The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) is rapidly emerging as one of the weight loss surgery procedures that patients choose the most. For some bariatric surgeons and patients, the VSG has replaced the Proximal Roux-en-Y (RNY) Gastric Bypass as the most popular weight loss surgery currently done. Removal of the upper
One of the things I love about being part of the team for weight loss surgery patients is the excitement and the hope that each patient has prior to surgery. On a daily basis, I speak with patients about all of the reasons why they want to have surgery and
I have struggled with excess weight since the first grade. I come from an Italian heritage, so portion size was always supersize. I was very active in school, participating in wrestling and lacrosse, which kept me from looking my actual weight but after graduation, I started to pack the weight
Tens of thousands of people have had success losing weight and improving their health with a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (lap-band). For those who haven’t met their weight loss goals, or who have had a band-related complication, a revision is an option: conversion to a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), Roux-en-Y
Celebrating Skotti's Before & After Gastric Bypass Journey! I was always a “big boned” boy growing up. Yes, not fat, big boned. At least people meant well when they said that to me. One thing that I realized from an early age in elementary school is that I was bigger
OK ok, STOP being concerned. You have the Lap-Band, the ONLY operation that gives successful long-term weight loss. So, yes, your pouch still works. Of course, you have not tried to ruin your pouch with bread, rice or carbonated beverages….ever. You never drink when you eat…ever; and the only reason
Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria and yeast) that have health benefits. Many probiotics help your body function properly, especially your digestive system. The body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Bacteria that naturally reside in your intestines help your body digest food, produce vitamins (specifically vitamin K), and
Obesity is a tough disease and can often recur even after bariatric surgery. Making poor food choices is often a guilt-ridden process. Nothing good comes from beating yourself up mentally. Guilt and condemnation will only lead to more poor food choices used to medicate the pain you are experiencing. This spirals into a
There are two types of pouch malfunctions. The first type is “loss of restriction” which is experienced as weight regain and sometimes a change in hunger. The second type is that of a pathological process that produces symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, reflux, or pain. To understand how your pouch should
How to Manage Weight Regain Let’s just start with the bottom line. A return of the “old habits” results in the finding of lost weight. You must manage weight regain. We all know what “old habits” means when it comes to the world of the weight loss roller coaster. Your
