Author: jefftormey

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What Tests Are Done Before Gastric Bypass Surgery & VSG?

Written by jefftormey on June 28, 2023. Posted in Weight Loss Blog.

With obesity becoming such a common problem in the U.S., many people are looking for effective solutions such as bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are two weight loss operations that are incredibly common today.

You can regain the look you had in your earlier years with weight loss surgery. Of course, you’ll need to put some work in. The right diet and exercise regimen is crucial for keeping the weight down. But everyone loves to look younger these days.

Bariatric procedures can be performed safely and effectively by qualified surgeons. That being said, you might be wondering what kind of tests you may need to undergo before qualifying for these weight loss operations. Let’s talk about some of the common tests you should plan for.

And if you’re considering weight loss surgery in New York City, reach out to our clinic today., reach out to our clinic today. We offer a variety of bariatric procedures that can help you maintain your ideal figure.

What Tests Are Done Before Bariatric Surgery?

Before you get weight loss surgery, there are some common gastric bypass and gastric sleeve pre-op tests that your surgeon may request or require. So what tests are done before gastric sleeve and other bariatric surgeries?

These tests can include:

Physical Exam

Before your operation, your surgeon will want to examine your overall physical state. These can include BMI, blood pressure, sleep apnea, and more. They may also review your medical history and the medications that you’re currently on.

If you have any kind of allergies or pre-existing conditions, be sure to inform your surgeon of these before going any further. This allows your surgeon to assess your risk and potential benefits of undergoing bariatric surgery.

Blood Tests

In order to reduce complications that could arise during surgery, a blood test will be ordered. Blood tests before bariatric surgery are very common. They’re an important step for determining if you’re qualified for weight loss surgery.

These look at your kidney function, electrolyte levels, and liver function, as well as your blood count. You may be iron deficient, for instance.

Read More : What To Know About Iron Deficiency After Gastric Surgery

This allows the surgeon to suggest diet, lifestyle changes, or supplements before the procedure, if necessary. This will keep your risk level low during and after the procedure.

Barium Test

An upper GI series or barium swallow may be required before you undergo weight loss surgery. This evaluates your upper digestive system, your stomach, your small intestine, and even your esophagus.

It involves drinking barium, which is a chalky liquid, and allows the surgeon to see your digestive system on an X-ray.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound can assess the size of your gallbladder and liver, and see if there are any abnormalities that need to be addressed before your procedure. That’s why pre-op testing for gastric bypass and VSG is so crucial.

Get Bariatric Surgery With Confidence

You should love what you see when you look in the mirror every morning. Gastric sleeve in NYC can help you slim down to the figure you’ve always dreamed of.

Health, diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses can be caused by obesity or excess weight that you’re carrying around. By investing in weight loss surgery, you can help mitigate these risks as you age. Contact us today to learn more about your options.

The Differences Between A Gastric Bypass Vs Sleeve Gastrectomy

Written by jefftormey on June 21, 2023. Posted in Weight Loss Blog.

After losing weight, many people consider bariatric surgeries. Two common types of bariatric surgery are gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. That being said, there are some similarities and differences that you should know about.

So keep reading this post. We’ll explore gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass and their differences. Keep in mind, you should always consult with a surgeon before considering any weight loss procedure. But this basic understanding will help you know your options.

Related Reading: Can You Get Pregnant After Bariatric Surgery?

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Before getting into the difference between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, let’s talk about bariatric surgery. After all, the sleeve vs bypass depends on some basic understanding.

Essentially, bariatric surgery just means weight loss surgery. When someone has obesity, it can cause issues with their health. This includes hypertension, diabetes, and more. Therefore, bariatric surgery is any kind of surgery that helps you reduce your overall weight and fat content.

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

When looking at gastric sleeve surgery vs bypass, it’s important to know that gastric sleeve surgery is incredibly effective, just as a bypass is. Gastric sleeve surgery is also sometimes referred to as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

During a gastric sleeve surgery, around 80% of your stomach is removed via surgery. This causes your stomach to produce less of the hunger hormone called ghrelin. Your new stomach will be shaped like a banana and be significantly smaller.

So while you’ll have less hunger, you’ll also be able to consume less food physically. This combination allows you to drop weight faster than before. It can help you keep your blood sugar under control as well.

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

As the second part of the sleeve gastrectomy vs gastric bypass comparison, let’s look at the bypass.

Gastric bypass surgery is also sometimes called the golden standard of weight loss surgery. Depending on your needs, it may be the best operation for you in order to lose weight safely. During this operation, the surgeon will staple your stomach and create a smaller pouch while blocking off a lower portion of your existing stomach pouch.

From here, part of your intestine is connected to your small upper pouch. After the middle section of the small intestine is newly connected, food and liquid will bypass your existing stomach.

You will absorb fewer calories because the food will also bypass the first section of your small intestine. Along with feeling less hungry, the effect of absorbing fewer calories will lead to better weight loss and overall health.

Read more: Calories Intake After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

What’s The Difference Between Gastric Bypass And Gastric Sleeve?

Choosing the right procedure is key. And when it comes to what is the difference between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, there are a few important factors to keep in mind.

A major difference between bypass and sleeve is the amount of your stomach that is removed.

Whereas gastric sleeve surgery is fairly straightforward, gastric bypass requires additional steps. Again, the surgeon must connect part of the intestine to the upper stomach pouch.

For this reason, gastric bypass can also come with additional side effects. Still, gastric bypass can often provide longer-lasting weight loss results and better control of blood sugar.

Understanding which operation is best for you requires a consultation with a qualified medical expert.

