Pre-bariatric surgery weight loss helpful

Pre-bariatric surgery weight loss helpful

DANVILLE, Pa., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Obese patients who lose up to 10 percent of body weight before bariatric surgery have more rapid postoperative weight loss, a U.S. study found.

Christopher D. Still and colleagues at Geisinger Health System, in Danville, Pa., assessed 884 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery between 2002 and 2006.

Of the 884 patients, average age 45, 19 percent lost 5 percent to 10 percent of their excess body weight prior to the operation and 48 percent lost 10 percent or more of excess weight prior to the operation, Still said.

The study, published in the Archives of Surgery, found that those who lost more than 5 percent of body weight were less likely to stay in the hospital longer than four days. Those who lost more than 10 percent of their excess weight before surgery were more than twice as likely to have lost 70 percent of excess weight one year afterward, compared with those who lost between none and 5 percent of their excess pounds before surgery. More >>

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Studies Examine Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Studies Examine Life After Weight-Loss Surgery

Coronary heart disease and suicide helped fuel the rise in the risk of death among patients after weight-loss surgery, a new study finds.

The research found that about one percent of people who had bariatric surgery in Pennsylvania between 1995 and 2004 died within a year of the surgery, and 6.4 percent died within five years.

Following 16,683 operations, 440 patients (2.6 percent) died, noted the University of Pittsburgh study. That's higher than the death rate for age- and sex-matched people in the general population.

The findings are published in the October issue of the journal Archives of Surgery, a themed issue on bariatric surgery.

The increased risk of death among bariatric surgery patients is "likely a function of the initial comorbidities related to substantial obesity and the likelihood that the patients remain obese even after the substantial weight loss and have remaining comorbidities," the study authors wrote.

Among their findings:

• Less than one percent of deaths occurred within the first 30 days after surgery.


• Death rates increased with age, especially among patients older than 65. The average age at time of surgery was 48 years.


• Heart disease was the leading cause of death, killing 76 patients (19.2 percent). This is higher than the rate of heart disease death in the general population.


• Of the 45 deaths from traumatic causes, 16 (4 percent of all deaths) were suicides, and 14 (3 percent) were drug overdoses not classified as suicide. In the general population, only two suicide deaths would have been expected among the same number of people.

"It is likely that this continued excess mortality after bariatric surgery could be reduced by better coordination of follow-up after the surgery, especially control of high risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) and smoking, as well as efforts to prevent weight regain by diet and exercise and psychological support to prevent and treat depression and suicide," the study authors concluded. More >>

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Health Risks Remain After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Surgeons Urge More Post-Surgical Follow-Up of Patients

While gastric bypass surgery may help obese people improve their health by shedding weight, the procedure may have a darker flipside when it comes to patients' risk of death from suicide and a continued risk of heart disease.

According to a study published in the current issue of the journal Archives of Surgery, this increased risk may indicate that bariatric surgery patients may require more intense follow-up in the months and years after their procedures. More >>

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Teens Share Gastric Bypass Experience

Teens Share Gastric Bypass Experience

A 16-year-old John's Island girl who's captured the attention of the community is resting in the hospital.

The teenager had a gastric bypass operation Wednesday afternoon and even perfect strangers showed up for support.

Friends and family, along with people they didn't know, came to support 16-year-old Alexis Khan, wishing her well before her gastric bypass surgery.

Another South Carolina teenager drove over three hours just to be with Alexis to ease any anxious moments before surgery. Brittany Henson and Alexis have much in common, at the same age and the same weight, Brittany had a gastric bypass. Now at 18, she is 125 pounds slimmer. More >>

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Controlling Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting for Gastric Bypass Patients

Controlling Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting for Gastric Bypass Patients

By Arushi Sinha, PhD

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- October 16, 2007 -- With the growing incidence of gastric bypass surgery, there is an accompanying need to better control the postoperative adverse effects of this procedure. As body mass index (BMI) increases, there can also be an associated increase in adverse events, including nausea and vomiting.

Research presented here on October 15th at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) suggests that better control of nausea and vomiting may also reduce the incidence of postoperative pain. More >>

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Death Rate Higher after Gastric Bypass Surgery

Death Rate Higher after Gastric Bypass Surgery

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A Univershttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifity of Pittsburgh study found 6 percent of those undergoing bariatric surgery -- a treatment for severe obesity -- died within five years.

The study, published in the Archives of Surgery, also found the death rate for those with the surgery higher than that of the general population in the cases of heart disease and suicide.

