What Studies Show About Robotic Bariatric Surgery

by Kerri Seidler on May 14, 2012 · Comments | New Technology

Robotic Bariatric SurgeryThe safety and efficacy of robotic bariatric surgery was the subject of a study recently published online in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

Robotic-assisted technology has emerged as one of the most recent advances within the field of bariatric surgery. While there is agreement as to the technical advantages that robotic bariatric surgery offers compared to traditional surgical methods, there is much debate regarding clinical outcomes and financial issues.

The study, “Robotic bariatric surgery: a systematic review,” was conducted by researchers at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The researchers concluded that “the application of robotics appears to be a safe option within the realm of bariatric surgery.”

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Diabetes Improved Regardless of Procedure for Weight Loss Surgery

by Kimberly Taylor on May 8, 2012 · Comments | Bariatric Surgery Study

Bariatric Surgery vs Medical Therapy for Type 2 DiabetesGastric bypass surgery is no better at treating diabetes than gastric banding or vertical banded gastroplasty, according to researchers of a large ongoing study known as the ‘Swedish Obese Subjects’ study.

The new research, which was presented at the International Congress of Endocrinology/European Congress of Endocrinology in Florence, Italy on May 7, 2012, showed that there was no benefit of one bariatric procedure over another with respect to improvement in diabetes.

The study found that the improvements to diabetes in weight loss surgery patients was more likely associated with the degree of weight loss rather than the type of weight loss surgery.

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Bariatric Surgery vs Medical Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

by Kimberly Taylor on April 23, 2012 · Comments | Bariatric Surgery Study

Bariatric Surgery vs Medical Therapy for Type 2 DiabetesInstead of reaching for their medications, obese diabetics may be better off heading to the surgeon’s office, according to the results of several new studies comparing medical therapy and bariatric surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, a condition often associated with obesity, is a disease that affects the body’s ability to convert glucose (sugar) into the energy that the cells need to sustain life. Without effective management of the disease, many serious health complications can develop.

The conventional treatment for type 2 diabetes typically includes medications coupled with lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.  As a cure has been elusive, the aim of treatment is to assist with the regulation of blood glucose levels and to minimize the effects of the disease.

This common approach to treatment may soon change, however, as three new studies have shown that bariatric surgery yields positive results in obese diabetic patients compared with medical therapy alone.

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CMS Issues Proposed Decision for Sleeve Gastrectomy

by David Alexander on April 4, 2012 · Comments | Weight Loss Surgery

CMS Decision on Sleeve GastrectomyOn March 29, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed decision memorandum regarding the request to include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a treatment for morbid obesity for qualified Medicare beneficiaries.

According to the memo, the panel does not believe there is enough evidence at this time to include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy “as a covered use in the Bariatric Surgery for Treatment of Morbid Obesity National Coverage Determination (NCD).”

They go on to say, however, that “new, emerging data suggest that LSG for the treatment of obesity (BMI = or > than 35) may possibly provide health benefits for Medicare beneficiaries” and thus “we propose to cover LSG for the treatment of obesity (BMI = or > 35 kg/m2) for patients with at least one comorbidity when furnished in an approved clinical study under CED (Coverage with Evidence Development).”

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Gastric Bypass Surgery Satisfies Long-Term

by Kerri Seidler on March 26, 2012 · Comments | Gastric Bypass Surgery

Long-Term Results of Gastric Bypass SurgeryGastric bypass surgery gets high marks for patient satisfaction and maintenance of substantial weight loss at 11 years post-operatively, according to long-term results of a study published online March 26, 2012 in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

The researchers point out that this study is one of the few studies to provide information on a large group of gastric bypass patients over a long period of time, as most other present long-term studies have included few patients at the last time-point.  This study had a mean follow-up time of 11.4 years (range 7 to 17 years) and included results of 384 gastric bypass patients.

It is also important to note that while many studies have reported on the short-term benefits of gastric bypass surgery, such as the dramatic weight loss and nearly immediate improvement in obesity co-morbidities in the first 18 to 24 months after surgery, this study examines whether or not the benefits can remain over time.

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Enhance Weight Loss After Failed Gastric Banding

by Kimberly Taylor on March 12, 2012 · Comments | Weight Loss Surgery

Revisional Bariatric Surgery After Gastric BandWhile the majority of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) patients enjoy positive outcomes and successful weight loss, for some, the results are not so fortunate. It is estimated that 20-30% of all gastric band cases require revisional bariatric surgery due to complications or inadequate weight loss.

Revisional surgery following LAGB can take several forms, but the general aim of each of the follow-up operations is the same – to correct the problems caused by the original procedure and/or accomplish satisfactory weight loss.

The most common revisional surgery options following a failed LAGB include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. But which surgical option is the best?

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Weight Regain – Gastric Bypass vs Duodenal Switch

by David Alexander on March 5, 2012 · Comments | Duodenal Switch

Duodenal Switch Weight LossWeight regain was significantly higher after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass than biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in super obese patients, according to conclusions of a study published online March 5, 2012 in the medical journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

The researchers set up this study to compare the weight loss after two different primary bariatric procedures – Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) – in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 50.

Although RYGB is considered one of the most effective types of weight loss surgery, some patients, especially those with a BMI of 50 or greater, do not achieve sufficient weight loss and/or are challenged by weight regain.

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Quality of Eating Best After Gastric Sleeve

by Kerri Seidler on February 21, 2012 · Comments | Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric Surgery Diet and Quality of EatingA recent study found that food tolerance and gastrointestinal quality of life was best after sleeve gastrectomy approximately 2 to 4 years after surgery compared to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding.

The impact of bariatric surgery on quality of eating and food tolerance is an issue that is not always considered, yet these factors can greatly affect a persons life. Bariatric surgery forces patients to greatly reduce their food intake and drastically change their eating habits.

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Duodenal Switch Superior to Gastric Bypass for Severe Obesity

by David Alexander on February 14, 2012 · 1 comment | Duodenal Switch

Duodenal Switch Weight Loss Surgery StudyThe duodenal switch weight loss procedure produced greater weight loss results in severely obese patients compared to gastric bypass surgery, according to a study recently published online in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

A severely obese person is someone whose body mass index (BMI) is 40 or more. This is about 100 pounds overweight for an average man or 80 pounds overweight for an average woman.

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Best Practice Guidelines for Sleeve Gastrectomy

by David Alexander on February 2, 2012 · Comments | Weight Loss Surgery

Best Practice Guidelines Sleeve GastrectomyAn international panel of leading bariatric surgeons has reached consensus on several essential aspects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, including patient selection, proper surgical technique, and prevention and management of complications.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a relatively new primary weight loss procedure that has quickly gained in popularity due to its excellent weight loss outcomes, co-morbidity resolution, avoidance of a medical implant and adjustments as with gastric band or intestinal rerouting involved with gastric bypass, and perceived relative ease of technique.

Up until the efforts of this expert panel, however, there has been little standardization in best practice guidelines for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and few resources for surgeons to learn how to achieve the optimal procedure results while minimizing complications.

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