If you have been anxious to learn more about how bariatric weight loss surgery can change your life, then join Clarian Bariatrics' Indianapolis surgeons and staff on Saturday, November 7 for a FREE informational seminar.
You, and your family and friends, are invited to learn more about the different types of weight loss surgery procedures (Gastric Bypass and Lap Band), learn about the insurance process and ask questions about the health risks caused by obesity.
The seminar is from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and we cannot wait to meet you! Learn more and RSVP,
by clicking here!
Are you looking to gather more information on weight loss surgery? Have you wanted to ask questoins about bariatric surgery costs, types of weight loss surgery (including Lap Band and Gastric Bypass) and the Indiana insurance approval process?
Then consider joining us for a FREE informational weight loss seminar on Thursday October 29 at 6:30 pm in Cicero, Indiana at 1160 South Peru Street, State Road 19. You can register online at
ACallToChange.org.
Also, feel free to bring as many of your friends and loved ones along to hear our Indianapolis-based bariatric surgeons discuss the process. See you there!
This operation is the most common and successful malabsorptive surgery. First, a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This bypass reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. It is the primary surgery performed by The Clarian Bariatric Center.
This operation can be performed either by a traditional open surgery or laparoscopically, a relatively new technology using a small video camera and a few customized instruments to perform surgery with minimal tissue damage. The Roux-en-Y technique is generally more effective in reversing health problems associated with severe obesity. Patients who have malabsorptive operations generally lose two-thirds of their excess weight within two years.
We recently received a blog comment asking about the cost of a typical procedure. While there are many variables as each patient is different, I thought I would re-run the posting as a way to answer some additional questions.
I am often asked by prospective patients the price of Bariatric surgery. I try to give a ball park figure, but it is a price that I cannot quote exactly. Prior to surgery we verify the benefits available to each patient with their insurance plan. If insurance is not an option, I offer the patient the cash pay rate. This is not one fee for all; you will receive a balance of approximately $26,000
A portion of this will be due before surgery (two weeks) the remaining balance will be in different bills. Pre-operative testing, anesthesia, surgeon fees, etc…I cannot give an exact figure as each patient has different mitigating factors affecting their procedures. Different co-morbidities require different tests for example. If you have any additional questions about bariatric surgery financing, gastric bypass costs and other fees related to weight loss surgyer, please do not hesitate to call us at 317-275-7010 or attend a
FREE seminar.
Bariatric surgery is recognized as the most effective and durable method for persons who are morbidly obese to lose their excess weight and keep it off for many years. It is NOT a quick fix. It is NOT taking the "easy way out."
The benefits of bariatric surgery are numerous:
Longer Life – Studies show that gastric bypass surgery can improve your life expectancy by as much as 89%.
Reduced Health Problems – Severe obesity is associated with at least 50 diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, fatty liver, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, gout and various skeletal and joint problems. Bariatric surgery has been proven extremely successful in eliminating or dramatically reducing most of these health problems. For example, 80% of non-insulin dependent diabetics are cured as a result of gastric bypass. Sleep apnea patients enjoy uninterrupted sleep within a year of surgery, and half of the patients with high blood pressure come of their medications within a few months of surgery.
Psychological Benefits – Bariatric surgery can also help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with obesity. With a new self-image, issues like depression and fear of social situations can be overcome. A new desire and ability to interact with family and friends is also a common benefit following bariatric treatment.
Want to learn more about how Indiana weight loss surgery can help you? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar where Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff will discuss treatment options. Learn more by
clicking here.
If you have been considering learning more about bariatric surgery centers in Indiana or the various forms of weight loss surgery - including gastric bypass and Lap Band - please consider joining us at a FREE information seminar tonight at
Clarian Bariatrics.
You, and your support person, are invited to listen to Indiana Weight Loss Doctors talk about the many benefits of bariatric surgery and how you can break the cycle of obesity and reclaim your life!
Seminar begins at 6:30 p.m. at our Indianapolis clinic located at 6625 Network Way, Suite 100. Please call us toll free at 877-275-2555 for more information. You can also register by clicking on the image to the right of this post.
