Endoscopy

Examination of the interior of a canal or hollow viscus my means of a special telescope- usually used in reference to an EGD (esophago-gastro duodenoscopy) where the doctor performs an endoscopic exam of the esophagus, stomach and first portion of the intestines. Endoscopy is a procedure in which an endoscope – a flexible lighted tube – is used to inspect body organs and cavities. Endoscopes are inserted through natural openings in the body such as the mouth and the anus. Types of endoscopy include colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, gastroscopy, enteroscopy, etc. Endoscopy facilitates minimally invasive surgery. Risks associated with endoscopy include infection, perforation, allergy to the contrast dyes, and over-sedation.

Nutritional Concerns after Bariatric Surgery

New behaviors take time to learn. The first few months after your operation represent a sensitive time both psychologically and physiologically. Depending on your operation, it is very important to allow any connections between the stomach and the intestine to heal. The first few months post-op are also complicated by problems with judging adequate hydration. You must be cognizant and careful that obesity and over-eating may be signs of an addiction behavior.

Incontinence

Incontinence is a relatively common condition, particularly in obese individuals. Defined as involuntary passage of urine or feces, incontinence is rarely associated with serious underlying pathology, but can have a profoundly negative impact upon quality of life, limiting daily activities and affecting psychological wellbeing, social interaction and interpersonal relationships. Many people with incontinence are reluctant to seek help, either due to embarrassment or because they believe that nothing can be done. However, in the majority of cases, appropriate intervention can lead to significant symptomatic reduction or complete cure.

Intestine

The small intestine is a long tube that is approximately 18 feet long (6 meters). The small intestine is called small because the diameter or the width of the tube is much less than the large intestine. The parts of the small intestine include the duodenum, jejunum and the ileum. The duodenum is a segment of intestine between the stomach and the jejunum that is very active in digestion where many different enzymes mix from the stomach, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

Duodenum

The duodenum lies at the beginning of the small intestine. Together with the jejunum, and the ileum it forms the small intestine. It is connected to the stomach above and the jejunum below it. When food enters the duodenum, there are multiple feed-back pathways and nervous reflexes that will affect how fast the stomach empties as well as the secretion of other hormones.