Bariatric Surgery: Sleeve Gastrectomy

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery for weight control is becoming more and more common as advances are made that allow surgeons to visualize and manipulate internal parts of the body without large incisions.  One of these types of surgeries is the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known simply as "the sleeve".  In this procedure, the surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving a much smaller, tubular pouch.  While this surgery is less invasive than a gastric bypass, it has comparable efficacy.  The rate of complications following the surgery is slightly higher.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery Washington DC

These are some of the advantages of the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for weight management Washington DC:

• Positive changes in gut hormones that control hunger, reduce appetite and improve feelings of fullness are noted post-surgery.
• The procedure does not require the implantation of any foreign objects into the abdominal cavity.
• There is no bypass or re-routing of consumed foods and drinks.
• The three year, sustained weight loss for patients having this procedure is greater than 50% of the original weight excess.  This is comparable to the gastric bypass procedure.
• The amount of food the stomach can hold, and subsequently the number of calories consumed, is physically restricted by the decreased size of the new stomach pouch.

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy has a few disadvantages as a weight loss surgery DC.  Some of these are as follows:

• This procedure is not reversible.  Once a large portion of the stomach has been removed, it is generally not possible to subsequently increase the size of the stomach.  Other procedures, such as the adjustable gastric band, can allow for at least some increase in size because none of the original stomach tissue is completely removed.
• It is possible that patients who have the sleeve procedure will experience long term vitamin deficiencies in the future.  For this reason, those undergoing this procedure must be willing to comply with a life-long supplementation regimen.
• The rate of post-surgical complications with this specific surgical procedure have been noted to be somewhat higher than complications with both the adjustable gastric band and the traditional gastric bypass surgeries.

Treatment for A-fib

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

The condition of atrial fibrillation is often referenced in shorthand as A-fib or AF.  Atrial Fibrillation occurs when the electrical impulses that control the contractions of various parts of the heart muscle are inconsistent, causing excess blood to become trapped in the upper two chambers of the heart (atria).  It is usually diagnosed with a physical examination and an EKG or ECG.  One of the biggest risks associated with AF is having a stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Washington DC

Patients vary quite a bit in the treatment needs for AF.  Here are a few options for A-Fib Treatment DC (though not an exhaustive list):

• The first thing to do when addressing a patient with AF is to determine if there is another medical condition that is causing it.  Hyperthyroidism is one example of a condition that is sometimes linked to AF.  Obviously, any other medical conditions that are possibly related to the AF should be treated first to see if the condition resolves.
• Some cases of AF can be treated with lifestyle changes.  Changes in diet and exercise habits, reducing caffeine intake and stopping smoking are all steps that patients can take toward controlling AF.
• Some patients with AF will also want to take precautions to prevent a stroke.  This may include some of the lifestyle changes mentioned above, as well as a type of blood thinning medications such as Warfarin, or even plain aspirin.  Each patient's individual treatment provider will make this determination based on certain stroke risk factors which include the presence of congestive heart failure, a history of hypertension, age, a diagnosis of diabetes and a prior history of stroke.

Patients can take an active role in managing their AF by working together with treatment providers.  This means keeping or rescheduling all office appointments so that there is consistent communication, and speaking up if there seems to be a problem with the treatment plan.  Patients should ask providers to explain any medical words they don't understand and should not be afraid to ask the provider to repeat information a second or third time.  Taking notes at appointments is also a good strategy.  

Learn more about A-fib Treatment Washington DC and effective participation in treatment at http://www.medstarwashington.org/.

Bariatric Surgery: BPD/DS Gastric Bypass

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

The full name of BPD/DS, a weight loss surgery Washington DC, is the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch.  It is performed by first creating a small, tubular stomach pouch via the removal of a large portion of the stomach.  Next, a large portion of the small intestine is bypassed.  Initially, the patient is able to consume only a small amount of food.  Eventually, however, food consumption can return to almost normal because the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed by the body is significantly reduced in the bypass of much of the small intestine.  This weight loss surgery DC is considered very effective for patients who are trying to control diabetes.

BPD/DS Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery Washington DC

The BPD/DS gastric bypass offers a number of advantages to patients who choose this kind of support for weight loss.

• At a five year follow-up point, most patients have lost 60-70% of their initial excess weight.
• Patients will eventually be able to eat nearly "normal" meals.
• The calories absorbed by the body from fat are reduced by over 70%.
• Favorable changes in gut hormones that reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness have been noted post-surgically.
• This is the most effective bariatric surgery for patients with diabetes.

