Understanding obesity. What does that mean? We hear so much about obesity in the media—and also from many people who know nothing about the disease. Yes, that’s right- I said disease. Obesity is not a lifestyle choice, it is a disease. It is not just a matter of eat less, move more. It is about finding the individualized treatment for each person to lead a healthier life.

Watch this video to understand obesity from a more biological view and why it is so hard to lose weight long term just by eating less and moving more.

Time to Act on Obesity—video link

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Hair loss and Weight Loss Surgery. Why does it happen and what can you do about it?
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One of the most common concerns following weight loss surgery is hair loss. Our hair is a large part of our appearance and body image. Having that image altered in any way is stressful for most of us. But while our hair is important to us for many psychological reasons, it is not vital to our body function. 

During certain types of bodily stress, our body will make a choice. That choice is to shift nutritional stores away from our hair and toward vital organs. Reactive hair loss from metabolic and/or hormonal changes (like we see in weight loss) is called telogen effluvium. 

Telogen effluvium does not occur from a change in your hair follicles. All hair strands go through the same life cycle— the anagen phase (growth phase) and the telogen phase (dormancy or resting phase). Each hair begins the cycle in the growth phase, then will shift into dormancy for about 100 to 120 days. After the dormancy cycle, the hair will fall out. There are no supplements or medications that you can take that will change this natural hair cycle.

During a typical period, approximately 90% of hairs are in a growth phase, which leaves 10% in dormancy. This means you do not notice a great deal of hair loss because you are growing more hair than you are losing. However, during hair loss after weight loss surgery or other bodily stressors, your body shifts nutrients towards vital functions causing the percentage of hair in the growth phase to decrease and dormancy to increase. Stressors that can cause telogen effluvium include surgery, hormonal disruption, acute weight-loss, certain medications, chronic illness (i.e. cancer), heavy metal toxicity, and high fever. 

With weight loss surgery, you have hit a trifecta of these short term ’causes’. The actual surgery, hormonal disruption, and acute weight-loss are likely the cause of the majority of hair loss. Since your body is losing hair in this acute reactive process, adding a particular vitamin or protein supplement will not aide in hair growth or hair retention. 

So what is the good news here?! Well, the reactive hair loss after weight loss surgery is not a long term condition. Typically hair loss of this sort will last between three to six months post op. Once all of the hairs that have shifted into dormancy have fallen out, you will start to notice regrowth. This regrowth is an indicator that your body has shifted back into an anagen (growth) phase. 

Now, if you notice an increase in hair loss when you are more than 1 year post op from weight loss surgery, this can be a concern for vitamin deficiencies. If you are experiencing this, please contact your surgeon and/or dietitian for care. 

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The Single Anastamosis Loop Duodenal Switch (SADS) is a weight loss surgery now offered as a surgical option at WeightWise. This surgery is a modification of a well-known and very aggressive malabsorptive operation called the Duodenal Switch. The original Duodenal Switch (DS) operation carries a higher Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DMII) resolution and higher percentage of weight loss than any of the other currently available operations; however, the original DS also carries a significantly higher rate of malnutrition and severe vitamin deficiencies. The current outcomes for SADS is based on two years of patient follow up which show lower rates of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies compared to the original DS, but with comparable weight loss and Type II Diabetes resolution. 

How the Single Anastamosis Loop Duodenal Switch Works

In the recent past, surgeons have become interested in modifying the formal DS to take advantage of its DMII resolution and excellent weight loss while minimizing the malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and diarrhea risks. The “single anastamosis DS” or SADS is the result of that research.

First, a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is preformed. The LSG restricts food intake by removing approximately 70 to 80 percent of the stomach. The stomach takes the shape of a tube or “sleeve” which is roughly the size and shape of a hot dog. The portion of stomach that is removed is one of the key areas that produces grehlin, a hormone which stimulates hunger and appetite.

Then, the intestine is divided one time just past the stomach and a “loop” of small bowel, approximately 300cm from the end, is connected to the duodenum. This creates 300cm of common channel which significantly reduces malnutrition, severe vitamin deficiencies, and diarrhea.

Is this the best surgical option for me?

Our surgeons, Dr. Walton and Dr. Broussard, will take your health history and other lifestyle factors into consideration when discussing your best surgery option. Some individual factors to consider for the SADS procedure:

• Individuals with a BMI >50kg/m2 and who have not been able to achieve successful weight loss with diet and exercise.
• Diagnosis of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.
• History of compliance with prescribed medications and vitamins.

What are the results?

Small samples of patients at two years postoperative SADS have shown >95% excess weight loss and >90% achieved complete remission of DMII. However, the longest term data is just 4 years old, so longer term weight loss, DMII resolution, and long term complications are unknown at this point.

