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
