Weight loss surgery was a game-changer for Heather Padgett, who was depressed at 300 pounds before undergoing an operation that’s left her 165 pounds lighter. Read the full story

Pregnancy health is important, and a new study tells about how pregnant women can help the health of their child’s liver. Watch on this week’s WLS News. Read the full story

A high-fat diet can lead to fatty liver and insulin resistance, two precursors to Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study inspired by the documentary Super Size Me. Read the full story

In our WLS News report for April 10, 2009, we’ll share the results of a recent clinical trial for a new obesity drug, explain how rapid weight gain in infants may predict future obesity, and tell you about the dangers of high fructose corn syrup.

Plus, we’ll report on new findings about how people of minority ethnic groups process fat differently, and tell you what Canadian authorities are doing to curb the epidemic of childhood obesity up north. And, of course, our resident Web-diva, Yvonne McCarthy, will share the scoop about a great website with excellent weight loss tips. Click the player below to see this week’s newscast!

Organizations mentioned in this week’s news:

• BC Children’s Hospital (Vancouver, Canada)
• Canadian Medical Association Journal
• Dr. Louise A Baur, Discipline of Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Sydney
• Arena Pharmaceuticals
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration
• Project Viva (study of childhood obesity)
• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
• Harvard Medical School
• Children’s Hospital Boston
• National Institutes of Health
• Pediatrics (journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Bariatric Girl (Yvonne McCarthy’s WLS support site)
• Three Fat Chicks on a Diet (weight loss support site)
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Dr. M. Daniel Lane, Distinguished Service Professor of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Hepatology (medical journal)
• The Dallas Heart Study
• Bariatric Advantage (nutritional supplements)

Each week, Leslie Thompson brings you up-to-date on the latest research and events related to the treatment of obesity on WLS News!

The January 16, 2009, report includes a recent study on how nutritional deficiencies can cause brain damage in bariatric patients; good news about the effect of WLS on fatty liver disease; a tasty tidbit about an all-natural sweetener with zero calories and zero carbs; and a tip of the hat to Toledo’s new weight loss czar.

Plus, find out how you can meet the team from the Weight Loss Surgery Channel in person later this month. And, of course, WLS Journeys host Yvonne McCarthy will point viewers toward several fun WLS websites with recipes, articles and post-op support in our weekly feature, “WLS on the World Wide Web”. Click the screen below to watch now!

Organizations mentioned in this week’s news:

• Bariatric Advantage nutritional supplements
• Annals of Surgery (Medical Journal)
• University of Texas Medical Branch
• Dr. David Provost (Bariatric Surgeon)
• Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Medical Journal)
• Truvia™ brand sweetener
• PureVia™ brand sweetener
• LivingAfterWLS.com (weight loss surgery support)
• LivinLaVidaLowCarb.com (blog, forum, podcasts and more)
• Recovering Fatty – My Weight Loss Journey (blog and forum)
• Bariatric Girl (Yvonne McCarthy’s WLS support site)
• Andrew Z on WVKS 92.5 KISS FM (Toledo’s weight loss czar)
• Texas Association of Bariatric Surgeons
• Texas Weight Loss Surgery Summit
• Big Medicine (television show about weight loss surgery on TLC)