Obesity surgery

Today, there are several surgical procedures used for achieving weight loss. The most common are the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or simply, the gastric bypass and the Lap-Band, or adjustable gastric banding system.

Gastric Bypass is the most common form of weight loss surgery in the United States because it results in reliable weight loss with acceptable risks and minimal side effects. In gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon staples off a large section of the stomach, leaving a tiny pouch. Patients simply can't eat as much as they did before surgery, because this small pouch can only accommodate a few ounces of food at a time, and they subsequently lose weight. Additionally, because most of the stomach and some of the small intestine has been bypassed, some of the nutrients and calories in your foods will not be absorbed. Appropriate candidates for this surgery are those who are 100 pounds or more overweight.

It is important that patients who have had a gastric bypass procedure make a lifelong commitment to making the necessary changes in their diet. This includes maintaining an adequate intake of protein, taking vitamin and mineral supplements including a multivitamin, B12, iron and calcium, and avoiding sweets and fatty foods.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery

Since 1997, the Center for Obesity Surgery has been performing a laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure. In laparoscopic surgeries, surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions rather than a large one. Patients benefit by having a faster recovery time than with traditional surgery, a lower risk of hernia, and less scarring. Laparoscopic surgery also protects the patient's immune function, whereas open surgery can compromise the immune system and even promote the growth of any existing tumors. Possible complications of bowel obstruction and leaks should be discussed with your physician.

Success Rates for Gastric Bypass Surgery

Weight loss surgery is considered successful when 50% of excess weight is lost and the loss sustained up to five years. For example, a patient who is 100 pounds overweight should lose at least 50 pounds; a patient who is 200 pounds overweight should lose at least 100 pounds. And they should be able to maintain loss successfully for the following five years.

Estimated weight loss in the first 1- 2 years after a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is approximately 1/2 to 2/3rd of excess weight. 50% excess weight loss has been documented 10 years and more after Gastric Bypass.

Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery achieves weight loss by decreasing intestinal absorption of food; instead of following its usual path, food bypasses a portion of the stomach and small bowel. In addition to surgical complications, some people experience long-term deficiencies of vitamin B12, folate, and iron. "Dumping syndrome," in which the consumption of sugar causes abdominal cramping and diarrhea, can also occur. Some people will also regain some weight in subsequent years.

Mini Gastric-bypass Weight Loss Surgery

30 Minute Surgery May Resolve Severe Obesity and Help Deal with Deadly Epidemic of Obesity Sweeping Nation

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the U.S. obesity epidemic puts millions at risk from obesity related diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack stroke, cancer and more. According to the WHO an escalating epidemic of obesity is sweeping the U.S. and many other countries in the world. Further they state "if action is not taken now millions of people will develop diseases and other serious life threatening health disorders that will lead hundreds of thousands of deaths in America."

Many are now turning to surgery as a treatment for severe obesity. A variety of operations are being offered but the complications and problems of the various types of available surgery leave much to be desired.

The Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) is a minimally invasive, short, simple, successful and inexpensive laparoscopic gastric bypass weight loss surgery. The operation usually takes an average of 30 min., hospitalization usually less than 24 hours. The Mini Gastric Bypass has been shown to be low risk, it has excellent long term weight loss, there is minimal pain and when necessary can be easily reversed or revised. People from all fifty states across America and around the world are choosing the MGB as the "Best Choice in Bariatric Surgery."

Dr. Rutledge, following a twenty year career as a professor of surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is the innovative surgeon behind the MGB. Dr. Rutledge is the most highly recommended weight loss surgeon on the independent, nationally recognized ObesityHelp.com web site.

In a recent independent controlled prospective randomized study Dr. Rutledge's MGB was shown to outperform the standard "RNY gastric bypass." In a head to head comparison the MGB had shorter operative times, fewer complications and weight loss as good as or better than the standard "RNY gastric bypass." In addition an independent analysis of the outcomes of the MGB by three certified public accounting (CPA) firms confirm the MGB has excellent weight loss, patient satisfaction and resolution of obesity associated medical illness.

