Long Term Outcomes Comparing Bariatric Surgery to No Surgery in Diabetic Patients with BMI 30-35

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I read an article recently, which compared results between bariatric surgery and medical weight loss for patients with diabetes with BMI between 30-35 – category currently excluded from bariatric surgery coverage through insurance.

The study clearly shows that surgeries, such as gastric sleeve and/or gastric bypass are superior for resolution or improvement in management of diabetes, amount of weight loss and maintained in 5 years, which is a long time, when it comes to statistical accuracy.

Overall it proves what we at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons of Morris have known for a long time,- gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are safe and work better for diabetic patients, than medical management, and more patients should be referred and considering it, even if insurance doesn’t cover it, because diabetes is a deadly disease and people shouldn’t be playing with their lives, when it comes to it.

We offer very reasonably priced self-pay packages, when insurance doesn’t cover surgery, and it is tax-deductible and “pays for itself” in less than 2 years, when you compare cost of medications, sick days, etc.

To read the full article, click here to download.

Incidence and Prognosis of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

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I came across an interesting article today about improvements in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with weight loss surgery. I am proud to say that we at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons of Morris have known for many years about benefits of metabolic surgeries, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as the fact that gastric banding really doesn’t have a positive impact on these conditions.

And now one of the most reputable medical journals – JAMA, published an article, which confirms what we already know and have been advocating – we give patients an excellent tool, be it sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, and combined with healthy diet, rich in protein and fiber, as well as plenty of water, they are looking to have improvement or even resolution of these conditions and much better quality of life.

Please click here to read the full article.

Effectiveness of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass in the Resolution of Diabetes

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We at ALSOM wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year.

As the country struggles with diabetes and the obesity epidemic, projected to only get worse, the attached article showcases effectiveness of both sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass in the resolution of diabetes, as well as excellent weight loss results.

Click here to download the study.

 

Half of the U.S. Population Will Be Obese by 2030

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Obesity remains a serious and growing health problem in the United States, contributing to heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea and even certain types of cancer. And according to the latest data, half of the U.S. population will be obese by 2030 – more than ever recorded.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers led by Zachary Ward at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed body mass index (BMI) data reported by more than 6.2 million adults who answered questions for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (BRFSS).

The findings from their approach suggest with high predictive accuracy that by 2030 nearly 1 in 2 adults will have obesity (48.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 47.7 to 50.1), and the prevalence will be higher than 50% in 29 states and not below 35% in any state. Nearly 1 in 4 adults is projected to have severe obesity by 2030 (24.2%; 95% CI, 22.9 to 25.5), and the prevalence will be higher than 25% in 25 states. We predict that, nationally, severe obesity is likely to become the most common BMI category among women (27.6%; 95% CI, 26.1 to 29.2), non-Hispanic black adults (31.7%; 95% CI, 29.9 to 33.4), and low-income adults (31.7%; 95% CI, 30.2 to 33.2).

Contact us today to learn if bariatric surgery is right for you.

 

Should Patients Lose Weight Before Undergoing Bariatric Surgery?

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From the desk of Dr. Alexander Abkin

I recently read the article, published by American College of Surgeons (ACS). It compared results of Bariatric surgery, such as Sleeve Gastrectomy and gastric bypass in patients, who were required to lose weight before surgery and who were not. It may come as a surprise to some, but some insurance companies and some Bariatric practices mandate weight loss beforehand of surgery approval. That has never been our practice routine, so to speak, unless patients surgery results (safety) can be improved, and in those patients we require them to lose about 10% of their weight, but for the most part we never (in 20 years) mandated it.

The study examined nearly 500,000 patients outcomes and found that small weight loss or no weight loss resulted in LESS complications that large weight loss prior to surgery! Again, it appears to me that our approach at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons of Morris has been the BEST PRACTICE for sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass ALL ALONG!

Click here to read the full article.

Effect of Oral Ursodeoxycholic Acid on Cholelithiasis Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

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American Society for Bariatric Surgery recently published an article which compared the chances of gallstones formation after weight loss surgery, such as sleeve gastrectomy, in 2 groups of patients- one which was given the medication to prevent it, and one which wasn’t. Conclusion was obvious, at least to us at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons of Morris – only 6% chance of gallstones with medicine, vs 40% without!

It has been our protocol for 20 years(!!!) to give the medication to ALL the patients (who still have their gallbladders) and I am very happy to report the article speaks to the fact that we always were and continue to be in the lead when it comes to care of the patients who undergo gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

Click here to read the full article.

Metabolic Surgery and Reduced Mortality in Diabetic Patients

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I recently reviewed the article, which compared mortality in patients with Type 2 Diabetes who underwent Metabolic Surgery, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, in comparison to medical management.

Results are summarized below – and they are almost frightening to me, as a Bariatric surgeon – because surgery is so superior to medications, and yet only a small fraction of patients are being referred for surgery! Yet we see commercials on TV advertising these medications all the time, with majority of patients depicted being morbidity obese!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ARTICLE:

  • Metabolic surgery reduces mortality in patients with T2D compared to medical therapy
  • Both overall and cardiovascular mortality are reduced by > 66%
  • The risk for non-lethal cardiovascular events is also reduced by about two-thirds
  • These findings support the pivotal role of metabolic surgery in the treatment of T2D

Click here to read the study

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Weight Loss Seminar for a Healthier You

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Interested in losing weight and improving your overall health? JFK For Life can offer the tools, treatment and ongoing support you need to control your weight and become a healthier YOU. Read more

Predictive factors of complications in revisional gastric bypass surgery

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I recently reviewed the article about correlation between length of surgery and complications in Bariatric surgery.

It compared outcomes in patients who had gastric bypass and gastric sleeve done. As expected by me, conclusion was that surgeries which took longer that 1.5 hours for gastric bypass and an hour for sleeve gastrectomy will possibly be linked to complications.

Good news for our patients at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons of Morris is that both myself and Dr. Jawed are very efficient in the operation, leading to the operative times much less that discussed in the article. So, as one commercial says, “you are in good hands”!

Click here for the full article

Turkey Meat Sauce

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For the meat sauce:

  • 1 pack of ground turkey
  • 1 jar of roasted garlic tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 1 tsp. Pepper
  • 1 tsp. Garlic powder
  • 1tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 large onion
  1. Sauté the onion until translucent
  2. Add in the turkey and brown until cooked all the way through, drain excess fat
  3. Add in the jar of sauce plus half jar of water
  4. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning
  5. Stir well
  6. Simmer for 15 mins
  7. Serve over spaghetti squash