Latest Obesity Surgery Articles

Surgeon: Formerly Obese Patients Can Benefit From Plastic Surgery

Tue, 18 May 2010 05:00:05 -0500

For many dangerously obese people, bariatric surgery is a final option when dieting and exercise has failed or is impossible to perform. A procedure in which the size of the stomach is reduced through a surgical procedure (often a gastric band) or a portion of the stomach is removed altogether, it has produced significant results in not only weight loss, but treating diabetes, improving the heart and lowering the mortality rate.

But this substantial weight loss is only the beginning of the treatment for patients of bariatric surgery. Following such dramatic weight reduction, the body is left with skin that has been stretched to the maximum but now hangs loosely from the body to the patient’s dismay.

It is here, says Dr. Jay Calvert, MD, FACS, a noted plastic surgeon, that a “Total Body Lift” can provide the answer.

A Total Body Lift is an intensive procedure in which all of the major body-contouring plastic surgery operations are performed in one single procedure. As one would expect, Dr. Calvert states, it requires a great deal of planning and preparation, as well as a lengthy recovery time (a three to five week hospital stay, with about six weeks of home rest prior to returning to work).

“The advantage,” says Dr. Calvert, “is that it is a way for busy people to have their bodies converted from the post-bariatric or post-weight loss state into a smaller, skin-reduced state in one operation.”

Dr. Calvert’s belief in the involvement of plastic surgeons in the planning and post-operative treatment of bariatric patients stems from his residency days at the University of Pittsburgh hospital where he first learned of laparoscopic weight loss. Following that experience, he went on to perform many body lifts, as well as other cosmetic operations, for patients who had excessive skin due to massive weight loss.

Dr. Calvert sees Total Body Lift as an “art” and few, if any, of his former patients would disagree.

“Post-bariatric body contouring is an art that combines the power of surgical planning with a sense of aesthetic creation,” he observes. “Every patient is different and has a different shape. Customizing the plan for each patient creates the best possible results for body lift and body contouring.”

The treatment of these patients became a special cause for Dr. Calvert, who continues to be a frequent speaker at bariatric support groups. In addition, he often works with a team of plastic surgeons during a Total Body Lift to reduce the time of the operation and thus minimize the surgical risks. A frequent collaborator in these procedures is Dr. Dennis Hurwitz, a colleague from his days at the University of Pittsburgh, who also sees the team approach to Total Body Life as crucial to achieving the best results for their patient.

In addition, Dr. Calvert and Dr. Hurwitz have established the Hurwitz Center for Body Contouring at the Roxbury Clinic and Surgery Center.

Dr. Calvert understands the limitations of the procedure but underlines its benefits as well.

“It is not for everyone,” he states, “but for the right patients, it is the right operation.”

Dr. Calvert is a board-certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and serves the Beverly Hills, Orange County and Los Angeles area. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on plastic surgery and has presented his techniques at national and international conferences.

Loosing Weight With Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:28:35 -0500

For folk consumed with losing weight, gastric bypass surgery could appear to be a simple option. Though a gastric bypass surgery could appear to be an easy way to lose unwelcome pounds, it is basically a particularly major weight loss methodology and isn't for most folks. You should only consider gastric bypass surgery if you are really noticeably overweight and need to lose the weight for medical reasons instead of for cosmetic reasons.
Gastric bypass, which is also known as stapling one's stomach, works by decreasing the amount of food that may be held in the stomach. You lose pounds because the food bypasses part of the tiny intestine and decreases stomach size, that means that you physically can't eat as much without barfing. You also don't absorb calories as readily, permitting these foods to leave the body naturally instead.
If you and your doctor do decide that gastric bypass surgery is best for you, start by losing some weight on your own. The more weigh you can lose thru diet and exercise, the simpler the surgery will be on your body. You must follow all your doctor's suggestions at that point to prepared yourself for surgery.
It helps weight reduction by reducing the capacity of the stomach, that may then cut the amount of food that may be consumed. Since its introduction in 1993, more than hundreds thousands Stomach Banding procedures have been carried out around the planet. Here's some of the explanations why Gut Banding has became the one of the finest forms of weight reduction by surgery.
Before you select gastric bypass surgery, you must consider all other options. First, try losing pounds on your own using diet and exercise. This needs tons of will power, but is much less complicated and safer than gastric bypass surgery.
You may talk to your doctor about medicines that would probable help you shed the pounds and alternative care methodologies, like acupuncture and hypnosis.
After the surgery, you may also have to continue diet control and exercise, complete physical care, and take any prescriptions your doctor tells you to take. The work you do after the surgery will help you to lose the weight you wish to lose, and this work isn't straightforward.
Gastric bypass surgery simply isn't for everybody. Statistics indicate that as much as ten percent of the folk receiving gastric bypass surgery have medical complications, and though these hazards are decreasing with new technology, this is still a danger.
As the food will be moving from your stomach to the guts quickly you can get what's called dumping syndrome - symptoms of this include sweating, fainting and bum rot. You can also experience barfing after drinking or eating as if you search the web you may find many stories of this which is called stomal stenosis, when there is a tightening of the opening between the stomach and the guts.
You can reduce the indications of dumping syndrome by sticking to the stern diet suggestions given to you by your surgeon. As with all medical procedures there are a few hazards related to it, and you need to talk to your doctor about any fears about the gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric Bypass Surgery: What Can You Expect?

