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.
http://WeightLossSurgeryBlog.net
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!
Even after having weight loss surgery, we are still the product of calories in versus calories used. Because we can eat smaller amounts, many of us fall victum to grazing, just popping something in our mouths and thinking it doesn’t count. But it does!!
If you keep your same diet and pop in just 12 M&M’s with peanuts every day, you will gain 13 pounds by the end of the year. Remember the saying, “Broken cookies don’t count”? They do. Everything counts and everything adds up. Eat mindfully. Watch what you put in your mounth, write it down and count it up.
Are you watching more TV now that the weather is bad in most of the country? Do you find that you want to munch while watching? Try watching more comedies than tragedies. A study showed that people ate 30% more when watching the tear jerker, Love Story, than they did when watching something funny.
The Florida Marlins held tryouts for the first all male heavy weight cheer leading squad. The Marlins are looking for “big bellies with big giggles.” The squad will be called the Manatees, and will perform at the Marlins Friday and Saturday night home games. The Manatees won’t be paid, but will receive free tickets.
How desperate for fans are the Marlins that they have stooped to mocking and humiliating the obese to try to attract fans?
