Welcome to the Official SAMPA Blog
Tips for Preventing Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery
Almost half of patients, both men and women will experience hair thinning after their bariatric procedure. This occurs due to the trauma of surgery, combined with reduced caloric and protein intake, both of which can enhance the resting cycle of the hair follicles and reduce their active cycles.
Many patients become alarmed by the thinning of their hair, but for most, it should not be a major concern. That is because hair loss after bariatric surgery is usually reversible, unless a genetic condition such as male pattern balding is also at play.
Can Stool-Based Cancer Detection Systems Measure Up to Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy. The dreaded, but necessary exam that we all know we will eventually have to take. But why is colon cancer screening so important? First, colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in the United States and the incidence is only going to rise as our diets continue to include processed foods and other detrimental dietary choices for our gut health. Further, colon cancer is also one of the most detectable and preventable cancers today. Much like breast cancer, a national consciousness of colon cancer screening has improved detection rates and has consequently saved hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives over the past several decades.
What We Know About Reflux After Gastric Sleeve
When you discuss the gastric sleeve with your surgeon, one of the risks that you will undoubtedly hear of is worsened acid reflux after the procedure. Recent data has shown that approximately 35% of gastric sleeve patients may experience new or worsened reflux. This research aligns with our own operative data.
Knowing that this is a very real risk, we place an emphasis on reducing the likelihood of acid reflux after gastric sleeve, but if it does happen to manifest, we take aggressive action to keep the patient comfortable and reflux-free.
Dr. Forrest Ringold Performs the First Synchroseal Worldwide
On December 5, Dr. Forrest Ringold became the first surgeon worldwide to use the newly FDA approved Synchroseal device. The device has been developed by Intuitive Surgical, the makers of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System that Dr. Ringold uses for most of his procedures. Synchroseal docks seamlessly with the da Vinci robot.
Synchroseal is a completely new and innovative energy device for robotic procedures. Using two separate energy probes, the device can seal small vessels by cauterizing them to prevent bleeding during surgery. Further, a second probe can cut tissue simultaneously. In other words, we are able to synchronize the cutting and sealing of tissue for a more reliable, procedure.
Tricks to Getting Enough Protein after Bariatric Surgery
Protein is an essential nutrient for anyone looking to maintain a healthy weight. Too often, we don’t get enough protein; or we get enough protein, but we eat too much of the other bad stuff that goes with it. After any surgery, eating enough protein is helpful for a quicker recovery. It is particularly important after bariatric surgery when caloric intake is very limited, especially in the first few months after surgery. The typical bariatric patient needs between 60 and 80 grams of protein every day. However, with 70 to 80% of the stomach not receiving food after a sleeve or bypass procedure, is becomes truly difficult, if not impossible, to get that from regular food alone.
Why Diet and Exercise Fails for 95% of Obese Patients
If you have watched our seminar, had a consultation, or researched bariatric surgery, you will undoubtedly have come across the statistic that between 90 and 95% of obese people do not achieve long-term weight loss with diet and exercise alone. To be sure, improving one’s lifestyle in the form of better diet and exercise habits is a key component of any weight loss strategy. However, without a tool such as bariatric surgery, which is the only proven long-term weight loss solution for obese patients, most people do not get the results they want. So why are those who suffer from obesity having such a hard time losing weight?
All Soda, Including Diet Soda May Cause Early Death
The beverage industry is anchored, in large part, by soda sales. And this makes a lot of sense. Not only are sodas refreshing, but they are also incredibly sweet and satisfy our sugar cravings. As society became more health conscious, diet sodas were introduced using artificial sweeteners rather than sugar or high fructose corn syrup. With refinements in taste, today’s diet sodas offer much the same enjoyment, while not adding calories. On the face of it, it sounds like a great compromise. But soda, whether diet or regular, can be detrimental to health and ultimately shorten one’s lifespan.
Dr. Dusty Smith Is Certified In Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery
We are very excited to offer Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery. Dr. Smith truly understands how important the cosmetic aspect of breast cancer surgery for all women and how it can affect patient’s long term. Scars from breast cancer surgery have a very definite psychological impact on a woman after the operation. Some women embrace their scars as a reminder of what they have overcome. Others find the scars to be a constant reminder of a highly traumatic time in their life.
Gallbladder Discussion – Do Gallstones Cause Cancer?
With the prevalence of gallbladder removal surgery, or cholecystectomy, there are a number of misunderstandings about gallbladder disease that are worth addressing and discussing. One of these is whether gallstones can actually cause cancer.
To be sure, there are patients out there that have had their gallbladder removed and the pathology report has come back positive for gallbladder cancer. However, in most cases the cancer is unrelated to the gallstones themselves. We don’t fully know if gallstones are causal or just correlated, but with millions having gallstones and such a small risk of cancer, a causal relationship is unlikely. With that said, the formation of gallstones are signs of other gallbladder cancer risk factors such as age, being female and excess weight.
Comparing LINX to Traditional Fundoplication for GERD
Any time a new device or technique is developed for a commonly treated condition, especially one with an existing and effective surgical treatment, surgeons approach it with a healthy amount of excitement and skepticism. After all, replacing a tried-and-true procedure with something new cannot be taken lightly. Such is the case with surgery for the treatment of severe or uncontrollable gastroesophageal reflux or GERD. With a significant rise in obesity rates across the United States over the past few decades have come a commensurate increase in chronic acid reflux. While most considered this to be a nuisance, the medical consequences include precancerous Barrett’s Esophagus, and in rare cases, esophageal cancer.
