To the Editor,

I would like to comment on the article regarding weight loss surgery in the paper on Sunday, May 27

The lap band program was started at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in 2007 by myself, Dr. Barry Williamson, and the first surgery was performed in 2008 by me. I have performed over 150 of the surgeries and have infection rates that are one third of the national average, and complication rates of less than one half of the national average. I have had seminars for the lap band since 2008 as well.

The program has grown significantly during this time.

The patient featured in the article is one of my patients, and continues to see me on a regular basis. He, along with many other patients, have been very successful in losing weight, but also very successful in putting their diabetes in remission, getting their blood pressure under control, and in many instances , getting off all their medications entirely. I am very proud of my patients, as well as Faith Ferguson, a registered nurse, who is the program coordinator for the Weight Loss Center.

Dr. Barry Williamson

Lumberton