Category: Bariatrics

TaqTik HealthBariatrics
gastric-banding
Bariatrics Taqtik Health

The Risks Of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery

All surgical procedures carry risks and, while the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, in general, carries fewer risks than many other forms of weight loss surgery, there are nevertheless risks which you must be aware of before deciding to undergo surgery. Here we look at some of the general risks but it should be emphasized that each patient will also encounter risks specific to their own case and these will be explained to you by your surgeon.

Gastric band risks can be broadly divided into two categories – the risks associated with the surgery itself and the risk of post-operative complications.

The first and most important risk is that of death which can occur either during or following surgery. In the case of gastric band surgery this risk is extremely low and indeed, during US clinical trials on laparoscopic gastric banding, no deaths occurred. Major surgery in any form, however, will always carry this risk and this should be borne in mind.

The second major risk during surgery is that of gastric perforation. A tear in the stomach wall can occur during surgery (and occasionally following and normally as a direct result of surgery) which will invariably require further surgery to correct the problem. Once again the risk is low in the case of gastric band surgery and can be expected to be seen in about 1 percent of patients.

Other surgical risks are those associated with surgery in general and will include such things as the risk posed by age, excessive weight and the presence of pre-existing conditions and disease. There are also risks associated with medication used during the procedure (including anesthesia) and the method used during surgery. It should be noted that while we talk about laparoscopic gastric band surgery as if it were one specific operation there are in fact many different ways in which the procedure can be conducted depending upon the medical facility in which the operation is carried out and the surgeon performing the procedure.

The majority of complications following surgery are not considered to be serious but there are some that may require hospitalization and, occasionally, further surgery. The most common postoperative complications are nausea and vomiting, which is seen in about half of all patients, regurgitation, which is seen in about a third of all patients, gastric band slippage and associated problems, which is seen in about a quarter of all patients and stoma obstruction, which is seen in about 1 patient in 7. Other commonly occurring problems seen in about 1 patient in 10 include poor esophageal function, constipation, diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing. Slightly less than 1 patient in 10 is likely to need a second surgery to adjust the gastric band or to correct other problems arising out of the initial surgery and a slightly smaller number are likely to require further surgery to correct post-operative problems with the banding system’s access port.

In addition to these common problems, there is also a very long list of minor complications which will be encountered by a small number (less than 1 in 100) of patients. These include such things as gastritis, hiatal hernia, dyspepsia, flatulence, dehydration and fever.

As with all forms of surgery, gastric band surgery is not without its risks and these must be fully understood and weighed against the benefits of surgery.

 

REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

Fat
Bariatrics Taqtik Health

Gastric Bypass Surgery And Digestion

We tend to use the term gastric bypass surgery somewhat loosely these days and include both true bypass operations such as the Roux-En-Y and popular and less radical forms of weight loss surgery such as gastric banding. While both have a role to play in curing the problem of obesity, bypass surgery takes full advantage of the body to affect weight loss and, in order to understand just how gastric bypass surgery works, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the digestive system.

The process of digestion begins as soon as you start to eat when, as you chew your food in your mouth, saliva, which contains the digestive enzyme amylase, is mixed with your food and starts to break down carbohydrates. Although it may not seem an important part of the digestive system, the saliva glands produce about 40% of the amylase used in the digestive process and so chewing your food properly is an essential part of the process.

Food is then passed down the esophagus and into the stomach where muscular contractions mix the food as digestive juices and pepsin are added. In adults the stomach typically holds the equivalent of about 3 pints.

Once thoroughly mixed the food is passed out of the lower end of the stomach through the pylorus, a circular muscle which opens and closes rhythmically to control the flow of food from the stomach.

Having left the stomach food enters the duodenum, which is about 2 feet in length and it the first of three sections that together form the small intestine. Here two other organs of the body come into play – the liver and the pancreas.

The liver passes bile, which is an essential enzyme used in the digestion of fat, into the duodenum and also receives essential nutrients from the duodenum through a series of veins known as the portal veins. The liver itself is thus also responsible for processing food products.

The pancreas, which is principally known as the organ which is responsible for producing insulin, also produces a number of digestive enzymes, including lipase, which mixes with bile in the duodenum to further assist in breaking down fat.

Once food has been mixed with various digestive enzymes in the duodenum it then passes into the jejunum, which is about 6 to 8 feet in length, and then on into the ileum, which is about 10 to 12 feet long, where the digestive process continues and nutrients are extracted.

Once digestion is complete the remaining waste products are passed into the large bowel which plays an important role in absorbing water to prevent excess water loss. Waste products are then held in the large bowel until they are released from the body.

