The mechanical, chemical and enzymatic process whereby ingested food is converted into material suitable for assimilation for synthesis of tissues or liberation of energy
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
Obesity is a worldwide problem of increasing prevalence. Ideally, and in its less severe stages, obesity can be controlled with diet management and a regular exercise program. At times, obesity may be so severe that it is termed morbid obesity. Weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve are surgical procedures whose utility in combating morbid obesity are recognized by both medical and surgical specialists. Patients who have a BMI greater than 35 or those with a BMI of 30 or more who are also suffering from life-threatening illnesses curable with weight loss are considered as possible candidates for bariatric surgery.
Your recovery must continue at home. Just because you are sent home after your operation does not mean that you have completed your recovery. Please take time out of your busy schedule to allow enough time to take care of yourself.
Why do you leave part of the stomach behind during a gastric bypass?
During a gastric bypass, the lower (distal) larger part of the stomach is left in place because of the stomach still produces acid and pepsin to help digestion of the food. These digestive juices travel down the duodenum and into the jejunum to mix with food. Removing the lower part of the stomach raises the possibility of complications without proven benefit
In rare cases, if for any reason a patient needs to have the operation reversed, the stomach is still there and can be hooked up again. This remnant stomach can also be used to help feeding if an unrelated serious medical problem should
I am going shopping for my pre and post op diet and wanted a shopping list. Can you tell me what I will need?
If you have been scheduled for surgery then you have met with the dietitian a minimum of 2 times and the diet has been explained in detail. It is crucial at this point that you understand the diet that follows surgery. This will help you to purchase the items you need and prepare mentally for the dietary changes that accompany bariatric procedures. In an effort to help you prepare we have some wonderful resources and urge you to visit the website. The packet provided at the initial consultation contains all the dietary guidelines that you should refer to throughout the process. You can also
The incidence of hiatal hernia increases with age and occurs in approximately 10% of the adult population. In patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal x-ray examination, with abdominal compression hiatus hernia was diagnosed in half of the patients undergoing the study. Approximately 95-99% of all hiatal hernias are type I (sliding) are either asymptomatic or cause symptoms of reflux that are treated by medicines.
Surgery is stressful not only psychologically but also physiologically. There are a number of normal, well-defined stress responses that occur after surgery. These stress responses cause alterations in your metabolic and physiological processes and induce changes in your inflammatory and hormonal responses.
At this time, Dr. Belsley and the hospital team will be monitoring your progress by seeing how well you tolerate low-sugar, non-carbonated liquids such as water, tea, and broth. Sugar-free gelatin is another option. Use a cup to drink and avoid sipping from a bottle or straw.
Current thinking is that revisional operations do not work very well and for that reason they are reserved for unique cases. As with many things in surgery, much depends on the circumstances and the available options, some of which we’ll describe below. In any case, I strongly suggest that patients return to their original surgeon who performed their first operation, as every surgeon individualizes the digestive arrangements in a particular manner. The only revisional operation I regularly perform is for patients who have a failed laparoscopic gastric banding. Those patients may benefit from having the band removed and then converting to a gastric bypass or a gastric sleeve.
Cholesterol is a lipid, or type of fat produced by the liver and derived from various dietary sources. Although often referred to in negative terms, cholesterol plays an essential part in many processes within the body, including formation of cell membranes and nerve linings and in the manufacture of bile acids, fat-soluble vitamins and certain hormones. However, high cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia is strongly associated with significant health issues including heart disease and stroke.
The microbial population of the gut, or gut microbiota is extremely dense, predominantly comprising bacteria. Whilst a core community of gut microbes—approximately one third—is common to most healthy adults, the composition of each gut microbiota varies according to factors including genetics, diet, age, state of health and geographical location. Microbes are considered important—but probably not essential—to digestion. This is primarily because the gut microbiota breaks down substances that the gut alone is unable to digest and is also involved in synthesis of vitamins.
