Surgical intervention, in the practice of weight loss, is growing in popularity and demand. For many obese patients, determining the correct approach to weight loss can be challenging and, often, frustrating. With current body responses, each with a unique metabolic response, one weight loss process may work for one individual but does not necessarily work well for another. Notion surgical weight loss options, such as Lap Band surgery, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the risk factors, will aid an obese individual in making a more well informed weight loss decision.
During the surgical weight loss procedure, Lap Band, a small pouch is created within the stomach. The view of Lap Band Surgery lies in the constriction of the stomach, reducing the capacity to hold more than a specific quantity of food, thereby reducing the number of calories the obese individual consumes, ultimately leading to weight loss. Using a stoma, the stomach is reduced in size through a tightening of the band thereby also creating a prolonged feeling of fullness. As needed, the stoma can be adjusted to allow for a greater or decreased food capacity as warranted by the obese patient’s health needs.
For patients undergoing the Lap Band surgical procedure, the obvious first advantage lies within the significant weight loss. Additionally, because the stoma is adjustable, as time progresses, the amount of food intake can be adjusted to the dietary needs of the patient. The surgery is completely reversible and requires no permanent stapling of the stomach lining. With weight loss realized within the first few days following surgery, many patients are then motivated to stare out exercise routines and find a new rejuvenation as the consumption of calories decreases, thereby increasing the total weight loss.
As with most weight loss surgeries, the Lap Band procedure does carry disadvantages. Of most significant disadvantage is the inability of the patient to take the number of calories as was consumed prior to surgery. For emotional eaters, this lack of dependence upon food consumption can lead to additional emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, the decreased abiltiy to consume massive quantities of calories leaves many patients struggling to make important food choices. With less food ingested, the obese patient must be sure to consume the right types of foods so as to ensure proper health is maintained
As with any weight loss surgical procedures, complications and risks are common and may include infection, abnormal bleeding and ineffective weight loss results. When considering a weight loss surgical procedure, such as Lap Band, consult a nutritionist and fitness counselor regarding other possible health and weight loss options. In addition to nutrition and fitness counseling, a visit with a psychologist or social worker, specializing in eating disorders, may be appropriate to ensure the proper mindset is in place when preparing for a Lap Band way.
For more information regarding Lap Band procedures, visit www.obesitylapbadsurgery.com.
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Filed under Stomach Stapling Risks by on Jan 24th, 2012. 
- Long term complications of WLS
Upon sharing some of my articles with a few friends, one in particular approached me after noticing the piece I did on Gastric Bypass Surgery. Revealing to me what I had never known, she opened up about her experiences with Weight Loss Surgery. The short term success, the long term complications, and her own see relieve on the past and how important it was that she should have listened to her doctor’s advice, maybe paid more attention to the classes she took post-op. In general, being able to go back and change her way of thinking… that she was an exception to the rule. She requested that I write this article for her, so she can share it with her friends and fellow surgery patients with the hopes that maybe someone will inspect the light at the end of the tunnel before it’s too late to change their post-surgery habits.
After jumping at the chance to do an interview with Rebecca, a 40-year old mother of 2 from North Carolina, we made plans to accept the ball rolling. My first step was to read a few posts of hers in a Yahoo Group that she is subscribed to that allows people who have undergone Weight Loss Surgeries to meet and share their stories with each other. Gaining some basic knowledge of the road she traveled that brought her to the point she is at now, I realized that I knew almost nothing of the surgery in particular that she underwent. So, I spelunked around the internet trying to gain information about Distal RnY Weight Loss Surgery. After almost an hour of searching, I came away nearly empty handed. Only one page offered any insight to the surgery at all, and it still didn’t give me more than a small handful for this interview. So I went through and read the article again. And I was able to glean one small piece of information from it, the actual name of the type of surgery that Rebecca went through. Roux-en-Y (RnY). This opened up the gateway quite a bit, and I was able to pick up the following information about the surgery itself.