Gastric bypass surgery by bypassing part of the small bowl (the duodenum, jejunum and ileum) restricts the body from absorbing calories from the food that is eaten which, in turn, leads to weight loss. However, it also restricts the absorption of a variety of necessary vitamins and minerals and this explains the need for life-long supplements following surgery.

 

REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

Bariatrics, Orthopedics Taqtik Health

Gastric Bypass – Commiting To Success

The number of individuals choosing to have gastric bypass surgery has risen dramatically in the last few years and will continue to rise as obesity sweeps across the western world. And there is little indication that this will reverse in the near future as we continue to eat more and more fast food and take little exercise. As if this is not bad enough surgical techniques to answer our weight problem are becoming better each day and insurance companies are even beginning to pay out for an increasing number of weight loss surgeries.

So, should we be concerned? Obesity surgery may seem like the simple solution to the problem of obesity but it remains a major surgical procedure and is not without its risks. Indeed, some forty percent of patients experience some form of problem in the six months following surgery and roughly one-quarter of these individuals will need to return to the hospital. Possibly the most significant difficulty, however, is the dramatic changes in lifestyle which are encountered following surgery. The majority of individuals know that they will need to change their eating habits after gastric bypass surgery to cope with the immediate effect of having a dramatically smaller stomach and to ensure that they do not begin to put on weight again once their initial excess weight has come off. However, what the majority of individuals do not realize is precisely how dramatic these changes are going to be. Not only will you discover that you are severely restricted in terms of exactly what you can eat, but you will also discover that your whole eating regime will need to change dramatically.

For those individuals who are severely overweight because they have a compulsion to eat and are effectively addicted to certain forms of food this can come as something of a shock. This, of course, is only the beginning of the problem as gastric bypass surgery marks a major turning point in your life and will also put you under a great deal of psychological stress will have you running from tremendous highs to deep lows for which you will need the help of your doctor, as well as friends and family. For anyone considering obesity surgery, it is vital to get hold of as much information as you can not merely about the surgical options open to you but also about the effects of surgery and what is going to be involved in helping you through the months following surgery.

You must then sit down and talk to your doctor and think very carefully about precisely how you will cope before you commit yourself to surgery. A critical person in the whole equation and somebody who will have a very significant influence on your success is your doctor as he will be the person you are going to need most in those critical weeks after surgery when the going begins to get tough. It is vitally important therefore that you pick your doctor with care and look for somebody who is not only a first-class surgeon and well qualified to carry out your procedure, but is additionally someone who you can turn to and lean upon for support when things are not going as you expected after surgery and you are down in the dumps. The gastric bypass may appear to be an easy choice but it most assuredly is not and is something which you have to prepare yourself for with care.

Which patients should be offered bariatric surgery?
Bariatrics Taqtik Health

Bariatric Foods that Can Maximize Weight Loss

If you’ve studied weight loss for any length of time, you’ve probably come across the concept of strong, powerful bariatric foods. These are meals and nutrients that can make losing weight much easier than if you try to accomplish your goals without them. In addition to being filling and low in calories, they have the nutrients that can maximize your energy consumption. Not only that, but the best of these choices will also be very healthy. So much of what we eat these days falls into the category of “empty calories”. They provide very little in the way of what the body needs, and much of what it doesn’t. Here are some of the powerful groceries that can make a big difference in your waistline.

Vegetable Variety

While it will come as no surprise to anyone that vegetables can be a powerful ally in the battle of the bulge, you may not know that most experts recommend getting a variety. That’s right, if you’re content with sticking to just a few main staples, you could be missing out on a wealth of nutrients and vitamins. You don’t even need to know the names to make good choices; you can pick out your vegetables by color. The more colors you can incorporate into your diet, the wider your array of nutrition will be. Vegetables are without a doubt some of the most powerful bariatric foods.

Tomatoes

Never underestimate the power of the tomato. Just about anything that can be made from tomatoes is going to prove to be a good friend while trying to lose weight. This includes salsa, plain tomatoes, a sauce based on the fruit/vegetable, and just about anything else other than ketchup, which is usually loaded with too much sugar to be an effective weight loss ally. In addition, to jump-starting your metabolism, tomatoes are packed with Vitamin C, which makes them one of the best bariatric foods.

Beans and Oats

Fiber is important when you’re trying to lose weight. This is true for a number of reasons, not least of which is your body’s inability to properly digest it. That means you can eat fibrous foods without worrying about it all going to your waistline. You may spend a bit more time in the bathroom, but at least you’ll be able to fit into that bikini without crying next summer. As far as bariatric foods go, look for fibrous beans, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread that promotes fiber intake. You’ll feel full for longer with these choices, which means you won’t be snacking a half hour after finishing your meal.

