Can You Reverse / Reattach a Gastric Bypass?

With as much as bariatric patients research bariatric surgery, we often get some fascinating questions. Despite more procedures coming to market in the United States, there is plenty of curiosity about bariatric procedures performed in the past that are still being performed decades later, not least the gastric bypass. One interesting question we are sometimes asked revolves around whether the gastric bypass can be reversed or reattached. To understand this, it’s worth noting that when the restrictive portion of the gastric bypass is performed, about 80% of the stomach is cut away but ultimately left in the abdomen. It no longer receives food but continues providing essential gastric juices to metabolize the food consumed.

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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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How Important Is Strength Training After Bariatric Surgery?

We intuitively know that exercise is critically important for long-term health, whether you have bariatric surgery or not. However, bariatric surgery requires a whole new dedication to your exercise program. While the biggest weight loss gains are made with a significantly restricted diet, those gains are solidified for the long term with a great exercise program.

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Can You Eat Chocolate After Bariatric Surgery?

In the grand scheme of indulgences, chocolate is at the top of many lists, and rightly so…it’s delicious! For many patients, chocolate is one of the items they believe they’ll miss the most after bariatric surgery. However, is this fear of a chocolate-less life founded? Or is chocolate perfectly OK after bariatric surgery?

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