Posted by Patient Help Desk on July 27, 2008 under Financial | 
Sure, by undergoing bariatric surgery, you’re dramatically improving your health, both now and in the future. But you’re also doing some very good things to your bank account!
A growing number of studies have found that weight loss procedures have imparted valuable benefits for reducing the development of conditions common to morbidly obese men and women. That in part has contributed to falling rates for these patients’ insurance claims. A published study the American Journal of Managed Care showed that in as quickly as 2 to 4 years, health insurers can hope to recoup their costs, which can soar as high $17,000-$26,000.
Surgery or Not: Who Is More Cost-Effective?
For this study, the insurance claims of two subject groups were compared. One group involved over 3,600 morbidly obese men and women who had experienced laparoscopic bariatric surgery, while the other group involved 3,600 subjects who didn’t have surgery. The findings demonstrated that for the surgical subjects expressed reduced percentages of sleep apnea, hypertension and diabetes following their operations. The non-surgical subjects’ percentages rose or stayed the same.
One year after the study’s start, the surgical subjects’ monthly medical costs were as much as $900 less than the non-surgical subjects. Dr. Scott Shikora, president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the study’s co-author stated: “Bariatric surgery is a unique field in that with one operation you can cure a wide range of different health conditions.”He added, “this paper demonstrated that you can do that and actually save money in the process.”
Faced with these potentially dramatic health and financial benefits, is it really that surprising that so many obese men and women are going under the knife? About 220,000 surgeries will be performed this year, for a more-than-tenfold increase since 1992. Even better, research suggests that the risk of death from weight loss surgery is now below 1%!
Most health insurers consider cost to be the biggest issue for coverage. While they typically so provide coverage, they try to make it very difficult for patients. As you’d expect, this angers medical professionals. “Obesity is a disease, it’s not just a choice or an eating affliction,” says Shikora. “It is a genetic disease, and I don’t feel that the morbidly obese patient should be treated any differently than a patient with breast cancer, or HIV or other ailments.”
Posted by Patient Help Desk on July 12, 2008 under Bariatric Research News |
As millions of formerly obese men and women have weight loss surgery, the success stories are growing at a fantastic rate. An increasingly growing body of research is illustrating the benefits of these life-changing procedures for those in need. Among the conditions found to be reduced and maintained with the completion of Lap-Band and/or gastric bypass procedures are diabetes and various cardiovascular risks, just to name a few.
But a ground-breaking study now indicates that undergoing these procedures may impart relief for lower back pain in the morbidly obese. The study’s findings actually represent a dramatic breakthrough for a large segment of the nation’s population. An estimated 75-85% of America’s adults can expect to suffer from back pain during their lifetime. And of course, the number of obese Americans is continually growing; from 2005-2006, there were thought to be 72 million obese Americans!
Generally, obese men and women are afflicted with higher rates of both hip and knee arthritis. As of yet, a link between being overweight and chronic lower back pain – specifically lumbar spinal degeneration, a leading cause – had yet to be discovered. These patients are usually ordered to just lose weight to relieve their back pain.
Putting This Back Study’s Findings Front & Center
This study, conducted by University of Southern California researchers, involved 8 morbidly obese men and 30 morbidly obese women patients. All of these subjects suffered from pre-existing back conditions, and all underwent gastric bypass surgery. Six months after having surgery and experiencing dramatic weight loss, the study’s subjects showed a 44% decrease in pain and discomfort. On average, the subjects each lost 85 pounds for their individual weight loss amounts.
“This study provides evidence that substantial weight reduction following bariatric surgery results in moderate reductions in pre-existing back pain within six months of weight loss,” says Dr. Paul Khoueir, who presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. “While this initial research is promising, larger long-term trials are needed to prove the efficacy of this treatment.” Additional research is needed to ensure that the study’s findings are reliable long-term.
Posted by Patient Help Desk on June 8, 2008 under Bariatric Research News |
Let’s see, if you’re considering undergoing bariatric surgery, what are some of the possible benefits? Well, of course there’s the motivation to control your hunger and drop those harmful, unwanted pounds. And of course, a growing number of studies suggest that these procedures may reduce the development of various cardiovascular conditions, as well as diabetes. But now, research is emerging that may point the way towards these procedures’ startling cancer-fighting potential!
