A study of two popular bariatric surgery procedures—Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric banding—found that both had very good weight loss outcomes at 6 years after surgery. Weight loss was faster, greater and remained “significantly better” six years after gastric bypass compared with patients who received a gastric band, according to the researchers. However, patients with the band lost 65 percent of their excess weight at six years, which is quite a successful outcome. Gastric bypass patients lost on average, 79 percent of their excess weight after six years. The study, published in Archives of Surgery is one of the longest studies in the United States of these two common weight loss procedures, to-date. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Gastric Bypass’
Gastric Bypass Surgery Study: Positive Outcomes
Monday, January 30th, 2012I am a Winner, and Winners…
Friday, November 12th, 2010An Article and Exercise by Katie Jay, MSW, Certified Life Coach
Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
www.nawls.com
I have been going to dog-training classes. My dog is not the problem. I am. I can’t seem to be consistent in my approach to Ruby, so in her confusion she misbehaves.
It’s my responsibility to set boundaries with Ruby so that she knows what to do, but I feel inadequate. I’m too busy. I forget to practice. I’d rather do something else. I have to work. I have a million excuses.
My resistance creates unwanted consequences
For awhile Ruby’s indiscretions (a.k.a. my unwillingness to train my dog) were tolerable. She chewed a pair of my son’s tube socks. She ate the cat’s food. She pulled on the leashwhen I walked her.
But things have gotten worse. Ruby nips me to let me know it is time for her walk. She dines on litter-box fare (yuck!). She jumps onto the furniture when we turn our backs.
I have to get past my resistance
If I continue to let Ruby get away with these antics, and inevitably let things get worse, my life is going to get a lot more chaotic. And the consequences will become dire.
(Sadly, it’s at this point that many families give their pets back to the adoption agency. The problem goes from cute to annoying to intolerable.)
Resistance undermines weight loss surgery progress, too
When my hunger came back after weight loss surgery, it was almost cute at first. I ate half of a french fry and one bite of a dessert at a wedding reception. I felt petite and in control.
I was resisting my surgeon’s guidelines, but rationalized that I followed most of them
For awhile my indiscretions (a.k.a. my unwillingness to follow my plan) were tolerable. I wasn’t gaining weight and I felt great.
But things got worse. I started eating popcorn every night. I quit exercising at the gym. I ate toast with butter at bedtime.
And my food cravings got worse
So, I pushed my limits ever further. As this happened, I began to negotiate with myself about everything. Could I eat this at 3pm if I ate less of something at dinner?
How many calories is that snack food and maybe it’s okay to eat if I skip my protein drink (thus avoiding the extra calories).
It was annoying to always be negotiating with myself, pushing the boundaries. The consequences became more dire; I gained a few pounds.
Now my behavior felt intolerable to me
A few pounds is not a big concern in the vast scheme of things. But it is at this point that many weight loss surgery patients give up. But I didn’t give up.
Like Ruby, I needed clearer limits
I was in pure resistance mode. I was out of control and looking for trouble. Unlike my dog, though, I could identify my resistance and make a decision to set better limits for myself. So, that’s what I did.
I used my husband’s motto to challenge myself
As my biggest cheerleader, Mike has always supported me in my efforts at self improvement and with my dream to help others overcome obesity.
During times when I have felt uncertain or fearful or discouraged he has put his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eyes, and made me repeat after him:
“I am a winner.”
He makes me say it until I really feel it. Sometimes I get really mad at him, but he persists until he breaks my resistance.
One morning, Mike noticed I did not write down a food plan or seem to have any intention of making one. So, he made me say that phrase. It’s hard to feel resistance and feel like a winner at the same time. So, for a few moments, as we looked into each other’s eyes, I felt like a winner.
Over the course of that day I decided to keep saying it to myself
I got past my resistance to healthier eating using my own version of Mike’s saying:
“I’m a winner, and winners _____________________.”
I filled in the blank depending on what I was doing. So, when I wanted to eat fast food for lunch, I told myself:
“I’m a winner, and winners eat *healthy*, great-tasting meals.”