Dr. Bennet I. Omalu, of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues analyzed data on all bariatric operations performed on Pennsylvania residents between 1995 and 2004. Following 16,683 operations, 440 patients -- less than 3 percent -- died. Almost 20 percent of those deaths were from heart disease.

The study authors suggest mortality after bariatric surgery could be reduced by better coordination of follow-up after the surgery, especially control of high risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking.

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Researchers Warn of Side Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Researchers Warn of Side Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery

The results of two separate studies conducted at Washington Hospital Center show the potential for postoperative nutritional deficiency in gastric bypass surgery patients.

The results of the studies suggest that a condition known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which can be a very serious condition that impacts on how the body absorbs vitamins, minerals and elements such as calcium and zinc.

This is a condition that cannot be taken lightly in so far as about 150,000 people will have gastric bypass surgery this year alone. And there are wide variations in surgical techniques.

In one of the studies, conducted by Dr. Timothy Koch the researchers theorize that gastric bypass surgery alters the gut ecology and that could induce calcium deficiency. The surgical changes to the stomach that create a gastric pouch, which is done in a procedure known as the Roux-en-Y procedure has an impact on the number of cells in the lining of the stomach that produce acid. In addition, many patients are given acid suppressing drugs after their surgery. More >>

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Gastric Bypass Surgery May Cause Post-op Nutrient Deficiencies

Source: American College of Gastroenterology
Date: October 16, 2007

Gastric Bypass Surgery May Cause Post-op Nutrient Deficiencies

Science Daily — Two studies by a group of researchers at Washington Hospital Center highlight potential postoperative nutritional deficiencies among patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery to treat obesity. Research presented at the 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology by Dr. Frederick Finelli and Dr. Timothy Koch suggests that a potentially serious condition can emerge after gastric bypass surgery known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth that has an impact on absorption of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients such as calcium and zinc. More >>

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Gastric Bypass Surgery for Teens: How Young is too Young

Tackling Teen Obesity With Surgery: How Young Is Too Young?
Debi Chard, Live 5 News
Teens are tipping the scales. There's an epidemic of kids who are so heavy they face serious adult health problems.

In two days, Alexis Khan will undergo surgery to help her lose weight.
"We've tried every diet under the sun," says her mother. So Alexis is trying something much different, a gastric bypass. Because she's only 16 years old, having major surgery is not a decision she can make on her own. More >>

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Gastric Band Competition in the Bariatric Surgery Market

Allergan, J&J face off in obesity market
October 12, 2007: 03:32 PM EST

Oct. 12, 2007 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) --

NEW YORK (AP) - The recent approval of Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) Realize gastric band has stepped up competition in the surgical weight-loss market, which until now has been dominated by Allergan's (NYSE:AGN) Lap-Band.

The Lap-Band and Realize are adjustable gastric bands, which are surgically implanted around the stomach to help severely obese adult patients lose weight by forcibly limiting food intake. This procedure presents an alternative to more invasive gastric bypass surgery, commonly known as stomach stapling.

Analysts predict the Realize will cost about the same as the Lap-Band procedure, roughly $12,000 to $20,000. In what could be a fierce battle for market share, some analysts see the companies eventually splitting the market.

Irvine, Calif.-based Allergan, which also makes Botox, acquired the Lap-Band with its 2006 purchase of Inamed and has so far faced no competition in the U.S. market. But on Sept. 28, J&J's Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc. unit said the Food and Drug Administration cleared its Realize band, ending Allergan's honeymoon a few months earlier than expected.

J&J plans to launch Realize in December; analysts hadn't expected approval until the end of the year or early 2008. More >>

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Gastric bypass diet: What to eat after weight-loss surgery

MayoClinic.com

The gastric bypass diet outlines what you can eat and how much after gastric bypass surgery. Find out ways to establish new eating habits for successful weight loss.

What you eat, how you eat and how much you eat changes after gastric bypass surgery — surgery that alters the anatomy of your digestive system to promote weight loss.

With your stomach pouch reduced to the size of a walnut or small egg and portions of your small intestine bypassed, you'll need to follow a specific diet after gastric bypass surgery. A registered dietitian can assist you in creating this gastric bypass diet, which includes what type and how much food to eat with each meal and the required consistency and texture of the food. Closely following your gastric bypass diet promotes healthier weight loss and better nutrition. More >>

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Obese Couple has Gastric Bypass Surgery Together

They're happy newlyweds that once looked like different people.

