Sleeve Gastrectomy in Super-Obese Patients
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective for the initial weight loss in the super-obese undergoing staged bariatric procedures, according to a recently published article in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, the Official Journal of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Typically there are many challenging aspects associated with the surgical treatment [...]
Read the full article →Fracture Risk After Bariatric Surgery
The risk of breaking bones after bariatric surgery may be even higher than previously thought, according to findings presented by Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. The study found that bariatric surgery patients compared to the general population had a 2.3-fold increased risk of a fracture at nearly all skeletal sites. Initial results [...]
Read the full article →Older Patients Could Benefit from Bariatric Surgery
Age over 65 years is not a reason to withhold bariatric surgery, according to a multihospital study of more than 48,000 adults. The study suggests that older adults could potentially benefit from bariatric surgery as it can help improve comorbid illnesses. The findings showed that patients age 65 or older were not at an increased [...]
Read the full article →Weight Loss Surgery Can Reverse Heart Damage
The results of a new study published in the February 8th issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicate that weight loss surgery can reverse heart damage caused by obesity. Obesity is associated with compromised heart function and several forms of heart disease. Not only does excess body weight affect heart health indirectly, [...]
Read the full article →Bariatric Surgery Adds Years to Lifespan
After reviewing the outcomes of tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials of gastric bypass and gastric banding, researchers found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces long-term mortality, adding years to the lifespan of morbidly obese patients. The meta-analysis, which was conducted by Dr. Antonio Pontiroli and his colleague Alberto Morabito, both of the University [...]
Read the full article →How Gastric Surgeries Compare for Kidney Stone Risk
Restrictive bariatric procedures such as gastric banding or sleeve gastrectomy are less likely to place patients at risk for developing kidney stones than a malabsorptive procedure such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, according to a study published in the October Journal of Urology. While previous studies have found that bariatric patients are at risk [...]
Read the full article →Gastric Band Not FDA Approved for Teens, Yet Popularity Soars
A new study highlights the dramatic increase in the use of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) among obese teens as a way to lose weight. Even though the procedure is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in individuals younger than 18 years of age, the rate of LAGB among teens [...]
Read the full article →Bariatric Surgery Saves Money for Diabetic Patients
Despite the nearly $30,000 price tag, a new study found that bariatric surgery saved money in the long run for the majority of people with diabetes. The cost savings resulted from a reduction in the use of diabetes medications and overall health care costs. According to study results, nearly 75% of diabetic patients were off [...]
Read the full article →Volume Trumps Center of Excellence Designation For Bariatric Surgery Safety
The results from a study led by the University of Michigan Health System revealed some shocking information about the safety of bariatric surgery and the quality of hospitals that perform the weight loss procedures. The good news was the overall low rate of serious complications and general safety of bariatric surgery. What was surprising, however, [...]
Read the full article →Medical Weight Loss Programs Unnecessarily Delay Bariatric Surgery
While it is not uncommon for insurance carriers to require completion of a six-month medically supervised weight loss program as a condition of approval for weight loss surgery, it may be time for them to reconsider the waiting period requirement. A medical weight management program typically combines diet, exercise, behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy. The rationale [...]
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