See you tonight!
I saw this posting in the
Detroit Free Press and thought it was full of wonderful information for those individuals considering weight loss surgery in Indiana or elsewhere in the state. I will post the first few paragraphs below and you can find full text on questions related to
bariatric weight loss surgery by clicking the link.
Question: I am 5 feet 6 and weigh 240 pounds. I also have Type 2 diabetes. I know I need to lose weight, but knee problems have kept me from exercising, and weight-loss medications haven't helped. I'm now thinking about weight-loss surgery.
Answer: When diet, exercise and medication have little effect, the best option may be weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery.
An estimated 220,000 people had bariatric surgery in 2008, and nearly 30% of them had diabetes. For most, the surgery cures their diabetes, meaning their blood sugar returns to normal levels and they no longer need diabetes medications.
The two most widely used procedures, gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding, lead to substantial weight loss. Although slightly more risky, the bypass procedure leads to greater and faster weight loss. It's also more effective in resolving diabetes and other health complications than the banding procedure. In fact, diabetes resolves in more than 84% of people who undergo gastric bypass.
Below is text from a recent article I found on the American Diabetes Association Web site that I thought was interesting. Now there is scientific proof that exercise can make you happier!
People who engage in moderate physical activity in the months after bariatric surgery report fewer mental health issues than those who exercise less, according to research reported at the Annual Scientific Meeting of NAASO, The Obesity Society, held October 20–24 in Boston.
Kathryn E. Henderson, PhD, and colleagues at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., conducted a study of 134 patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery. The patients—140 females and 14 males—were extremely obese, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 51.7.
The participants completed a battery of self-reported measures before surgery, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The evaluations sought detailed information about physical activity, depression, self-image, and a range of mental and physical health issues.
Responses were divided into three groups: No exercise, physical activity one to three times per week, and physical activity four or more times per week.
In general, patients with lower BMI tended to exercise more. While exercise levels rose overall postoperatively, <50% of participants reported moderate physical activity at 6 and 12 months.
According to the researchers, the most physically active group of patients reported the lowest psychosocial stress. Those who engaged in moderate physical activity at least four times per week reported superior physical and mental health, had fewer depressive symptoms, and reported higher self-esteem than nonexercisers.
Benefits of weight loss surgery are lower blood pressure, remission of diabetes, decreased risk of heart disease, lower blood cholesterol level, etc. as we all know, every benefit has a potential risk. A recent article in the Journal of Urology looked at the risk of kidney stones and gastric bypass surgery.
4,639 patients who underwent bypass surgery and 4,369 obese patients in a control group who didn’t have bariatric surgery were followed for four years. Of those, 4.6 percent of the control group developed kidney stones versus 7.7 percent of the bypass surgery group developed stones. This is a slight increase risk of developing kidney stones after bariatric weight loss surgery.
Prevention of kidney stones requires staying hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of fluid each day. This will prevent concentrating your urine which will decrease risk of kidney stones. If possible learn what type of kidney stones that you may be at risk of developing –calcium based kidney stone may require you to watch your intake of dairy products or if it is oxalate based may require you to limit your intake of dark green vegetables (spinach, kale,) and herbal teas. Consult with your primary care doctor if you suspect you are at risk of kidney stones.
I found this great article/video on the
Empowered Doctor Web site and wanted to share it with you all. Click on the link above to view the video, while I have shared text from the article below.
Patients who incorporated regular physical activity into their lives after bariatric surgery lost more weight and had better general health and vitality and less depression and anxiety than those who were inactive, a recent study shows.
"Bariatric surgery is quickly emerging as a standard treatment for severe obesity, although weight loss outcomes vary. These results suggest that patient behavior, particularly physical activity, may promote both enhanced weight loss and greater improvements in health-related quality of life following bariatric surgery," said lead author Dale Bond, of the Miriam Hospital's Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine.
The study was performed on about 190 patients who underwent gastric bypass operations at Virginia Commonwealth University. They filled out a questionnaire to provide an assessment of their physical activity levels both before surgery and one year afterward.
