Welcome to the Official SAMPA Blog
Surgical Association of Mobile is a 2020 Nappie Nominee!
With great excitement, we are happy to share that Surgical Association of Mobile has been nominated for Best Specialist Practice in the Lagniappe’s annual Nappie Awards! Our team is grateful for this recognition and nomination as one of the top 6 practices specialty practices in the Mobile Bay Area. In addition, Dr. Steve Weinstein and Dr. Forrest Ringold have also both been nominated for best Weight Loss Doctor with Dr. Barry Ballard being nominated as best specialist! We invite you all to vote, vote, vote and help spread the word about this excellent team of care providers.
What Should You Know About Gut Health?
In the human body, research show that there are actually more bacteria cells than human cells. While we often hear about bacteria causing infections, good bacteria in the body is a powerful tool to prevent harmful bacteria from causing us trouble. Bacteria live all over and inside your body – including the intestine. The bacteria of the gut play many roles including digestion and tuning our bodies for appropriate immune and metabolic responses. Evidence shows that the microbiome of the gut changes how our bodies are able to extract and store energy from food as well as how we expend it. The more we learn about the gut, the more questions we have. As doctors who specialize in bariatric medicine as well as other intestinal surgeries, we are keenly interested in gut health and we think there are a few valuable things to know:
Is Colon Cancer Preventable?
A colon cancer diagnosis is extremely worrisome for many patients. Even if the cancerous lesions are easily treatable, patients question whether they are now more likely to get other forms of cancer. Many ask themselves if they could have done something to prevent it.
Fortunately, while colon cancer is very prevalent, many cases can be treated successfully in their early stages. Further, improved screening guidance has meant that more patients are catching pre-cancerous polyps early and having them removed.
Getting Enough Exercise Now That the Gym Is Closed
Getting the recommended amount of exercise is a challenge for most people in the best of times, much less when the gym is closed due to shelter in place orders and social distancing guidelines. The fact is, exercise is worth it! Exercising helps you to release stress, boosts your metabolism, and improve your immune system. So how can you get your exercise in during the COVID-19 crisis while the gym is closed? (By the way many of these tips also apply to this summer when we have severe weather that can keep us inside for days on end).
Avoiding Poor Eating Habits When You’re Stuck at Home
With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping millions in their homes, the stress-level is undoubtedly high. For some, it might feel like the calorie intake is just as high. You may be suddenly finding yourself a SAHM-WFT, also known as a Stay at Home Mom (or D for the dads out there) also Working Full Time. The impossible storm of a looming pandemic, financial strain, major change in routines, homeschooling, and sharing a lot of time and space at home with your family may feel like a tough mountain to climb. How are you supposed to also think about your eating habits, exercise, rest, and avoid all of those snacks during the day? This major shift in your environment and daily schedule can be a slippery slope for letting bad habits creep in. But taking proactive measures might help you feel a bit more in control.
What You Need to Know About the Heartburn Drug Ranitidine / Zantac Recall
With sales of over $140 million in 2018, Zantac, the brand name for ranitidine, was a great sales success by any measure. Its generic version has sold many millions more. Ranitidine has been used for decades as an effective, over the counter medication for GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In other words, chronic acid reflux or heartburn. Ranitidine is an H2 antagonist which blocks the action of histamine receptors in the stomach to lower production of stomach acid.
Practice & Hospital Protocols to Minimize the Transmission of Coronavirus
With Coronavirus making its way around the United States, many patients have very legitimate concern about 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 whether they should delay their office visit or their surgery as a result of coronavirus.
Currently we are trying to minimize the number of patients who come to our office. We have begun to use Telemedicine for follow up visits on our routine bariatric patients.
Tips for Staying Healthy During the Coronavirus Outbreak
As you already know, the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has spread around the world and has affected over 100,000 people that we know of. We are seeing quite a bit of misinformation on the true effects of the disease as well as how to manage it. The result, unfortunately, is one of creating a great deal of panic which is evident by fights over toilet paper, food shortages at stores and other impulse buying.
How Do You Know When You’re Ready for Bariatric Surgery?
It’s a scary prospect. Having surgery for something that most of our peers believe is a personal failing – just eating too much or exercising too little. Indeed, feeling that bariatric surgery is a cop out or taking the easy way out is a common thought amongst our patients. However, once they attend a seminar or visit us for a consultation, they realize that obesity is much like other chronic diseases and needs to be treated effectively and over the long term.
But for those of you reading this blog or wondering if bariatric surgery is right for you, how do you know when you’re ready?
Getting Back to Basics. How Best to Get Your Daily Hydration Quota
Before we get into the best ways to stay hydrated after bariatric surgery, it is important to understand how much water/liquid you actually need. There are varying recommendations out there, but the most common number you will find is 64 ounces. This is the equivalent of eight regular cups of water. However, you should know that in the hotter weather we experience over the summer or if you are exercising vigorously, 64 ounces may not be enough. Conversely, you also get hydration from much more than just water, including coffee and tea, juices, foods and even alcohol. So, if you are eating lots of foods that are high in water content, you supplement your hydration.
