Author: jefftormey

How to Choose a Bariatric Surgeon

Written by jefftormey on July 23, 2024. Posted in Bariatric Surgery. No Comments on How to Choose a Bariatric Surgeon

If other methods of weight loss don’t seem to work, you may opt for weight loss surgery. It can be overwhelming because you have so many questions, and since you are doing it for the first time, you want to go for only the best service. Before undergoing the life-changing procedure, below are tips for choosing a bariatric surgeon.

Get Referrals

As with any other procedure, you want to do your due diligence when finding the right team for the job. The first place to start is to get a list of referrals, where you compile details of the best surgeons in your region based on recommendations from friends and family members. If someone you know had a successful bariatric procedure, that should help you narrow down your list.

Check Credentials

Another important consideration when it comes to how to choose the right bariatric surgeon is that they must be accredited. The doctors must have the relevant skills and training and must have been in the industry for a while. Are they certified? Are they practicing in a recognized facility? While at it, check that there are no reports of malpractice or disciplinary cases against them.

Hospital Quality

One important consideration to make is the kind of hospital where the surgery will take place. You are looking for a facility with the best services and equipment and the best performance when it comes to weight loss surgeries. Apart from going for only the best, some patients also consider proximity. Is it an institution you can easily reach when making follow-up visits and going for consultations? This goes a long way to guarantee a speedy recovery and a successful procedure.

Communication Style

One aspect that often goes overlooked when choosing the right bariatric surgeon is their communication style. You want a team that you can freely talk to, that empathizes with you and your needs, and is ready to answer your questions and provide assurance. Make sure that you get a surgeon who is dedicated to taking you through the entire journey.

Insurance Cover

Does your surgeon participate in your insurance coverage? The aim is to find a practice that allows your insurance coverage so that you will spend the least amount of expenses out-of-pocket. Considering how crucial the surgery is, you want to save as much money as possible.

Settle for the Best Bariatric Surgery in NYC

Weight loss surgery is a life-changing experience, and you need a dedicated team of professionals to come along on your journey. Trust the professionals at Lenox Hill Hospital if you are looking for the best bariatric surgeon in NYC that ticks all your boxes.

Can the Stomach Stretch After a Gastric Sleeve?

Written by jefftormey on July 22, 2024. Posted in Gastric Sleeve Surgery. No Comments on Can the Stomach Stretch After a Gastric Sleeve?

You already know how the gastric sleeve works. The goal is to reduce the size of the stomach by as much as 80%, which ensures that your stomach holds less food and you feel full faster. However, there is one concern among patients: Can you stretch out your stomach after a gastric sleeve?

Can Your Stomach Stretch After Sleeve Surgery?

The whole point of a gastric sleeve is to reduce the size of your stomach and, in turn, reduce your food intake. However, if your stomach regains its original size, your food intake will increase, and chances are high that your weight will increase again. This is the last thing that you want to happen after surgery. Unfortunately, it is possible. If you keep overeating, your stomach will gradually start adapting and extending to find more room for the extra food.

What Happens When Your Stomach Stretches?

The stomach is designed to naturally stretch, considering that its walls consist of expanding tissues. It is a normal reaction when food enters the pouch, as it informs the body that it is full. The only problem is that when you overeat, it causes a permanent increase in size. It will interfere with the normal signaling process, so the body won’t know that it is time to stop. As a result, you risk regaining the weight you have been trying so hard to lose.

How to Prevent Stomach Stretching After a Gastric Sleeve

Because the stomach can stretch after a gastric sleeve, it is important to know how to prevent it.

Avoid Overeating

You want to eat small portions of food. Otherwise, you risk overeating and making it a habit, so the stomach gradually starts to expand to accommodate the extra food.

Limit Fluid Intake While Eating

Make sure you only ingest fluids a few hours after eating. This way, you avoid excessively filling your stomach. It is even worse when it is carbonated drinks, which increase pressure in the pouch, leading to pain and reflux.

Eat Small Snacks in Between Meals

If you end up feeling extremely hungry between meals, you can try to eat small snacks. Healthy snacks make you feel full and prevent you from overindulging on your next meal.

Rely on Experienced Gastric Sleeve Surgery Professionals

If you are looking forward to your first bariatric surgery or have just had one, the last thing you want is for your stomach’s size to increase. To help keep your weight in check, let the experts at Lenox Hill Hospital perform your gastric sleeve surgery in NYC.

