Weight Loss Surgery News

Bariatric Surgery Saves Money for Diabetic Patients

Kerri Seidler — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:31:56 +0000

Despite the nearly $30,000 price tag, a new study found that bariatric surgery saved money in the long run for the majority of people with diabetes. The cost savings resulted from a reduction in the use of diabetes medications and overall health care costs. According to study results, nearly 75% of diabetic patients were off [...]

New Spider System Allows Scarless Bariatric Surgery

Kerri Seidler — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:30:51 +0000

A bariatric surgeon in Southern California has successfully performed the first vertical sleeve gastrectomy using the new SPIDER Surgical System, requiring only one small incision through the belly button. The Spider system is one of the latest innovations in minimally invasive weight loss surgery. The medical device eliminates the need for multiple incisions and allows [...]

Weight Loss Surgery Removes Excess Stomach Via Mouth

Kerri Seidler — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:51:53 +0000

According to surgeons at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, they have successfully performed the first sleeve gastrectomy weight loss procedure through the mouth. With sleeve gastrectomy, also known as the gastric sleeve, about 80 % of the stomach is sectioned off and permanently removed from the body. The smaller stomach leads [...]

Volume Trumps Center of Excellence Designation For Bariatric Surgery Safety

Kerri Seidler — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:51:07 +0000

The results from a study led by the University of Michigan Health System revealed some shocking information about the safety of bariatric surgery and the quality of hospitals that perform the weight loss procedures. The good news was the overall low rate of serious complications and general safety of bariatric surgery. What was surprising, however, [...]

Website Works Wonders for Weight Loss Management

Kerri Seidler — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:27:24 +0000

Losing weight is easy compared to keeping it off long-term, even with weight loss surgery. As reflected in the high number of participant dropout rates, one of the biggest challenges for any weight loss program is keeping patients engaged in long-term treatment of weight management. This challenging situation was the basis for a study sponsored [...]

Medical Weight Loss Programs Unnecessarily Delay Bariatric Surgery

Kerri Seidler — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:53:00 +0000

While it is not uncommon for insurance carriers to require completion of a six-month medically supervised weight loss program as a condition of approval for weight loss surgery, it may be time for them to reconsider the waiting period requirement. A medical weight management program typically combines diet, exercise, behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy. The rationale [...]

Bariatric Surgery Insurance Denials Pose Additional Patient Risks

Kerri Seidler — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:07:18 +0000

Patients who were medically eligible for bariatric surgery but denied coverage by their health insurance were highly likely to develop obesity comorbidities within a few years even though their body mass index (BMI) remained relatively unchanged, according to a study recently presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric [...]

A Family Affair Improves Weight Loss Surgery Results

Kerri Seidler — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:49:45 +0000

A new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has found that weight loss surgery is more successful when done with a family member. The researchers followed 91 patients from 41 families who had gastric bypass surgery with a family member (husband and wife, parent and child, [...]

Study Finds Bariatric Surgery Disparities Among US Hospitals

Kerri Seidler — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:46:35 +0000

The number of bariatric surgeries performed every year continues to rise, as more and more Americans decide they are willing to undergo drastic measures to control obesity and improve health. Based on the popularity of bariatric surgery, it is apparent that many individuals are willing to accept the potential risks in order to gain the [...]

Sex Guidelines Released for Bariatric Surgery Women

Kerri Seidler — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:06:06 +0000

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) released Friday the 2010 US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. In the document, US health officials issued safety guidelines and warnings regarding contraception use for millions of women who have had weight loss surgery. In the guidance, the CDC issued recommendations concerning the use of [...]