When I wanted to skip going to the gym, I told myself:
“I’m a winner, and winners exercise daily.”
And when I wanted to eat that french fry, I told myself:
“I’m a winner, and winners eat healthy fats, not trans fats.”
Everyone wants to win
When I look at my choices from the vantage point of being a winner, it’s easy to see which choices will serve me well and which ones won’t.
When I feel like a winner, I am much happier to do the next right thing — to resist the temptation to overeat or to pick unhealthy foods.
Do you want to feel like a winner?
No, you can’t borrow Mike! Go stand in front of your mirror, and look into your own eyes. Smile broadly and say, “I’m a winner!”
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Watch an online seminar now or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.
This article is from Small Bites, the email newsletter for the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery.
Subscribe today and get your F’REE report, The 10 Most Common Mistakes Weight Loss Surgery Patients Make at www.10WLSmistakes.com.
(c) 2007 National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, Inc. All rights reserved.
Weight Loss Surgery May Cut Risk of Cancer
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Research has long linked obesity to such negative health conditions as high blood pressure, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. One commonly overlooked, yet very serious, risk of obesity is cancer. A pivotal study released in 2003 followed more than 900,000 adults for sixteen years1. When these men and women were enrolled in the study they were cancer free, but over the duration of the study, more than 50,000 cancer deaths occurred. The study concluded that those with a body mass index of 40 or more, those considered morbidly obese, had death rates from all cancers that were 52% higher for men and 62% higher for women compared to people of normal weight. Based on this data, the researchers estimated that 14 percent of all deaths from cancer in men and 20 percent of those in women could be directly linked to obesity. Obesity related cancers include esophagus, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas and kidney cancers. For women, there is also an increased rate of breast, uterus and other gynecologic cancers.
Seven years have passed since the publication of that study and much headway has been made in the treatment and prevention of obesity in the United States. Although the obese population continues to climb, options such as weight loss surgery and medically supervised diets are widely available. This June, the Journal of the American College of Surgeons published a report that bariatric surgery appears to decrease the risk of cancer in obese women.
The study followed 1,482 severely obese (BMI over 30) women who had undergone bariatric surgery and compared them to a group of severely obese women who had not undergone surgery. Although the results of the study were not conclusive, the obese women who did not have surgery had a significantly higher cancer diagnosis2. These findings may be the first step toward bariatric surgery being a preventative treatment for obesity related cancers.
Certainly more research needs to be done to evaluate the numerous factors contributing to weight loss. Still, for the morbidly obese, weight loss surgery, such gastric bypass or laparoscopic gastric banding, has proven to be a more effective means of weight loss than diet and exercise alone.
1. EE Callee, C Rodriguez, K Walker-Thurmond, M Thun Overweight, Obesity and Mortality from Canter in a Prospectively Studied Cohort of U.S. Adults, NEJM 348: 1625-1638, April 24, 2003, No. 17
2. Cancer in Obese Women: Potential Protective Impact of Bariatric Surgery, 17 April 2009
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.
Bariatric Patient Spotlight: Teen Obesity – Jeremy Poulton
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Adolescent obesity is getting a lot of attention these days. And rightly so! The NHANES surveys show that the prevalence of obesity for those aged 12 to 19 has increased from 5% to 17.6% over the past three years1.
Jeremy Poulton was one of the 17.6 percent. His weight problems started back when he was only 12 years old. He would frequently fall asleep in his fourth grade class causing his teachers and family much concern. And things only worsened each year. By age 19 he weighed 373 lbs and had several weight-related medical conditions: high cholesterol, sleep apnea and Type-2 diabetes. Jeremy knew he needed to take action.
When he learned about the effectiveness of laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, sometimes called Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery, he realized there was hope. Jeremy pushed his mother to call for more information, researched his options and, with the help of The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, even fought his bariatric insurance denial.
Since the surgery, Poulton has lost over 105 pounds. But his weight isn’t the only thing that’s changed. His confidence has skyrocketed. He’s more outgoing; more willing to talk and socialize. He’s going to the prom. He’s flying comfortably in airplanes. He even made the tennis team only two weeks after weight loss surgery!