Dawn Marie holds up an old pair of jeans. "These are a size 30, and now I'm a size 8!" Her now-husband, Frankie does the same, telling INSIDE EDITION, "These are a size 78, and now I'm a size 36."

Dawn Marie and Frankie Hveen can now share a pair of his old jeans! His old shirts look like bed sheets, and his belt, amazingly was almost seven feet-long.
About four years ago, the Long Island, New York couple vowed to go from obese to fit...together. He was a massive 550 lbs! She tipped the scales at 400! But Dawn Marie says, "I saw myself in a box, and I didn't want to die." They were inspired to lose weight after the death of Frankie's 27-year-old sister Margaret, who weighed as much as 700 lbs.

After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, they began a diet of healthy food and regular exercise.

The weight loss from before to after is dramatic. Combined, they've lost an amazing 550 pounds. Dawn Marie is now a trim 160, and Frankie's a shadow of his former self at 235!

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Mother of 6 Dies Days after Gastric Bypass Surgery

(London, UK)

A dedicated mum-of-six who was desperate to lose weight died just days after a gastric bypass operation.

Annette High, 42, had already lost seven stones after having a gastric band fitted in 2000. But as her weight crept up from 14 stone she decided she needed more drastic action. Despite her family's pleas, Annette decided to have the NHS funded operation, which reduced her stomach and removed part of her bowel.

She was found collapsed by her husband Gavin just four days later at their home in Hull, East Yorks. She died in hospital on May 12th and a post mortem revealed she had a previously undetected heart defect. She died as a result of heart disease.

Speaking after the inquest on Wednesday at Hull Coroners Court, Gavin said: "I begged her not to have it. I loved her whatever she was like. It didn't matter about her weight. More >>

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StomaphyX: Incisionless Gastric Bypass Surgery Revision

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When weight loss stalls or other problems arise years after gastric bypass, the surgery can be successfully revised with an incisionless, from-the-inside approach, researchers from Ohio State University in Columbus report.

The technique, involves the use of a device called StomaphyX, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The device is inserted with an endoscope via the mouth into the stomach, where suction pulls the stomach walls against the device. Staple-like fasteners are then deployed to create pleats in the walls, effectively reducing the size of the stomach.

"The incisionless surgery helps to recreate the patient's smaller stomach, causing early satiety and further weight loss," Dr. Dean Mikami, a surgeon involved in the development of StomaphyX and the first to perform the operation in the US, said in a statement. "This is currently the only endoscopic or nonsurgical way to reduce the size of the stomach after gastric bypass surgery."

Since April, a total of 22 such gastric bypass revisions have been performed at OSU. On average, patients dropped 10 pounds after 1 month, 15 pounds after 2 months, and 20 pounds after 3 months.

According to Mikami, between 10 and 15 percent of patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery will require a revision 2 to 15 years later.

Good candidates for treatment with StomaphyX, Mikami said, include those who have regained some of their weight after gastric bypass surgery and are compliant with their diet, exercise regularly, and do not experience early satiety during meals.

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Gastric Bypass Surgery Patient Exercises, and Diets Right to Keep the Weight off

LAS CRUCES — Russell Clark is less than half the man he used to be, and he and his friends and family couldn't be happier about it.

On June 7, 2006, Clark weighed 445 pounds. This month, he weighed in at 195 pounds.

Clark isn't sure what his total weight loss is.

"I fasted for two weeks before I had gastric bypass surgery, so I'm not sure now much I weighed before that," Clark said.

He estimates his all-time high was about 470, which puts his loss to date at something between 250 and 275 pounds.

During gastric bypass surgery, a small stomach pouch is created and a "bypass" for food is constructed which allows food to skip parts of the small intestine, so the body can't absorb as many nutrients and calories.

There are risks and problems associated with the procedure, which range from dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and digestive difficulties, to problems associated with malnutrition, such as anemia. More >>

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Gastric Bypass Surgery: Are You a Proper Candidate

(MayoClinic.com)
It's always best to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular physical activity. But if you're among those who have tried and can't lose the excess weight that's causing your health problems, weight-loss (bariatric) surgery may be an option. Gastric bypass surgery — one type of bariatric surgery — changes the anatomy of your digestive system to limit the amount of food you can eat and digest. Weight loss is achieved by restricting the amount of food that your stomach can hold and by reducing the amount of calories that are absorbed. Gastric bypass surgery isn't for everyone, however. It's a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects and requires permanent changes in your lifestyle. An extensive and careful screening process determines whether you're a candidate for this surgery.

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