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Khaliah Ali daughter of Muhammad Ali, leads obesity health education campaign

Irvine, CA - [May 22, 2007] - Khaliah Ali, fashion designer, author and daughter of former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, experienced a life-changing "moment of truth" the year after her son was born. At 335 pounds, more than 100 pounds heavier than her father's best fighting weight, Ali feared her battle with weight would prevent her from seeing her son grow up. Like others who are more than 100 pounds overweight, this "moment of truth" drove Ali to recognize the severity of her fight with obesity and seek a solution.

Now more than 100 pounds lighter, Ali has teamed up with ObesityHelp, a leading resource for obese individuals, and Allergan, Inc., the makers of the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System for the "Moment of Truth" obesity health education campaign. This campaign aims to help the millions of individuals who are more than 100 pounds overweight recognize the physical and emotional impact obesity has on their lives and motivate them to engage in discussions with their healthcare professionals about appropriate, safe and effective weight-loss solutions.

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Brooke, lost 72 Kilos

"I was tired of living life at 132 kilos. I had success with other weight-loss methods, but none of them worked long-term. I have a son whom I did not want to embarrass one day. I wanted to be around to enjoy him growing up, to see him graduate and get married. I wanted to be healthy, and I wanted the woman on the outside to match the one on the inside.

As a nurse I researched as much as I could. I loved the fact that the LAP-BAND was the safest surgery available and that it was adjustable. I have lost 72 kilos since my surgery, and I have to admit… I really love the way I look as well!"

"My choice was easy: the LAP-BAND surgery was the least invasive option and would
enable me to recover very quickly. I was in the hospital for a day and back at work in
10 days. I haven't been hungry since and I eat whatever I want. The LAP-BAND is such
a good tool to remind you when to stop eatng and a way to lose weight without sacrificing
nutrition. Would I recommend this surgery to someone else? Absolutely! Would I hav it
again myself? In a heartbeat."

"I enjoy backpacking and scuba diving. As I got heavier, it became increasingly more difficult for me to be active. I tried everything and was dedicated to losing weight – but nothing worked. I didn’t want to wind up with health problems. I am married and wanted to start a family. I felt as if I was losing control of my life, despite all of my efforts.

I chose the LAP-BAND because the surgery is much shorter and less risky, and recovery is quicker. I returned to work the day I was back from the hospital. Almost four years after my surgery, I am still in control of my weight and my life and enjoy every day I spend with my daughter."

"I struggled with my weight my entire life. I tried everything, every diet and exercise combination imaginable, but had managed to diet my way to over 136 kilos. At that weight, life was a struggle. Even though I was young, I had high blood pressure, was borderline diabetic and suffered from constant lower back pain.

I discovered the LAP-BAND on the Internet, attended a patient seminar and immediately knew it was right for me. Since my surgery, I no longer have high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels or lower back pain. The LAP-BAND has been the tool that I needed to finally be successful at losing weight!"

"I felt the gastric bypass was too drastic a surgery but I knew I needed to do ‘something.’ When I heard about the LAP-BAND, I knew immediately it was perfect. I knew that the LAP-BAND would help me lose weight with reduced food intake without the starvation and depravation. If I got pregnant or got ill, all the fluid could be removed and I could have a temporary ‘regular’ stomach again. It seemed like a no-brainer!

Now, three and a half years after LAP-BAND surgery, I feel like a totally transformed person! The LAP-BAND changed my life!"

"After surgery I ate small, healthy meals and exercised, and I lost almost 100 pounds in less than a year. The LAP-BAND System is a healthy, sensible solution- there is low risk with this
technique and the option for band removal. It was the smartest things I've ever done.
Actually, I believe that the LAP-BAND saved my life.

"The LAP-BAND provided a way for me to break free from the horrible prison of fat. A
world changes has occurred- others' perceptions, my confidence and self-esteem, higher
energy level, teh excitement of looking in the mirror and seeing the new me, the joy of
knowing that I can become all that I can be.. I could go on but above all, the LAP-BAND
has given me a healthier lifestyle and a healthier me!"

"Before my surgery, I spent 20 years feeling ashamed of how I looked. I was miserable. Every joint in my body hurt from packing around the weight. In January 2001, I decided to have LAP-BAND surgery.

I am now wearing size 10 clothes, and that is smaller than I thought I would be when I was all done losing weight! I continue to be amazed at this new body of mine, and I love being able to do anything I want without a second thought. And sharing my success with the LAP-BAND and letting people know about this wonderful, safe and less invasive weight-loss surgery is so much fun."

"I have been a general surgeon for 20 years and started doing LAP-BAND surgery around the same time that I got my own LAP-BAND – in October 2002. After this minimally invasive procedure, I was back at home the next day and was able to resume operating 2 days later.

It is absolutely magnificent to see a patient taking six pills a day, and, within a matter of a couple of weeks, see them come back to the office taking no medication. It is the first time in my medical career as a surgeon where I can truly cure a chronic medical disease."