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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ARTICLE - DR OZ HIGLIGHTS THE BENEFITS OF GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY EVEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT MORBIDLY OBESE

Dr. Oz Highlights the Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery, Even for Patients Who Are Not Morbidly Obese

Dr. Oz episode discusses the under-used gastric bypass procedure, and what it offers to patients suffering not just from morbid obesity, but also weight-related health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 - 3:37 pm
/PRNewswire/ -- Dr.Mehmet Oz, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and author, recently dedicated an entire episode of his popular TV show Dr. Oz to the benefits of gastric bypass surgery. As Dr. Oz pointed out, only about 1% of people who qualify for gastric bypass surgery opt for the procedure – a startlingly small percentage, given the great strides made in improving the safety of this life-saving surgery. Many people have understandable anxiety about going under the knife, but once they learn about just how safe this surgery is, they realize that the health risks posed by obesity far outweigh those associated with surgery.  Others are also hesitant to pursue this option because of the misperception that it is a "cop out" – that it is somehow an "easy way out" for people who should be able to lose the weight on their own through diet and exercise. Dr. Oz did a wonderful job of dispelling this unfair stigma, correctly asserting that, far from a cop out, weight loss surgery is about finally taking control over your own destiny.
The episode also made an important point that it is not just people with morbid obesity who can benefit greatly from gastric bypass surgery. Many people with obesity-related diseases like diabetes and hypertension have undergone gastric bypass surgery and been able to get off their medications completely within days. Of course, Dr. Oz responsibly acknowledged that any major surgery carries with it certain risks. A competent surgeon will always inform a prospective patient about the potential benefits and risks of all possible weight loss solutions, surgical and non-surgical. The accomplished surgeons at Dr. Feiz & Associates, a leading provider of gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve surgery, and the Lap Band in Los Angeles, have maintained a complication rate of less than 1% (significantly lower than the national average of 3-4%), and have never had a mortality. The medical team at Dr. Feiz & Associates will carefully review a patient's history to determine if they are a good candidate for surgery. If 1) you have a BMI of 35 or higher and co-morbidities such as diabetes or high blood pressure, 2) you have made substantial efforts to shed pounds without success, and 3) you are prepared to commit to lifelong behavioral changes in order to ensure a healthy lifestyle, you may in fact be a good candidate for bariatric weight loss in Los Angeles.
For more information about Dr. Feiz & Associates, or about undergoing gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve surgery, or the Lap Band in Beverly Hills, visit online at www.DrFeiz.com.
PR submitted by www.Cyberset.com
SOURCE Dr. Feiz & Associates

Thursday, January 26, 2012

NEWS - NEW BARIATRIC SURGERY LESS INVASIVE -PLICATION

New bariatric surgery less invasive

Thursday, January 26, 2012

  By Sylvia Perez and Christine Tressel
Laura Adair is ready for a change. She wants to be healthier but diet and exercise were not working.
When the scale tipped at more than 240 pounds a simple walk down to the beach got scary, and she knew she was losing control.
"As I was coming back up the stairs I had completely lost my breath like an asthma attack," Adair said. "And I was alone and I completely panicked. I realized at that moment I had lost my life."
Last October she made the decision to have bariatric surgery.
This is something new in weight loss surgery. Adair is undergoing a novel procedure at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago called laparoscopic gastric plication.
Bariatric surgeon Dr. Rami Lutfi is performing and studying the procedure at St. Joseph.
"This operation does not involve removing stomach, cutting anywhere in the GI tract or altering the anatomy," said Dr. Lutfi. "It's simply folding the stomach on its self, a very simple concept.
By simply stitching the stomach up through small openings its volume is reduced by 80 percent, so patients can eat less and still feel full.
The operation is less invasive than gastric bypass or a gastric sleeve procedure, which involve removing a part of the stomach or rerouting the intestines.
Dr. Lutfi believes that because of its simplicity it will not only help people lose weight but have less complications.
"We are very excited about it, our patients are very happy with it," he said.
While still investigational it could be used to augment a lap-band, a removable device to aid weight-loss. There is also a possibility gastric plication could be undone.
Bariatric surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic say gastric plication can help get rid of 50-55 percent of excess weight.
That's more than the lap band, but less than the gastric sleeve or bypass, and if your body mass index is over 50 this may not be right for you.
"Most people who want to lose somewhere between 50 and 100 pounds are going to do quite well with this operation," said Dr. Stacy Brethauer, bariatric surgeon at Cleveland Clinic. I think its simplicity is behind the attractiveness to patients."
So far Adair says she has lost 47 pounds.
"At first it came off pretty fast, but now it's, you know, one or two three pounds a week it's always very steady," Adair said.
She says the change has been fairly easy. She has been eating healthier but still most of what she wants, just in smaller portions.
She doesn't feel starved, just content.
"I can mess around with my kids so housework and I feel good," she said. "I don't have to take a nap, I'm not tired I'm not grumpy, I'm not thinking about food all the time, I'm living my life again."
St. Joseph Hospital
Gastric Plication or other Bariatric Surgeries
773-665-3170
Tora Vinci
Media Relations
Cleveland Clinic
216-444-2412
Vinciv@ccf.org

