Tag Archive for: gastric sleeve surgery

What You Should Know about Gastric Sleeve Surgery

dreamstime_xxl_20012081Losing weight is hard! You try to do everything you can to lose weight, and yet those pounds don’t want to be shed. You wonder what to do now; will you ever lose the weight, or will you be doomed to live this unhappily forever? Weight Zen, a weight loss clinic in New York, wants to empower you. We want to tell you about gastric sleeve surgery, so you know your options when it comes to weight loss surgery. If you’re unhappy, we can help you do something about it. If you haven’t considered gastric sleeve surgery, then perhaps you should. We want you to find your inner peace and happiness. To do that, check out the following information on gastric sleeve surgery and see if it’s right for you.

What is A Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The gastric sleeve surgery, also known as the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight loss surgery that removes a large portion of your stomach. This surgery may also be the first stop before you get a gastric bypass surgery, or it may be the only surgery you get for weight loss. The gastric sleeve surgeon makes a small stomach “sleeve” (hence the name) using a stapling instrument, and then they remove the rest of your stomach. The point of this procedure is to regulate your food intake to help you lose weight with the decreased size of your new stomach. A VSG surgery, which is what it’s also known as, may take 60 to 90 minutes.

Is A Gastric Sleeve Surgery Right For You?

These surgeries help people who are suffering from obesity and diabetes lose weight. Are you unhappy with your weight? If you are seriously considering this surgery, think about all of the key factors before you contact us for a consultation. Your new stomach will be the size of a banana, so it severely limits the amount of food you are able to eat. Keep in mind that your portions must be smaller, and the various types of food you eat will be different and more healthy as well. This is something you’ll work on with our nutritionist Megan Wolf.  After the surgery when you eat, your small stomach will become full much quicker than before, and you’ll feel full after a small amount of food.

If you want more information and are interested in getting the procedure done, please contact us to see if gastric sleeve surgery is right for you.

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Ask A Gastric Sleeve Surgeon: How Much Weight Will You Lose?

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There was a time, not so long ago, when the weight and shape of your body wasn’t something that could easily be changed. If you had a genetic, hormonal, or addiction-related problem with excessive weight gain 50 or 60 years ago, there was little your doctor could do for you besides advising (and in some cases, forcing) you to go on a calorie restricted diet.

Thankfully, times have changed.

Advances in medical technology have made dealing with obesity something that you and your doctor can tackle together. Procedures like gastric sleeve surgery allow you to skip much of the waiting and wishing for your body to naturally lose weight.

Still, gastric sleeve surgery is still a fairly new procedure. Many of our potential patients want to know how much they can potentially lose before committing to gastric sleeve surgery, so we asked our surgeon to provide his professional opinion. Here’s what he had to say:

“Gastric sleeve surgery is an aggressive solution for obesity that’s growing in popularity. The amount of weight each patient loses after gastric sleeve surgery varies greatly, depending on a number of factors like diet, exercise lifestyle, and willingness to leave old habits behind. Your total weight loss also depends on the size that your gastric sleeve surgeon makes the new sleeve.

In the most ideal circumstances, I’ve seen patients lose an average of 60 percent* of their excess weight.”

We hoped that this has given you some insight into what’s possible with gastric sleeve surgery. Contact Weight Zen in New York City for a consultation today.

*Individual results may vary.

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Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Gastric Sleeve Surgery

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Countless patients come to see Dr. Rosen at Weight Zen for his Gastric Sleeve surgery in New York. Here at Weight Zen, we take great care to ensure that all of our patients know the facts and are provided with ample information before they choose a bariatric surgery. With this in mind, we’d like to answer some of our most frequently asked questions concerning Gastric Sleeve surgery.

Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Gastric Sleeve Surgery

What is it?

Simply put, Gastric Sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic bariatric procedure where small incisions are made to make the patient’s stomach smaller. This not only helps reduce hunger sensations, but it limits the amount of calories consumed by the patient, too, resulting in safe and healthy weight loss.

Who is a good candidate?

The ideal candidate for Gastric Sleeve surgery is someone who is obese, generally with a BMI greater than 40. Typically, they’ve already tried other methods for losing weight without success and aren’t able to achieve a healthier BMI on their own. Those who suffer from diabetes or are at risk for heart disease are also great candidates for bariatric surgery.