Here are a few of the disadvantages of this procedure:

• Deficiencies in protein and other nutrients can be a problem in the long term.
• Patients must be willing to comply with all recommended follow-up visits.
• A life-long program of nutritional supplementation must be carefully followed.
• The surgery itself is fairly extensive and will require a significant hospital stay and recovery time.
• Rates of post-surgical complication and mortality are higher for the BPD/DS gastric bypass procedure than for some other types of Bariatric Surgery Washington DC.

While this is a relatively serious surgery, it is certainly worthwhile to consider for patients who are facing complications of diabetes that are potentially severe, for example blindness or limb amputation.  The fact that patients are eventually able to consume close to "normal" amounts of food at meal time is also a very big advantage over other procedures that permanently limit intake to a very small amount.  Click here for more information on weight management Washington DC.

Aftercare for Hip Surgery

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

People are living longer than ever and remaining active throughout their lives.  As a result, painful effects of traumatic injuries and diseases like arthritis are becoming more and more prevalent in the general population.  The hip is a large joint that can typically be impacted by these factors.  While there are many good treatments for hip pain that do not involve surgery, sometimes they are just not enough to control pain and maintain a good quality of life.  In these cases Hip Replacement Surgery DC may be recommended.  If you have had hip surgery, it is important to know how to take care of yourself during the recovery period.

Recovery from Hip Surgery DC

There are a variety of options for patients getting a hip replacement.  Surgery may be completed with either a traditional incision or a less invasive small-incision option.  Either a general anesthetic or a spinal block may be used during the procedure.  Your recovery will depend on what kind of procedure you have had and your general health before undergoing the surgery.  

Here are a few things you might expect in recovery from a Hip Surgery Washington DC.

• Your hospital stay will most likely last about a week.  Since the new hip joint can slip out of place in the initial stages of recovery, you will spend most of your time in bed with a wedge shaped pillow between your legs to keep it in place.  Expect to have a urinary catheter to make going to the bathroom easier.
• Everyone who has a hip replacement gets physical therapy.  This usually starts the day after surgery and continues for a few weeks or months.  The physical therapist will give you some exercises to complete daily and help you understand when you can return to your regular activities.
• Avoid pivoting, twisting and crossing your legs during your early recovery period.  These movements can make the new hip joint slip out of place.  Your physical therapist will teach you how to adapt to you regular routine without movement that could cause damage to the new joint.

Learn more about Hip Replacement Surgery Washington DC at:  http://www.medstarwashington.org/.

What Happens after Bariatric Surgery?

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

There are more and more bariatric surgery options available today for patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight for cosmetic or health reasons.  Some surgeries are fairly complex, and involve the physical removal of a part of the stomach or a re-routing of a part of the digestive system.  Other surgeries are performed laparoscopically and leave the internal digestive system relatively intact.  It is common for patients who are considering one of these methods of Weight loss surgery Washington DC to have questions about their lives post-surgery.

Bariatrics and Weight Management DC

Here are some common issues about which weight loss surgery patients request information:

• Returning to work:  It is important to schedule at least one to two weeks to recover from Bariatric Surgery Washington DC before returning to work.  The majority of patients have decreased energy for a time after surgery, so returning to work on a limited schedule may be the best solution.  Patients who have jobs where low energy can be dangerous should expect to take a bit more time off.
• Hernias:  Many patients are concerned that lifting or other kinds of physical exertion will cause a hernia at the incision site.  The reality is that this rarely happens.  Hernias are much more likely to be the result of a post-operative infection.
• Exercise:  Patients most often return to gentle exercise the first day after their surgery by taking short walks around the hospital.  Low-impact exercise is recommended for the first month or so post-surgery.  Swimming is not allowed until all surgical incisions are completely healed.
• Pregnancy:  Most recommendations say that waiting 12-18 months after surgery to get pregnant is ideal.  Patients who wish to become pregnant will be pleased to know that they are much more likely to be fertile at a lower weight.  Those who have lost a significant portion of their excess body weight will be at much lower risk for complications of pregnancy like gestational diabetes.
• Plastic surgery:  Patients often wonder if they will need follow-up surgery to remove loose skin after weight loss.  The reality is that many patients have much less excess skin than they expected.  If a follow-up surgery is needed, it may be covered by insurance under many circumstances.

Click here to learn more about Weight loss surgery DC.