MSN Health & Fitness, 28th July 2010

A new study about bartiatric surgery done in the state of Michigan shows that there is a relatively low risk of serious complications after the procedure.

The report published in the July 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association showed the findings of Nancy Birkmeyer of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 15,275 patients took part in the research. They all underwent one of three common bariatric procedures between 2006 and 2009. The operations were performed by 62 surgeons at 25 hospitals in Michigan.

The results showed that only 7.3% of patients experienced minor complications such as wound problems, for example. Serious complications were most common after gastric bypass (3.6 %), sleeve gastrectomy (2.2 %), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (0.9 %) procedures. Rates of serious complications at hospitals varied from 1.6% to 3.5%.

Infections were the most common among patients undergoing gastric bypass (4.4%) and sleeve gastrectomy (2.5%).

Another interesting result showed that fatal complications occurred in only two patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (0.04%), 13 patients undergoing gastric bypass (0.14%) and zero patients receiving sleeve gastrectomy.

The overall rates of serious complications were similar among patients who had bariatric surgery at centers of excellence (COE) hospitals (2.7%) and those who had surgery at non-COE hospitals (2%), the report said.

The researchers wrote that their results might not apply outside of the state of Michigan, but said they represented “useful safety performance benchmarks for hospitals performing bariatric surgery.”

Seattle Times, 19th July 2010

A new weight-loss surgery technique is being developed by surgeons in North Carolina. The new technique, called vertical sleeve gastrectomy, requires only one incision and is operated through the belly button.

A new Spider surgical tool is required for this type of surgery. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy cuts the stomach down to 20% of its normal capacity. The name suggests the shape of the stomach that remains after the surgery.

How is it possible for the surgeon to operate through the belly button? The Spider tool contain working arms that unfold inside the patient so that the surgeon can access the areas he needs.

Dr. Quebbemann who carried out the operation using the new tool said: “Instead of making several incisions to place my surgical instruments, I simply make one small incision, hidden in the patient’s belly button, and insert the Spider. I then expand the internal portion of the device, similar to expanding an umbrella. This allows me to clearly see the anatomy and accurately perform the operation.

At the end of the procedure, I simply close the system, and remove it through the small incision, leaving almost no visible scar.”

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is one of the fastest growing types of bariatric surgery. It is said to be most effective while operating on severly obese patients but can also be used to treat patients with BMI of 30 to 35.

The new technique is an alternative to the gastric bypass and lap-band surgery.

The Spider tool is produced by TransEnterix Inc. of Durham, N.C. and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last year.

Surgeons highlight that weight-loss surgery is not a quick solution. Patients have to realise that they need to change their life-style, exercise and start a healthy diet.

As vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a new technique, there isn’t much data about long-term
benefits and risks.

The Guardian, 15th July 2010

The new research shows how much joining a support group after the weight-loss surgery helps to lose and maintain weight. It is extremely important to remind the post-op patients about their routine: walking, eating fruit and veg, avoiding junk food.

250 women took part in the study. It showed that only four yearly group sessions plus phone reminders, helped them to lose weight after the surgery and maintain it. All women managed to lose 0.2 pounds of weight in average. Women who didn’t take part in the support groups, put on 1.8 pounds.

It seems clear that weight-loss surgery is only a beginning of a long way. In order to be successful, patients should change a life-style, adding plenty of exercise and a healthy diet but also seek some support. The support groups gain popularity and, as the research shows, play an important part in the weigh-loss process.

Another research was carried out to find out what role in this the weight-loss supplements play. The study, presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Stockholm, Sweden, showed that supplements such as: t guar gum, chromium picolinate, Ephedra spp. Citrus aurantium (bitter orange), conjugated linoleic acid, calcium, glucomannan, chitosan, and Camellia sinensis (green tea) didn’t have any effect in the weight-loss.

The advice given by the researches is simple and says to consume plenty of fruit and vegetables, drink water instead of fizzy drinks, avoid fast foods and snacks, exercise every day.

Even though the advice is pretty simple, it is easy to come back to the old habits. Joining a support group will surely help to stay motivated and stick to a healthier life-style

HealthNewsDigest.com, 7th July 2010

Weigh-loss is not easy nor quick. There are numerous factors that weight-loss depends on and that influence its success.

It’s especially difficult to come to the conclusion that one actually needs to lose weight. The very thought might not be that obvious for everyone. Once it’s done, though, everyone should invest in their well-being and make sure they lead a healthy life-style.

Obesity is an epidemic of our times. This means the majority of patients are not capable of dealing with their problem on their own. The very first thing doctors suggest, is to start exercising and change eating habits. Unfortunately, sometimes it is just not enough. After numerous attempts, obese and overweight patients turn to the weight-loss surgeons. The surgery is the only solution in many cases.

Weight-loss surgery is not a magical tool, unfortunately. Patients who undergo it, must realise they’ve got a long way to go, and this new life starts with the surgery.

They need to be motivated and sure of what they want to achieve. It is also very important to be self-confident. Specialists say that “believing in yourself and your right to a better life is the most critical factor in lasting weight loss”.

There are also other, more prosaic factors, such as learning to read nutritional information and food labels, control portions, calculate daily energy expenditure. Each patient should create a personal long-tems weight-loss program in which they state how much they want to lose and how they are going to achieve it.

It is very helpful to join support groups after undergoing a weigh-loss surgery as well as read appropriate literature in order to maintain the interest and motivation at the highest level.