How to Keep the Weight Off After Bariatric Surgery

Written by jefftormey on July 16, 2024. Posted in Bariatric Surgery. No Comments on How to Keep the Weight Off After Bariatric Surgery

Imagine the excitement after finding out that you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery. There is one more challenge, and that is knowing how to keep your weight in check after the surgery. Luckily, all you need is the right state of mind and discipline. It is achievable with the following tips on how to maintain weight after bariatric surgery.

Eat Smaller Portions of the Right Foods

Succeeding in your weight loss journey starts with your food options and their portions. Specialists recommend limiting your intake to small servings a couple of times a day, allowing the stomach more time to digest, especially now that there have been changes in your digestive system. While at it, make sure that you eat the right foods. You want to avoid starch in all its forms, which includes bread, pasta, rice, chips, cereal, and sweets. A half to 2 cups a day will do, and even so, they must have a high fiber content.

Avoid Grazing

One more challenge you will have to overcome when learning how to maintain weight loss after gastric sleeve is to avoid continuous snacking all through the day. After surgery, the goal is for your reduced stomach to stay full, such that you don’t have to keep nibbling on high-calorie snacks. You want to pay more attention to options rich in fiber and proteins to leave you feeling fuller for longer.

Avoid Eating Out

It is understandable that people can get busy and will resort to ordering food instead of cooking, but that also has so many downsides when it comes to keeping the weight off. You want to track what you eat, making sure it is healthy and nutritious, which may be a problem when the food you order contains excessive calories. Prioritize cooking your own food, but if you must eat out, check that you avoid junk and only eat healthy meals in small portions.

Exercise Daily

If you are wondering how to maintain weight after a gastric bypass, daily exercise is the best way to do so. This is a foolproof way to keep your body active and burn excess calories. You have a higher chance of success in the short term when you stay active every day instead of solely relying on the surgery.

Maintain Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

The best way to avoid weight gain after surgery is to eat small portions of healthy foods and exercise daily. If you are planning to undergo surgery or have concerns about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, reach out to our experts in bariatric surgery in NY at Lenox Hill Hospital today.

Expectations After Weight Loss Surgery

Written by jefftormey on July 15, 2024. Posted in Weight Loss Surgery. No Comments on Expectations After Weight Loss Surgery

Have you struggled with weight loss programs and are considering undergoing surgery? You must have so many concerns about the procedure and, most importantly, don’t know what to expect. This guide will take you through the most important questions when it comes to what to expect after weight loss surgery.

How much weight will you lose?

The main goal when undergoing the surgery is to lose as much weight as possible. There are various surgeries, so the result usually depends on the procedure. This explains why it is crucial to choose the right bariatric surgery. Your current weight will also determine the results. However, gastric sleeve surgery is very popular. So, when it comes down to what to expect after gastric sleeve, you will likely lose as much as 40% of your extra weight. On the other hand, you may lose up to 60% of it after a gastric bypass.

What does recovery look like?

This is a very common question because you want to know how long it will take to get back on your feet after the surgery. It will depend on the individual and the type of procedure. Take the bypass surgery, for instance, which is laparoscopic. Since the surgeon makes small incisions, it means that you will recover in a short time and maybe stay in the hospital for only 2–3 days. Therefore, 3–5 weeks should be enough for you to make a full recovery and resume your daily activities.

What are the benefits of the surgery?

In most cases, the health benefits of weight loss surgery happen in no time. If you have preexisting conditions like diabetes, you will soon see physical improvements. Your blood pressure will also stabilize, and you will see changes in conditions like sleep apnea and arthritis. There will also be excellent changes in the long run as you keep your weight in check.

What changes will you make after surgery?

In matters of what to expect after gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, there will be some changes in your lifestyle. This will be very important to help keep off the extra weight and keep you in shape. You will adjust your nutrition, switching to smaller portions of healthy meals as you avoid junk, starch, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and other high-calorie foods. Daily exercise will also be your lifestyle because you must stay active to improve your metabolism and overall health.

Heed to Professional Advice After Weight Loss Surgery

You don’t have to worry about undergoing weight loss surgery in New York. With the right team, like the professionals at Lenox Hill Hospital, you are in safe hands and are sure to make a full recovery and enjoy a successful procedure.

Coffee After Gastric Sleeve Surgery—Is It Allowed?

Written by jefftormey on June 26, 2024. Posted in Gastric Sleeve Surgery. No Comments on Coffee After Gastric Sleeve Surgery—Is It Allowed?