SADS in Oklahoma City

Our clinical team at WeightWise is now offering this procedure! Sign up for one of our FREE informational seminars, with more details about the Single Anastamosis Loop Duodenal Switch and other proceedures.

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WeightWise is pleased to announce that we accept Aetna Health Plan. In the past many insurance policies didn’t cover bariatric procedures. Today, more companies are expanding coverage to pay for weight loss surgery. This is great news since bariatric surgery improves health and saves lives.

If you’re covered by Aetna, contact us if you’re considering weight loss surgery. We’ll help you determine if you’re a candidate for surgery.

Before your first consultation with WeightWise, we’ll get in touch with Aetna to verify your benefits. When you know what to expect from your insurance, you can begin to make plans for surgery.

If you have insurance from another company, or don’t have coverage, check our financial FAQ page for information about paying for weight loss surgery in Oklahoma.

Will I Qualify for Benefits From Aetna?

Even within the same company, benefits differ from plan to plan. Some types of weight loss surgery may be covered. Others may be excluded.

Aetna’s benefits are for those people for whom weight loss surgery is deemed medically necessary. Each insurance company may have different criteria to qualify for benefits. The following are some common requirements:

• Persistent, severe obesity. This is often defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40. Some people qualify for surgery when they have a BMI of more than 35 with accompanying obesity-related conditions. These conditions may include type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or hypertension.
• Repeated, failed attempts at weight loss. These efforts may need to be documented by a physician.
• Pre-surgery weight loss program. Mandatory participation in a medically supervised diet and exercise plan may be required for a specified time prior to surgery.
• Physician referral. Referrals or clearance from your primary care physician may be required.

Your particular plan may have additional or different standards.

How Do I Approach My Insurance Company?

Begin by reading your plan, calling your insurance agent or speaking with your employer’s benefits’ administrator. Be prepared with your medical records. Plan to document all your interactions with your insurance company.

The insurance experts at WeightWise will also help you. You don’t have tackle the vagaries of benefits on your own. A good place to start is by attending one of our free informational seminars. There you will learn in greater detail what you need to qualify for coverage.

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WeightWise Bariatric Program and Metabolic Center is excited to announce the addition of their new nurse practitioner, Marquis Hurst. We are thrilled to have her on the team, please join us in welcoming her to the WeightWise family!

Welcome, Marquis!

Marquis was raised in Oklahoma. Destined to go to the University of Oklahoma, she graduated there with a bachelor’s of arts in psychology in 2007. She continued her education with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with a bachelor’s of science in nursing in 2008 and a masters in nursing in 2012. While working on her master’s degree she worked at Oklahoma Heart Hospital as a registered nurse in the progressive coronary care unit.

Since graduation from her master’s program she has been working in the primary and urgent care setting providing quality care to patients across the lifespan. Marquis joins WeightWise Bariatric Program in June of 2016. She is very excited to be a part of the WeightWise team and looks forward to being directly involved in patient care as they continue their remarkable journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

In her spare time Marquis enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing tennis, and spending time with her two dogs.

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Weight loss surgery should be used more often as a treatment for diabetes recommends new guidelines. The guidelines were published recently in the journal Diabetes Care, a publication of the American Diabetes Association.

The new recommendations for using weight loss surgery for diabetes were endorsed by 45 health groups including the American Diabetes Association and the International Diabetes Federation.

Weight loss surgery’s success in dramatically improving Type 2 diabetes has been recognized in the past. The presence of diabetes and other weight-related diseases is a factor in deciding whether bariatric surgery is medically necessary for an obese person. However, the new guidelines are the first time the surgery has been recommended specifically to treat diabetes.

How Were the Guidelines Developed?

The guidelines were drawn after researchers analyzed 11 studies of diabetic patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group had weight loss surgery and the other was treated with standard care. The researchers concluded that bariatric surgery should be a regular option for some diabetes patients. The guidelines place more emphasis on control of blood sugar than on the amount of weight lost.

Bariatric surgery succeeds more often than any other treatment in helping obese people lose and keep weight off. Surgery is generally considered only after an obese patient has tried repeatedly to lose excess weight. The surgery is seen as a treatment first for obesity with improvements in comorbidities a bonus.

The new research isn’t recommending surgery for as a first option for all diabetes patient. Treatment guidelines are now recommending surgery be considered more routinely for certain patients.

Why Are the Guidelines Changing?

Experts hope the new guidelines bring greater awareness to weight loss surgery’s effectiveness at controlling Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes affects around 26 million Americans. Those who are overweight and obese have a higher risk of developing the disease that interferes with the body’s ability to convert food into energy.

Type 2 diabetes is controlled through diet, exercise, medication and insulin. Patients don’t always succeed with standard treatments. When diabetes isn’t managed, it leads to more serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation.

