May
31st

Finding a Surgeon

If you are looking into weight loss surgery, and know that it is the right option for you, then you will then need to find a surgeon to help get you through the procedure. The success of your surgery will rely on the surgeon being able to accommodate to your particular needs as well as supply you with the right information. There are several steps that you can take before committing to weight loss surgery to make sure that you have found the right surgeon.

The first step you can take to finding a surgeon is doing research on what is offered in your area. There are several areas on the website that give a list of those that offer weight loss surgery. From here, you can gather a variety of surgeons that are available in your area. You can also ask your regular doctor for recommendations for this surgeon.

After you have a comprehensive list, you will need to see which one works best for you. One of the investigations that you can make is asking others who have received surgery from this same surgeon. They will often be able to tell you their focus, personality and accommodations, making it easier for you to decide. Before committing to a specific surgeon, always make sure that you are going to be comfortable with what they have to offer.

After you have done an extensive amount of research and found the best options for your weight loss surgery, you can meet with the surgeon to make sure that they have the right options for you. It is best to have a list of questions prepared to make sure that they can accommodate to your needs. Before meeting with them, also make sure that you know the terms and procedures involved with weight loss surgery.

There are several questions that will help you to make an informed decision about choosing the right surgeon when you meet with them. One of the most important questions is making sure they offer the right type of weight loss surgery. This not only includes procedures, but also the technology that they have available. Knowing how much experience is another important question to ask. You will also want to make sure that you ask questions such as your hospital length of stay, how much post-operation help they provide and what they will offer you if you choose them.

By knowing exactly what a surgeon provides, as well as what is available in your area, you will be able to determine which surgeon is right for you. Choosing the right surgeon is one of the most important steps in determining what the best services will be for you. Being comfortable with your surgeon and knowing they will provide you the best care is one of the most important decisions you can make not only for the surgery itself, but also for the time that comes after the surgery. Choosing wisely is important when deciding to get weight loss surgery.

May
30th

Weight loss Surgery & Children

Obese children are a rapidly growing group in today’s society and they are sitting on a time bomb. Their life expectancy is being cut by numerous years, some decades due to them developing chronic diseases that are usually seen in the middle aged to the elderly.

Due to our international childhood obesity epidemic, weight loss surgeons are now taking the drastic measure and launching weight reduction surgery for adolescents as well as adults. Treatment consists of radical surgery on those children who are morbidly obese. Adolescent candidates should have made numerous attempts to lose weight and show that they live with a greater risk for developing serious illnesses if weight loss surgery is not performed. They also must prove that they are willing to make a commitment that is life long with regards to their lifestyle, diet and physical activity.

Concerns regarding obese children are being taken more and more seriously. Many obsess adolescents are now developing Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and being placed in a high risk group for cardiovascular diseases. Obese children will grow into very sick adults if they do not lose their weight.

Not surprisingly, bariatric surgery is risky, mainly because teens tend to be bigger than the adults that undergo the surgery. Since they are younger, side effects and long term effects such as bone and calcium are not known. However, it has to be argued that children undergoing surgery will be expected to live longer.

The anatomy of the digestive system is changed during bariatric surgery, limiting the amount of food that a person can eat and digest. Obesity surgery for adults has been around for approximately 50 years but for children, its relatively new and has only been around since the 1980s. Due to it being new, there is very little research on its long term effects.

Patients and parent must be informed and understand that bariatric surgery is major surgery and like any other major surgery, it carries considerable risks, including the risk of death. There are complications which depend upon the type of procedure including leakage from the intestines, small bowel obstruction, blood clots, drug reactions, anaesthesia reactions, infection, haemorrhage, vomiting, nutritional deficiencies and diarrhoea.

Candidates for obesity surgery are strictly selected by examining the emotional and environmental impacts that certain obese children face. It is critical that an adolescent understands the surgery’s risks and accept the behaviour modification that is essential for the surgery to be a safe success.

Obesity surgery not only changes an individual’s appearance, it also significantly affects their lifestyle. Candidates must be able to pass many tests that are psychological and cognitive before being accepted. Some don’t pass due to their immaturity and inability to deal with the issues following surgery.