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

NEWS - PAULA DEAN REVELS SHE HAS TYPE 2 DIABETES

Paula Deen reveals she has Type 2 diabetes

  It's official: TV chef Paula Deen admitted on the "Today" show Tuesday that she has Type 2 diabetes and has become a paid spokeswoman for pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

After rumors about her condition ramped up last week, Deen talked with weather anchor Al Roker (who underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2002) Tuesday about her diagnosis three years ago, and why she decided to wait so long before going public with the news.

"I'm here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence," said an upbeat Deen, adding that she is being compensated by the pharmaceutical company and is collaborating with them on a website, DiabetesInANewLight.com. The site offers recipes and information about the disease. "I'm going to be there for you and help you manage every day of your life with this, because it can be done."

When asked why she waited three years to talk about her diagnosis, Deen said, "I came home [from seeing the doctor], and I told my children, I told my husband, and I said, I'm going to keep this close to my chest for the time being. Because I had to figure things out in my own head. I had to give time to think about it, talk with my doctor .... I had nothing to give to my fellow friends out there."

And what of the scuttlebutt that Deen delayed going public because it would damage her reputation as a Southern cook who uses copious amounts of butter and sugar in her recipes?

"People are not going to quit eating," she said. "If people quit eating, we're all out of here. I wanted to bring something to the table when I came forward, and I've always been one to think that I bring hope, because I've had lots of obstacles in my life, y'all."

Deen told Roker that she's always eaten in moderation. "People see me on TV two, three times a day cooking all these wonderfully Southern, fattening dishes, but that's only 30 days out of 365, and it's for entertainment. People have to be responsible." She also cited other risk factors for the disease, including genetics and age.

In a recent interview with USA Today, Deen said she had given up her favorite sweet tea, which she admitted to drinking from lunch until bedtime. She also said she's exercising regularly on a treadmill and taking Victoza, a Novo Nordisk non-insulin injected diabetes medication (ads for the drug are obvious on the website).

Fattening foods aren't Deen's only vice: In October she went on the "Dr. Oz Show" to get help for her 50-year smoking habit. In some studies, smoking has been shown to increase the risk of developing diabetes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that diabetes affects 25.8 million Americans. The most common form of the disease is Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance or an inability by the body to produce enough insulin to sustain standard glucose levels.

Deen's son Bobby recently debuted his own show on the Cooking Channel, "Not My Mama's Meals," in which he lightens up his mother's traditional comfort food.

But will Paula change her cooking M.O.? She was a bit cagey about that, saying that on her show she advocates moderation.

"You can have that little piece of pie," she said, "but here's what I want to get across to people: I want them to first start by going to their doctor and asking to be tested for diabetes, then get on a program that works for you. I'm amazed at the people that are aware they're diabetic, but they're not taking their medicine. They're not doing anything."

