By - David Johnson LLB
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Introduction
Against a background of widespread obesity among all US age-groups, and the relative failure of conventional weight loss methods, doctors are increasingly resorting to gastrointestinal surgery in order to curb the rise of weight-related disease, and associated costs. An estimated 170,000 weight loss surgeries will be performed in 2005, and although the average bariatric surgery patient is a woman in her late 30s who weighs approximately 300 pounds, operations such as vertical banded gastroplasty and roux-en-Y bypass are now being successfully conducted on patients as young as 13 years.
But Does Bariatric Surgery Work?
While the increasing popularity of obesity surgery is a clear reflection of the inability of most obese patients to comply with conventional dietary treatments, the question remains: does this type of surgical treatment offer an effective solution for severe clinical obesity? To understand the issues raised by this question, let us examine the problem of obesity and how surgery attempts to reduce it.
How Widespread is Obesity?
According to current statistics, 61.3 million American adults (30.5 percent) are obese. In addition, an estimated 10-15 percent of children (ages 6?11) and 15 percent of teenagers are overweight and at risk of developing weight-related disorders. Severe obesity is also on the rise. Six million American adults are morbidly obese (BMI 40+), while another 9.6 million have a BMI of 35-40. (Source: US Census 2000; NHANES III data estimates)
How Does Obesity Affect Health?
Excess body fat associated with high body mass index (BMI) carries an increased risk of premature death. Obese patients (BMI 30+) have a 50-100 percent increased risk of death from all causes, compared with individuals of normal weight (BMI 20?25). Morbid obesity (BMI 40+) and super-obesity (BMI 50+) carries a still higher risk of dying younger. Most of the increased risk is due to co-morbid conditions like cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke). The effects of severe obesity on longevity are dramatic. Obese white males between 20 and 30 years old (BMI > 45) can shorten their life expectancy by 13 years. African-American men of similar age and BMI can lose up to 20 years of life. Obese white females between 20 and 30 years old (BMI > 45) can shorten their life expectancy by 8 years. African-American women of similar age and BMI can lose up to 5 years of life.
Research Into Obesity and Premature Death
A 12-year study of 330,000 obese men and 420,000 obese women, revealed that premature mortality rates for morbidly obese men were twice the normal: 500 percent higher for diabetics and 400 percent higher for those with digestive tract disease. In severely obese women, the mortality was also increased two fold, while in female diabetics the mortality risk increased eight fold and three fold in those with digestive tract disease. Another study of 200 men aged 23-70 years with severe clinical obesity, showed a 1200 percent increase in mortality in the 25-34 year age group and a 600 percent increase in the 35-44 year age group. Average cancer mortality rates are 150-500 percent higher in obese patients.
Other Obesity-Related Diseases
Aside from premature death, obesity is strongly associated with a wide range of health disorders. 80 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes are obese, while almost 70 percent of diagnosed heart disease is obesity-related. Other obesity-related disorders include: high blood pressure, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), insulin resistance, low back pain, obstructive sleep apnea, musculoskeletal complaints and osteoarthritis, respiratory problems, stroke, and vein disorders.
Why is Surgical Treatment is Needed?
As the facts demonstrate, obesity is an independent risk factor for a number of serious diseases. Severe obesity, if left untreated, leads to life-threatening disorders and possible premature death. It is against this background that the viability of bariatric surgery should be assessed. Three key questions are: (1) Does bariatric surgery lead to a significant loss of weight? (2) What are the health benefits of surgery? (3) What are health risks?
Does Bariatric Surgery Lead To A Significant Loss of Weight?
Yes. According to most patient-surveys the health and weight reduction benefits of bariatric surgery exceed all other treatment methods by a wide margin. Weight loss surgery is considered successful when excess weight is reduced by 50 percent and the weight loss is sustained for five years. At present, average excess weight reduction at five years is 45-75 percent after gastric bypass and 40-60 percent after vertical banded gastroplasty. In a statistical review of over 600 bariatric patients following gastric bypass, with 96 percent follow-up, mean excess weight loss still exceeded 50 percent of initial excess weight at fourteen years. Another 10 year follow-up study from the University of Virginia reports weight reduction of 60 percent of excess weight at 5 years and in the mid 50's between years 6 and 10. A significant percentage of less-committed patients do regain weight 2-5 years after having surgery, especially those who undergo the less drastic stomach banding procedure, but if the patient is well motivated and given proper post-operative support, the weight loss is usually permanent. By comparison, according to one 4-year study of non-surgical weight loss programs involving obesity medication, behavior modification, diet and exercise, average weight reduction was 3 pounds in those subjects who were followed for the four years of the study.