It turns out that the Roux-en-Y surgery is one of the most popular types of Weight Loss Surgery performed (hard to fathom when I had such a hard time obtaining information about it). A person who hasn’t undergone this surgery uses a normal function for digestion. Ingested food enters the stomach, then travels to the small, then large, intestines. Someone who hasn’t had Weight Loss Surgery is able to eat larger portions of food because the little intestine is able to absorb more fat and calories than a person who has had the surgery. This form of Gastric Bypass Surgery creates a small pouch in the stomach that restricts the patient from being able to consume as much food as they had before. Sometimes the surgery is commenced with a rather large incision across the abdomen, or in the case of Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y surgery, five smaller incisions are made in the patient’s belly.
The minute pouch that is created in the stomach can be done with either a plastic band, or by methods of stapling. Once the pouch is created, it is connected to the middle portion of the tiny intestine, bypassing the duodenum, or the beginning share of the diminutive intestine that connects to the stomach. The duodenum area of the small intestine is the portion that absorbs fats and calories that you ingest. With this area bypassed, and the connecting area from the stomach pouch to the newly bypassed region of the small intestine being so small, you will be able to reduce the amount of fats and calories that you can absorb, aiding in the loss of unwanted weight. And, with the connecting residence being its new size, it will also take longer for the food that you eat to fully near the itsy-bitsy intestine, making you feel fuller longer. Most pouches created are around 6 oz. in general, compared to normal stomachs that range from 24 oz. to 64 oz. The Distal part of the surgery comes into play when the amount of petite intestine that has to be bypassed is determined. Proximal RnY is performed when there is less than 150 cm. of intestine to be bypassed, although I have found a few links claiming it to be less than 100 cm. Distal RnY is the procedure used when more than the 150 cm. (or 100 cm., depending on what situation you are looking at) of the small intestine has to be bypassed in order for the stomach to connect to an area that has bypassed the complete duodenum.
Before commencing the interview with Rebecca, let me suggest that you take a look at her anecdote by clicking here (I put this on my blog for myspace to protect her privacy; messenger ID’s and e-mail addresses that were previously shown before I moved it). This will give you an overview of what her journey has been like, and might answer some questions that I don’t ask her during this interview.
CP: What was the final event in your life that convinced you to choose Weight Loss Surgery as an option?
Being 26 years old and wanting to be able to participate in my children’s lives instead of participating from the sidelines. Besides, when you can no longer fit into the booths at a lickety-split food restaurant, that is a pretty good impress that you need some help.
CP: What other avenues had you explored before settling on Weight Loss Surgery?
Diet pills, Weight Watchers, pretty much every type of weight loss program that was available. None of these processes were successful for me, I would lose 10 pounds with one and then gain 15 back on binge eating.
CP: Was the surgery covered by your insurance company?
Absolutely. I had to meet my out of pocket, and the rest was covered entirely. If I had met my deductions prior to the surgery, it would have been 100% covered.
CP: How much did the surgery cost, total?
I never really saw the bills, but if I’m not mistaken my surgery was $21,000 to $22,000 back in the 90′s.
CP: What kind of pre-op information did you receive before you went under?
That’s the catch. I went into this absolutely blind without any information or education about what to expect. No one I knew had the surgery, and in fact I was the first person in my location to have it done, and a lot of it was trial and error.
CP: Were you linked to any support groups before you had the surgery performed?
Again, absolutely nothing.
CP: Briefly give an overview of the pain you felt after the surgery, how long it lasted, how it was eased.
Basically, the actual incision site for a while, but the psychological pain lasted a whole lot longer than any of the short term inconvenience from the surgery. I didn’t know what I could and couldn’t eat so a lot of it was anger at not being able to keep anything down. For the first 2 years, the only food that I could keep down was stewed tomatoes and beets.
CP: How noteworthy weight did you initially lose after the surgery, and what was the lowest it dropped to?
I started at 326 lbs. and dropped to 204 lbs, which was my lowest point.
CP: At what point did you start to gain the weight back? Are you unexcited under your pre-surgery weight from years ago?
I’m still under within at least 25 pounds from my pre-surgery weight. Probably in my 6th or 7th year, I would come by 10 lbs and detached be able to lose it. But once I packed on 30 lbs, it was downhill from there.
CP: What was the most difficult thing for you to endure after the surgery (change in diet, energy level, etc.)?
The hardest thing to deal with was psychologically wanting to eat like everyone else, but only being able to eat 2 or 3 spoonfuls.
CP: What is the worst long term complication that you have had since the surgery?