May
30th

What Is Laparoscopic Surgery

When looking into weight loss surgery, you may find that there are several terms and procedures that can be used. All of these will determine which type of surgery you should get and the benefits and downfalls of each. One of the terms commonly used with weight loss surgery is laparoscopic surgery. By understanding what this means and what types of procedures the surgery will have will help you in determining whether it is a good choice for your weight loss surgery.

A laparoscope is an instrument that is used when performing surgery by physicians. It has a tube that is inserted into your body that is then connected to a camera. This allows the surgeon to be able to control the incision sizes that are made and will allow for them to see in different areas that would otherwise not be able to be seen. Often times this type of surgery is performed with those who have a gallbladder disease or other types of internal diseases.

The first thing that will be done when using a laparoscope for your weight loss surgery is that small incisions will be cut into your abdomen. The instruments will then be moved through these incisions to see exactly where the band or other type of device for your weight loss should be put. This is defined as a minimally invasive approach because of the small incisions that are made.

From here, significant differences can be seen between regular surgery incisions and laparoscopic surgery incisions. The laparoscopic surgery will use five to six incisions through your abdomen. However, they will only be one-fourth to one half of an inch wide. With regular surgery, you will have one incision made. This will be eight to ten inches wide.

Despite the minimal invasion that is attached to the idea of laparoscopic surgery, it is also known that there are several who will not be able to use this type of surgery. If you are over 350 pounds, you will not be able to use a laparoscope. This is because the incisions will not be able to be made properly and it will be difficult to determine if the right area is being worked on. The second reason why you would not be able to use this type of surgery is if you have had abdominal surgery in the past. This will stress the particular area out too much and cause risk factors to be higher.

If you are considering weight loss surgery, knowing the type of incisions that you want to have and what type of technology is best to use should also be considered. Laparoscopic surgery is one option that can be looked into. Depending on what types of incisions you are comfortable with, as well as your bodies ability to handle this type of surgery can also be looked at. By speaking with your surgeon, as well as knowing what you are comfortable with will help you in easily making the decisions for your weight loss surgery.

May
29th

What to Eat Post-Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery is more popular than ever. With most weight loss doctors almost guaranteeing good outcomes and lots of extra pounds gone for good, many obese people are taking notice. While it is true that weight loss surgeries can take off a large amount of weight, these surgeries cannot work alone. Instead, the patient must follow a strict diet and exercise routine that compliments the surgery.

Following any type of weight loss surgery, the stomach will be much smaller. This causes a smaller area where food can be held. The result is that a patient can only eat very small meals. The reduced caloric intake leads to the weight loss. In addition, there are many foods that should be completely avoided right after surgery and for the long term. Eating the wrong kinds of foods can hamper weight loss efforts and make the person very sick. Also, eating the wrong kinds of foods can cause serious obstructions in the new stomach pouch and in the intestines.

Some of the foods that are off limits include foods that contain stringy or fibrous matter or foods that are dried, doughy or sticky. Foods will seeds should also be avoided because of the possibility of obstruction. Fruits and vegetables on the no list include oranges, and other citrus fruits, celery, spinach, corn and asparagus. Rice, pasta and doughy, non-toasted breads should not be eaten following weight loss surgery. Nuts, popcorn, coconut and shrimp can also cause serious obstructions. Peanut butter and syrupy foods should be avoided as well.

After weight loss surgery is performed a doctor might recommend that you see a dietitian A dietitian can work with your for the long term to help you make wise choices on your eating habits and how to know when your body is full. Eating can often be because of emotions and a dietitian can help you conquer this issue. A good dietitian can also teach you about portion control, which is critical following weight loss surgery.

In the first few weeks following weight loss surgery, all patients are restricted to liquids and soft foods. As their wounds heal, they can gradually add in foods as long as they are not on the off-limits list and are chewed very thoroughly. The best foods are high quality foods that are lean and cooked without added fats or grease. Fluids are important following weight loss surgery, but should not be taken with meals. This can cause the food to pass too quickly through the digestive system and can lead to diarrhea.

Other foods that are good to eat after weight loss surgery include fruits and vegetables. Most doctors recommend that weight loss patients eat one to two servings of fresh fruit each day in addition to two to three servings of fresh vegetables. Low sugar cold cereal or hot cereal, such as oatmeal can be eating once a day in a small portion. One slice of toasted wheat or rye bread is also allowed. Some patients do have difficulty eating bread and meat following weight loss surgery. Only one to two ounces of lean meat can be eaten. Skim milk and low fat yogurt and cheese are also important for calcium.