What Are The Health Benefits of Surgery?
According to the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO), weight reduction caused by gastric reduction surgery improves longevity and reduces rates of premature death. In addition, hypertension is cured in about 50 percent of patients, while measurements of cholesterol and other blood fats show visible improvements, all leading to a reduction in the risk of heart disease. Type 2 diabetes is cured in 80 percent of diabetic patients while hyperglycemia and associated conditions such as hyperinsulimia and insulin resistance are even more likely to benefit from gastric bypass. Obstructive sleep apnea is cured in about 75 percent of patients, shortness of breath is relieved in 75-80 percent of cases, while asthma attacks are significantly reduced, particularly when associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Obesity surgery also relieves low back pain and arthritis, heartburn, urinary incontinence, and lower limb venous disorders.
What Are The Health Risks?
Generally speaking, the health complications of bariatric surgery divide into three classes. First, during the operation itself, patients are subject to the normal health dangers of any serious surgical procedure. Risk factors include: patient condition, the expertise of the bariatric surgeon and anesthesiologist and the quality of operating room services. Premature death occurs in about 1-2.5 percent of bariatric cases. Second, there are well-documented post-operative health risks, which largely depend on the type of procedure performed.
Post-Operative Health Problems of Gastric Banding
Restrictive procedures like gastric-banding and stomach stapling carry a number of short-term post-operative health risks, including: (1) Risk of hernia. About 10-20 percent of patients require additional surgery to fix problems like abdominal hernias caused by excessive straining after surgery before the incision heals. Laparoscopic surgery reduces this risk. (2) Risk of blood clots. About 1 percent of patients contract blood clots in the legs. (3) Risk of infection. On average, there is a 5 percent risk of infection in the incision area. (4) Risk of gastric staple breakage. This occurs in bariatric operations like vertical banded gastroplasty, that use staples to reduce stomach size. (5) Risk of band slippage and saline leakage. A routine complication, this occurs after lap band or other forms of adjustable gastric banding. (6) Risk of bowel obstruction. This rare complication may occur due to adhesions caused by scar tissue. (7) Risk of stomal stenosis and marginal ulcers.
Post-Operative Health Problems of Gastric Bypass
Post-operative health dangers of bypass procedures like roux-en-y or biliopancreatic diversion include: (1) Corrective operations. About 15-20 percent of bypass patients require follow-up gastrointestinal operations to correct complications (eg. hernias). These follow-up operations tend to carry higher risk of complication and death. (2) Dumping Syndrome. Caused by overeating or over-rapid eating, dumping, is not a real health danger, but symptoms (nausea, faintness, sweating and diarrhea) can be distressing. (3) Risk of nutritional deficiency. Since stomach bypass surgery involves bypassing the duodenum and part/all of the jejunum, causing insufficient absorption of vitamins and minerals, patients can develop deficiencies in nutrients like: iron, calcium, vitamin D and B12 deficiency. This can be easily corrected by a program of nutritional supplementation. (4) Risk of gallstones. About one-third of bypass patients develop gallstones. (5) Bowel Disorders. After all bypass operations, there is a period of intestinal adaptation during which bowel movements can be liquid and frequent. Typically accompanied by bloating, gas and foul smelling stools, this complaint may reduce with time, but occasionally becomes a permanent condition.
Bariatric Surgery is No Easy Answer To Obesity
Even though surgical methods are becoming more and more successful for the reduction of severe obesity, it would be misleading to present surgery as an easy option. To begin with, its success depends entirely on patient compliance with post-operative guidelines. And pressures to overeat do not disappear after surgery. If patients adhere to instructions, they tend to lose weight without regain. If they "cheat", they tend to regain most of their weight loss and may end up in a worse condition than before. Second, due to cost and availability issues, bariatric surgery can only ever treat a tiny percentage of the population who are severely obese. Third, we lack long term feedback on the success of these operations. For these reasons, it seems that bariatric surgery is no easy solution to our obesity epidemic.
