Weight Gain After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Just 5 years ago many people had never heard of gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass surgery became more publicly known as more individuals underwent weight loss surgery as a way to assist them with obesity. Famous people were going on national television and openly discussing the discussion he or she made to have weight loss surgery. As with anything in life many individuals are for weight loss surgery and many individuals state undergoing a surgical procedure is a cope out to lose weight.



Anyone out there who has undergone weight loss surgery for an eating disorder knows it was not an easier way out. The surgery is a tool the individual still must change the behavior and relationship he or she has with food. Weight loss surgery requires a lifetime commitment to stay healthy and balanced for life by no means a quick fix. People who learn of the surgery are educated prior to surgery also after surgery. Many surgeons provide psychological and nutritional support before during and after gastric bypass surgery however, majority of patients do not follow up and take advantage of these offerings.



The saying "Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes" is appropriate, if he or she continues doing the same behaviors as they did prior to surgery they will experience the same result in eating disorders. Initially they may lose weight however, they will never achieve the goal weight, and eventually the weight regain will occur as well as long-term more weight will be added. Conceivably they can still have a small stomach yet be obese. The surgery is a tool if he or she finds they are experiencing weight re-gain and are motivated to get help inpatient treatment for eating disorders is appropriate.

Joanna works for the Women's Behavioral Program. She has overcome adversities and shares her hope with anyone she comes in contact with. Joanna is a known published author in the Bariatric and Weight Loss Community, she has spent the last 13 years helping to inspire and motivate people on the value of the body, mind and spirit connection.


By Joanna Painton

Plastic Surgery and Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements today are as common, if not more common, than prescription medications for many people. In my Indianapolis plastic surgery practice, most of my cosmetic patients are taking at least one herbal supplement. For most, the concept of using herbal supplements is that they can't hurt and can only help. And since they don't need a prescription, it is natural to believe that they don't really pose any health risks. As such, herbal medications are assumed to be safe.

A recent report in the March/April issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal finds that almost half of plastic surgery patients have used herbal supplements in the weeks before their upcoming surgery. Many of these include such ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic, echinacea, and valerian root. Most patients don't know that these supplements can have side effects which are very relevant to surgery including interaction with other medications (anesthetic drugs) and alteration of one's ability to clot properly. Despite the fact that the dangerous side effects of some herbal supplements have been widely publicized, many patients do not fully appreciate the importance of discontinuing these treatments before surgery. Furthermore, the unregulated manufacturing standards and lack of product regulations for the entire supplement industry can produce herbal supplements whose quality and actual contents vary considerably. Most of the time, nobody really knows what is actually inside those tablets.

As a result, I provide my patients prior to surgery a comprehensive list of supplements that must be avoided in the weeks before and after surgery to minimize potential surgical complications. Stopping certain herbal supplements prior to surgery is just as critical as stopping aspirin, ibuprofen, or plavix. One should stop taking them two weeks before and for one week after any major plastic surgery procedure that requires an anesthetic and is more than just a minor operation.

Dr Barry Eppley is a board-certified plastic surgeon in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana at Clarian Health Systems. (http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com). He writes a daily blog on plastic surgery, spa therapies, and medical skin care at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com. Dr. Eppley can be heard on his weekly radio show, Doc Chat, on WXNT 1430AM Indianapolis on Saturday afternoons.


By Dr Barry Eppley