But perhaps the biggest change is the positive impact Jeremy’s surgery has had on his family. His mother, who suffered along with him while he struggled with childhood obesity, is thrilled to see her son in a healthier state. And Jeremy is happy his family won’t be worrying about him anymore.
Research shows that obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese adults. One study found that nearly 80% of children who were overweight at 10 to 15 years of age were obese at 25. Another study showed that obesity is more severe if one becomes obese before the age 81.
Not all adolescents will qualify for surgical weight loss. But if you or your child believe there is a medical necessity please visit WhyWeight.com to learn about weight loss options, read more weight loss success stories and sign up for a free seminar.
1. Source: CDC: “Childhood Overweight and Obesity.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood. Accessed Oct 16, 2009.
Help Fight Obesity in Louisiana
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009Louisiana – The Least Healthy State in the Nation
Could where you live actually determine how long you live? According to the United Health Foundation, it can! In their annual report, “America’s Health Rankings,” the UHF provides an analysis of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis1.
In the 2008 report, Louisiana moved to the bottom position making it the least healthy state in the nation. Joining Louisiana at the bottom were Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi. Some of the top-ranked states were Vermont, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Utah. Researchers based their findings on several factors, including the personal behaviors of those living in the state, such as smoking, and factors like the rate of uninsured residents, the percentage of children in poverty, or the rate of preventable hospitalizations and cancer deaths.
But another important indicator is the obesity rate, because obesity, can often lead to other serious health conditions such as type II diabetes and heart disease. Since 1990, the prevalence of obesity in Louisiana has increased by 150% percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 28.1% of the Louisiana population is now classified as obese2.
Regardless of rank, each state has the opportunity to improve the health of its residents. Fighting the obesity epidemic is an excellent way to start – even modest weight loss can significantly improve one’s health. Medically supervised weight loss programs have been proven successful and, for the morbidly obese, bariatric surgery is known to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers all minimally invasive options, as well as the revolutionary incisionless weight loss surgery options and personalized non-surgical weight loss plans.
Join the 2009 Walk From Obesity
In the end, the health of our State depends on the actions of the individuals who reside here. As weight loss specialists and Louisiana citizens, the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana joins the fight every year by sponsoring the annual American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s Walk From Obesity. This year, the SSL- and Southern Surgical Hospital-sponsored Walk will be held on November 14 in conjunction with Camellia City Market and Olde Towne Merchants in Slidell’s Historic Olde Towne District:
2009 Walk From Obesity
Saturday November 14, 2009
8:30am in Slidell, LA
Interested in joining the annual Walk from Obesity to help raise funds for the research, prevention and advanced treatments and make Louisiana a healthier place to live? Visit WhyWeight.com to register online or call Kim Mulkey at (985) 661-2172.
1. United Health Foundations: “America’s Health Rankings.”
Available at http://www.americashealthrankings.org/2008/index.html
2. CDC: “U.S. Obesity Trends 1985 – 2008.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
The Emotional Side of Weight Loss Surgery
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
For those patients who have struggled with weight their whole life, bariatric surgery may seem like the final solution. It’s true that, for the morbidly obese, weight loss surgery is known to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment. But surgery is only the first step. Successful weight loss comes from an ongoing mental and emotional commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Most weight loss surgeries, such as gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND® and REALIZE Band), or gastric sleeve are all aimed at hunger control. They limit the amount of food one can eat giving patients the tool they need to lose weight.
But once surgery turns the physical hunger off, other psychological issues may surface. Many patients find that they have a complicated relationship with food and that their new approach to eating causes anxiety. Others have used food as a coping mechanism for negative emotions and must learn other ways to deal with these feelings. Surgery alone cannot repair these issues.
We at Surgical Specialists of Louisiana understand and are here to help. Since 2000, we have been helping our patients address the psychological side of bariatric surgery before and after their procedure. Our team of weight loss specialists sees patients frequently for the first year after surgery to ensure they have the necessary skills to deal with physical and emotional changes. We continue to guide them through their weight loss journey as they are our patients for life.