More Information
Bariatric Surgery
Gastric Bypass
About the Author
David Johnson, LLb., is the senior researcher at www.bariatric-surgery.info which offers a range of information about gastric banding, stomach bypass and other weight-related surgeries to more than 2 million unique visitors per year.
Weight-Loss-Diet-Plans.blogspot.com
http://weight-loss-diet-plans.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Weight Loss Medical Procedures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Loss Medical Procedures. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
LipoDissolve - Alternative To Liposuction
By - Dr. Terry Whipple
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For every invasive plastic surgery method, there later comes a non-invasive alternative for those who don't feel up to going under the knife. A new technology, aptly named LipoDissolve (sometimes referred to as LipoStabil), promises comparable results to Liposuction surgery.
What is LipoDissolve?
LipoDissolve is a “spot-fat loss” or “targeted fat loss” treatment administered through a series of injections which dissolve unwanted localized areas of fat, giving the area a firm, better toned appearance. The treatment requires no surgical incisions (traditional liposuction techniques do), but rather a series of injections of a combination of homeopathic agents and FDA approved drugs.
What ingredients are used in LipoDissolve?
Various providers of LipoDissolve use slightly different agents to make the solution. The main ingredients contain two homeopathic agents, most commonly Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and vitamin B complex, and the prescription medication Trental, or a similar drug, diluted with a saline solution.
--Phosphatidylcholine (PPC)- causes fat cells to dissolve
--Vitamin B complex- supports the liver’s breakdown process of fat cells
-- Trental- prescribed for poor circulation, also assists in breaking down fat cells faster
How does LipoDissolve work?
LipoDissolve solution promotes a process known as lysis, or the “dissolution” of fat from fat cells. The fat is converted to its liquid form, a process in which the bonds that connect fat molecules together are broken. This liquefied fat is then taken by the lymphatic system to the liver, where it is metabolized and then naturally filtered out of the body through urination over the course of a few weeks.
Is LipoDissolve the same as Mesotherapy?
No. The procedures may appear similar, but the number of treatments and the depth at which the solution is administered are different. In Mesotherapy, the medication is delivered in small amounts. In contrast, the LipoDissolve solution is injected in a higher quantity, as well as deeper into the fat wall. What is entailed in a normal LipoDissolve procedure?
The LipoDissolve procedure consists of a series of injections, made with a small syringe. Most patients typically undergo between only 1-3 treatments. The number of these treatments depend upon the individuals personal body, and the desired amount of weight-loss.
When several visits are desired, the treatments are usually applied 8 weeks apart for the same area of treatment, and 2 weeks apart for separate target areas.
For safety reasons, the maximum amount of medication introduced at one time can be no greater than 100cc. Typically, ½ cc is injected every ½ inch, for a total of 200 injections. On average, patients experience 1 inch of weight-loss for every 100cc of medication.
Unlike liposuction, LipoDissolve procedures have no downtime after application. You should be able to go about your normal day right out of the office. Also unlike liposuction, there is no swelling afterward.
Results become apparent usually 4-7 weeks after the initial visit, although some patients report no noticeable results until up to 12 weeks after the treatment. LipoDissolve is advertised as having permanent results. This can be true because the fat cells treated are totally dissolved and flushed out of the system. However, if one does not exercise, maintain good health, and/or develops or continues poor eating habits, new fat cells can form.
What parts of the body can benefit from LipoDissolve?
--Arms
--Chin
--Legs
--Buttocks
--Abdomen
Who should NOT receive LipoDissolve treatments?
--Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding
-- Individuals diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, or AIDS
-- People with allergic reactions to eggs or soy
-- Individuals with poorly controlled hypertension, or who take blood-thinners
-- People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 should NOT consider LipoDissolve.
What are the side-effects of LipoDissolve?