ARTICLE - MORE WEIGHT LOSS SEEN WITH GASTRIC BYPASS THAN BANDING

More weight loss seen with gastric bypass than banding



A gastric bypass operation called Roux-en-Y involves reducing stomach size with staples and connecting the smaller "pouch" directly to the small intestine. It is irreversible.
Gastric banding, as its name implies, involves placing a band around part of the stomach to reduce its size. This procedure is reversible, the researchers noted.
"Both gastric banding and gastric bypass are currently performed for morbid obesity," said lead researcher Dr. Michel Suter, chief surgeon at Chablais Hospital in Aigle.
"Bypass is more effective in terms of directs results such as weight loss, but a bit more dangerous immediately than banding," he said.
However, banding often leads to long-term complications requiring some sort of major re-operation, Suter said.
"In addition, many bands are not going to stay in place for much more than 10 years; hence, banding is unlikely to be the only weight-loss procedure the patient will be submitted to," he said. "Patients should make a choice knowing this, and decide whether they accept a slightly higher early risk to improve their results, or if they want the least invasive procedure, but then accept a high risk of further surgery at a later time."
The report was published in the Jan. 16 online edition of the Archives of Surgery.
For the study, Suter's team followed for six years 442 patients who had either gastric bypass surgery or banding.
Although there were more early surgical complications among those who had Roux-en-Y surgery, these patients lost more weight faster than those who had gastric banding, the researchers found.
After bypass surgery, about 17 percent of the patients had complications, compared with more than 5 percent of those who underwent banding, the researchers noted.
But at six years there were more problems with gastric banding, including about 48 percent who had weight gain or the procedure reversed, compared with about 12 percent who had bypass surgery, the study found.
Gastric banding was associated with more long-term complications (more than 42 percent versus 19 percent) and more new procedures than bypass surgery (about 27 percent vs. 13 percent).
Cholesterol levels among those who had gastric bypass surgery were consistently lower than among those who had gastric banding, who saw no change over time, the researchers add.
This finding implies that blood sugar levels were also lower among those who underwent gastric bypass surgery, the study authors said.
Suter is concerned that many patients are only offered banding and not told of its drawbacks.
"There is, in the United States, an extensive campaign promoting gastric banding as 'the solution' for obesity, which is far from being true," he said.
It can result in significant weight loss, but it remains a surgical procedure, and is certainly associated with significant risks, both in the short and long term, Suter said.
"Patients must be informed that surgery alone is not sufficient to achieve significant weight loss, and they must be instructed about other things they have to do such as changing their eating and lifestyle habits," he said.
In addition, Suter said, "Patients calling or referred for gastric banding must be informed about the other available procedures for morbid obesity, and not offered band only, as is the case in several places."
Depending on the actual operation, either procedure costs between $10,000 and $20,000 plus follow-up costs, and insurance coverage is very inconsistent, according to Dr. Edward Livingston, who serves as the Dr. Lee Hudson-Robert R. Penn Chair in Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas.
Hospital stay for bypass is usually two days, and banding usually one day, but this can vary depending on surgeon, hospital and complications.
Dr. Jacques Himpens, from the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery at Saint Pierre University Hospital in Brussels and author of an accompanying journal editorial, is less concerned with a particular procedure than with the specific surgeon.
"Not all surgeons can do bypasses," he said. "Maybe they don't have the skills or the experience, but in any case it's not the best option because they are not up to it," he said. "That's the case for many surgeons."
In addition, it is not clear what the long-term results of a bypass are, because there is evidence that although a bypass "cures" diabetes, it does come back after time, Himpens said.
"The bypass is a very good procedure, but not everyone can do it and we have to be very careful and watch what the long-term effects of the procedure are," he said.
Also, while a gastric bypass causes changes in metabolism, banding does not, Himpens said.
"But the good thing is that it is reversible. When you take out the band, no harm has been done and you can still do another procedure if you need to," he said.
However, among patients who receive bands, only 40 percent retain them after 10 years, either because of complications or the desire to have it removed, Himpens said.
On the Web:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007199.htm, the U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on gastric bypass procedures.

