in Park Rapids with specific lists of concerns and desires. Consultations with Dr. Smith or Dr. Robert Wroblewski can help determine what option is best suited to their conditions. There is also a non-surgical component option available. Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin, a mentor to Dr. Smith, is the Director and Associate Professor of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Co-Director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery. He co-edited the most recent textbook on minimally invasive bariatric surgery, chairs the bariatric task force for SAGES, and co-directs the bariatric postgraduate course for the American College of Surgeons.