Anemia, definately. Pernicious anemia, along with iron deficiency anemia. With these types of deficiencies, I have to go to the hospital for 8 hours every 3 to 4 months for iron infusions.
CP: If you had the chance to do the surgery again, would you go for it?
I honestly don’t think I would, not with the health problems I am enduring now. I’m obese again, but on top of that I have a lot of health problems that I didn’t have before.
CP: What would be the most important thing you could tell someone who is looking to go for the surgery?
Do your homework. Talk to others who have had the procedures done. Go into this with an open mind, thinking that this is going to be no picnic. If you have no clue what you are going into before the surgery, you will wake up one day and think “Oh my Lord, what have I done to myself? “
For those who are indeed looking into Weight Loss Surgeries, please beget sure that you are well informed of what you are getting into before you travel. Not all scenarios end in this contrivance, but it has been proven that not everyone can successfully lose the weight after the surgery and manage to keep it off. Sticking to a strict diet as prescribed by your doctor, making sure that you are eating at regular intervals and not “grazing” (eating randomly with no set meal in mind, such as snacking), and exercising can set you on the good path to Weight Loss Surgery success.
If you have found this article helpful, feel free to pass it on to friends who are looking for Weight Loss Surgery options.
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Filed under stomach stapling side effects by on Oct 9th, 2011.
- Lap Band surgery provides for a reversible surgical weight loss option
- Lap Band surgery limits the quantity of food ingested
- Lap Band surgery may not improve the obesity of emotional eaters.
Surgical intervention, in the practice of weight loss, is growing in popularity and demand. For many obese patients, determining the right arrive to weight loss can be challenging and, often, frustrating. With unusual body responses, each with a recent metabolic response, one weight loss process may work for one individual but does not necessarily work well for another. Understanding surgical weight loss options, such as Lap Band surgery, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the risk factors, will aid an obese individual in making a more well informed weight loss decision.
During the surgical weight loss procedure, Lap Band, a petite pouch is created within the stomach. The concept of Lap Band Surgery lies in the constriction of the stomach, reducing the capacity to hold more than a specific quantity of food, thereby reducing the number of calories the obese individual consumes, ultimately leading to weight loss. Using a stoma, the stomach is reduced in size through a tightening of the band thereby also creating a prolonged feeling of fullness. As needed, the stoma can be adjusted to allow for a greater or decreased food capacity as warranted by the obese patient’s health needs.
For patients undergoing the Lap Band surgical procedure, the obvious first advantage lies within the significant weight loss. Additionally, because the stoma is adjustable, as time progresses, the amount of food intake can be adjusted to the dietary needs of the patient. The surgery is completely reversible and requires no permanent stapling of the stomach lining. With weight loss realized within the first few days following surgery, many patients are then motivated to see out exercise routines and find a new rejuvenation as the consumption of calories decreases, thereby increasing the total weight loss.
As with most weight loss surgeries, the Lap Band procedure does carry disadvantages. Of most important disadvantage is the inability of the patient to consume the number of calories as was consumed prior to surgery. For emotional eaters, this lack of dependence upon food consumption can lead to additional emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, the decreased abiltiy to rob massive quantities of calories leaves many patients struggling to make important food choices. With less food ingested, the obese patient must be positive to remove the right types of foods so as to ensure proper health is maintained
As with any weight loss surgical procedures, complications and risks are common and may include infection, abnormal bleeding and ineffective weight loss results. When considering a weight loss surgical procedure, such as Lap Band, consult a nutritionist and fitness counselor regarding other possible health and weight loss options. In addition to nutrition and fitness counseling, a visit with a psychologist or social worker, specializing in eating disorders, may be appropriate to ensure the proper mindset is in place when preparing for a Lap Band procedure.
For more information regarding Lap Band procedures, visit www.obesitylapbadsurgery.com.
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Filed under stomach stapling side effects by on Sep 4th, 2011.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy, sometimes simply called “the sleeve,” is a form of weight loss surgery that is comparable to the lap band or gastric bypass. In this procedure, about 85% of the stomach is surgically removed. The remaining stomach is long and slender, shaped rather like a banana.
