The need for plastic surgery following weight loss surgery is very real. We are left with sometimes massive amounts of hanging skin that often must be removed for health and mobility reasons, not just cosmetic reasons. This requires a procedure known as body contouring.
A recent study* has highlighted the important of being nutritionally healthy before having plastic surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Patients who are nutritionally deficient have a more difficult time with wound healing and their immune system response. Patients and surgeons alike overlook this important factor.
When approaching follow up surgery after weight loss surgery, be sure to eat extra amounts of protein in excess of the 60 grams of protein that we would normally eat. Protein promotes cell regeneration and healing. Also have your blood levels checked to be sure that your blood is rich in iron.
* Nutritional Deficiency of Post–Bariatric Surgery Body Contouring Patients: What Every Plastic Surgeon Should Know
On Tuesday June 17th, I had the pleasure of meeting Caitlin Van Zandt who plays Ashlee Wolfe on the CBS Soap Guiding Light. Caitlin was the keynote speaker at the Walk from Obesity Walk on the Capitol to Raise Awareness about Obesity.
Caitlin who was a size 18 underwent lap band surgery, and the producers wrote the procedure into the story line of Guiding Light. At the Walk event, Caitlin spoke of her own struggles with her weight and how she is now able to deal with it. She is very proud of her weight loss since her lap band surgery and how she has been getting control of her life. She stands as a role model to her fans in her determination to become the healthiest person she can be and she stands as a role model as a celebrity who very openly admits that she needs a tool to help her control her weight.
Posted by Barbara Thompson on 29 May 2008 at 11:34 am under Uncategorized
My Mother is 93 years old and has spent her share of time in hospitals. My sister, who does not live near by, relies on me for a blow by blow account of what is going on. In all kinds of inclement weather I have had to go outside the hospital to use my cell phone to deliver my report to my sister.
So when I came across this article of a 2007 study on cell phone use in hospitals that appeared in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, I was thrilled. The report showed that the use of cell phones does not interfere with medical equipment in patient care areas of hospitals. The next time you go to a hospital, you might want to take a copy of this study with you so that you can communicate with the outside world!!
Posted by Barbara Thompson on 04 May 2008 at 9:00 pm under Surgery, Research
One of the reasons that I had weight loss surgery was because I have a bad back. The extra weight I was carrying caused me such pain that I was afraid that I would soon be facing disability. Having lost 125 pounds has improved my pain so that I am able to function. I still have pain, but nothing like I had before.
A new study confirms what I experienced. It finds that back pain is relieved following the weight loss that goes along with weight loss surgery. While my back pain is still there, it is a whole lot better. Weight loss surgery does not cure back pain, but in many cases patients find relief.
60 minutes reported on weight loss surgery and highlighted the dramatic effect that the surgery has on diabetes, forcing diabetes into almost instant remission. And the remission is not from weight loss. Patients leave the hospital following their surgery, often completely off their medication. Studies done by Dr. Rabino of Sao Paulo, Brazil found that in diabetic rats, when the duodenum, the first part of the small intestines was bypassed, diabetes disappeared. That is what happens with weight loss surgery. When the duodenum was reattached in the rats, the diabetes returned.
There is a dramatic effect on cancer as well. Almost every type of cancer is positively affected. About 100,000 people die from cancer each year because of their weight. The risk of cancer for those who have had weight loss surgery has been cut in half. Overall cancer risk is cut in half.
Also highlighted was that weight loss surgery is much safer than it used to be. Dr. Neil Hutcher of Richmond, VA remarked that the mortality rate used to be 1 death in 100 surgeries. It is now 1 in 1,000, making it safer than gall bladder surgery and only 1/10th the mortality rate of cardiac surgery.Even with the growing rate of obesity, only a small number of people have weight loss surgery. About 1% of those who qualify have surgery.Addressing the fact that some people regain weight, Dr. Hutcher said that the success rate is 85 to 90%. There is no diet or exercise regimen that touches it. The surgery appears to suppress the hormone ghrelin, which is also known as the hunger hormone. However people don’t get skinny following surgery. As a rule, they end up 1/3rd lighter.According to National Institutes of Health guidelines, if you aren’t severely or morbidly obese you do not qualify for surgery. There is a movement to have the NIH rethink the guidelines, although the NIH says there are no plans to revise the guidelines soon.
I heard something today that really struck me. What I heard was, “Thank your body for supporting you.” It struck me because we spend so much time being critical of our bodies.
What if we treated our children that way - never being satisfied and criticizing them all the time? Chances are the child would not grow up well and would have definite self-esteem issues. The child would have a much better chance at being successful with positive encouraging statements.
Consider the same with your body. Be positive and encouraging and appreciate many of the good things about your body. It may not be perfect, but it is yours.
Do you find that you crave ice? Somehow that crunching justs seems to be exactly what you need? If so, you may be suffering from Pica which is associated with iron deficiency. After gastric bypass surgery, we are prone to iron deficiency because iron is absorbed in the first part of the small intestines which is bypassed. Stay healthy! Check with your doctor.
Posted by Barbara Thompson on 29 Mar 2008 at 1:55 pm under Surgery, Hunger
There is a new surgical procedure that is being done for weight loss called a vagotomy. Surgeons are cutting the vegas nerve which signals the brain that you are hungry and signals the pancreas to release more insulin in order to move more sugar to fat. This procedure is only in the experimental stages right now, but may be an answer for those who are not candidates for more invasive weight loss surgeries. The cost is between $5,000 and $10,000 and helps to reduce weight by 20 to 30%. “If you look at our statistics we’re very happy with what we have seen in terms of the total weight loss and the number of responders in the study, but not everyone has been helped,” said Dr. Robert Lustig.
Vagotomies have also been effectively done in conjunction with lap band surgery to improve weight loss
With the fast pace of our lives, there are many times when we don’t plan as well as we should and are left with little choice but fast food. If you find yourself in this situation, please refer to the Stop N Go Fast Food Nutrition Guide so that you can make healthy choices. I have this on the desk top of my computer so I can refer to it when I need it. You could also print out a copy and leave it in your car.
In an ideal world we would cook all of our meals at home from fresh organic ingredients. I try to cook as much as I can, but living in the real world, that’s not always possible.
I hope this helps you to realize the incredible number of calories and fat grams in most fast food, but that there are really good healthy choices that you can make.
I love eating in restaurants, but you have to be very careful about what you are eating. It is well established that fat improves the flavor of food, and chefs are notorious for loading recipes with fat. Before going to a restaurant, check for nutritional information on their website. Nutritional information is becoming more and more available as we become more health conscious. In the meantime, check out this list of the 20 worst restaurant foods. Be prepared to be shocked!