What are the benefits of Gastric Sleeve surgery?

Relatively quick surgery.
It’s minimally invasive as we used laparoscopic techniques.
Low maintenance.
High rates of patient satisfaction and success.
The possibility to treat diabetes and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

How Can You Learn More About Gastric Sleeve Surgeries?

Contact Weight Zen today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Rosen and nutritionist Megan Wolf, who will assess your situation and go over all of your options with you.

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Know The Risks Of Dehydration After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

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Dr. Rosen is a leading minimally invasive bariatric surgeon who has performed countless Gastric Sleeve surgeries in New York. He has helped many people achieve a healthier overall lifestyle while losing the weight they need to lose. It’s important to know the potential risks involved with bariatric surgery. With that in mind, we’re going to take a closer look at the issue of dehydration and how it can play a part in the Gastric Sleeve surgery.

Is Dehydration Really A Potential Risk After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Yes! Dehydration is a serious risk that needs to be considered by patients who are adjusting to their new diets and lifestyles after their Gastric Sleeve surgeries. We see countless patients who have each undergone bariatric surgery only to notice that they’re not staying well-hydrated. This is one of the potential risks of bariatric surgery and is something we’ll cover in depth during our consultations.

Why Does Dehydration Occur After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

After bariatric surgery of any kind, patients find that they often experience fewer sensations of hunger and thirst as a direct result of a smaller stomach. In turn, patients tend to end up eating and drinking less, which is great for their weight loss, but not so good for their hydration efforts. As patients recover from their Gastric Sleeve surgery, they must be careful to stay hydrated and pay attention to their bodies so that dehydration and nutritional deficiencies don’t occur.  Additionally, since it is not recommended to eat and drink at the same time, it’s vital that drinking occurs outside of meal times.

Symptoms of dehydration include:

Fainting
Reduced urine output
Dry mouth
Increased thirstiness
Swollen tongue
Dizziness
Weakness
Fatigue
Sluggishness

If you’re severely dehydrated, simply drinking large amounts of water will not help. You will need IV hydration at a medical facility. If you notice several of the symptoms above, it’s imperative that you seek immediate medical attention as quickly as you can.

Tips For Fighting And Preventing Dehydration

The best way to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated after your Gastric Sleeve surgery is to drink water regularly with meals and in between meals. We recommend drinking 64 ounces of water a day, but this can vary depending on your physical exertion and how dry it is where you live.  We recommend small, frequent sips.  Guzzling will not work.

Take sips of water throughout the day to ensure hydration. Do not substitute liquid calories in sugary beverages for water. Remember, you must be mindful of what you’re putting in your body and what it needs throughout the day, especially after bariatric surgery.

Always Be Mindful Of What You’re Eating

Any kind of bariatric surgery is going to bring about major changes to your lifestyle. This means that you’ll need to take the necessary steps to make adjustments to meet your new dietary needs. If you need help when it comes to hydration and other issues, do not hesitate to call our team at Weight Zen. We will be more than happy to walk you through what you need to do and provide sound advice as you recover from your weight loss surgery. Call us today for a consultation, or fill out the below form:

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Do You Get Hiccups After Eating As A Gastric Sleeve Patient?

Dr. Rosen has performed countless successful Gastric Sleeve surgeries in New York. People from all over the area come to Weight Zen for his quality work, great bedside manner and success rates with patients.

Have you experienced hiccups after undergoing Gastric Sleeve surgery? Even things that are good for us can leave behind some unexpected side effects.

Hiccups Are A Bit Of A Mystery

It’s highly likely you’ve experienced a case of the hiccups after a couple drinks, or they may spontaneously come at random points during the day and only last a few minutes. These diaphragm spasms can occur for a variety of reasons, and while they’re certainly not serious, they’re absolutely annoying. This can be especially true when they happen frequently, which is oddly something that many bariatric surgery patients experience.

Possible Causes For Hiccups After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Hiccups can be mysterious even for those who have undergone weight loss surgery. There have been some suggestions in the surgical weight loss field that eating too quickly or too much can be the culprit. However, this isn’t always the case for all bariatric surgery patients, but it is a common thread among complaints.

Consider These Tips For Preventing And Stopping Hiccups In Their Tracts

With that in mind, there are several useful ways to prevent those pesky hiccups or at least get rid of them once they’ve started.

