Adrienne Youdim Center for Weight Loss & Nutrition Organization

Bariatric Medicine:

Patients with severe obesity (usually defined as a body mass index or BMI of greater than 40) may chose Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery) as a safe and effective tool to loose weight and improve medical conditions caused by obesity.

In some cases, the surgeon may recommend weight loss prior to surgery to reduce the risk of complications. Some patients who have never participated in a structured medical weight loss program may be advised to see a weight loss specialist prior to surgery. Often, patients will be required to do so by the surgeon and or insurance company paying for the surgery.In any of these circumstances, Dr. Youdim can help guide you through the surgical process. Dr. Youdim is experienced in all the surgical options including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and adjustable gastric band including Lap band surgery, and has 10 years of experience in the care of patients before and after surgery.

She is also very knowledgeable on the metabolic and nutritional care if bariatric surgery patients and has published practice guidelines on the treatment and prevention of nutritional deficiencies following bariatric surgery.

Whether you are interested in medical weight loss, need to lose weight before surgery or need guidance on the prevention or treatment of nutritional deficiencies and weight regain following surgery, Dr. Youdim is knowledgeable resource that can guide you through a successful surgical process.

Extensive body composition analysis

Body weight is an assessment of body size however does not provide information about body composition – meaning how much fat mass, muscle and water make up the total body weight. Body composition testing is a much more detailed way of assessing body weight.

In addition to above, body composition testing provides information on percent body fat, segmental muscle mass, fat mass, visceral fat and metabolic rate. It also allows for an accurate calculation of the necessary protein requirements while dieting. Body composition testing is performed at the first consultation and every subsequent visit with a quick non-invasive 45 second test. Read more on our Body Composition Testing.

Interpretation of and surveillance of laboratories/ Pre- and Post-Bariatric surgery nutritional assessment

Individuals with obesity are at risk for certain metabolic conditions that can be diagnosed with blood tests. Dr. Youdim will advise and obtain appropriate blood tests to evaluate for such conditions.

Obesity is also associated with a higher risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Moreover, such deficiencies may worsen following bariatric surgery despite supplementation. Typically post-surgical patients must supplement with vitamins and minerals indefinitely to prevent deficiencies.  Dr. Youdim will advise and obtain appropriate blood tests to evaluate for at risk nutritional deficiencies

Preoperative weight loss

In some cases, the surgeon may recommend weight loss prior to surgery to reduce the risk of complications. Small amounts of weight loss prior to surgery have been shown to shrink visceral fat (belly fat) making the laparoscopic surgery easier to perform. Preoperative weight loss can also improve blood sugar and reduce the risk of infections before and after surgery.

Some patients who have never participated in a structured medical weight loss program may be advised to see a weight loss specialist prior to surgery. In some cases, patients will be required to do so by the surgeon and or insurance company paying for the surgery.

Post bariatric surgery weight re-gain

A certain degree of weight regain is common and expected following surgery and can range from 15-30%. Weight regain following surgery, however, can be excessive and on-going. In these circumstances medical evaluation should include detailed information on diet and lifestyle as well as radiographic evaluation of the surgical anatomy. Most times re-initiation of diet and lifestyle change in combination with weight loss medications is sufficient to reverse post-surgical weight gain. In certain circumstances surgical revision may be warranted.

ObesityHelp Contributing Author

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