WLS...On "60 Minutes" Tonight

Just saw this on the main board...passing it along to you. Ro http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/a,messageboard/action,replies/board_id,4856/cat_id, 4456/topic_id,3589692/

Ro, Were you able to watch it? I wasn't...What is you take on it? DId they do a good job?

Hi, Bea... Here's the CBS article that describes the segment: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/17/60minutes/main4023451.shtml Basically, it seems that that act of separating the pouch from the stomach has added benefits... diabetic / cancers... so this would mean that primarily RNYs would benefit. The panel of 6 -8 people had all stopped taking their diabetic meds soon after surgery, so the effect came much sooner than their weight loss. This alone was a positive, as many diabetics are not MO, so their focus might end up being on getting well and trying not to lose too much weight. As a positive...their health could be improved, but WLS comes with it's own set of requirements. When I was in the hospital for my RNY, a LapBand patient was taken off of her Humilin so there must be more to it. My Support Group Leader mentioned that staff meetings were ongoing as doctors would like more people (not obese / over-weight) to be considered by insurance companies, if their diabetes requires another treatment. Over the last few months, I have heard that the diabetes "returns" in a milder form, I have also heard about "resistant hypogycemia", which I still don't fully understand... but that would suggest that there is more to learn within the medical community. The Main board received a few comments on the second "page" from members. One made a good point. Although increased suicides after WLS was brought up in the segment, the answer was vague at best. I think that it was a good beginning discussion and that WLS was seen in a positive light. Follow-ups should be interesting. Ro & DH, who thought that the segment was very good!