Losing weight improves control of Type 2 diabetes, but bariatric surgery’s benefits go beyond lost pounds. Some types of bariatric surgery help control diabetes in other ways. For instance, both gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy affect how the body handles insulin and blood sugar. The guidelines don’t recommend a particular type of weight loss surgery.

Only you and your doctors can decide if bariatric surgery is the right course for you. Learn more about the surgeries performed at WeightWise by joining us at one of our online or in-person seminars.

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Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective procedure. It’s the most successful route to permanent weight loss for those who are severely obese. Seventy percent of people who have bariatric surgery succeed in shedding 50 percent of their extra weight.

Awareness of weight loss surgery has grown in the past few decades. Scientists are continuously refining new and better techniques, such as laparoscopic surgery. At WeightWise, our surgeons complete about 99 percent of procedures using minimally invasive techniques.

Even though bariatric surgery has proven effective at promoting weight loss and decreasing disease, there are still many misconceptions surrounding the procedure.

Myth 1: The majority of bariatric patients regain the weight they lose.

Truth: Most patients are successful in maintaining their weight loss in the year or two following surgery. In weight loss surgery, success is described as a loss of 50 percent of excess weight. Some patients do regain weight. Permanent weight loss is affected by several factors: the quality and date of the original surgery, the type of surgery and the patient’s adherence to healthy habits. Education and long-term support can increase a person’s chance of success.

Myth 2: People won’t be able to eat normally after surgery.

Truth: Many people think they will never again be able to enjoy their favorite foods. After an initial adjustment period, most weight loss patients eat a variety of healthy, tasty foods. To succeed, patients need to leave behind old habits. Some foods, such as sugary desserts, are off limits for good. High-protein and low-carbohydrate meals will become the norm. The WeightWise blog contains meal plans filled with delicious, healthy recipes right for a bariatric diet.

Myth 3: Bariatric surgery is a high-risk procedure.

Truth: Every surgery carries risk and side-effects. The risk of dying from bariatric surgery is about the same as for gallbladder surgery. Bariatric mortality rates have declined steadily over the years. A recent study found the mortality rate for weight loss surgery is less than .5 percent. Factors that affect a patient’s risk for complications are age, health and BMI.

At WeightWise, our team meticulously prepares patients for surgery, increasing the chances of a successful procedure. Our surgeons have completed more than 3,000 operations with a 100-percent survival rate. Obesity-related conditions carry a higher long-term risk of mortality for the severely obese than does bariatric surgery.

Myth 4: Weight loss surgery causes severe nutritional deficiencies.

Truth: Bariatric patients must follow a healthy diet that includes taking dietary supplements for life. It’s important that each meal is highly nutritious, especially immediately after surgery. Bariatric procedures affect the absorption of protein, minerals and vitamins. After surgery, patients work closely with the dietitians at WeightWise. We ensure patients are getting the nutrition needed for health and energy.

Weight loss surgery isn’t a cure, but it is a first step toward a healthier way of life. If you’re interested in learning more about surgery, please call us or attend a free informational seminars.

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Everyone needs health insurance. But how do you decide what type of plan to buy? If you’re preparing for weight loss surgery, you should know that not every insurance company covers the procedures.

Some companies pay for some types of weight loss surgery. Others offer limited or no benefits for bariatric surgery.

At WeightWise, we’ll work with your insurance company to figure out what benefits you can expect. Learn more about paying for weight loss surgery by reading our financial FAQ page.

Weight loss surgery isn’t for every overweight person. The surgery is only for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or someone with a BMI of 35 to 39 who also has a serious obesity-related disease such as diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure.

How to Choose an Insurance Plan if You’re Having Weight Loss Surgery

Buying insurance can seem like an overwhelming decision. Before you make a decision, call the company and request information. Ask if the plan covers weight loss surgery. Ask about the qualifications and benefits.

Here are some things to consider before you settle on a plan:

What type of plan is best if I have a chronic condition?

If you are managing a chronic condition, you’ll likely use your health insurance a lot. People who visit the doctor regularly sometimes choose a plan with a higher monthly premium and lower deductible.

Should I get a plan with low monthly premiums?

Plans with a low monthly premium have a high annual deductible. These plans are for people who are in good health and seldom visit the doctor but want insurance in case of an accident or sudden illness.

What If I take a prescription drug regularly?

If you take a prescription drug to manage a chronic condition, be sure to read the plan’s formulary. If your drug isn’t on the list, you’ll have to pay for it out-of-pocket.

What’s the difference between the different types of managed care?

Insurance companies limit expenses by negotiating fees within a network of healthcare providers. To get the negotiated benefits, patients must choose a provider within the network. Getting care outside the network means you’ll pay more.

