Blog Archives
The Right Bariatric Procedure for Those with GERD
While every bariatric procedure has the potential to reduce or even eliminate the diseases associated with morbid obesity, GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease – chronic acid reflux that lasts for more than several weeks represents an interesting conundrum. On one hand, a procedure like the gastric sleeve is incredibly effective, but on the other, the method by which the stomach is made smaller may actually worsen existing GERD or may cause GERD de novo… new instances of GERD that never existed before.
We have also learned that patients with hiatal hernias are far more likely to experience GERD after a gastric sleeve, but even when a hiatal hernia is repaired during surgery, GERD can occur in a significant portion of the population.
Why Weight Loss Surgery Is Not the Easy Way Out
A common reason patients postpone their weight loss procedure revolves around their misconception of weight loss surgery being “the easy way out.” This can be exacerbated by the stigma that surrounds weight loss surgery and obesity more generally. Oftentimes, when someone who doesn’t understand the struggle of obesity hears weight loss surgery, they scoff. However, they don’t know how hard it was for that patient to get where they are.
Practice & Hospital Protocols to Minimize the Transmission of Coronavirus
The Coronavirus has been present in the United States for over a year, and SAMPA is still extremely committed to keeping up to date on the infection prevention protocols that we, as a practice, and the hospitals at which we perform surgery, use. After all, no one wants to go in for medical care and leave with an infection. As a result, we’ve had a number of patients questioning what they should do for their office visits or surgeries as a result of coronavirus.
Currently we are trying to minimize the number of patients who come to our office. We continue to use Telemedicine for follow up visits on our routine bariatric patients. If you come into the office for your appointment, we ask anybody that chooses to accompany you to wait in the car. They can be called during the visit.
If you are ill (coronavirus or not) you should call your PCP for instructions so we can determine the best course forward and then call our office to cancel or postpone surgery, if needed. For most patients, maintaining their current medical schedule is just fine.
Is Fast Food Ever OK After Bariatric Surgery?
When we think of dieting, the last thing we think of is fast food. And there is good reason to support that. Fast food has traditionally been loaded with fat, carbs, sugar, and just about anything that you would consider to be diet unfriendly. Is it really that bad though, and is there a place for it in the postoperative diet?
The answer is…
How A Psychologist Can Help with Bariatric Surgery
Some insurers require a psychological evaluation prior to surgery. Many patients don’t realize the importance of this. In turn, they do not take advantage of the professional assistance they can receive from a qualified mental health professional. In fact, many patients believe the psychological evaluation means there may be something wrong with them, but that is not the case. Instead, the psych eval is meant to address some of the underlying causes of obesity and why a patient may be overeating or unable to lose weight.
How to Manage Food Cravings after Bariatric Surgery?
Food cravings can feel like the enemy, but they are a very normal, healthy bodily response. Rather than trying to suppress them at all costs, learning how to manage them is an important part of the post-operative bariatric lifestyle.
The Staggering Cost of Diabetes in the US
Back in 2007, statistics courtesy of the American Diabetes Association pegged the total cost of diagnosed diabetes treatment in the US at that time at about $174 billion. This included direct and indirect costs. That is a staggering figure by all accounts.
The same organization estimated in 2017 the cost rose to $327 billion. It’s almost impossible to imagine how devastating to our society this disease truly is. To put that in context, the Centers for Disease Control estimates more than 30 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 4 don’t know it) and over 84 million Americans have pre-diabetes (9 of 10 don’t know they have it). About 4,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes each day, and many of these patients are younger than ever before. The CDC estimate in 2050 one in three US adults (CDC estimate) is expected to have the condition.
Managing Relationship Changes after Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery can be the restart button someone suffering from obesity truly needs. Physical and emotional obstacles that once stood as barriers to a happier, healthier life are broken down, allowing for new opportunities and aspirations. The effects bariatric surgery has on a person extend far beyond physical appearance…to all aspects of life, including relationships.
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Studying the effects of weight loss surgery on personal relationships is a rather new concept. Changes after bariatric surgery do not end at visual appearance. For example, dependence on food or even people can change significantly or cease to exist, leading to drastic lifestyle changes that involving not just the patient but those around them too.
Vitamin D After Weight Loss Surgery
Obesity can lead to many associated health problems, including a vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency could be caused by the high calorie, low nutrient diet that is often associated with obese patients (obese patients require more vitamin D). Further, low activity levels, especially outdoors, can keep vitamin D levels low. If a person decides to move forward and undergo bariatric surgery, the vitamin D deficiencies could persist or worsen without proper monitoring and supplementation.
Why Wouldn’t I Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
When patients finally arrive in our office ready to commit to the life change that is bariatric surgery, they are often raring to go and want to have surgery as soon as possible. Years of dieting, exercising, weight loss programs and more are so exasperating that surgery feels like a breath of fresh air and excitement. So, when the news comes back that there may be a hiccup in their qualification for bariatric surgery, it can be downright depressing. But why might a patient not qualify for bariatric surgery?