To categorize which patients were "active," the researchers decided on a minimum of 200 minutes of weekly physical activity (which included walking, as well as sports or exercise of a moderate or vigorous intensity). Participants also completed questionnaires that measured aspects of their health-related quality of life, such as physical or emotional problems, bodily pain, general health, energy levels, social functioning and mental health.
Researchers noted that exercise boosted progress toward all of the goals of bariatric surgery. Those patients who went from almost no weekly activity to 200 minutes or more lost 13.2 pounds more than their inactive counterparts.
They also lowered their body-mass index by two units more and reduced their overall weight by 8 percent more than those who didn't increase their exercise levels. The active group also experienced more improvements in general health, vitality, depression and anxiety symptoms compared with those who stayed inactive.
Whether you are a current/former patient or someone who is interested in learning more about Indiana weight loss surgery, there are tons of events happening at
Clarian Bariatrics this week!
Support GroupsWe will be having the following support groups this week!
- Clarian Health Cicero located at 1160 South Peru St., SR 19 in Cicero. Support group is held on the second Thursday of the month from 6 - 7 p.m.
- Pre-Surgery Coping Skills Group held each Thursday at the Clarian Bariatrics clinic from 4 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. This group is designed to explore changing family and friend relationships and social situations, including how to survive eating in social situations, how to respond to people who "push" food on you, and how to cope with people's reactions to your new weight loss and lifestyle. This group is free, but we ask that you please call 317-275-7010 or 877-275-2555 prior to attending.
Exercise ClassesWe will be holding the following exercise classes this week!
"Walk the Talk" Walking Group - Join us weekly for a walking program and support group that will help you burn calories, make friends and keep you on track with your goals. We meet every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic. At these group we will walk, talk and get fit together! Feel free to bring a sack lunch and chat with us during a support group meeting after the walk. Make sure you bring a water bottle and wear your good tennis shoes! In addition to our weekly walks, we participate as a team in charity walks related to disease prevention and research. There is a small cost for to sign-up for the walks, but the experience is priceless. If you cannot make it to Clarian Bariatrics every week to walk with us, feel free to keep up with a walking program and join us for the charity walks as often as you can!
FREE Informational SeminarsIndividuals will have two opportunities to learn about bariatric surgery this week. On Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13 you are invited to hear Indianapolis bariatric surgeons discuss the benefits of weight loss surgery procedures including gastric bypass and the Lap Band. Learn more by
clicking here!
Another great article from the Advisory board regarding common questions/concerns individuals have prior to undergoing weight loss surgery. I have put the highlights below, but would welcome anyone interested in bariatric surgery to visit us at an upcoming FREE seminar to ask even more questions. Dates can be found at
ACallToChange.org.
Addressing earlier concerns about the safety of bariatric surgery, a study published yesterday in New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) finds that the overall risk of death and other adverse outcomes among patients who have the procedures is low, although the risks vary considerably depending on patient characteristics.
For the study, a researcher from the University of Washington in Seattle and colleagues conducted a prospective multicenter observational study involving 4,776 first-time bariatric surgery patients who had procedures at 10 U.S. hospitals.
...The researchers found that among the patients who had gastric-bypass or gastric-banding procedures, the 30-day mortality rate was 0.3% and a composite outcome consisting of mortality, deep vein thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, reintervention, or failure to be discharged within 30 days after surgery occurred in 4.1% of patients. None of the patients who underwent gastric banding procedures died, while 0.2% of patients who had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass died and 2.1% of the patients who had open Roux-en-Y died.