Slow down when eating and avoid overeating

Once you’ve undergone Gastric Sleeve surgery, it’s imperative that you eat your food slowly. Savor your food, chew thoroughly, and really enjoy each and every meal that you eat. This will allow you to see that you’re full sooner, and you’ll avoid overeating. When you simply slow down and enjoy your meal, you’re avoiding a number of issues associated with bariatric surgery.  Eating too much and eating too fast does not yield positive results.

Pay attention to your hiccup triggers

Notice frequent bouts of hiccups? Retrace your steps and try pinpointing the common denominator with each case. Did you overeat? Did you eat too quickly? Maybe it was something specific that you ate? Since you’ll want to pay attention to your body and it’s needs, this is helpful to consider. You can even keep a food journal to help determine what’s causing your hiccups.

Other Tips To Consider After Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery

We’ve stressed countless times on our blog that bariatric surgery requires a change in your lifestyle and that it can be a difficult transition for a while, but it’s ultimately worth it. That’s why we’re more than happy to include tips for what to expect after your weight loss surgery, including advice on exercise and dieting as well as other matters. This is how we ensure all of our weight loss patients are happy and healthy.

Schedule A Consultation With Us Today

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of weight you need to lose? Stop putting it off. Contact Weight Zen today using the form below, to speak about your bariatric surgery options. We’re here to help!

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Lap-Band vs. Gastric Sleeve Surgery

More and more Americans are turning to bariatric surgery to help them achieve their weight loss goals and fight their obesity battles. There are several great benefits to doing this, as obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, certain types of cancers, sleep apnea, and many other serious health issues. Two of the most popular weight loss surgeries here in New York are the Lap-Band surgery and the Gastric Sleeve surgery. Today, we’d like to compare these surgeries for patients who may be considering them.

How Surgical Weight Loss Methods Work

With regard to bariatric surgeries, there are three different approaches:

  • Restrictive Surgery: This type of surgery is implemented by altering the size of your stomach and affecting your Ghrelin hormone, which is responsible for those feelings of hunger, so that you feel full sooner when eating.
  • Malabsorptive Surgery: This type of surgery is implemented by altering your digestive tract so fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed by your intestines when you eat and drink.
  • Combination Restrictive/Malabsorptive: These types of surgeries involve a combination of the methods mentioned above.

Both the Gastric Sleeve and Lap-Band surgeries are restrictive in nature. Firstly, we’ll look at the Lap-Band surgery.

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The Lap-Band Surgery

The Lap-Band surgery is a laparoscopic surgery, meaning that your bariatric surgeon makes a few small incisions so that he or she can use internal cameras and specialized surgical tools to perform your surgery without the need for open surgery and large scars. Your bariatric surgeon will carefully place the band around the upper portion of your stomach. After your surgery, you’ll likely need adjustments to your band to address your changing needs.

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The Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The Gastric Sleeve surgery is also laparoscopic and involves your bariatric surgeon revising the size of your stomach. He or she will cut away a portion of your stomach and remove it, leaving a stomach pouch similarly shaped like a banana. The extent of how much of your stomach your bariatric surgeon will need to remove will be discussed during your preoperative consultations. As with the Lap-Band surgery, patients will consume less food and experience fewer feelings of hunger.

How Do These Two Surgeries Compare?

For many patients, the Gastric Sleeve has a number of advantages when compared to the Lap-Band surgery. For example, the Lap-Band surgery can require several surgeries after the first one to ensure proper adjustments and fit, with each band coming at an additional cost on top of the initial bariatric surgery cost.

There are also chances of complications with the Lap-Band surgery one should consider. For example, the Lap-Band may shift or slip, and it can even cut into your stomach tissue. By comparison, the Gastric Sleeve surgery does come with high chances of these complications and has a higher success rate compared to the Lap-Band surgery.

Consider All The Options With Your Bariatric Surgeon In NY

While there are some advantages to certain bariatric surgeries over others, it’s imperative that you don’t just read our blog and form an opinion. Schedule a consultation with our bariatric surgeon, Dr. Rosen, and allow us to walk through all options with you. We’ll help you make the right decision that best fits your needs.