According to a Canadian study, five years after having this procedure, breast and colon cancer rates were shown to decrease by 80%. These are two of the most common cancers types. For this study, it was found that breast cancer’s incidence rate decreased by 85%, while colon cancer incidence rates decreased by 70%.
So far, medical experts are unclear as to just how weight reduction contributes to decreases in cancer incidences. One theory proposed is that of the role of fat in various cancers, including breast cancer. Fat secretes estrogen, which may play a part in these cancers’ development. So if this fat is lost, it may reduce cancer development, while also decreasing amounts of potentially harmful hormones, as well.
“This is really powerful information,” says Dr. Philip Schauer of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, as well as the past president of the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. “It reaffirms that obesity is a profound risk factor for cancer” and shows that “weight loss does seem to affect the development of new cancers.”
However, this attitude is not universally shared by all researchers. First and foremost, the study only goes back five years, and cancer typically requires much longer to form. In addition, before these patients undergo weight loss surgery, they receive various cancer-screening tests, such as colonoscopies, endoscopies and mammograms. Plus, it’s important to point out that the study’s subjects were Canadian, meaning they may not have received continuous cancer screenings. Finally, a large percentage of the study’s subjects had their procedures as long ago as 15 years; as a result, any cancers were given the proper amount of development time.
Posted by Patient Help Desk on May 15, 2008 under Weight Loss Tips |
Alexa Altman, the show psychologist on the popular television show “The Biggest Loser” shares her ideas for keeping emotionally fit by discussing five factors to keep you emotionally fit in her “Feeling Good” column. She mentions that that are many psychological similarities among the shows successful contestants, who have lost weight and are taking a sort of ‘personal inventory’ to keep it off in the long term. She also adds that it is important that it is helpful to acknowledge an area of strength and how it has helped you in attaining a healthy body and mind; on the flip side, she says it is very helpful to take into account the area(s) where you feel you are having trouble and how they may be limiting your success in losing weight and keeping it off.
The five psychological factors she explains include staying connected to personal goals. To reach your goal, she says, you have to know wat it is you’re trying to achieve, how to go about achieving it, and what it will look or feel like once you do. She says that one’s goals should be realistic, clear, and measurable.
The second goal is to create and expand support. This refers to having a social support system, such as friends and family, who will be there for you through the good times and the bad.
The third goal is what she refers to as “gray thinking”. This involves the tendency we as human beings have of thinking in terms of black and white-or good and bad. By processing information and ‘filing’ it away into little categories of ‘good’ and ‘bad’, you set yourself up for failure because one small mistake becomes monumental when one is in this mindset.
The fourth goal is to utilize resources. These are “anything that contributes to your weight loss success and well being”. These resources are typically similar with those that are attempting to lose weight in the long-term Support from loved ones, a personal trainer, a food journal…whatever you feel you need on your “journey”, do not hesitate to establish these resources and use them whenever you feel it is necessary to do so. The last goal is to identify problems early. In order to successfully lose weight, you must identify and address whatever it is that is getting in your way and keeping you from feeling healthy and happy. Stress, a bad relationship, emotional eating…each person has his or her own “roadblocks” to success. By being honest with yourself and doing your best to achieve these goals, you can begin acknowledging and practicing completely what has contributed to your success and celebrate the positive gains you’ve made!
Posted by Patient Help Desk on May 4, 2008 under Bariatric Research News |
Are you familiar with your Body Mass Index (BMI) score? You may want to learn yours, especially if you’re struggling with excessive weight. You see, this number can help to determine whether you’re at risk for cardiovascular problems!
To calculate your BMI score, you need to figure out the ratio of your weight to your height, squared.
Typically, a “healthy” BMI score is one between 18.5 and 24.9. Countless clinical studies have shown that the higher the BMI score, the greater your likelihood of developing a wide array of harmful conditions. Among these are: diabetes, arthritis, low-back pain, skin and psychological disorders, menstrual disturbances, and various cardiovascular problems.
How Effective Are BMI Scores for Those Considering Weight Loss Surgery?
But before you panic, it’s important to consider that BMI scores are NOT fool-proof. They can fail to accurately recognize body fat among athletes and more muscular people, while also miscalculating decreased muscle mass, such as that of the elderly.