 

 

REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

bariatric
Bariatrics Taqtik Health

Great Choices – Bariatric Diet Foods

Losing weight and keeping it off is about more than making immediate sacrifices. Expert after expert has weighed in to say that it takes a full lifestyle change that you can stick with to lose weight permanently. Having said that, if you think losing weight means having a little less chocolate cake or only one bag of Cheetos after dinner, you’re going to need a drastic change to your eating plan. That means eating what you may consider being bariatric diet foods. These don’t need to be extreme, processed meals. In fact, the more natural you can get, the better. No matter what, though, you’re probably going to need to get used to what you perceive as a blander menu. However, there are some things you can do to make your sacrifice bearable.

Spices

Most spices are free of calories and can be used liberally to make dramatic changes in the flavor of your bariatric diet foods. If you think your meal is a bit too bland to stomach, the right spices can make all the difference in the world. Look around and you won’t have a hard time finding out which spices go well with which dishes. Of course, experimenting is part of the fun. Don’t feel locked into one certain spice just because some famous chef recommends it. Your goal is to lose weight, not impress a dinner party. Find ways to make your meals that will help you stick to the plan.

Incorporate Fruit

It has become a cliché, but fruit really is nature’s candy. While those striving for low carb solutions might need to limit their intake of fruit, other dieters will find several places in their meal plan for enjoying some sweet, nutritious choices. Some fruits are higher in calories than others, of course, so you’ll still need to be cautious. Your body might function better on 300 calories worth of strawberries than 300 calories worth of candy, but either choice can go to the waistline if you go over your energy needs.

Go Artificial

Some weight loss experts advise taking it easy on artificial sweeteners, and there are some studies that have linked high usage to some undesirable outcomes. Most of the hard science surrounding these claims is lacking, however. What isn’t lacking is the data on how bad processed sugar is for your body. Cut it out at any cost, and replacing it with high fructose corn syrup is not a viable choice. If you are having a hard time enjoying your bariatric diet foods, add some Equal or Splenda and see if it makes it easier.

 

 

REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

bariatric
Bariatrics Taqtik Health

Tummy Tuck and Body Lift After Bariatric Surgery

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a common type of plastic surgery chosen by those who have gone through bariatric surgery. When someone loses a substantial amount of weight, the end result is often lots of ofloose skin and a few stubborn pockets of unsightly fat that simply will not budge. For many, the answer is to go under the knife once again and seek cosmetic surgery.

However, this type of surgery is not one to take lightly, and it is worthwhile to research your doctors carefully. You have worked hard to lose weight and get your body to a healthy size, so it is necessary to carefully choose your cosmetic surgeon for post-surgery body contouring.

When seeking a surgeon to perform a tummy tuck or body lift postsurgery, make sure you choose one who has performed this procedure specifically on patients who have had substantial weight loss. This sometimes requires a slightly different technique than what is required for the average patient. The sheer amount of tissue that is left behind requires specialized attention.

Because of this, many patients ask for more than just a tummy tuck. The surgeries considered by post-bariatric surgery patients may include the abdominoplasty in addition to a breast lift, mini facelift, and sculpting procedures on the arms, buttocks, and legs. Sometimes, more than one procedure can be done at the same time to limit recovery and lower costs. But, by far, the abdominoplasty is the most common and popular.

In a traditional abdominoplasty surgery, the surgeon will remove localized fat and excess skin, and then tighten any lax abdominal
muscles. This can create a substantial difference in the way the body looks after weight loss, particularly when rolls and rolls of skin are left under the belly button.

The problem is that tummy tuck surgery is going to be different for each patient, as the way in which the body shrinks after weight loss surgery is not uniform from one patient to the next. The surgeon needs to understand all of the factors that affect the surgery, including the distribution of fat and elasticity of the skin, before the operation. That is why choosing a surgeon with this specific type of surgery is so important.

Of course, as with all cosmetic procedures, there are some risks. The main risk is that the surgery will leave behind scars. This is
unavoidable, particularly when dealing with such large amounts of tissue. That said, choosing the right surgeon will help you with this because skilled surgeons know how to place scars in inconspicuous areas. Infection is another risk, as is a reaction to the anesthetic.

Less serious risks include swelling, bruising, and pain after the procedure. Finally, you may find that you are not happy with the results after a tummy tuck or other sculpting procedure. This is always a risk with cosmetic surgery, because you may have a different expectation about your results than what is possible. Again, a skilled surgeon will lessen this risk.

 

 

REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

MENU