January 2020 - Lap-band

If you’ve ever followed any specific weight loss plans, it’s most likely you probably never thought to incorporate sleep into the plan. Most likely, you probably thought about getting up earlier and actually sacrificing sleep to get an extra workout in, staying up longer so you could burn more calories, or skipping power naps in the middle of the day because you thought it made you lazy. Contrary to what you might have thought in the past, studies show that sleep plays an important role in weight loss and helping you stick to your health goals.

Far too many adults report that they don’t get enough sleep each night. It’s suggested that as many as one third of American adults receive under six hours of sleep per night. For some, poor sleep may be the missing link when it comes to reaching weight loss goals. Poor sleep has been linked to obesity through the years. While everyone’s sleep patterns and requirements differ, studies show that getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night is linked to weight changes. One review even concluded that inadequate sleep increased obesity risk by 55% in adults. Weight gain can also aggravate sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. As a result, sleep quality can decline even further.

Have you ever noticed that after a poor nights’ sleep, you wake up craving all the foods you know you probably shouldn’t be eating? That’s because ghrelin, a hormone that signals to your brain that you are hungry, is higher when you get less sleep. Leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, is lower when you don’t get adequate sleep. This makes you more likely to overeat or feel hungrier. Similarly, being deprived of sleep can dull the activity of the part of your brain that controls decision-making, the frontal lobe. At the same time, the reward centers of your brain are activated by food when you are sleep-deprived. This may cause you to indulge your cravings for foods that are calorie-laden, fattening, and full of sugar. Because your self control is inhibited, your caloric intake may increase.

Some studies show that inadequate sleep may lower your metabolism. One study even suggests that poor sleep can cause muscle loss. You may also feel less motivated to exercise.

All in all, your body performs at a higher level when you’re fully rested. Make quality sleep an important part of your routine, and you may notice fewer cravings, more energy, and a healthy weight change.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sleep-and-weight-loss#section5

If you’re a smoker and you’re considering bariatric surgery, there are a few things you should know first.

Most smokers already know a slew of reasons why they should quit smoking. However, if you are hoping to get bariatric surgery, it’s one more reason to consider quitting smoking. The bad habit can lead to a slew of diseases and it will have an impact on quality of living, especially the longer you smoke. You may have problems with poor blood supply, high blood pressure, blood clots that can lead to strokes, heart problems, lung problems, and a slew of different cancers, such as lung cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Depending on the type of bariatric surgery you opt for, there will be fewer blood vessels going to the stomach. Smoking already causes issues with narrowing blood vessels, and because of this, the blood vessels carry less oxygen. This means that continuing to smoke after bariatric surgery can be extremely dangerous. The risk for ulcers, gastritis, and strictures increase. Less oxygen will reach your surgical wound, meaning it may heal more slowly and is more at-risk of becoming infected. There is also an association between tobacco use and respiratory problems following bariatric surgery. Recovery will be more difficult if you’re a smoker. One study showed that smokers, as compared to their nonsmoking counterparts, were 1.5 times more likely to develop surgery-related problems within one month of surgery.

Doctors recommend that you stop smoking cigarettes and using any tobacco products approximately six to eight weeks before your surgery, if not even sooner. The sooner you quit, the more you lower your risk of problems after surgery. Every smoker that decides to pursue weight-loss surgery will be counseled on the risks of smoking before and after surgery, as well as the health benefits of quitting.

Smoking is considered a surgical risk factor for bariatric surgery, so if weight-loss surgery is in your future, it’s time to make a change.

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Do you want to learn to love going for bike rides again, or taking a stroll after dinner? Do you want to have the energy to play with your kids in the yard all afternoon, or finally take that yoga class your best friend has been talking about? You may feel like your size is holding you back, and after many failed diets or weight reduction plans, you’re considering your options. If bariatric surgery, like the non-anatomy altering Lap-Band® Procedure, has crossed your mind, you must first understand why it could be right for you. There are certain requirements you must meet before moving forward with the Lap-Band System.

Obesity

In order to qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure, you must have a specific Body Mass Index (BMI) that puts you in the obese or extremely obese category. BMI, which is a simple calculation that uses a person’s height and weight, should be at least 40kg/m2. If you have one or more comorbid obesity-related conditions, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure if you have a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2.

Comorbid diseases

If you have any obesity-related comorbid diseases or conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure. Weight loss can often reverse or improve the symptoms of these diseases.

Multiple failed weight-loss attempts

If you have tried and failed multiple consecutive diets or weight reduction alternatives, you may qualify for the Lap-Band Procedure. Diets or weight reduction methods include supervised diets, strict exercise regimens, or behavior modification programs.

Patients who elect to undergo the Lap-Band Procedure must make the commitment to making major lifestyle changes, including significant changes to their diet. If you want to learn more about Lap-Band and if it’s right for you, speak to a specialist by calling 1-800-LAPBAND.

Getting ready to have your Lap-Band® Procedure done? Your specialist has talked to you about what to expect, and the changes you’ll need to implement, but it’s always great to have a refresher.

Before surgery

Before your surgery, you’ll have initial meetings with your specialist and other experts. You’ll talk in detail about the procedure, and they’ll help you understand what happens before and after the operation. Some of the other experts you may meet with could include a dietitian and a psychologist.

After these initial meetings, you’ll have a presurgical meeting with a specialist and anesthetist. You’ll discuss your entire medical history, from your past and current illnesses, to illnesses and injuries, to allergies to medications. During this time, it is crucial that you disclose all your health conditions. You should also ask all the questions you have at this time.

Getting ready for surgery

There are a slew of tests that you’ll need to have completed before your surgery that are designed to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery. Tests include chest X-rays, a blood pressure test, and blood tests.