The overweight and the obese may be misrepresented by BMI scores, as well. Traditionally, medical experts believed that the overweight and obese could ward off cardiovascular risks by undergoing bariatric surgery.
These procedures were performed on men and women with BMI scores of 40 or higher, or those at least 100 pounds overweight, considered “morbidly obese.”
The problem is, many patients are considered overweight, but NOT obese; these men and women generally have BMI scores between 35 and 40. These individuals can be afflicted with dangerous conditions, including heart disease or dependent diabetes. As such, these patients are good candidates for weight loss procedures. Amazingly, research has shown that the overweight may find the surgeries more beneficial than the morbidly obese!
A ground-breaking University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center study focused on this proposed connection between bariatric surgery guidelines and how they related to BMI scores and cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that several subjects displayed significant heart disease risk factors, as well as BMI scores lower than 40.
Valuable Benefits for “Obese” Patients
What does this mean? Well, those patients considered “obese” but not “morbidly obese” would definitely improve their cardiovascular health by undergoing bariatric surgery. This is because certain moderately overweight individuals don’t store fat in their cells as efficiently as the morbidly obese. Therefore, their cardiovascular systems are not as susceptible to potential damage.
Surprisingly, even those men and women with BMI scores as low as 30 can as poor cardiovascular health as those with much higher scores. “Our results show that cardiovascular risk factors do not necessarily worsen with increasing obesity,” says Dr. Edward Livingston, chairman of GI/endocrine surgery at UT Southwestern and the study’s lead author. “They also support the concept that obesity, by itself, doesn’t trigger an adverse cardiovascular risk profile or increased risk of death.”
Posted by Patient Help Desk on April 10, 2008 under Bariatric Surgery & Money |
Every day, we’re exposed to a startling variety of food-related advertisements on television, in print publications, all over the Web, and even on movie screens. It’s becoming almost impossible to completely escape this high-calorie onslaught of fat- and calorie-laden junk food. So, is it really that surprising that a large percentage of America’s adult population is now considered obese?
Let’s put this potential crisis in perspective. According to a published article in the journal Obesity, by 2030, if trends don’t reverse, an estimated 86% of the nation’s population will be considered overweight or obese! And now it seems that the American obesity epidemic is having an effect on those with a healthy weight.
Excess Pounds Can Mean Excess Dollars
As you well know, obesity may call for specialized healthcare needs. Research shows that the obese are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular conditions, as well as type 2 diabetes. A published Newsweek study suggests that obesity is taking a staggering toll on America’s finances. Among the factors contributing to the ever-growing price tag are:
Ø Reduced pay rates – in a Stanford University study, it was observed that both obese men and women earn an average of $3.41 per hour less ($7,093 annually) than their skinnier co-workers. Older obese workers are more affected, most likely due to increased healthcare costs.
Ø Reduced hours worked – the obese miss about one week per year due to weight-related ailments. In their book “The Fattening of America,” authors Eric A. Finkelstein and Laurie Zuckerman found that obese employees typically cost firms employing 1,000 employees $285,000 annually.
Ø Increased medical costs – overweight men and women have been shown to cost companies more than their healthier co-workers. Overweight men incurred $170 in annual medical costs, while overweight females incurred $495 more. In addition, the obese cause hospitals to spend more, as well.
Ø Increased air travel costs – the overweight and/or obese pay an added price in the sky. They may require additional seats, as well as increased fuel. In 2004, the CDC found that airlines spent $275 million for an 350 million gallons of added fuel to support the extra weight.
Ø Increased gasoline costs – as you’d expect, being overweight or obese also requires additional gasoline. When comparing the years 1960 and 2006, Americans pumped 938 million more gallons of fuel a year. This works out to an estimated $3.55 billion in annual gas increases nationwide!
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that 24 million are now afflicted with type 2 diabetes. The skyrocketing number of those afflicted with diabetes-related obesity (or “diabesity”) may be one of the biggest causes of our ever-increasing health insurance premiums.
Just how expensive is diabetes? According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes-related medical expenditures resulted in about $116 billion in 2007. As such, American companies big and small are considering gastric bypass/bariatric surgery as an alternative for obesity. Today, it’s believed that 140,000 gastric bypass surgeries are performed nationwide annually.