May
24th

Insurance and Finances in Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery is known as a major surgery that is available. Because of the risks as well as the type of surgery it can cost a lot without the proper insurance in place. It is important to know what the finances will be in relation to the surgery, as well as what insurance will cover. This will help you to decide on whether the surgery is right for you.

The first question that enters into most of those who are considering weight loss surgery is whether their insurance will pay for the costs. This, of course will depend on the insurance coverage that you have. However, it can be expected that most health insurance companies will cover the cost of your surgery. Because weight loss surgery is considered to be a surgical intervention, it is considered valid by your insurance.

In order for you to get the right coverage on your insurance, you will need to meet certain criteria. This includes being over one-hundred pounds overweight with a body mass index of over forty. It also includes recognition and proof that other weight loss methods and diets have been tried and have failed. Insurance companies will also want to know if you have any medical conditions because of your weight. Different insurance companies will require different documents and forms to be filled out to make sure that you meet these qualifications. These will all help you to qualify for coverage by your insurance for the weight loss surgery.

After you have been approved by the surgeon, a letter of necessity will be sent to the insurance company. This letter will state why you need the surgery as well as specific qualifications in relation to the surgery. This step is known as preauthorization. Before any surgery can begin, the insurance company will need to make sure that it is a necessary surgery that meets all qualifications that have been specified by that company.

If your insurance company does not give you authorization to have the weight loss surgery, then you can take different steps to get approved. The first recommended step is to appeal the insurance companies reasoning. This is a simple letter written back to the insurance company stating why you need the surgery. You can also ask for a second opinion or have someone else review the information. If they state that you are qualified, then your insurance company will have to change their position. If the insurance company still does not approve your surgery, and you know that you will need it, you can speak to a legal firm or switch your insurance company.

Knowing the importance of the insurance involved in your weight loss surgery is important in determining whether you will be getting the surgery and what steps you have to take to be covered by your insurance. By knowing what this involves and understanding the process for being qualified for surgery by your insurance, it will make the processes before surgery easier mentally as well as financially.

May
23rd

Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

You’ve decided to get weight loss surgery and have done the proper investigation to find the right kind of surgery, as well as the right surgeon. Before the day of surgery, you will need to prepare specific things. Because weight loss surgery is a major operation, it is important to make sure that you have everything you need before you walk into the surgeon’s office.

The first type of preparation you will have to do is mental preparation. Understanding the surgical procedure that you will be going through will help to keep your mind calm and in control. This not only includes asking the surgeon questions, but also investigating on your own to clearly understand what will be happening. You should also remind yourself what the after effects will be. This should include risks during and after the surgery as well as weight loss benefits that you will be able to have.

Preparing mentally for the process you will have to go through after the surgery is also important. There are several that will set a support group in place to make sure that they will be able to change their eating and exercise habits. Some will also find ways to offer themselves self-support. Remembering what condition you were in before the decision will help you to continue to move through the procedures not only during the surgery, but also afterwards.

The next preparations that should be done are in relation to physical aspects. You should not have anything but liquids for twelve to twenty-four hours before the surgery. Eating before surgery may cause complications during the process. You should also make sure that your medications will not cause complications during the surgery, and know what your options are for changing them or continuing them during the surgery. It is also recommended to quit smoking at least a month before the surgery. This will help your lungs and your heart to physically prepare for the surgery.

You should also prepare for the hospital stay that you will need after the surgery. Things that will make you comfortable during your stay, medications and any other supplies that you feel you will need should all be packed and brought with you to the hospital. This will make your stay after surgery more comfortable and more like home. When you do arrive home, it will be best if you have things set up to make you comfortable without having to do much work. This will help in your recovery process. This may include things like vitamins and foods that you will need after the surgery.

Knowing what to expect after your surgery, as well as mentally and physically preparing for the surgery and after surgery will make the process smoother for you. Taking your surgeon’s advice on what you will need and what to prepare, as well as knowing what to do for yourself will ensure that surgery will be the least painful as possible. By preparing for your surgery, it will make the rest of the process easier to handle.