Coffee drinkers know that the best way to kick-start their mornings is with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. However, if you have just undergone weight loss surgery, surgeons recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks. Junk foods like popcorn are on that list, which makes you wonder, can you drink coffee after a gastric sleeve?

What Happens When You Ingest Coffee After a Gastric Sleeve?

Diet and exercise are crucial after undergoing surgery. They keep you in shape and promote healthy and speedy weight loss. Experts advise that you must completely refrain from drinking coffee or any other caffeinated or carbonated drink for the first 90 days post-surgery. You need to avoid certain foods and drinks until your body fully recovers and adjusts to the new digestive changes. So, why is coffee on the list of foods to avoid?

It Is Acidic

If you are wondering if you can drink coffee after gastric sleeve, know that it contains high amounts of acid, which is the last thing you want to consume after the surgery. After the procedure, you are more vulnerable to GERD and acid reflux, meaning coffee will easily irritate your stomach lining, causing a lot of pain.

It Causes Dehydration

Coffee is known for its diuretic effect (dehydration of the body). Patients are always advised to drink more water and stay hydrated all through the day to facilitate healing and promote a healthy gut, but drinking coffee has the opposite effect. Therefore, it is best to avoid it and switch to healthier drinks.

It Causes Poor Gut Motility

Your gut motility will be affected while you are recovering after surgery. Food doesn’t move through your digestive system as usual, and essential nutrients are not fully absorbed like they were before the surgery. You must eat highly nutritious foods to enhance the absorption rate, which is not the case with caffeinated drinks, which lack essential nutrients.

When Can I Drink Coffee After Gastric Sleeve?

Refrain from coffee for the first 90 days after surgery, and even after that, take it in moderation. Remember that every person is different, so it is best to consult with your doctor on such matters. To be safe, consider healthier drink alternatives like water, green tea, smoothies, and herbal tea (non-caffeinated).

Consult a Professional Bariatric Surgeon in New York City

It is expected that you will feel overwhelmed when it comes to your new lifestyle with dietary restrictions. To be sure, you can consult with us about all matters regarding weight loss surgery and the best foods to eat after New York City bariatric surgery at Lennox Hill Hospital.

The Causes of GERD After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Written by jefftormey on June 19, 2024. Posted in Gastric Sleeve Surgery. No Comments on The Causes of GERD After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where food from the stomach re-enters a patient’s esophagus. Conventionally, GERD should reduce after a gastric bypass, but there are cases where the procedure makes it even worse. You may experience GERD as you try to recover from gastric bypass surgery, so how are GERD and bariatric surgery connected? How can you treat it?

What Is the Relationship Between GERD and Gastric Bypass?

Are you wondering if gastric bypass and acid reflux are connected? When you undergo surgery, it alters the normal shape of the stomach, changing how food usually travels through your digestive system. It is expected that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) will also be affected. This is the muscle ring at the end of the esophagus, which opens when food enters the stomach and closes to prevent the particles from re-entering. However, when it fails to work, food contents from the stomach find their way back to the esophagus, which causes symptoms of GERD or acid reflux after gastric bypass surgery.

How Does Bariatric Surgery Affect the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)?

There are various ways that the LES can be tampered with during surgery. For instance, the angle where it meets the stomach may flatten, making it easier for food to travel back to the esophagus. Similarly, if there is excessive pressure in the stomach, it may exert the same pressure on the muscles, forcing them open. Lastly, acid reflux may occur because food post-surgery stays in the stomach for too long.

How to Treat Gerd After Gastric Bypass

If you are suffering from excruciating acid reflux after surgery, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Doctors recommend PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors), which go a long way to reduce the excessive production of acid in the stomach. They may also prescribe prokinetic agents to make the LES contractions and the contractions along the tract stronger.

If you have severe GERD and medication doesn’t seem to work, then doctors will recommend surgery. They can perform RYGB or LINX surgeries or the Stretta procedure. You should see a doctor immediately when you detect acid reflux; otherwise, you risk complications like inflammation of the esophagus, peptic strictures (narrow esophagus), or esophageal cancer.

Seek Professional Help to Deal With GERD After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Are you interested in undergoing a gastric bypass in Manhattan? Or have you had one but need surgery to treat severe acid reflux? Consult with our professionals from Lennox Hill Hospital today for a safe bariatric surgery and treatment of acid reflux, GERD, and other post-gastric bypass complications.