...Commenting on the findings, the researchers suggest that providers discussing bariatric surgery with patients should examine the short-term risks of the procedure “in the context of the long-term health effects of surgically induced weight loss on coexisting health conditions, the long-term risks of the bariatric surgery itself, the competing risk of death from extreme obesity, and the relative benefits of the rate and durability of weight loss.” Meanwhile, in an accompanying editorial, a surgeon from Harvard Medical School notes that the rates of mortality and adverse outcomes seen in the study are “similar to those seen in other major operations,” adding that while the nation should strive to better treat obesity without the use of surgical interventions, “until we get to that point, the weight of the evidence indicates that bariatric surgery is safe, effective, and affordable”
Have you been interested in learning more about bariatric weight loss? Then consider joining us at a FREE weight loss surgery information session on Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. These sessions are your opportunity to have your questions answered by Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and learn about gastric bypass, Lap-Band and other types of medically-supervised weight loss procedures.
You are not alone on this journey, and we encourage you to bring family and friends along. We cannot wait to meet you at our Indianapolis location on Thursday. Please click the image to the right of this post to register.
See you there!
If you are considering weight loss surgery, there are a great many very important things to consider, such as which type of surgery, the lifetime commitment you have to make to taking care of yourself, the surgeon and so on.
I will not discuss those in this blog, but I do want to talk about two things that should NOT be a factor in the consideration for bariatric surgery. From the July 2009, issue of Obesity Action Coalition:
Loose Skin: Loose skin is a reflection of significant weight loss and it does not seem to matter if the weight-loss is slow or fast. If a gastric band patient, a sleeve patient and a gastric bypass patient all lose 150 pounds, they will ALL have some degree of loose skin.
Cost: In most markets, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are more expensive than adjustable gastric banding. While this is not important if insurance is paying for your surgery, it is important to those that have to pay for their surgery themselves. “Cash pay”
Patients should choose their operation FIRST and THEN figure out how they are going to pay for it. The decision of which type of surgery to have needs to be discussed with your surgeon as the two of you should make that choice together.
Want to learn more about Indianapolis weight loss surgery? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar, where you can hear Indiana bariatric surgeons and staff discuss the many aspects of sustainable weight loss. Click the image of the right of this page to get started.
Not a good week for women's health and obesity. The following article came across my Google alert.
Obesity may be linked to a reduced volume of gray matter in the brains of postmenopausal women, according to a new study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine.“A subset of women from the Pittsburgh Healthy Women Study (HWS) who had been followed for an average of 15 years was invited to participate in brain-imaging studies,” said lead author Isabella Soreca, MD, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. “We found that those who had gained the most weight had lower gray matter volume. Women who gain weight tend to have high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance and other health concerns that are known to affect the brain.”
Are you considering weight loss surgery? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar where you can learn about the different types of bariatric surgery (including gastric bypass and Lap Band) and hear from Indiana weight loss doctors at Clarian Bariatrics, a well-respected Indianapolis bariatric center.
Click here to view upcoming dates.
This article from
Endocrine Today, highlights one of the ongoing discussions about how bariatric surgery has been proven to cure Type 2 diabetes. We've discussed this topic on the blog before and I would encourage anyone with the disease to talk with your physician about how weight loss surgery may help your condition. The first few paragraphs are below and full text can be found
here.
A surgeon argued today that the criteria for bariatric surgery should be changed, allowing more overweight people to undergo the procedure.
Even though there is a 92% reduction in diabetes-specific mortality risk after gastric bypass, only a small percentage of patients who could benefit are eligible to undergo the procedure, Francesco A. Rubino, MD, said. Those with a BMI greater than 40 are eligible for the procedure; those with a BMI greater than 35 are eligible only if comorbidities are present. “These criteria should change,” he said.
Rubino, chief of gastrointestinal metabolic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and head of the Diabetes Surgery Center at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College, also argued that the success of gastric bypass surgery “challenges the idea that diabetes is chronic and irreversible.”
The outcomes of the surgical procedure suggest an intestinal contribution to diabetes pathophysiology. Diabetes may be a “dysfunction of the bowel,” he said.
The following factors will be considered in determining if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery:
- You have tried to lose weight by changing your eating habits and exercise and are still severely obese.
- You are unable to perform routine daily activities without being seriously affected.
- You understand the procedure and the lifestyle changes you will need to make after bariatric surgery.
- You are motivated to make a lifelong behavioral commitment that includes well-balanced meals and physical exercise.
