Welcome to the Official SAMPA Blog
Expectations Vs. Reality – Be Sure You’re on The Right Track After Bariatric Surgery
You will often hear people describe weight loss surgery as the “easy way out.” Many patients have struggled with their weight their entire lives, which can impact relationships, self worth and self esteem. Further, as humans we love to compare ourselves to others. The truth is, every person’s weight loss journey is unique. Undergoing weight loss surgery and making the important changes that bring success is anything but easy. Some patients start their journey with expectations that may be skewed from reality, making it all the more difficult to succeed. It is important to set yourself up for success by planning for the reality of what it will take to find success and what that success will look like for you. So what should you expect, and when are you being unrealistic? Read on below about come common false expectations patients have.
Celebrating Summer without Gaining Weight
Summer time can feel a bit daunting after a major lifestyle change like bariatric surgery. For most people, summer comes with disrupted schedules, routines out of sorts, and the familiar gatherings with tempting treats, drinks, and community. There is also the added stress for some of more revealing clothing, which can we difficult for a changing body.
With all of that, it is fair to say summer time can make it hard to stay on track. Fortunately, we have a few tips to hopefully make it easier.
The Five Best Questions to Ask Your Bariatric Surgeon
Choosing a surgeon to perform a major procedure like bariatric surgery can feel daunting. You likely have a million questions swirling in your head, both about how you life will change and if you trust this person to operate on you. Before your first in office appointment with your bariatric surgeon, we recommend you do some research and write down your questions. Many of your questions will be answered naturally during the appointment, but it is always nice to be prepared and leave your appointment feeling like you got the most out of it. Five questions we have found to have a big impact are listed below. These five questions can help you get insight into your surgeon and the journey ahead and lead to engaging conversation.
Gallstones or Indigestion…How to Tell the Difference
You have a strange abdominal pain strike you after a meal, but is the issue simple indigestion or could it be a gallbladder attack? Both conditions are common, and both can leave you feeling nauseous and uncomfortable. So how do you tell the difference, and when do you need to worry?
Making the Most of Bariatric Surgery Support Groups
As you learn early in your weight loss surgery journey, your bariatric procedure itself is only a tool. But even with all the best tools in the toolbox, you’ll get little done if you don’t learn how to properly use them. The SAMPA post-op care team works hard to prepare you for success after bariatric surgery, but continuing to invest in yourself and taking advantage of all of the resources offered is important. Regularly attending support group offers benefits beyond what can be provided in the typical clinic setting. Following we’ll give you the top ways you can take advantage of spending time with your bariatric buddies. And take it from us – we’ve done this thousand of times over the years.
Minimizing the Cost of Bariatric Surgery
For many, bariatric surgery can seem intimidating and unattainable due to cost. After all, any major surgery is expensive. Beyond the fees due to the medical team including surgeons, anesthesia and diagnostic testing, the hospital must be paid for their operating room and the overnight stay for recovery. But are there ways to save on weight loss surgery? We at Surgical Association of Mobile are dedicated to a fully transparent process that informs you about any out-of-pocket costs. Should your insurance plan exclude bariatric surgery, or your deductible or out of pocket expense be high, we can help you find alternative payment methods and arrange for cash pay pricing.
Why Bariatric Surgery is Worth it
Beyond the intangible potential benefits of bariatric surgery, including better general health, increased mobility and longer life, there are actual cost benefits to a successful bariatric procedure.
Several studies have shown that the cost of obesity is significant. Major expenses can include:
- Extra food costs
- Lost wages due to sick days and missed work
- Cost of medication
- Cost of non-bariatric procedures associated with excess weight and related health issues
- And much more
SAMPA Chosen as an Epicenter for Robotic Bariatric Surgery
We are very proud to announce that Dr. Forrest Ringold and Surgical Association of Mobile, in partnership with Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, have been chosen by Intuitive Surgical, the leader in Robotic Bariatric and General Surgery Solutions, to be an Epicenter for Robotic Bariatric Surgery. While many hospitals around the country have invested in robotic technology, Dr. Ringold and Surgical Association of Mobile have been leaders in the deployment the new technology both in General and Bariatric surgery. Our practice is one of the first in the Southeast to make wide-scale use of the Robotic Platform, known as the da Vinci Surgical System, for weight loss and other general surgeries.
Comparing LINX Reflux Management System with Increased PPI Dosage
A clinical study published in early 20191 followed patients with continued moderate-to-severe regurgitation after single dose omeprazole – A common PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) for stomach acid. Some patients were assigned to a group that underwent a procedure to implant the LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation device while others were given a second daily dose of PPI inhibitor. Subjects were followed for five years to see how each intervention affected their symptoms.
Hidden Sugars and How To Find Them
As if making healthy eating choices wasn’t challenging enough, here we are facing maybe one of our greatest nutritional epidemics – weaning ourselves off the incredible amount of hidden, and not-so-hidden, sugars in our modern diets. This is not about the table sugar that we swirl into our coffee or the obviously sugary doughnuts we avoid in the office breakroom. Our addiction to, and failure to conquer, sugar goes beyond the obvious. Continue reading →
Obesity & Diabetic Eye Disease Risk
Eyes are the windows to the soul, and keeping your body healthy helps to keep those windows operating smoothly! If you are obese you may be more concerned about your heart health than your vision, but the risks for diabetic eye diseases, including glaucoma, are increased by obesity.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a general word for a group of eye diseases that lead to irreversible damage of the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain and can cause total blindness if left untreated. Slow vision loss is usually the only symptom and since the condition can’t be cured, it’s important to be aware of your risk factors and see an ophthalmologist regularly. These risk factors can include:
