Bariatric surgery outcomes better at high-volume hospitals

Mortality and morbidity from bariatric surgery are less common at hospitals with high case volumes, according to data presented at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons Annual Meeting in Baltimore. Read more

Weight loss surgery may alter genetics for future generations

We all know that weight-loss surgery can shrink your waistline – but a new study shows it can cause surprising changes in your genes, too.

According to a study in the journal Cell Press, people who underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost weight, experienced changes in gene expression, which improved their body’s ability to burn fat and store sugars properly, decreasing their risk for diabetes.

Read more

Report: Bariatric Surgery Reverses Diabetic Nephropathy

Researchers, Expecting a Halt in Progression After Bariatric Surgery, Instead See Remission

New Jersey —Bariatric surgery induces a significant and lasting improvement in diabetic nephropathy, with nearly 60% of patients with this condition achieving remission five years after surgery, according to a study presented at the 2012 annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

The investigators say that the finding demonstrates a previously unknown microvascular effect of bariatric surgery. Read more

JFK For Life Support Group Newsletter – December 2012

 Dr. Abkin, in conjunction with JFK for LIFE, has released their monthly JFK For Life Support Group Newsletter for December.

Inside This Issue:

  • In the News! / Meet The Staff
  • Nutritional Tips / Recipe Corner
  • Stress and Weight Gain/Relaxation Techniques
  • Surgiversaries / Calendar / Websites
  • Follow-Up Visits are Important!
  • Supplementation after Weight Loss Surgery

Download the newsletter here

Social media may be a weapon against childhood obesity

In a new scientific statement published in the journal Circulation, the group calls for more research into how to incorporate social media into programs fighting childhood obesity. However, the AHA acknowledges that current research on social media intervention has been mixed and that social media is also linked with a few drawbacks. Read more

NJ BCBS Announces Bariatric Surgery Coverage in Patients with Diabetes and Body Mass Index Less than 35

Background

Bariatric surgery is an established treatment for morbid obesity in patients with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40 kg/m2, or BMI equal to or greater than 35 in the presence of weight-related comorbidities.   Some experts have recommended broadening of the eligibility criteria for bariatric surgery, in order to reach more patients who might benefit.  The population of patients with nonmorbid obesity (i.e., BMI 30-35 kg/m2) represents a very large number of patients with a high overall burden of weight-related comorbidities. Read more

Bariatric Surgery Tops List of 10 Best Medical Innovations of 2013

On Wednesday, The Cleveland Clinic released its annual Top 10 list of best medical innovations for 2012. Sitting alone atop of the list is an old procedure, weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery restricts the amount of food you can take in. Some procedures also limit the amount of food you can digest. Many patients who have weight loss surgery lose weight rapidly. If you follow diet and exercise recommendations, you can keep most of the weight off.

The clinic’s staff cited the procedure’s remarkable effectiveness in controlling Type 2 diabetes.

Over the years, bariatric surgeons observed that weight loss surgery would often rid obese patients of Type 2 diabetes, before they even left the hospital.

“Now insurance companies in New Jersey are beginning to cover the bariatric surgery specifically for diabetes management, given the surgery’s greater potential to benefit more people”, said Dr. Alexander Abkin, Director of Bariatric Surgery at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ.

To learn more about weight loss surgery in NJ, call 973-410-9700 or visit http://www.bariatricsurgeonnj.com

Considering Weight Loss Surgery in NJ? 5 Things You Will Need To Get Started

The path to weight loss surgery success can be overwhelming at times. With the proper planning, you can help yourself by preparing for the approval process in advance. Here’s five things you will likely need before your bariatric surgery. Read more

Weight Loss Surgery May Lead to a Healthier Heart, Says NJ Surgeon

A comprehensive review of about 20,000 patients who have had bariatric surgery has shown that weight loss surgery also improved the structure and function of the heart while reducing several risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

“Obesity is very bad for the heart,” Dr. Alexander Abkin, director of the Bariatric Services at JFK Medical Center said in a statement. “It’s not just a cosmetic concern. Bariatric surgery has very serious effects on heart disease as well as other metabolic diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.” Read more

Bariatric Surgery Prevents Type 2 Diabetes, Says NJ Bariatric Surgeon

Bariatric surgery reduced the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 78% compared with usual care at 15 years in a prospective, case-matched study of more than 3,000 obese adults.

This significant risk reduction was seen with all types of bariatric surgery and regardless of baseline body mass index. And, it occurred despite the fact that the matching process unexpectedly resulted in the bariatric surgery group having a higher mean body weight and more severe risk factors at baseline than the controls. Read more