HUMOR - FOREIGN PIZZA

Foreign Pizza
An American businessman goes to Japan on a business trip, but he hates Japanese food, so he asks the concierge at his hotel if there's any place around where he can get American food.
The concierge tells him he's in luck, there's a pizza place that just opened, and they deliver. The concierge gives the businessman the phone number, and he goes back to his room and orders a pizza.
Thirty minutes later, the delivery guy shows up to the door with the pizza.
The businessman takes the pizza, and starts sneezing uncontrollably. He asks the delivery man, "What on earth did you put on this pizza?"
The delivery man bows deeply and says, "We put on the pizza what you ordered, pepper only."

ARTICLE - GET STREET SMART ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS-TIps to Becoming Supplment Savvy

Get Street-Wise About Supplements
- Tips to Becoming Supplement Savvy -- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian
Going to the drug store lately can feel a little like a Saturday morning trip to the candy shop, with dozens and dozens of colorful vitamin and mineral supplements to choose from! Can’t you just sample a little bit of everything?

If you’re considering a supplement, heed some familiar advice—choose wisely and carefully. Filling up on this type of "candy" can do more harm than good.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are so popular that you can buy them just about anywhere—the drug store, grocery store, mall, the internet, and through home-based distributors. But do you really need them? Will they improve your health? Are they safe? How can you avoid being ripped off?

Food Is Still Best
Before you clear a medicine cabinet shelf to stock up on supplements, remember this truth: Food is still the #1 option for getting the nutrients you need for healthy living. A balanced multivitamin supplement is second best and is usually safe. Beyond that, individual nutrient supplements should only be chosen in special cases.

It is true that vitamins and minerals are essential in regulating various body activities. These nutrients do not function alone but work together with other nutrients. The best source of vitamins and minerals is food. Food provides the complete package. A balanced diet already contains the correct nutrients in just the right amounts. Individual foods also provide hundreds of other substances such as phytochemicals, zoochemicals, and antioxidants that help to prevent disease and boost the immune system.