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Celiac Disease Before And After Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery

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Dr. Rosen, a leading bariatric surgeon, has been helping patients achieve results and lose weight quickly and safely through bariatric procedures, such as the Gastric Sleeve surgery in New York. A number of our patients who are interested in Gastric Sleeve surgery also have questions about their celiac disease or gluten allergies. Today, we’ll cover these matters and give a brief overview of what you need to know.

Understanding Gluten

Before we dive into gluten intolerance and celiac disease, let’s first explain what gluten is and give some examples of foods which contain gluten.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and grains such as rye and barley. Gluten is what lends elasticity to dough and gives bread its chewy texture.

What Is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the digestive tract. If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, it can result in damage to the lining of your small intestine. Not only can this result in serious digestive problems and anemia, it can cause skin rashes, body pains and cramps, ulcers, and even changes to your menstrual cycle.

Foods to avoid if you have celiac disease:

  • Wheat of any kind
  • Matzo
  • Rye
  • Barley
  • Couscous
  • Semolina
  • Durum
  • Farina
  • Faro
  • Spelt

What’s The Difference Between Celiac Disease & Gluten Intolerance?

There are differences between celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, while gluten intolerance is simply a heightened sensitivity to products that include gluten. In fact, there’s an entire notion that gluten intolerance may not be a real thing; rather, people are buying into a gluten-free marketing and food fad. However, celiac disease is a real condition that has been scientifically proven to exist.

Can I Undergo Gastric Sleeve Surgery If I Have Celiac Disease?

Yes! You can absolutely undergo Gastric Sleeve surgery if you have celiac disease. Many patients who suffer from celiac disease are also morbidly obese and undergo the Gastric Sleeve surgery in order to effectively lose weight and improve their overall health. The revised diet for those who have undergone any type of bariatric surgery is typically gluten-free, meaning that patients who live with celiac disease will still be able to eat a balanced and healthy diet.

Can Bariatric Surgery Make Me Gluten Intolerant Or Cause Celiac Disease?

There have been some reported cases where patients who have undergone bariatric surgery have developed celiac disease or a gluten intolerance after the procedure. While the exact reason for the condition has yet to be found, some studies suggest that it could be due to the shock to your system from undergoing the surgery.

It should be noted with importance that a procedure such as the Gastric Sleeve surgery involves less revision to your digestive tract and intestines compared to other bariatric surgeries. Additionally, as we mentioned above, should you develop a gluten intolerance after undergoing bariatric surgery, it is not likely that you will notice a severe impact on your dietary habits post-surgery because your recommended diet will typically be gluten-free.

Is The Gastric Sleeve Surgery Right For You?

In order to get the right answers to this question and others, it’s imperative that you schedule a consultation with Dr. Rosen at Weight Zen in New York. We will assess your situation, allow you to ask questions, and give you the answers you need to make a confident decision about your weight loss surgery options. Fill out the below form and we will contact you:

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What You Need To Know About Carbs After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

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Dr. Rosen has helped countless patients struggling with obesity achieve a slimmer and trimmer frame thanks to the advanced bariatric surgery options at Weight Zen. Patients come from all over New York for the Gastric Sleeve surgery procedure. Just like any other bariatric surgery, a patient’s diet is going to change. Today, we’re going to specifically look at which types of carbs you’ll be able to include in your diet after you’ve undergone Gastric Sleeve surgery.

Can You Still Eat Carbs After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Yes!

However, just because you can eat carbs doesn’t mean you should indiscriminately eat carbs with every single meal, or eat any kind of carbs. It’s important that you know what types of carbs you’re ingesting because some are going to better for your health – and weight – than others.

Not All Carbs Are Created Equal

Both simple and complex carbohydrates can cause a number of issues after you’ve had Gastric Sleeve surgery.

  • Complex Carbohydrates: These are your grains and starches. They absorb water as they sit in your stomach, expanding and potentially causing some serious discomfort.
  • Simple Carbohydrates: These are sugars. They will increase your chances of dumping syndrome, which can cause quite a bit of discomfort, too.

Even though these carbohydrates aren’t great for you after Gastric Sleeve surgery, your body still needs them.