For more information on bariatric surgery and surgical options, please visit our sponsor, NE Baptist Bariatric Center, a Bariatric Center of Excellence.
Posted by Patient Help Desk on April 5, 2008 under Bariatric Research News |
How’s this for an interesting and potentially happy healthcare situation? The all-too-common condition known as type 2 diabetes is unfortunately a likely companion for the morbidly obese. However, a recent study indicates that by undergoing bariatric surgery, these men and women may be provided with powerful relief for this condition!
Specifically, this study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that those patients who have bariatric surgery may actually be rewarded with complete remission. Type 2 diabetes is closely linked with obesity; typically, its treatment involves healthy nutrition, an exercise program to lose weight, and insulin and other medications.
Exploring the Diabetes/Obesity Link
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 90% of all newly diagnosed patients are overweight; being obese causes the risks to skyrocket. Additionally, this condition is now the nation’s 5th leading cause of death. However, this JAMA study is thought to be the pioneer in illustrating the association between bariatric surgery and its proposed diabetes benefits. The findings showed that 73% of the study’s 60 subjects that had bariatric surgery experienced NO signs of the disease!
The study incorporated the lap-band, or adjustable gastric banding surgical method. With this minimally invasive procedure, patients are able to feel full, while eating less. So, they can lose weight and maintain this weight loss. The JAMA study was particularly ground-breaking in that it provided amazing evidence for the possibility of treating type 2 diabetes with bariatric surgery, rather than medical treatments.
There is a great deal of controversy over health insurers’ coverage of lap-band and other bariatric procedures. While Medicare offers coverage for patients with body mass index (BMI) scores of 40 or higher, various private insurers deny coverage. However, in light of this study’s findings, these insurers may change their coverage policies.
The researchers cautioned that these findings applied only to those diabetics with mild cases. For these patients, it was thought that lap-band procedures could lessen the disease’s severity, or even completely eliminate it. More serious, long-term conditions were not thought to achieve remission, no matter the level of weight loss. Nevertheless, medical experts hold out hope for all diabetics.
Tags: bariatric surgery, diabetes, healthy diet, healthy living, medical weight loss, medical weight loss center, obesity, type 2 diabetes, weight loss, weight loss surgeon, weight loss surgery
Posted by Patient Help Desk on March 4, 2008 under Diet and Health |
Eating Out After Your Bariatric Surgery Procedure
Have you recently had weight loss surgery? Well, you’ve taken an essential and health-boosting step for yourself and your loved ones. And as you’d expect, one area that will involve many alterations is that dining out. You may want to avoid restaurants, as your body simply can’t handle your previous amounts of food.
Today, most places serve huge amounts of food, swimming in fat and calories. Multiple studies have concluded that for bariatric surgery, larger portions are associated with slower rates of weight loss. Be on the alert for signs of “dumping syndrome,” a harmful condition in which undigested food (sugary treats are particularly bad) leaves the stomach, and rapidly gathers in the small intestine’s lower end (or “jejunum”). This condition can lead to weakness, sweating, and dizziness.
Dining Guidelines Away From Home
If you must eat out, you can monitor your dietary habits. Don’t think of this occasion as an excuse to ignore your condition. You should definitely plan ahead: consider reviewing the menu online. But it’s also important to eat something, and not starve yourself, which is just as dangerous. And here’s some good news: (very) occasional overeating won’t result in weight gain!
You may want to have a glass of milk or a small snack before leaving for the restaurant, as this can minimize your hunger. Once you arrive, avoid eating bread before the meal, as well as appetizers, in general. Another good idea is to order your salad with the dressing in a cup, like a dip. It’s wise to share your entree or take half home for another meal. Engaging in conversation while you eat causes you to eat much slower, as does sampling small amounts of new dishes.
Dining Out With Your Loved Ones
No matter how hard you try, when mealtime rolls around, you may end up inadvertently offending family and friends. But think about it this way; isn’t your long-term good health worth a little awkwardness now? Below, you’ll find some guidelines that should make dining out a more comfortable transition:
- Talk It Over – your family, friends and co-workers may not be familiar with what you’ve gone through, or will go through. So, you may need to have a conversation that tells everyone what to expect, as well as why you had the surgery. Of course, you should only do this if you’re comfortable.