- You understand that this surgery won't solve all your problems, but can make you healthier -- and probably much happier.
Before patients undergo surgery for morbid obesity, they must qualify for our bariatrics program. Our basic program guidelines are:
- Being 100 pounds or more over your "ideal body weight," according to the established weight charts.
- Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 with no co-morbidities or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities.
- Being able and willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes.
Learn more by attending a FREE informational session. Sessions are held at Clarian Bariatrics' Indianapolis location and include discussions with surgeons and weight loss specialists about the types of bariatric surgery - including Lap Band and Gastric Bypass - and the costs associated with surgery. Visit our
Web site for more information and for dates and times.
Bariatric surgery is now accepted as the best and most effective treatment for morbid obesity. About 65 percent of all bariatric surgery patients are able to lose their excess weight and keep it off for more than five years.
When you consider that only approximately two percent of nonsurgical treatment patients are able to lose and keep off their weight for more than a year, you can appreciate these surgical results.
Health problems resolved or improved after surgery:
- 86 percent diabetes
- 70 percent high cholesterol
- 78 percent high blood pressure
- 84 percent sleep apnea
Expected weight loss (weight loss occurs for 18-24 months after surgery — mostly in first year):
- Lap-band surgery — 40-48 percent excess weight loss (national avg. = 47 percent)
- Gastric bypass surgery — 65-80 percent excess weight loss (national avg. = 62 percent)
- Duodenal switch — excess weight loss (national avg. = 70 percent)
Learn more about how weight loss surgery can change your life, by attending a FREE Indianapolis surgical weight loss seminar. Dates and times can be found by clicking on the image at the right of this page.
Just a reminder that we are holding a FREE informational seminar at Clarian Bariatrics today at 10 a.m. Even if you didn't get a chance to pre-register, you can still stop by and meet our Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff.
At the seminar, you can also learn more about bariatric surgery costs, the bariatric surgery process and the different procedures including gastric bypass and Lap-Band. And, you can bring as many support people along as you like.
The seminar will be held at our Indianapolis location at 6625 Network Way, Suite 100. See you there!
Following up on a post from Wednesday, below are the benefits of weight loss surgery discussed by Dr. Gonzalez in a recent news article in a medical journal. Cardiovascular BenefitsCompared to patients undergoing conventional dietary regimens, patients undergoing bariatric surgery have lower incidence rates of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and high blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Type 2 DiabetesThe first reports that weight loss through bariatric surgery improves type 2 diabetes were published in 1982. Improvement occurs in over 80 percent of patients, depending on the type of bariatric operation performed. An interesting phenomenon was described following gastric bypass surgery: diabetes disappears even before substantial weight loss is achieved. This triggered investigations regarding hormonal changes occurring following the intestinal disconnection, one of the most promising fields in the search for the cure of diabetes even in non-obese people.
Obstructive Sleep ApneaObesity is the single most important factor for developing obstructive sleep apnea, a disease characterized by limited oxygen supply and diminished pulmonary ventilation resulting in pulmonary hypertension and respiratory insufficiency. Bariatric surgery reduces the incidence of sleep apnea to less than one third before surgery.
Risk of Developing CancerObesity is responsible for at least 20 percent of cancer-related deaths in women and 14 percent in men, which represents over 90,000 people every year. A recently published study showed that patients undergoing weight loss surgery reduce the risk for developing cancer in up to 80 percent of the times. The benefits were greatest in breast cancer (85 percent) and colon cancer (75 percent). Others significantly reduced were pancreas, skin, uterus, and non-hodgkin lymphoma.
Overall Mortality and Quality of LifeObesity is second only to smoking as the most common preventable cause of death. It is estimated that life expectancy in obese patients is shortened between 10 and 20 years. Quality of life is also significantly affected. Resolution of obesity-associated diseases following bariatric surgery not only improves the quality of life, but also lengthens patients’ survival.
Join the staff at Clarian Bariatrics at a FREE informational seminar and find out how weight loss surgery can help improve your life. Visit our
Web site to view upcoming dates. We look forward to meeting you!
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