How to Tell That You Have a Gastric Leak

Written by jefftormey on June 14, 2024. Posted in Gastric Sleeve Surgery. No Comments on How to Tell That You Have a Gastric Leak

Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most highly requested weight loss procedures by patients worldwide, thanks to its high rate of efficiency. However, like any other surgery, it also comes with potential risks, like back pain and leakages. If you have just undergone one, it helps to know the gastric sleeve leak symptoms and how to prevent such complications.

What Happens During Gastrointestinal Leaks After a Gastric Sleeve?

Leakages post-surgery cause severe complications for patients, which manifest differently based on the case. There are two types of leaks: staple lines and anastomotic. With an anastomotic leak, the condition occurs where the stomach has been stapled. Usually, it happens when patients have undergone surgery before or are suffering from diabetes. On the other hand, leaks along the staple lines occur along the staples after surgery. This is more common among patients struggling with alcoholism or severe cases of obesity.

Signs of a Gastric Sleeve Leak

Gastric sleeve symptoms of a leak are easy to detect, the most common one being abdominal pain, ranging from mild to severe pain. You may also experience other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, chest pain, and respiratory distress. You should know how to detect the leak symptoms after gastric sleeve early and seek immediate medical attention. Otherwise, failure to recognize them makes them worse. You risk further complications like septic shock, gastric ulcers, and organ failure.

What to Do When You Suspect That You Have a Gastric Sleeve Leak

If you have noticed any of the symptoms above, the next step is to consult with your doctor. You should seek treatment immediately to avoid the situation escalating. Usually, doctors prescribe antibiotics to patients and other treatments for the infection, but in severe cases, treatment involves repair surgery.

Prevention is the best way to avoid such complications. Ensure that you take adequate rest after surgery and listen to your doctor as you follow the instructions to guarantee speedy recovery. Also, don’t skip any follow-ups with your doctors for frequent monitoring, and to be safe, remember to seek medical attention whenever you detect any of the leak symptoms.

Consult the Professionals

Are you thinking about undergoing a gastric sleeve in New York? Are you experiencing signs that you may have a post-surgery leak? Consult with our surgeons at Lennox Hill Hospital to find the way forward and the best treatment methods to get you back on your feet to continue your weight loss journey.

Why Go For a Lap Band Surgery After a Gastric Bypass

Written by jefftormey on June 5, 2024. Posted in Gastric Sleeve Surgery. No Comments on Why Go For a Lap Band Surgery After a Gastric Bypass

Bariatric surgery is the answer if you are looking for an effective way to lose weight within a short time when other methods seem to fail. But what happens when you have undergone a gastric bypass but are yet to lose your target weight? Can you get a lap band after a gastric bypass instead of a full correctional surgery? Here’s what to know.

Can You Have a Lap Band After Gastric Bypass?

As advised by a surgeon, you can get lap band surgery after undergoing a gastric bypass. It is a procedure otherwise known as a band over bypass, and although not very popular, it is quite simple to get done. In most cases, patients opt for the band over gastric bypass at least a year later.

Why Go for a Band Over Bypass Surgery?

Patients undergo gastric bypass to help lose weight, and if that doesn’t happen, they opt for corrective surgeries. However, instead of redoing the entire process, doctors recommend going for a lap band surgery, which also works but is not as complex as a gastric bypass. The main reason why you can have a lap band surgery after a gastric bypass is if you didn’t lose your target weight after the initial surgery. It is also ideal if you feel like your weight has plateaued or you are starting to add more weight.

How Does a Band Over Bypass Surgery Work?

This procedure is also a laparoscopic surgery—the same as a lap band. Here, the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and then ties your stomach pouch with the gastric band. As a result, the new stomach pouch will now hold even less food. The goal is to limit the patient’s food intake, which goes a long way to prevent overeating and, in turn, facilitates weight loss. It is an effective solution to keep you feeling full and reducing your food intake. It is also lauded for being a safer option than the conventional revisional procedures.

Lap Band Surgery After a Gastric Bypass

Have you previously undergone a gastric bypass but fear that it may have failed? Is your weight stagnant or increasing by the day, and you are uncertain about getting a correctional procedure? When you consult our surgeons from Lennox Hill Hospital, we will advise you on the best way forward, often recommending lap band surgery in NYC as a simpler and safer solution.