- Support System – a bariatric surgery support group can provide you and your loved ones with an understanding of the procedure, as well as vital information
- Provide Information – it can be helpful to show the research and literature you used when considering surgery
- Subject Change – if you just don’t feel like explaining things, that OK, this is a private matter! You may want to try talking about something else (but approach this politely)
- Practice Avoidance – as with any situation, certain individuals just don’t “click.” You may need to keep away from these people, now and in the future
Posted by Patient Help Desk on February 17, 2008 under Diet and Health |
Have you undergone a weight loss procedure? If so, congratulations on taking an essential steps towards improving your health and life! But you’ve actually only begun your journey; there is a lot of hard work to focus on, for the rest of your life. You’ll need to ensure your post-operative guidelines, especially when it comes to your diet.
These guidelines will help you eat well and manage your weight. They also protect against common unwanted side effects that can sometimes follow bariatric surgery, like pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Following a proper diet can decrease the likelihood of “dumping syndrome,” as well. This condition involves undigested food (sweets are particularly dangerous) leaves the stomach and rapidly accumulates in the lower end of the small intestine. Once you’ve recuperated, you’ll find that a healthy post-bariatric eating plan revolves around two concepts: you need to practice carful portion control, and stay away from “problem foods.”
Follow These Guidelines for Healthy Eating
Your qualified medical team can provide you with the necessary guidance and information. And most likely, they’ll have some “suggestions” for healthy eating. But you’re going to need common sense, as well as a commitment to learning some valuable information. Various clinical studies show that post-bariatric surgical patients may ensure their long-term dietary health by following these guidelines:
- Keep An Eye On Your Food – for all patients who have undergone weight loss surgery, it’s crucial to follow a plan of proper nutrition and health. Your diet may require some alterations. You see, you may notice that you’re not getting the same satisfaction from foods you enjoyed before surgery, while other foods are now more appealing.
- Meet with a Nutritionist –speaking with a knowledgeable and helpful nutritional expert is an excellent idea, both before and after the procedure. You will be informed of dietary facts and choices.
- Remember to Chew Slowly – one (temporary) side effect following weight loss surgery is the inability to eat solid foods; this can last up to 7 weeks. Once you’re able, you’ll want to only take little bites. You should practice slow chewing; wait 2-3 minutes, from swallowing until the next bite. Unfortunately, you need to avoid meats that aren’t ground up and chewed thoroughly (such as steak), as they’re not easily digested.
- Stop at “Full” – the key is to decrease the space in your stomach. . Eating excess amounts can make you ill, so you’ll have to force yourself to push your plate away once you’re full.
- Stay Away from Snacks – you’re going to want to give up junk food and snacks. You see, post-surgery, you’ll be taking in far less calories. As such, you need to ensure that the food you eat provides the necessary nutrients for your body. You’ll need to adopt a plan for consuming nutritious mini-meals instead.
- “So Long” to Sugar –consuming sugary snacks can result in the onset of dumping syndrome in those who’ve had bariatric surgery. If you must eat sweet treats, make sure they’re no larger than 3-5 grams per serving size.
- Vitamin Wanted – after undergoing surgery, taking a daily multi-vitamin can provide vital nutrients for your body’s general health and well-being.
- Fluid Facts –bariatric surgery patients should not drink fluids at meals, as this can lead to vomiting and dumping syndrome. Drinking fluids can also quickly increase feelings of hunger after you’ve eaten. Choose instead to make these fluids between-meals snacks. You should also stay away from high-calorie milkshakes and nutritional supplements.
- Alcohol Do’s & Don’ts — for the first full year after weight loss surgery, you should refrain from non-carbonated alcoholic drinks. However, ALL carbonated beverages (especially beer and other carbonated alcoholic drinks) should be permanently removed from your diet.
- Protein Is Key – post-surgery, you’ll need to consume a lot of protein; at least 35-65 grams of daily protein 18- 24 months after surgery. The reason is that while you quickly lose weight, your body can burn valuable muscle. So, you must “trick” your body into burning fat. But you won’t be eating enough to gain this protein from food alone. So, you’ll need protein supplement drinks or protein-enriched bars as supplements. Several foods can offer higher protein levels, including: beans, eggs, cheese, soy products, fish and seafood, chicken, turkey, beef, liver, lamb and veal. Fats should be limited in a healthy post-bariatric diet, as well.
