Saturday, January 2, 2016

Advanced Laparoscopic Specialists Offer Hope

By Marci Nielsen


The morbidly obese have often tried dieting, exercise programs, and fasting without success. Advanced Laparoscopic Specialists in New York city are trained in a comprehensive program designed to help individuals who are at least 100 pounds above their ideal weight and who are facing health problems in consequence. In a fully personalized program, gastric by-pass surgery is only one step.

In spite of what many think, this is not a frivolous field of medicine. Those who are one hundred pounds or more above their ideal weight are prey to severe health complications. Among these are hypertension and other heart conditions, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. Any of these conditions can be life-threatening. All of them, as well as the excess weight, lower the quality of life for millions of people.

The fact is that obesity makes it impossible to get the recommended amount of exercise, which does not help any weight-control plan. Without exercise, circulation of blood and lymph is compromised and digestion is impaired. This weakens the immune system, so the person is susceptible to many ills. A lack of muscle tone also makes burning calories less efficient, as less are burned for energy and more are stored as fat.

Excess poundage stresses joints such as knees and ankles, making even moderate walking for a mile or more virtually impossible. As lack of exercise contributes to weight gain, the problem only worsens. If the person also has hormonal issues and poor eating habits, the stage is set for obesity. In the United States, this condition is the second largest 'bad habit' cause of death. The first is smoking. In fact, too much sitting is now called 'the new smoking'.

Gastric by-pass is done with endoscopes (metal rods that allow lights, cameras, and implements to be inserted through tiny incisions). It is one of many operations under the laparoscopic surgery umbrella. Endoscopy is safer than open surgery, since there is less chance of infection because of smaller incisions. There is also less pain, less scarring, and a much shorter recovery time.

Special cameras and lights allow the surgeon to 'see' what he's doing. Advances like these make surgery feasible for many whose health might not allow conventional surgical procedures. Gastric by-pass used to be major surgery with inherent risks. These have been greatly reduced with the less invasive procedures.

ADLAP clinics offer a comprehensive support program that includes seminars on the procedure before surgery is scheduled, so patients understand the process and what they need to do both before and after. Support groups help people emotionally and give advice on how to make weight loss permanent. Counselors help patients understand the reasons they are over-weight, which are usually more than physical, and how to make lifestyle changes necessary for success. Nutritionists and dietitians are also part of the group that helps people get the full benefit of the surgery.

This pre-op and post-op program involves both surgeons and trained professionals, as well as patients themselves. The personalized approach has proved very important in the success of this weight-loss measure. Without lifestyle and dietary changes, people who have the surgery often gain the weight back. With them, a whole new life is possible with everything needed for happiness and health.




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