Reach For Healthy Carbs

Healthy carbohydrates can be found in fruits and vegetables and should be consumed rather than complex and simple carbohydrates if possible. Fruits and veggies won’t cause as much abdominal discomfort as the complex and simple carbohydrates will. Plus, they contain a ton of fiber and vitamins and minerals that are important to maintaining good overall health and wellness.

Avoid Unhealthy, Processed Carbs

While you’re consuming those healthy carbohydrates that your body needs on a daily basis, it’s a great idea to avoid unhealthy simple – processed -carbohydrates as much as you can. This means staying away from white bread, white pasta, white rice, junk food and candy.

Your Diet Will Mostly Be High In Protein

After you’ve undergone bariatric surgery of any type, your main concern will be consuming a healthy, protein-rich diet. In the early stages post-surgery, the protein will help your body heal faster and with less complications. After you’ve made a full recovery, your high-protein diet will help your body perform protein synthesis, as well as prevent protein breakdown in your body. Basically, a protein-rich diet is going to help your body function the way it should while you lose weight.

Discuss Everything With Your Bariatric Surgeon

While the challenges you’ll face after bariatric surgery are real, they’re also worthwhile. In order to understand the advantages and disadvantages of bariatric surgery and to discuss the above issues in greater detail, it’s imperative that you speak with a trusted bariatric surgeon, such as Dr. Rosen.

Are you interested in weight loss surgery? Do you want to learn more about your bariatric surgery options? Make sure you contact Weight Zen today, and schedule a consultation with us. Dr. Rosen and Nutritionist Megan Wolf will work closely with you to help you find the best path towards a healthier weight and a healthier you. You can use the form below to get in touch:

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Which Pain Medications Are Safe After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

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Dr. Rosen has established himself as a leading bariatric surgeon in New York. One of the biggest reasons patients trust Dr. Rosen is because of his commitment to patient wellness and education. With that in mind, we’re here today to explore the issue of pain and pain relief after your Gastric Sleeve surgery while focusing on which pain medications are safe for those who have undergone bariatric surgery.

Pain & Discomfort Are Common After Bariatric Surgical Procedures

Any kind of bariatric surgery is going to put your body through a lot of changes, and that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Even a low-maintenance, less complex bariatric surgery like the Lap-Band or Gastric Sleeve may result in some form of post-surgical discomfort. You’ll be able to recover at home after early monitoring, and pain relievers can be taken to help with the discomfort and soreness. However, there are some types of medications that you should not take.

Avoid Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Bariatric surgery patients should never take NSAIDs. This includes:

  • Aspirin (Excedrin, Bayer)
  • Naproxen (Aleve)
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin)

This also includes prescription NSAIDs:

  • Vimovo
  • Lodine
  • Relafen
  • Daypro
  • Voltaren
  • Indocin

Why Should You Avoid NSAIDs After Bariatric Surgery?

NSAIDs affect your stomach’s ability to create mucous, which protects your stomach’s lining from gastric fluids. When your stomach lining is exposed to these gastric fluids, your chances of ulcers, stomach bleeding, and even stomach perforations increase. These things can cause major medical complications after bariatric surgery.

Approved Pain Relief: Opioids

Opioid drugs such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin), codeine, and morphine (Avinza, Kadian) can be taken after bariatric surgery. However, these medications should be prescribed and taken with caution.  Here at Weight Zen, we take great care when prescribing these types of pain relievers.

Approved Pain Relief: Acetaminophen

Pain relievers that are acetaminophen-based, such as Tylenol, are approved for patients who have recently undergone bariatric surgery. It isn’t uncommon for opioids and acetaminophen drugs to be prescribed together to help with pain and discomfort.

How Long Will The Pain Last?

The pain and discomfort you experience after bariatric surgery can last as long as a few weeks; although, you will notice a significant decrease in pain after the first couple weeks. It’s important that you get a lot of rest and avoid any type of strenuous physical activity.

Follow All Recommendations From Your Bariatric Surgeon

It’s important that, as you recover, you follow all recommendations from your doctor pertaining to diet and activity level. This will help you with the healing process and allow you to make the transition into your new life and body. Follow every instruction to the letter, and never hesitate to call your bariatric surgeon should you have questions.

For more information on bariatric surgeries, such as the Gastric Sleeve surgery, and how they can help transform your life, contact Weight Zen today using the below form, and ask to schedule a consultation with us. We look forward to working with you and discussing your treatment options.

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