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:21:23 -0500

Most of the people in this world suffer from obesity and they try different alternatives in order to reduce their weight. Diverse procedures of surgery are performed for the treatment of obesity. Bariatric Surgery is one of the best alternatives for those who have tried different programs of exercises and dieting but have got no result. As far as safety is concerned, Bariatric Surgery ensures complete safety. Excessive intake of nutrients is restricted after such surgery and sometimes, digestive system is interrupted, in this way, weight loss is promoted through Bariatric Surgery.
Obesity invites many other diseases so, one is advised to take preventive measures and Bariatric Surgery comes as a remedial solution to this problem. One may not be aware of the fact that one has to encounter cardiopulmonary problems due to obesity.
Large area of small intestine or stomach has to be removed in case one is suffering from serious problems of ulcers or cancer. It is mandatory on the part of the patients that after surgery, these patients have to lose weight. The concept of Bariatric Surgery gained momentum as surgeons started using this surgery for the treatment of obesity.
Consequences of Bariatric Surgery
Digestive process is altered through this surgery, stomach is made smaller. Intake of food is restricted through restrictive operations and in this way size of the stomach is reduced. Sometimes, a partial bypass surgery of small intestine is also performed with restriction operation of stomach.
Bariatric Surgery: Categories
This surgery is categorized into following types:
• Bariatric Bypass Surgery.
• Biliopancreatic Diversion (BD).
• Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery
• Adjustable Gastric Banding (AGB).
• Sapala-Wood Micropuch.
• Duodenal Switch (DS).
• Roux-en-y (RNY).
• Vertical Banded Gastrology (VBG).
Only a physician can guide which surgery will be most appropriate for you. After undergoing Bariatric Surgery a patient can not take liquid diet like juices of fruits. It is only after the recovery of gastrointestinal tract that a patient can take liquid diet. Sugar free diet has to be continued by the patients for a minimum time period of two weeks. Cream soup, skimmed milk, mashed potatoes can be taken by patients. A patient should avoid overeating after surgery otherwise; excessive capacity can create situations like vomiting or nausea.
Restrictions on diet may vary from person to person and type of surgery also matters in this regard. Multivitamin pills may be taken by patients so that they could give essential nutrients to their bodies as patients are prohibited to take excessive intake of food. Patients can take protein rich diet and carbohydrates rich diet but alcohol is banned completely.
Benefits
• High blood pressure is controlled to a certain extent but a patient may have to take medicines for that.
• Insufficiencies pertaining to respiratory problems can be treated and stamina of a person also improves.
• Confidence and morale of the person is boosted and that person partakes in daily activities with more enthusiasm.
Bariatric Surgery is very beneficial for reducing weight and moreover this surgery also increases morale of the patient.

Abdominoplasyt- Advices for the medical procedure

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:54:28 -0500

Abdominoplasty which is commonly known to us as tummy tuck is a type of cosmetic surgery in which the excess skin is removed from the abdomen. This procedure is also performed to tighten abdominal muscles. In some cases, it is combined with liposuction to remove excess fat in the abdomen further improving its form.
Some of the reasons why people undergo this abdominoplasty are due to an inherited condition, stretch marks and weakened stomach muscles due to pregnancy and considerable weight loss. For people who have plans to get pregnant or lose weight in the future, there might be side effects and difficulties when this procedure has already been done and to avoid this, one may consult with your own surgeon.
Before you undergo a tummy tuck, a wise thing to do is to consult your trusted plastic surgeon. It would be better is your doctor is someone who has expertise in abdominoplasty and similar procedures. Your detailed medical history should be discussed in the consultation; pregnancies, medical conditions, and meds you are currently taking, previous medical procedures and allergies on substances. The present condition of your abdominal muscle will also be assessed together with the amount of excess fat and loose skin. This examination will be done once while you are standing and another one while lying down.
It would be best to prepare your questions regarding the procedure prior to the consultation. Also, discuss with your surgeon your expected result from the cosmetic surgery to see whether your expectation is realistic. And finally, you may want to ask your doctor to elaborate on what could happen after the surgery; including the possible risks, complications and restrictions. These could be rare in plastic surgery patients but one must still consider that it is still a serious medical procedure. It is better to be well informed about abdominoplasty before committing to do undergo this.
If you have made-up your mind and decided to go on with plastic surgery after your consultation, the next thing you must think about is the cost. A tummy tuck would have varying costs but basically, there are three fees: your surgeon’s fee, the anesthesia fee and the fee for the facility.
The average fees on this procedure would be around $3,000 up to $9,000. Cost for the procedure would be dependent on its scale; the amount of fat and excess skin to be removed. If there is a lot to remove, the procedure would take longer which also means the cost would be higher. Fee for the surgeon vary depending on the extent of the surgery. Some surgeon’s charges a higher fee due to their qualification.
Of course, surgeons on upscale towns like New York and Beverly Hills will charge a higher fee compare to those from other parts of the country. Qualification of a surgeon is not directly correlated to the cost; although, you may discover that the well trained and experienced surgeons will be expensive. It would be better to pay a higher amount if we want to have the best level of care.
One may find that most of the insurance companies do not cover surgery like abdominoplasty; those who cover it have special term on the insurance policy. Just like any other form of surgery, the surgeon and the hospital could have a payment plan for the tummy tuck. In this way, you will be paying monthly which is more comfortable for you.
Getting a tummy tuck could be the best procedure to get you the flat and defined stomach you have always dreamed of. Once you have yourself prepared and followed the steps for the cosmetic surgery you will surely achieve great results that would satisfy you.