These are the three types of managed care:

• H.M.O. –  a health maintenance organization covers care only from providers in the network.
• P.P. O. – a preferred provider organization also has a network. You’ll receive a lower rate for benefits if you see someone outside the network.
• P.O.S. – point of service combines characteristics of an H.M.O. and a P.P.O.

How can I find out about a plan’s costs?

A plan’s “summary of benefits” describes the various costs and benefits. Check a plan’s co-pays, maximum out-of-pocket limits and other expenses.

To learn more about your options for weight loss surgery, please attend a free informational seminar sponsored by WeightWise.

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If you’re ready to jump start your weight loss with a tool to maximize your exercise and healthy food choices, but have hesitated due to fears over surgery or long recovery periods, WeightWise has your solution. WeightWise is thrilled to announce that we are now offering Obalon. This does mean that we will no longer be offering ReShape, but know you’ll be ecstatic at the possibilities Obalon Balloon System can offer you.

What is Obalon?

Obalon Balloon System is the first and only FDA approved, swallowable 3-balloon system that works over six months to aid weight loss. You read that correctly, swallowable. That means little to no downtime or recovery as there is no surgery to place the balloon. No surgery for placement means no sedation at placement, so if fears of surgery  have stopped you from calling us, you don’t need to hesitate any longer. The Obalon System works in tandem with a supervised diet and nutrition plan as a tool to boost weight loss.

How Does it Work?

Obalon facilitates weight loss by filling up space in your stomach so you eat less. The 6 months Obalon is in place, helps to create a lifestyle change aiding weight loss even after Obalon is removed. An average of 89% weight loss was kept off at 1 year (6 months after removal) when combined with the continuation of the moderate exercise and diet plan implemented with the placement of the first balloon. In the clinical trial, people lost twice as much as those who used exercise and diet alone. Obalon is the ultimate tool to unlocking a healthier future.

The Obalon Balloon Procedure

The placement of Obalon requires no anesthesia. In the WeightWise office, under the supervision of one of our world-class physicians, you’ll swallow a capsule roughly the size of a standard vitamin, that contains a balloon. Using an x-ray to monitor progress, the physician will confirm the pill is safely in your stomach, and as the pill dissolves our physician will inflate the balloon using gas. The procedure takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish, and afterwards, you can resume your day.  

Am I a Candidate for Obalon?

You are potentially a candidate for The Obalon Balloon System if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30-40 kg/m2 (30 to 100 pounds overweight) and are 22 years or older. Additionally, while the balloon is in your stomach, you won’t be able to take any stomach-irritating medications. This includes things like Advil, Motrin, or any other medication classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). You also need consider that while Obalon can help augment weight loss, like any procedure, success is ultimately dependent on your willingness to make a complete lifestyle change in the long term.

Contact WeightWise and Start Changing Your Life Today

We know that any procedure requires careful consideration, and WeightWise is here to answer and address any questions or concerns you may have regarding Obalon Balloon System. With an expert, experienced team of physicians, dietitians, exercise physiologists, and patient advocates, no one is better equipped to guide you through this process. Contact WeightWise today or attend one of our free seminars. We can’t wait to help you change your life.

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Source: https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com

It is common to hear misconceptions about bariatric surgery. Statements like, “It is a dangerous surgery”, “Won’t you die from that”, or “It is the easy way out” are false statements. These paint a picture of the safety and risks of bariatric surgery that is untrue and misleading. They may also prevent people from getting safe and effective treatment.

When considering bariatric surgery, it is best to be informed with all of the facts. You can discuss the safety and risks with your surgeon and/or other physicians handling your care.

Risk of Mortality (death):

While any elective or emergency surgery comes with risks, bariatric surgery is actually one of the safest operations. It has a mortality rate under 0.2%. That means that the risk of death with bariatric surgery is lower than the risk associated with gallbladder removal or hip replacement surgeries.

Safety with WeightWise:

While the national death rate for bariatric surgery is less than 2 in 1000 surgeries, WeightWise in Oklahoma has a death rate of zero. That’s right. Since opening our doors in 2006, the surgeons at WeightWise have performed approximately 4,000 surgeries with zero deaths related to surgery. 

Research has also found that mortality from other causes decreases after bariatric surgery. In fact, individuals can see up to an 89% reduction in mortality after gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgeries. There is a highly significant decrease in deaths from specific diseases as well.

• Cancer mortality decreases by 60% post bariatric surgery.
• Diabetes mortality decreases by 90% post bariatric surgery.
• Heart Disease mortality decreases by 50% post bariatric surgery.

Every surgery includes different individual risks. Your medical history is thoroughly reviewed with our team to ensure your personal risk is minimized. It is important to discuss your concerns or specific risks for each surgery with our surgeons.

Interested in more information? Please attend one of our FREE seminars for details on the safety and risks of bariatric surgery.

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