Dr. Rutledge has performed over 2,600 cases and surgeons across the U.S. and around the world are adopting the new MGB technique. Surgeons and hospitals are now offering the MGB in North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Arkansas, California as well as around the world in Mexico, Spain, Brazil and Taiwan. New hospitals are planning to offer the MGB in Louisiana, Texas, Nevada and New York. In Canada the Ontario Health Service is approving patients to come to the U.S. for the MGB. As Susan Bell the 2,000th MGB said "Imagine, my surgery took only 15 minutes, I had no pain, was up and out of bed walking two hours after surgery and was out of the hospital less than 24 hours later!"

Costs are always a major issue. According to a recent USA Today article weight loss surgery usually costs about $24,000. In contrast the total cost for the MGB is only $17,000.

Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery has many forms and can involve stapling and banding of the stomach as well as bypassing a portion of the small intestine. The most popular method today is a combination-approach that staples the stomach into a small pouch while reattaching the small intestine to the pouch forming a Y-shape so patients lose weight both because they eat less and their bodies absorb less of what they eat.

Mini gastric bypass surgery is less invasive than traditional gastric bypass surgery. By using a laparoscope, the surgeon does not have to make any large incisions in the abdomen thus lowering the risk of large surgical scars or hernia. The procedure also differs from other gastric bypass procedures in significant ways.

As opposed to the popular Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, which staples the stomach to create a small pouch after which a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is then attached to allow food to bypass the lower stomach and first part of the small intestine, the mini gastric bypass is a newer and somewhat simpler procedure. The stomach is similarly stapled but instead of a small pouch, it is formed into a narrow tube, which is then attached directly to the small intestine about six feet from its starting point, thus also bypassing the initial highly absorptive section.

The benefits of Mini gastric bypass surgery are a shorter, less invasive operation and quicker recovery time. Like traditional gastric bypass surgery, mini gastric bypass surgery is only for the morbidly obese who have not been able to lose and maintain weight loss after significant efforts at lifestyle change in the form of diet and exercise.

Selecting wedding shoes

Quite often the bride-to-be takes her wedding shoes as seriously as her dress and for good reason! It's what some call the Cinderella and the slipper syndrome, and for many brides a beautiful pair or wedding shoes, not only compliments here attire, but also adds to the dreaminess of that special day.

If you listen to tradition it tells us that wedding shoes should be very white, very feminine, and stunningly beautiful. I agree with all but the very white part, as not all brides choose the pure white dress anymore as more of the popular, softer shades of white, are hitting the isles, such as pearl white, apple, white, rose white, and a variety of cream colors.

Most important is that a bride's wedding shoes should be ultra comfortable and coordinate with her dress and tiara. Therefore, her shoes should be taken into careful consideration during the selection process. When you think about it, a traditional wedding is a long day, and for the happy couple there's lots of standing around greeting and meeting, dancing and all the rest of it.

But bridal shoes are not simply limited to standard stilettos, pumps, mules, and kitten heels in ivory and satin, and when you visit the wedding specialist, you will surely see a whole variety of new and beautiful shoes that have been designed specifically for the occasion.

Choosing the right shoes should not be left until the last minute as they're not as easy to buy as normal type of shoes, and you may also want to break them in a little before the big day. But take it easy, as too many young brides get into a right tiff when selecting their wedding shoes, and for some unknown reason there is statistically more stress over choosing the shoes than the dress.

Looking for that perfect pair of wedding shoes has never been easier as we're no longer restricted to the local shops now that the internet has opened the doors to its virtual high street. Here, you will surely find any style you're looking for as the internet has the largest range of bridal shoes available. To ensure the experience doesn't become an overwhelming one that just adds to the stress and excitement of it all, make a short list of what you want from a shoe before you even begin your search.

The final choice of wedding shoes should be left to the bride herself. When all said and done, it's her big day and her life-long dream, and although opinions are usually very welcome, they should not be forced on the anxious young woman.

Remember, her idea of a stylish collection may be totally different from yours mother! After all, you are of a different generation and your thoughts of bridal footwear may be far removed from hers. If mother, or mother-in-law, don't like her choice of shoes, I think they should button their lips and let the dream commence for the soon-to-be bride.