Learn More About Bariatric Surgery Today

If you’re considering roux en y vs gastric sleeve, reach out to our offices today. Our best bariatric surgeon in NYC can help you safely and quickly lose the weight you’ve always wanted while keeping it off long-term. Let’s begin your new future today with VSG or gastric bypass surgery in NYC.

Moderate And Severe Constipation After Gastric Sleeve: Is It Normal?

Written by jefftormey on June 14, 2023. Posted in Weight Loss Blog.

If you’re overweight, then it can have a negative effect on all areas of your life. There are a lot of sacrifices you have to make. For these reasons, many people look to bariatric surgeons to help them drop excess fat. At Lenox Hill Bariatric Surgery Program, our friendly expert weight loss surgeons are dedicated to your long-term health goals.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a popular route to start feeling better and slimming down. However, as with any procedure, there are some side effects to consider. Gastric sleeve constipation is a relatively common occurrence.

So in this blog post to keep reading, we’ll explore the nature and causes of constipation after gastric sleeve, and make sure that you have a great game plan to mitigate this discomfort after your procedure.

Read More: Tips For Losing Weight After A VSG

Constipation After Gastric Sleeve & Gastric Bypass

If you have mild or even severe constipation with gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, there’s nothing to be alarmed by, necessarily. Constipation after VSG is a fairly normal occurrence.

Let’s talk about some of the reasons why it occurs and how you can improve the symptoms — without necessarily needing miralax after gastric sleeve.

The causes of constipation after gastric sleeve are:

Not Getting Enough Physical Movement

You need to be exercising on a regular basis as much as possible based on your body’s limits. This improves your overall metabolism, which also leads to better digestion. Gastric sleeve and constipation often go hand in hand because people don’t keep their metabolism running high enough.

Ultimately, you can prevent constipation with some frequent walks or other cardio exercises.

Calcium And Iron

Taking vitamins may not be the most exciting thing in the world. However, it will help your constipation significantly.

Read more: What To Know About Iron Deficiency After Gastric Surgery

Narcotics

Narcotics are useful for relieving pain, however, they do slow down your digestive system and small intestine. Ultimately, your small intestine will absorb more fluid. This means your stool is drier and does not move through your body as quickly.

Not Getting Enough Fiber Or Water

If you fail to hydrate and get fiber in your diet, then you could experience additional constipation after your bariatric surgery.

What To Do If You’re Feeling Constipated

If you’re feeling the symptoms of VSG constipation, keep to the tips above. However, if it goes on to such an extent that you’re using the bathroom less than twice per week, you should consult a doctor.

Let them know about any additional symptoms you’re experiencing and follow their suggestions.

Speak With A Surgeon About Gastric Sleeve Surgery Today

If you’re considering gastric sleeve surgery in NYC, then reach out to Lenox Hill Bariatric Surgery Program now. Gastric sleeve surgery can be safe and effective when losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

If managed right, you can reduce constipation after sleeve surgery. Our surgeons are highly trained in the most cutting-edge techniques. When necessary, we use surgery to help you achieve your weight loss goals, as well as other options. So let’s begin your new life today.

Drinking Alcohol After Gastric Sleeve & Other Bariatric Surgery: Can You Do It?

Written by jefftormey on June 7, 2023. Posted in Weight Loss Blog.

If you’re considering bariatric surgery in New York, then you’re not alone. Many people want a better mindset, body, and lifestyle. Therefore, they look for ways to lose excess weight and feel better about themselves in the mirror.

Of course, with most operations, there are certain guidelines that you should follow. For instance, people have questions about what food or drink that they can consume. You might be wondering, “Can I drink alcohol after surgery?”

Continue reading and we’ll discuss whether or not surgeries like gastric sleeve and alcohol can go hand-in-hand. That way, you can be best prepared for a safe journey ahead.

Bariatric Surgery And Alcohol 101

Like any drug, alcohol after gastric bypass comes with several negative health side effects when you consume it. Alcohol is technically a drug as well, even though it is still legal. So if you want to consume alcohol after your bariatric surgery, keep this in mind.

One of the reasons that we do not suggest drinking alcohol after bariatric surgery is because it changes your digestion. Drinking after gastric sleeve or another operation is somewhat of a shock to your system. It can slow down your digestion immensely.

Additionally, alcohol tolerance is something to watch out for. You can develop tolerance to a substance over time. The higher your body fat percentage is, the higher your tolerance will be starting out. That means you’ll drink more alcohol before feeling the effects.

This is negative for a couple of reasons. First of all, alcohol contains a lot of calories and this will add to your weight gain. Secondly, alcohol can dehydrate you and limit the function of your organs. Finally, alcohol dehydrogenase is an enzyme that breaks down alcohol. Bariatric surgeries help you lose weight by reducing the size of your stomach.

This means you’ll feel full faster and won’t be tempted to eat as many calories. However, because your stomach is now smaller, you won’t be able to digest this enzyme as easily. In other words, more alcohol will get into your bloodstream.

Therefore, bariatric surgeons would uniformly say that the answer to “Can you drink alcohol after bariatric surgery?” is no.

How Long Should You Wait To Drink Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery?

You should aim to wait around 4 weeks after your surgery to consume any kind of alcohol. If you do reintroduce alcohol, ensure to do it slowly and not overnight.

A glass of wine here and there may not be the end of the world, however, you should always avoid binge drinking whether you’ve recently gotten out of surgery or not. So in short, the answer to “Can I drink alcohol after bariatric surgery?” is “not for a while.”

Learn About Bariatric Surgery In New York

Lenox Hill Hospital offers effective, safe New York bariatric surgery. Our surgeons use state-of-the-art solutions and inform you of the right expectations, recovery, and best practices. Contact us today. Let’s ensure that you can enjoy a healthy, fit lifestyle going forward.