Ask The Expert: With Dr. Ian Villanueva
August 23, 2013 Bariatric surgeon Ian Villanueva, MD takes the time to answer some of your questions. Do you have a question you would like to ask of a plastic surgeon, bariatric surgeon, fitness expert, dietician, psychologist, or other bariatric professional? Send your questions to [email protected] and we will submit them to the experts in our ObesityHelp community!
Question: Will weight loss surgery have a negative effect on my health. I know we can't take NSAIDS after surgery, but does anything happen so radically that our bodies wouldn't be able to fight off a deadly disease like it would've been able to fight before?
Dr. Villanueva: Fortunately, undergoing weight loss surgery does not make you more susceptible to contracting serious disease. Many studies have demonstrated positive effects in reducing severe diseases that often lead to premature mortality, such as diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia. Immune system function also improves with weight loss. Finally, weight loss surgery has been shown to decrease the likelihood of certain cancers developing, such as breast, colon, or uterine cancers. Weight loss surgery, in most cases, will have more positive health benefits than negative effects.
Question: Will I have to use protein supplements for the rest of my life?
Dr. Villanueva: Most postoperative weight loss surgery diets emphasize high protein diet sources for many reasons. Protein ingestion triggers certain hormones to be released to produce feelings of satiety; this is how weight loss surgery patients can feel full after eating a much smaller meal. Additionally, the increased protein calorie intake compensates for the decreased carbohydrate and fat calories ingested after weight loss surgery. Every patient has a minimum number of calories that must be ingested to maintain good health. As long as the majority of calories ingested is protein based, weight loss is achievable.
Question: What causing Dumping Syndrome and do all weight loss surgery patients experience it?
Dr. Villanueva: Dumping syndrome is abdominal cramping often followed by diarrhea. This is much more common after gastric bypass as compared to either the sleeve gastrectomy or gastric banding, sometimes occurring in up to 30% of weight loss surgery patients. Most of the time, dumping syndrome is triggered by ingesting high carbohydrate foods or liquids such as ice cream or sweet tea—diet choices that should be avoided anyway in anyone trying to achieve weight loss.
Question: How many meals a day should I eat once I am post-op? And how large should my meals be?
Dr. Villanueva: In general, most weight loss surgery patients will eat at least 3 small meals per day supplemented by additional high protein sources throughout the day. It is important to maintain a working relationship with your weight loss surgery program dietician/nutritionist after surgery so that your diet can be optimized for your weight loss goals.
Ian Villanueva, MD is a bariatric surgeon with the Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery program at Carolinas Healthcare System.
Take the first step to a healthier lifestyle by attending a free informational seminar on weight loss surgery. Our bariatric surgeons will walk you through the process and determine which option is best for you. Call 1-800-358-1895 or visit www.carolinashealthcare.org/bariatric
Do you have a question to Ask AN Expert? Email us at [email protected]!