At this point, you can begin collecting the items you’ll need for the day of your surgery and the days following. That includes loose-fitting clothes, a small pillow to guard your injection site from the seatbelt on your car ride home, a list of your medications and at least a two days’ supply of each, and insurance information. At home, make sure you have broth, ice chips, skim milk, and sugar-free popsicles and fruit juice.

The day prior

The day before your surgery, you’ll have a more specific set of instructions from your specialist. For instance, you may be instructed to refrain from eating or drinking anything the night prior.

At the hospital

You may go to the hospital or surgery center the night prior to your surgery or the morning of your surgery. The important thing is that you arrive well in advance of your procedure. Be sure to bring someone with you that can stay with you and safely bring you home.

You’ll receive general anesthesia for the surgery, which will take around two to three hours (though the procedure itself takes less than an hour). Typically, the procedure is completed laparoscopically, but sometimes the specialist may need to change to an open procedure. If this happens, you’ll need to spend more time in the hospital, and there will be more recovery time. This doesn’t happen often, but your doctor will talk to you about this.

After the surgery

You may feel some pain around the cuts upon waking from the anesthesia. It’s usually described as a dull ache that can be relieved with normal painkillers and fades within a couple days. The staff will get you moving to prevent any issues like blood clots or bedsores. Typically, you will leave the hospital within one day. Your health team may check to make sure your band is in the correct place and that the stomach outlet is open using a fluoroscope.

Once you’re home, you’ll start your weight-loss journey with the prescribed plan from your surgeon or dietitian.

Source:

LAP-BAND System: Surgical Aid in the Treatment of Obesity: A Decision Guide for Adults

Did you know that, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, after not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight is the best thing you can do to lower your risk of getting cancer? Being overweight or obese increases the risk for at least 12 cancers, including mouth, liver, kidney, stomach, colorectal, prostate, esophageal, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, and endometrial. Approximately 7 in 10 Americans are overweight or obese. The scary thing is, only about 52% of Americans are aware of the link between obesity and cancer.

Studies showing the link between obesity and cancer come from cohort studies, which are a type of observational study. The results from an observational study can be difficult, because there are other ways in which overweight and obese individuals could differ from individuals at a healthy weight. The study doesn’t determine that, which is why only a link can be established, and not causality. However, consistent results show that higher body fat is linked to an increased risk of a slew of different cancers. Risks for obese individuals are usually twice as high for endometrial, esophageal, liver, and kidney cancer versus normal-weight people. The risks for those who are extremely obese are higher.

There are several reasons that obesity may increase the risk for certain cancers. Some believe it has to do with chronic low-level inflammation, which is common among obese individuals. Over time, this can lead to DNA damage, which leads to cancer. High levels of estrogen are linked to increased risk of some cancers, like breast cancer, and fat tissue produces excess estrogen. Fat cells also produce adipokines, which are hormones that can stimulate or inhibit cell growth.

Obese people can also have increased insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1, which may increase the risk of certain cancers.

It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, complete with a balanced diet and exercise, to lower your risk of these cancers. Fewer studies have looked into the association between weight loss and cancer risks. However, studies completed on obese individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery reveal that their risk for obesity-related cancers is lower than their counterparts who did not have bariatric surgery.

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By now, you’ve probably completed some research on several bariatric weight-loss procedures. Of course, you’ve probably run across a few myths about Lap-Band®. It’s time to set the record straight and find out the truth.

Myth #1: The band doesn’t work

When compared to Gastric Bypass surgery, there’s the common misconception that the Lap-Band doesn’t work as well. Weight loss may be more gradual with the band than with Gastric Bypass, but it is still effective and much safer. Recent improvements in the surgical technique and aftercare have improved results. Some studies even show that the Lap-Band is more successful than Gastric Bypass after five years.

Myth #2: Weight loss isn’t long-term

Studies of participants up to 20 years after surgery show that weight loss is both substantial and long-term. This is a substantial difference between a medical weight-loss program, which doesn’t show durable results beyond 2 years.

Myth #3: Reoperations are needed

In a study, reoperations were common in all types of bariatric surgery. With improved band and surgical techniques, band reoperation has become far less common. A new technique means that there is less post-operative pain and easier band adjustments. Outcomes are far better.

Myth #4: Removal rates are high

In a December 2018 Dixon study, removal rates were only 8.74% (95% CI; 6.6% – 10.9%). The improved Lap-Band and surgical techniques have greatly reduced removal rates.

Myth #5: The port will set off metal detectors

Airport detectors vary, but typically, the port under the skin that administers the saline solution to the band is not likely to set off airport metal detectors during the first walk-through. If a patient is also wearing other metal, the combination may set it off. The port will be picked up more often than not when a secondary screening with a wand is completed. The port or band is also not an issue during an MRI test.

Myth #7: The band is filled with air

The band is adjusted using a sterile saline solution.

If you have any further questions about the Lap-Band Procedure, call 1-800-LAPBAND and talk to a specialist.

Sources:

“Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Weight Loss at 10 or More Years for All Bariatric Procedures and a Single-Centre Review of 20-Year Outcomes After Adjustable Gastric Banding” by Paul E. O’Brien, Annemarie Hindle, Leah Brennan, Stewart Skinner, Paul Burton, et al.
http://bariatrictimes.com/myth-myth-yes-top-10-myths-about-laparoscopic-gastric-bands/
Dixon JB, Eaton LL, Currry T, et. al. “Health Outcomes and Explant Rates After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: A Phase 4, Multicenter Study Over 5 Years.” Obesity (2018) 26, 45-52.