Our patients also have unlimited access to bariatric support groups in Metairie, Slidell, Lafayette, and Covington, Louisiana, and can call the clinic staff as needed. We encourage all our patients to attend support groups as an excellent peer-to-peer forum, support network, and educational opportunity.
Ultimately, we believe that a comprehensive approach is necessary to ensure weight loss success. This is why we have a team of highly skilled surgeons, experienced patient advocates, nutritionists and psychologists available for our patients. We understand that nobody is perfect, but with ongoing commitment and communication we can help you succeed!
The Obesity Epidemic
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009It comes as no surprise that the United States is suffering from an obesity epidemic. Over the past thirty years, the number of Americans classified as overweight or obese has, according to the CDC, nearly doubled. Today about 21.6% of adults in the United States are obese1.
Overweight and obesity are terms used to identify ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy. Obesity is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea. These associated health conditions are often referred to as comorbidities. Obesity is also associated with a shocking 400,000 deaths each year.
You may have seen the CDC’s colorful maps that visually depict how obesity is sweeping the nation – the maps redden and darken with each passing year. In 2008, only Colorado had an obese population of less than 20%. Here in Louisiana, nearly 30% of the adult population is now classified as obese1.
But adult obesity isn’t the only cause for concern. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, for the first time in two centuries, the current generation of children may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This is due mainly in part to the obesity epidemic and subsequential increase in comorbid conditions, such as Type II diabetes, among children and adolescents. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) shows that the incidence of obesity has increased to 12.4% for children aged 2 to 5 years and to roughly 17% for those aged 6 to 19 years3.
The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) has also found a correlation between obesity and racial/ethnic groups. African Americans have the highest rates of obesity – a 51% higher prevalence compared to Caucasians, while Hispanics have a 21% higher prevalence1. More information about obesity and its impact on health can be found in our Weight Loss Learning Center.
These statistics may seem daunting but rest assured – there is good news! Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers many options to help you lose weight, keep it off and improve your health. We offer laparoscopic weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass, incisionless weight loss procedures and even a personalized non-surgical medically supervised weight loss program. You can attend one of our free seminars to learn more, or contact us to request a confidential phone call.
1 CDC: “U.S. Obesity Trends 1985 – 2008.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
data/trends.html. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.
2. Weight-Control Information Network (WIN); an information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Statistics related to overweight and obesity. June 2007. Available at http://win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.
3. CDC: “Childhood Overweight and Obesity”. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
childhood/index. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.
Bariatric Surgery Insurance and Financing
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Despite the benefits of losing weight, some people worry about weight loss surgery cost. Surgical Specialists of Louisiana understands the challenges surrounding the insurance hurdle. To help you, we staff 7 full-time Patient Advocates who focus exclusively on acquiring bariatric insurance approval for our patients. You will be assigned a dedicated advocate to personally contact your insurance company and address your individual needs.
For many, health insurance will cover weight loss surgery. But, despite the medical evidence correlating bariatric surgery and improved health, some health insurance programs still do not cover laparoscopic bariatric surgery, claiming that it is elective or cosmetic or both. In these situations, patients often feel they have exhausted their options. This is not the case! You have many other choices.
For example, there are several national lenders who offer a broad range of financing options to patients who want to pay for their weight loss surgery procedure when insurance coverage is not available. Some even choose to finance their co-pay. The weight loss surgery financing section of our website lists our preferred providers. These companies offer convenient payment options and low interest loans to those who qualify. You can also contact our Patient Advocates for more information.
In addition, you can check with your local bank about a personal loan. Your bank will determine how much you may borrow and at what rate, as well as the terms of repayment.
Whether you are having gastric bypass, LAP-BAND, or one of our new incisionless procedures, we want to make your bariatric surgery as affordable as possible. Surgical Specialists of Louisiana is committed to reasonable cash pay prices for those patients who do not have insurance coverage.
Weight loss surgery may be the best investment you every make. We’re happy to guide you through the insurance maze or financing process and see you come out healthier and happier! Contact one of our Patient Advocates today to learn more.
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