May
22nd

Binge Eating Among Weight Loss Surgery Patients

Binge eating disorder, also known as emotional eating, is a symptom where one is not able to control the amounts that they are able to eat. This disorder functions at several different levels in relation to one’s emotions. There are several characteristics that are associated with binge eating disorder that may make one to become morbidly obese. If this is the case with you, changing binge eating habits before and after weight loss surgery is extremely important.

Binge eating disorder has several characteristics associated with it. Some will also call this emotional eating. Instead of eating when you are hungry, you will go through episodes of eating when depressed, anxious or when you are not hungry. It will also often times include eating too much or eating quickly. If you have any of these symptoms, it will be important to get the necessary help in relation to the disorder before and after the weight loss surgery.

Because binge eating is caused mostly by an emotional response, it can be balanced by getting the right emotional treatment. Several will use anti-depressants in order to control their binge eating habits. You can also consider getting one of several types of therapies to control your eating. There are several alternative and traditional therapies that are available for those who are trying to change their eating habits. Often times, it will be found that this uncontrolled eating is related to family, relationship, work or other types of stressful factors. Overcoming these emotional factors will help you to balance your physical success.

Another step that is important to take with binge eating disorder is to make sure that the right support is available outside of the therapy you are considering. Family and friends, as well as finding new ways to support yourself in overcoming this disorder will help you to overcome the problem over time. If you can’t find support through this, than you can join a support group to find the help that you need.

If you get weight loss surgery and don’t get the type of emotional help that you need for a binge eating disorder, it can cause several complications after the surgery. Binge eating disorder will need to be controlled after the surgery. If not, you will be at a higher risk for health problems as well as risks that are related to after effects of the surgery. Because your stomach is functioning as a smaller entity, it may cause a reversal of the surgery, moving to severe complications.

Knowing that you have a binge eating disorder or are an emotional eater is the first step to changing your health and how you eat. After this acknowledgement, you can begin to take the right steps to change the disorder. If you have been through weight loss surgery, it is especially important to stop eating from emotional responses. By changing this element, you will not only be able to gain control over your life, but will also have a better chance of staying alive.

May
20th

Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery

There are several who are considering pregnancy after their weight loss surgery. Before jumping into major family plans and decisions, it is important to know what the health risks are for this as well as whether it is the right step for you to take and when it can be taken. There are several guidelines that can help you determine when and if you should consider pregnancy after your weight loss surgery.

The first eighteen months after your surgery are not the best times for you to become pregnant. Your body is going through major physical changes. Nutritional needs are trying to re-balance and your food levels are consistently changing. It is also known that your hormones are imbalanced because of the changes that are rapidly occurring throughout your body. Because of this, it is best to not become pregnant for the first eighteen months after your weight loss surgery.

Doctors are now finding that fertility and your body weight are closely associated. As you begin to loose weight, you will have more of a chance of becoming pregnant. Your hormone levels may begin to increase as well as balance out. However, your body is also recovering from several levels of stress because it has been overweight and has gone through surgery. Because of this, it is best to be careful about the higher fertility rates in your body. Being aware of this can help prevent pregnancy while your body is adjusting.

After a year and a half has passed, your body should be more consistent and able to handle other changes. At this time, you can consider becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant before this, your child may have problems with receiving the right nutrients from your body and there can be severe complications before or during the birth. Your body after this time will have a better handle on the foods that you are providing on a consistent basis.

Another consideration with weight loss surgery is the use of the gastric band that is used. This band will never be taken out of your system. If you are considering pregnancy and have had the gastric band surgery, the band will need to be loosened for the pregnancy. This will allow for the proper nutrients to move through your body and will allow for you to be able to gain the weight you need during the pregnancy.

Weight gain during the pregnancy should also be considered. After one has had a child, it is often difficult to loose the necessary weight. Having a plan after your child is born, as well as keeping a regular diet and exercise schedule will help for you to maintain your weight during and after the pregnancy.

If you have had a weight loss surgery and are considering pregnancy, than you should also consider the several factors that are involved with this surgery. This will help you in determining exactly what your needs are as well as what is safe after your surgery. This will help you to raise a family without having health complications.

May
19th

Finding a Weight Loss Surgeon

If you are considering weight loss surgery, it is important to find a well-qualified surgeon that ahs performed many of these types of surgeries. As these surgeries are becoming more popular, more insurance companies are starting to pay. This has lead to an influx of doctors that are willing to perform weight loss surgeries. While many of these doctors probably are well qualified, it is important to make sure you are getting someone who knows what he or she is doing.