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy helps one lose weight in two ways. First and foremost, it is a restrictive procedure. The new, smaller stomach cannot hold as worthy food so smaller amounts and therefore fewer calories are consumed. Secondly, the piece of the stomach that is removed is the part that produces Ghrelin, the hormone that is responsible for appetite and hunger. Appetite does seem to return in at least many cases after a few years, but the reduction of appetite and the feelings of hunger definitely aid with the weight loss process.
The sleeve is a good alternative to more commonly performed forms of weight loss surgery such as the lap band and gastric bypass.
The lap band is another restrictive form of weight loss surgery. It eager fitting a plastic band around the stomach to form a minute pouch, thereby limiting the amount of food that can be eaten in one sitting. However, the band is filled with saline in order to conclude the suitable amount of restriction. It can be difficult to pick up just the right own. The band can also slip and cause erosion. Because it is a foreign object, the body can reject it. The sleeve provides restriction without these risks.
The roux-en-y gastric bypass is perhaps the most commonly performed form of weight loss surgery. It involves stapling the stomach to create a little pouch, which serves to restrict the amount of food that can be eaten. It also involves bypassing part of the diminutive intestine, creating something called malabsorption. This means that fewer calories and less fat is absorbed from the food that is eaten. However, it also means that fewer vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are absorbed as well. This can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies. The roux-en-y also eliminates the pyloric valve between the stomach and slight intestine, which can allow food to move into the small intestine too snappy, causing something called “dumping syndrome.” The benefit to the vertical sleeve gastrectomy is that it does not create malabsorption and does not cause dumping syndrome.
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy has been performed since about the year 2001. Therefore long-term results are not yet available, but studies done to date show that weight loss is comparable to that seen with gastric bypass and surpasses that typically seen with the lap band. Again, the sleeve may carry fewer risks of complications than these other surgeries.
Because the vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a relatively new surgery, many health insurance companies consider it “experimental” and refuse to pay for it. You may be able to convince your insurance company to cover the sleeve if you meet their general requirements for weight loss surgery and can back up your request with research. A number of people use the argument that people with a gastric bypass are not able to take NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) due to the increased risk of ulcers, but people with the sleeve can take these drugs. If you have a condition such as arthritis that requires regular use of NSAIDS, this may be one way to convince your insurance to pay for the sleeve. Many other people simply opt to pay for the surgery themselves in order to have the surgery they believe is best for them.
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Filed under Stomach Stapling Risks by on Mar 21st, 2011.
Roux-en-Y (often abbreviated as RNY) is generally considered the “gold standard” for weight loss surgery and has been performed in various forms for over 40 years. The surgery process usually begins 2 weeks before your surgery date with a prescribed liquid diet. These 2 weeks leading up to your surgery date will be both mentally and physically challenging. The week after your surgery will be challenging simply because you’re healing from major surgery and the 2nd week after surgery is challenging because you’re learning a new way of eating which can be very difficult.
I’ll go into more detail about each of these 3 stages based on my own experience during the first month of my gastric bypass life. I had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery on November 13, 2007 and in the first month (2 weeks pre-op plus 2 weeks post-op) I lost 27 pounds.
TWO WEEKS PRE-OP - Most surgeons now require patients to follow a strict 2 week liquid diet before gastric bypass surgery. Not all bariatric programs have this requirement, but more and more surgeons are adding this requirement. Many ask why such a strict diet. The reasons are twofold. First this strict diet will help the patient lose weight before surgery. Any weight you can lose before surgery will make you that much healthier and allow for a safer surgery. Secondly a liquid diet will shrink your liver. Your liver is located right in front of your stomach and in morbidly obese patients it is often enlarged due to overeating of complex carbohydrates. By losing weight and restricting food intake to a basic liquid protein diet, the liver will shrink and be less cumbersome for the surgeon. This will help to reduce the risk of complications or a “nicked liver” during the surgery. During the 2 weeks before my surgery, I lost 15 pounds.
Although I haven’t read this next reason in any medical research, my own experience proves it to be upright. This strict liquid diet is to launch to train our brain to eat in a different way. I was limited to 3 small protein shakes, 1 cup of broth/soup and 1 fiber drink per day with the addition of 64 ounces of water. The first three days were brutal and I had more cravings for food than I ever opinion possible. I believe I was dealing with sugar and carb withdrawals. The fourth day seemed to begin the easier phase of the diet, after my body became accustomed to the fact that I could survive on so few calories while still getting the nutrients I needed. Even though the food cravings were still there, I was able to deal with them mentally and emotionally during those first 2 weeks. Because I was able to face the craving demons before surgery, I believe it has made my post-op eating easier to adjust to.