True, it can be frustrating and possibly frightening to not know if you’re getting enough of a certain nutrient. That’s where the SparkPeople Nutrition Tracker can help. Before you go supplement shopping, use the Nutrition Tracker to get a clear picture of your nutrient levels. You may not need to change anything!Who Needs a Supplement?
The decision to take a supplement should not be made haphazardly. It is best to seek advice from your physician or consult with a registered dietitian. This health professional should assess your dietary habits and intake, medical status, medication history, alcohol intake, and lifestyle habits. Some people who may need to take a multivitamin-mineral supplement include:
  • People with digestive diseases, illness or surgeries that can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals and therefore increase needs
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women (increased need for iron, folic acid, and calcium)
  • Vegetarians who avoid all animal foods and may have a deficit of vitamin D, vitamin B-12, calcium, zinc, and iron
  • People who smoke (because smoking increases the need for vitamin C)
  • People with certain major illnesses or injuries that can increase the need for healing nutrients
  • Women with heavy menstrual bleeding (may need more iron)
  • Menopausal women (might benefit from calcium)
  • Women who are trying to conceive (preconception warrants an increase in folic acid to decrease the risk of certain birth defects)
  • People taking certain medications that can increase or decrease the effectiveness of vitamins and minerals
  • People following weight loss programs that severely restrict food intake or calorie levels (less than 1000-1200 calories per day), which can result in poor nutrient intake
  • People with food allergies that require avoiding groups of foods and may result in nutritional deficiencies
  • People who abuse alcohol (increases nutrient needs)
Being Supplement Savvy
Do not fall into the dangerous trap of thinking that, if a little is good, more is better. Excessive intake of vitamins and minerals can do no good. It is a waste of money. And in some cases, excessive intake can damage the body, have a toxic effect, interfere with medications, and may even result in death. To choose a safe, effective vitamin-mineral supplement, follow these tips:
  • Choose a balanced multivitamin-mineral supplement rather than one or two specific nutrients, unless it has been medically prescribed.
  • Choose a supplement that provides close to 100-150% of the Daily Value (DV) for recognized nutrients. The exception to this is calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. If the supplement did contain 100% DV of these nutrients, it would be too large to swallow. Due to the cost, biotin is also often less than 100% of the DV. However, the need for supplemental biotin is rare.
  • Look for the "USP" insignia on the label. This ensures that the supplement meets the standards for strength, purity, disintegration and dissolution established by the testing organization, U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).
  • Read the supplement label carefully. Follow serving size recommendations.
  • Avoid supplements that contain unrecognized nutrients and substances. A number of substances like PABA, inositol, bee pollen, lecithin, have never been shown to be essential to humans. They do nothing but boost the price.
  • Beware of gimmicks. Synthetic supplements that are made in a laboratory are usually the same as so-called "natural" supplements. The body knows no difference, but your wallet does. "Natural" supplements cost more.
  • Do not give in to the temptation of added herbs, enzymes, or amino acids. This only adds to the cost.
  • Avoid supplements that claim to be therapeutic, high-potency, or for stress. This adds cost with no additional benefits.
  • Choose a supplement with an expiration date on the container. Vitamins can lose potency over time, especially in hot and humid climates. Follow storage advice. Supplements should be kept in a cool, dry place, with a tight fitting lid.
  • Keep supplements in a locked cabinet away from children. Don’t leave them on the counter or rely on child-resistant packaging. Be especially careful with any supplements that contain iron. Iron overdose is a leading cause of poisoning deaths among children.
Bottom Line: A poor diet plus supplements is still a poor diet. Food remains your best source of vitamins and minerals. So spend a little more time and money on delicious, tasty meals and snacks to meet your nutritional needs. And remember, a supplement is just that…a little extra in addition to wise food choices. This little extra poses no danger and may be helpful at times– if chosen wisely.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

NEWS -GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY PATIENT SHOCKED TO LEARN WEIGHT LOSS WAS DUE TO DIET & EXERCISE

Gastric Bypass Surgery Patient Shocked to Learn Weight Loss Was Due to Diet and Exercise


How would you feel if you just spent your entire life savings on gastric bypass surgery only to realize that you were actually losing weight the old fashioned way, through diet and exercise?
The following story is a tale of will power and faith, as it is a classic example that what we believe, we can achieve.
Karren Knight, mother of two from Cheshire, England one day decided she was going to get a gastric band tied around her stomach, as no other method of weight loss seemed to work for her. Trying several diets and exercise programs in the past, Knight could not lose weight. At nearly 200 pounds overweight, Knight realized she had to do something, or the quality of her life was going to continue to get worse.
Determined and believing that having a gastric band fitted to restrict her appetite would be a success, Knight followed the doctor’s orders to eat very little and got some exercise. Even thought Knight expressed that it was no easy feat to take her mind off of food, she remained loyal to her recommended eating schedule.
After complaining to her sister about her desire to eat, think about, and be obsessed with food, Knight decided to do something enjoyable to keep her mind off of her hunger. She found a Zumba class that was offered just down the road from where she lived, figuring it would be an easy way to keep attending because it was nearby, not to mention very fun.

Two years and several pounds later, Knight was very pleased at how the gastric band was working, or so she thought. After a follow up appointment, the doctor told her that the band had slipped off and it was not actually working at all. They both scratched their heads and asked each other how that was possible, until the light bulb went on in Knight’s head. “I thought surgery was an easy way to lose weight,” she said, “but I’ve discovered all it took was a bit of determination and finding some exercise I enjoyed.”
Weight loss happens when the number of calories ingested is less than the number of calories expended. Whether it’s through gastric bypass surgery, an increase in exercise, cutting back on the milkshakes, or a sustainable combination of a healthy diet and an exercise program that is fun, the weight will come off.
Although Knight opted to have the gastric band refitted, her story reminds us that our will, determination and faith are all very important factors in reaching our weight loss goals.