When Should a Reflux Patient Consider Surgery?

Virtually all of us, no matter how healthy or unhealthy, older or young, have experienced reflux at some point in our lives. Reflux can occur for several reasons, and having it occasionally is nothing to be concerned about. However, if there is an underlying condition causing the reflux, there’s a chance it can worsen, become chronic, and ultimately require more invasive treatment. Before we go there, however, many patients wonder when they may need surgery for a reflux problem. Let’s first talk about the continuum of treatment options for most patients.

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Will I Regain My Weight After a Gastric Sleeve?

You have decided to take healthy steps towards overcoming your obesity. Wonderful! After discussing the options with your surgeon, your gastric sleeve procedure has been scheduled, and you will likely have many questions. Continue reading

A New Low Carb Study Shows… Increased Diabetes?

Low-carb diets have significantly increased in popularity over the past decade. It’s simple – these diets deny the body an influx of carbs by limiting vegetables, fruits, and other carbohydrate-rich foods. Instead, dieters are encouraged to eat high-fat foods. The results can be striking, and many patients who pursue a strict low-carb diet lose a significant amount of weight in the early days, weeks, and months. However, is low carb the right way to approach weight loss before and after bariatric surgery? This article discusses a recent study with surprising results and the best ways to pursue weight loss before and after bariatric surgery.

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Overeating After Exercise: Why It Happens and How to Avoid It

It’s a momentous occasion when you start a new exercise program. As daunting as it may be to go to the gym after so many years, you will likely adapt very quickly, finding the exercises you like most and even enjoying the gym after a great session. Patients who wish to maximize their weight loss will perform various exercises, including cardio and strength training, and some classes that may include yoga, Pilates, other stretching modalities, and even group fitness programs. No matter what exercise you ultimately choose to perform, it’s likely that you will start to feel a bit hungrier once you’re done. There are a couple of reasons for this, and there is the possibility that you will overeat as a result, so let’s jump right into what needs to be done.

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Back Pain After Bariatric Surgery. Is It Normal?

Patients undergo incredible changes in the weeks and months after their bariatric procedure. These changes run the gamut of both physical and psychological. However, one possible side effect of weight loss over the first several months after surgery that takes many patients by surprise is back pain. Of course, patients would be concerned for a couple of reasons. First, losing weight is often equated with improving joint and muscle pain, which is generally true. Second, many patients are concerned that they may have done significant damage to their backs by carrying the excess weight over the years and are now wondering if they have a more permanent problem.

While back pain can be concerning, it is a normal and temporary part of post-bariatric life.

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The Best Weight Loss Options for Any BMI Level

As mentioned in this blog, BMI is an imperfect measure. However, it provides an easily calculated standard to help us understand the best weight loss options for any patient.

Regarding BMI, there are various classifications, from underweight to morbid obesity. Each of these, however, must be taken with a grain of salt because BMI ultimately does not consider age, gender, or musculature, making it inherently inaccurate. In other words, a very muscular bodybuilder, for example, may be considered obese by BMI only; conversely, someone who is relatively thin but has a high body fat percentage may be within the normal BMI range but is at greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

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How Your Waistline May Be a Better Indicator of Heart Health Than BMI

For seemingly forever, we have gauged whether we were gaining weight by the tightness of our pants’ waistband and by readings on a scale. Fortunately, we also have the more standardized Body Mass Index (BMI)—the measure for assessing health based on weight and height in a medical setting. Indeed, it is the primary eligibility measure for bariatric surgery.

Despite the popularity and widespread use of BMI, recent studies suggest that waist circumference is a better indicator of overall health. But before you rush out to buy a fabric tape measure, BMI still has benefits, even if it comes in second.

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Is Coffee a Good Option After Bariatric Surgery?

Dr. Tsuda’s Key Points

• Minimal coffee within the first six months after surgery
• Longer-term coffee is OK and even protective
• Minimize what you put IN the coffee
• As with most foods and drinks, moderation is the key

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Why Does Acid Reflux Occur After a Gastric Sleeve? And What We Can Do

Dr. Tsuda’s Five Key Points

1. New or worsened GERD is possible after a gastric sleeve
2. There is no way to predict who will experience this concern after surgery
3. Fixing a hiatal hernia is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of post-sleeve GERD
4. We have various surgical and non-surgical options for living with dealing with   postoperative GERD
5. Patients with poorly controlled or uncontrolled GERD before bariatric surgery may be best served by a gastric bypass

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How Do PPIs Work Differently From Antacids?

Antacids like TUMS and proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, like Nexium, Prevacid, generic omeprazole, and other similarly named over-the-counter drugs, are typically the first line of defense against mild to moderate acid reflux. These two kinds of medication work differently to achieve a similar result: reducing acid or acidity in the gastric juices, which helps eliminate the burn commonly associated with reflux.

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