THE WEEK OF SURGERY – For most Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients the hospital discontinue is 2 to 4 days. People who have their surgery laprascopically they can expect 2 to 3 days. People who have an originate incision may be in the hospital an extra day. While in the hospital your surgeon will have you taking damage medication to minimize any discomfort you may feel. If the pain medication you are given is not working properly or is making you nauseous, be sure to let your doctor know so they can make an adjustment. This happened to me while I was in the hospital. I was given a morphine pump to control my injure, however, the morphine made me sick to my stomach. So my pain medication was quickly changed to Nortab and I was given anti-nausea medicine to decide my stomach.
The first day – the day of your surgery – you will likely not be able to drink anything including ice chips. This will allow time for your new stomach/pouch to heal. The following morning you will be taken for your “swallow test” to check to see if there are any leaks in your newly formed digestive system. This involves swallowing some barium and having x-rays taken of your abdomen. The hardest part of this test was standing fair and peaceful for the 5 or 10 minutes the test takes. Once you pass this test you’ll be given water or Crystal Light to sip. Usually it is served in a 1 ounce medicine cup and you’ll need to sip that water for 15 minutes, then refill the cup and start over. This will help to boom you to take very tiny sips of liquid and take your time drinking. Later that day you may graduate to a larger variety of liquids like gelatin, broth, hot tea or protein shakes. You’ll remain on a liquid diet while in the hospital.
Once you get home from the hospital you will probably remain on a liquid diet for the remainder of the first week. Some programs require patients to remain on a clear liquid diet for the first week of gastric bypass surgery. Some programs allow patients to include “tubby liquids” such as yogurt, cream soups and cottage cheese. When I came home from the hospital I was on full liquids and was required to drink 3 protein shakes per day. I was also required to take in 64 ounces of water each day. Even though it is expected that in the first week or two it will be nearly impossible to meet the water and protein goals – you are expected to try your best during this time. You’ll be eating about 1 to 2 ounces of food (full liquids) at one setting during this early stage.
TWO WEEKS POST-OP - I was amazed at how well I felt after just the first week of recovery. I was able to net around just fine and was healing expeditiously. But the eating share of the recovery process was still a challenge. Depending on your surgeon’s requirements and nutritionist guidelines, you may continue to be eating full liquids one week after your gastric bypass surgery. Some patient progress to soft foods at this point. No matter what your guidelines are, be distinct to follow what your doctor mandates. They have developed your nutritional program based on years of experience and helping hundreds or thousands of other post-op patients. By now you’ll be eating about 1 to 3 ounces of food (full liquids) at one setting.
I was on full liquids this second week after surgery until I had my follow-up appointment with my surgeon. Because of scheduling conflicts, my normal 2-week follow up appointment ended up happening just 8 days after my surgery (which also happened to be the day before Thanksgiving). At this appointment I was told to inaugurate the next phase of my eating plan which included soft foods such as egg salad, pate`, hummus, peanut butter, refried beans and soft or melted cheese. I was also allowed to add up to 1 tablespoon of a “side item” which included either vegetables or a grain (from a very limited list that was basically crackers). This allowed me a little bit more of a variety of choices at Thanksgiving.
The biggest challenge during these first couple weeks after surgery is the struggle to adapt to your new way of eating and figuring out a schedule for meals, snacks, protein shakes and water intake. Not to mention trying to figure out when to occupy your medications, vitamins and supplements in between all the meals and water. Instead of being obsessed with food, I quickly became obsessed with watching the clock and trying to stay on schedule with my eating. Because at this early stage we don’t have true hunger pangs, you need to rely on the clock to ensure you’re eating enough to withhold your body nourished.
Other people who have gone through this journey before me keep saying that the first month is the hardest fraction of the whole RNY gastric bypass surgery process. Once you pass the 6 week price, things get easier and the variety of food you’re allowed is worthy greater. So hold on during these first weeks and know it’s going to glean better soon.
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Filed under Bariatric Surgery by on Nov 29th, 2010.