While there are no reports of permanent or life-threatening complications, some side-effects may be experienced. Some of these include lumps, bruising, or skin-tenderness at the injection site, and allergic reactions.
About The Author
Dr. Terry Whipple is one of the main partners with AmericanSelf. AmericanSelf focuses on plastic and http://www.americanself.com/ cosmetic surgery in Richmond Virginia.
Weight-Loss-Diet.Plans.blogspot.com
http://weight-loss-diet-plans.blogspot.com
<)))
For every invasive plastic surgery method, there later comes a non-invasive alternative for those who don't feel up to going under the knife. A new technology, aptly named LipoDissolve (sometimes referred to as LipoStabil), promises comparable results to Liposuction surgery.
What is LipoDissolve?
LipoDissolve is a “spot-fat loss” or “targeted fat loss” treatment administered through a series of injections which dissolve unwanted localized areas of fat, giving the area a firm, better toned appearance. The treatment requires no surgical incisions (traditional liposuction techniques do), but rather a series of injections of a combination of homeopathic agents and FDA approved drugs.
What ingredients are used in LipoDissolve?
Various providers of LipoDissolve use slightly different agents to make the solution. The main ingredients contain two homeopathic agents, most commonly Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and vitamin B complex, and the prescription medication Trental, or a similar drug, diluted with a saline solution.
--Phosphatidylcholine (PPC)- causes fat cells to dissolve
--Vitamin B complex- supports the liver’s breakdown process of fat cells
-- Trental- prescribed for poor circulation, also assists in breaking down fat cells faster
How does LipoDissolve work?
LipoDissolve solution promotes a process known as lysis, or the “dissolution” of fat from fat cells. The fat is converted to its liquid form, a process in which the bonds that connect fat molecules together are broken. This liquefied fat is then taken by the lymphatic system to the liver, where it is metabolized and then naturally filtered out of the body through urination over the course of a few weeks.
Is LipoDissolve the same as Mesotherapy?
No. The procedures may appear similar, but the number of treatments and the depth at which the solution is administered are different. In Mesotherapy, the medication is delivered in small amounts. In contrast, the LipoDissolve solution is injected in a higher quantity, as well as deeper into the fat wall. What is entailed in a normal LipoDissolve procedure?
The LipoDissolve procedure consists of a series of injections, made with a small syringe. Most patients typically undergo between only 1-3 treatments. The number of these treatments depend upon the individuals personal body, and the desired amount of weight-loss.
When several visits are desired, the treatments are usually applied 8 weeks apart for the same area of treatment, and 2 weeks apart for separate target areas.
For safety reasons, the maximum amount of medication introduced at one time can be no greater than 100cc. Typically, ½ cc is injected every ½ inch, for a total of 200 injections. On average, patients experience 1 inch of weight-loss for every 100cc of medication.
Unlike liposuction, LipoDissolve procedures have no downtime after application. You should be able to go about your normal day right out of the office. Also unlike liposuction, there is no swelling afterward.
Results become apparent usually 4-7 weeks after the initial visit, although some patients report no noticeable results until up to 12 weeks after the treatment. LipoDissolve is advertised as having permanent results. This can be true because the fat cells treated are totally dissolved and flushed out of the system. However, if one does not exercise, maintain good health, and/or develops or continues poor eating habits, new fat cells can form.
What parts of the body can benefit from LipoDissolve?
--Arms
--Chin
--Legs
--Buttocks
--Abdomen
Who should NOT receive LipoDissolve treatments?
--Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding
-- Individuals diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, or AIDS
-- People with allergic reactions to eggs or soy
-- Individuals with poorly controlled hypertension, or who take blood-thinners
-- People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 should NOT consider LipoDissolve.
What are the side-effects of LipoDissolve?
While there are no reports of permanent or life-threatening complications, some side-effects may be experienced. Some of these include lumps, bruising, or skin-tenderness at the injection site, and allergic reactions.
About The Author
Dr. Terry Whipple is one of the main partners with AmericanSelf. AmericanSelf focuses on plastic and http://www.americanself.com/ cosmetic surgery in Richmond Virginia.
Weight-Loss-Diet.Plans.blogspot.com
http://weight-loss-diet-plans.blogspot.com
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