One way to find a good weight loss surgeon is the get recommendations. You might know friends, family members or co-workers who have had the surgery. Ask around to see which doctor they have had good experiences with. Most patients are more that willing to share their knowledge about a doctor they have used. Many people can also get a referral from their primary care physician. Chances are that your primary care doctor knows and recommends a surgeon that performs these types of surgeries. Ask your doctor for several names so you have an opportunity to compare the doctors’ experiences and qualifications. Remember that you do not have to use the surgeon that your doctor recommends. Many times, primary care doctors will recommend another doctor based on other factors than skills. Sometimes, they may recommend someone who they are friends with or because they do not know anyone else.

After you have narrowed your selection down to a few names, you need to check on the doctor’s qualifications. The first thing you will want to know is how many weight loss surgeries the doctor has done in the past. This is critical. Some studies have shown that doctors who only perform a handful of weigh loss surgeries in a year, have a higher mortality rate than those who perform many. Ask how long they have been doing the surgeries and how many they perform in an average month.

Then next thing you will want to know is if your surgeon is board certified. The surgical board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties generally certifies a surgeon. This means that the doctor has completed the require years of residency in their field and has taken an exam to test their knowledge. Also find out if the doctor is a Felloe of the American College of Surgeons. If so, the letters, F.A.C.S. will appear after the doctor’s name. This means that the surgeon has taken and passed an evaluation of both professional and ethical standards and are recommended. You can ask your surgeon if he or she is a member or call the American College of Surgeons to find out.
Many surgeons are also members of other medical societies. These are to support doctors and their profession. Many of these require continuing education and also provide peer reviews to help maintain the high standards.

After you have determined whether or not you are dealing with a well-qualified surgeon, the next thing to do is to consider where the surgery will be performed. Is it in a hospital or a surgery center? How long will you be required to stay in the facility and is the staff professional and courteous? This can make a big difference in your hospital procedure.

May
18th

Bariatric Surgery – Making the Choice

‘Bariatric Surgery’ is a term that comes from the Greek words, ‘Weight’ and ‘treatment.’ Bariatric surgery mainly consists of major gastrointestinal operations that seal off the majority of the stomach so that the amount of food a person can eat is reduces or the small intestine is rearranged to reduce the calories that a person’s body can absorb.
There are a number of types of bariatric surgery available although they are commonly known as the term ‘bariatric surgery.’
It should be noted that bariatric surgery is not a magic solution to lose weight. It is not an easy option for those who suffer obesity as it is a drastic step. It carries the typical pain and risks associated with major gastrointestinal surgical procedure.
Any bariatric surgery involves new eating habits. It compels the person to change radically what they eat and the frequency they eat. Following the performance of bariatric surgery, a patient who overeats can become very ill. The patient also faces a life long risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Any bariatric surgery usually leads to major weight loss. Some patients who have bariatric gastrointestinal surgery can lose more that 100 pounds in weight. Many reach a normal weight for their height and some remain overweight although not as overweight as before.
Many bariatric surgeons perform on patients who are in their 60’s and due to our growing obese society, some are even operating on teenagers. Due to the fact that bariatric surgery is the last option to losing weight, it should only be considered when all other conventional weight loss techniques have failed. Patients must have severe obesity related health problems to be considered for the surgery. A patient should be morbidly obese to qualify for bariatric surgery. This generally means being 100 pounds overweight in a man and 80 pounds overweight in a woman. Both should have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40.
However, bariatric surgery may be the appropriate option if a patient is overweight by 80 pounds and has a serious condition related to that weight such as Type II diabetes or cardio pulmonary complications that are life threatening. Severe sleep apnoea and obesity related heart disease is also an illness in this category.
Some patients, especially those who are suffering from very severe obesity may have to be hospitalised before they undergo bariatric surgery to ensure that the risks of surgery are kept to a minimum. Bariatric’s surgery’s success and a patient’s ability to solve their obesity problems all depends on the patient’s motivation.
The more motivation a patient has to lose weight and manage the post operative requirements such as diet modification, behavioural therapy, the more successful the bariatric surgery is likely to be in solving a patient’s obesity problems. These factors are often taken into consideration when a patient is being assessed for bariatric surgery.