Close-up Of A Person Grabbing Popcorn From A Glass Bowl

Popcorn After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Written by jefftormey on May 22, 2024. Posted in Gastric Sleeve Surgery, Uncategorized. No Comments on Popcorn After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve is one of the most effective weight loss procedures. However, to maximize its success, you should adjust your lifestyle by eating right and frequently exercising. One of the most common questions post-surgery is what foods to avoid. For instance, you may wonder, can you eat popcorn after gastric sleeve?

Risks Involved When Eating Popcorn Post-Surgery

Popcorn is quite popular thanks to its low-calorie and high-fiber content. It is also rich in minerals and vitamins, being a whole-grain option. Despite its numerous benefits, it is on the list of foods not recommended for patients, just like fizzy drinks, pasta, gum, and other high-sugar and high-calorie options. Here are compelling reasons to avoid eating popcorn.

It Causes Dumping Syndrome

You can’t eat popcorn after gastric sleeve because it contains high amounts of carbs and fats, which can easily trigger dumping syndrome. This condition occurs when you overeat in one sitting, making it tasking for the body to properly digest the food, leading to bloating, diarrhea, stomach pains, and other symptoms.

It Causes Dehydration

You notice that you get incredibly thirsty after eating popcorn because, as a dry food, it tends to absorb moisture while you eat it. You need to hydrate more after surgery, so the more popcorn you eat, the more water you need. Otherwise, you will likely suffer headaches, dizziness, and other dehydration-related symptoms.

It May Cause Stomach Blockage

Popcorn is rich in fiber, and although that is good for your body, it can be a problem after a gastric sleeve. Your stomach finds it hard to digest such high amounts of fiber, especially in massive chunks. That has a risk of blocking your stomach, which is the last thing you want after a gastric sleeve.

Tips When Eating Popcorn Post-Surgery

If you are worried about whether you can have popcorn after a gastric sleeve, you don’t have to forgo your favorite snack as long as you practice caution. You can only eat it in small portions at a given time. Secondly, avoid adding oil or other toppings and extra seasoning that will be tasking for your body to break down. Also, make sure you drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration.

Watch Your Diet After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

It is crucial to watch your diet, especially after a gastric sleeve in NYC. If you are unsure what to eat, consult with our surgeons at Lenox Hill Hospital for guidance or more information about the procedure.

Overweight Woman Sitting On The Floor Next To A Couch

Am I Eligible for Lap Band Surgery?

Written by jefftormey on May 20, 2024. Posted in Weight Loss Blog. No Comments on Am I Eligible for Lap Band Surgery?

Are you torn between lap band surgery vs gastric surgery or any other weight loss procedure? A lap band procedure has the advantages of being reversible and featuring low risks of complications. It has a simple concept where the surgeons put an adjustable band around the stomach to reduce its size. If you are considering it, there’s one pressing concern: the lap band surgery requirements. Read on for more information on what it takes to be eligible for lap band surgery in New York City.

BMI of 30-45

One of the most crucial factors determining who is eligible for lap band surgery is that you must be overweight/obese or at risk of obesity-related diseases. No minimum weight requirement exists, but patients must have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30-45. What if your BMI is more than 45? You will be advised to use more effective weight loss procedures like the gastric sleeve procedure.

Long Term Overweight

While you may meet the criterion for having a high BMI, being obese, or at risk of weight-related conditions, you may not be a good candidate for the procedure unless you have been overweight for a long time. Some surgeons state you must have been obese for at least five years to be eligible for the lap band procedure.

Frequent Follow-ups

Before undergoing the lap band, ensure you will be available for frequent check-ups with your surgeon. Like any other weight loss procedure, some risks are involved, especially when you fail to adjust your lifestyle and nutrition. Several patients have the band removed due to complications like slippage or leakages. To avoid that, you should be ready for follow-ups with your doctor.

Open to Change

Another way to know who is eligible for a lap band is by determining whether the patient is ready to change their lifestyle. Surgery is the first step in trying to lose weight, but after that, you will also have to exercise frequently, follow a post lap band diet,eat healthy, take low-calorie meals, and generally change unhealthy habits. You must be highly motivated—otherwise, the procedure will fail.

Doctor Clearance

You must be healthy to undergo the procedure, which means that you should not be suffering from medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. These are risky cases that could lead to complications during surgery, and you would instead need to opt for safer alternatives.

Talk to a Specialist About Lap Band Surgery

If you meet the above criteria, you are likely a good candidate for lap band surgery in NYC. However, ensure that you consult with our surgeons at Lenox Hill Bariatric Surgery Program for a customized evaluation to confirm that you are ready for the procedure.