Gastric Bypass Surgery - How It Works

Gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach smaller. This causes you to feel full with less food so you consume fewer calories. The procedure also bypasses part of your small intestine, so fewer calories are actually absorbed into your system. Fewer calories will ultimately lead to weight loss.

When you eat food, it passes through the esophagus and enters into the stomach, where gastric acids soften the food and begin to dissolve it. Next, this semi-liquid mixture enters into the small intestine, where most of the calories and essential nutrients are absorbed by your body. Finally, whatever is left passes into the large intestine and eventually through the colon as it is expelled from the body. Gastric bypass surgery restructures the stomach and intestinal system, resulting in intentional malabsorption and limiting the patient's ability to eat large quantities of food.

Common Gastric Bypass Procedures

The most common gastric bypass surgery is a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The surgeon will create a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples. Next, he will connect this smaller pouch directly to the middle of the small intestine (called the jejunum). This causes the food to bypass the lower part of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (called the duodenum).

Historically, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was does as an open procedure, which means the surgeon makes a large incision in the outer stomach wall to access the abdominal cavity. Today, the laparoscopic procedure is more common for those who qualify. This method is performed by making up to five small incisions in the outer stomach wall and using extremely small instruments and a tiny camera to guide them.

Risks and Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Typically, the surgery requires a two to six day hospital stay, depending on which procedure you have done. Usually, you can return to normal activities within three to five weeks. The type of work you do may require a longer convalescence period.

Some of the benefits of gastric bypass surgery are: · Most people lose between 60% and 80% of their excess weight over a two to three year period. · The majority of patients manage to keep at least 50% of their excess weight off permanently. · Other obesity-related health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are often minimized or eliminated.

There are also several serious risks with gastric bypass surgery, such as: · Peritonitis, a severe infection caused by a leak from the stomach into the abdominal cavity from a ruptured staple or stitch. · The possibility of a blood clot breaking away from the surgical area and getting caught in the lung (called a pulmonary embolism).

However, recent studies indicate that only about 2% to 3% of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients die within 90 days of the procedure. (Source: "Gastric Bypass - Let the Morbidly Obese Beware", by Neil Osterweil, Senior Associate Editor, MedPage Today.) Common Side Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery can also cause several less serious short- and long-term side effects, such as:

· Dumping syndrome, which can occur when food moves too quickly through the small intestine. This disorder causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating and is generally caused by eating highly refined foods, like sugars.

· Developing gallstones or a nutritional deficiency, such as anemia or osteoporosis.

· The connection between the stomach and the intestines can narrow, causing nausea and vomiting after eating.

· Patients can develop stomach ulcers or a hernia.

· The bypassed part of the stomach can enlarge, causing bloating and hiccups.

Of course, any surgery has some risks associated with it. That is why it is essential that you consider all of the benefits and risks associated with gastric bypass surgery and talk them over with your doctor and perhaps even a mental health professional.

Steps To Ensure Safe Laser Eye Surgery

In the modern world, laser eye surgery is one of most widely performed procedures every year. Since it was first performed in the United States in 1991, more and more people looking to rid themselves of expensive and inconvenient eyeglasses and contact lenses, have turned to corrective eye surgery to achieve their goals.

Today, more than one million people in the U.S. alone have undergone the procedure - most with no complications and amazing success. In fact, only 3-6% of those who have undergone the procedure have reported any long term complications associated with it, making safe laser eye surgery what most people have come to expect. But in order to really ensure your safety when it comes to laser eye surgery it is imperative to act as an advocate for yourself and take the steps necessary to protect your health and your eyesight.

Laser eye surgery utilizes laser technology to resurface the cornea - the thin, transparent covering of the eye. During the procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision in the top layer of the cornea in order to create a flap. Once the flap is folded back the mid-section of the cornea is revealed and the surgeon can then use a low-powered laser to resurface the cornea - clearing the way in which light is refracted in our eye and thus improving vision.

The patient's eye is numbed the entire time during the procedure and most who have undergone laser eye surgery report little to no pain associated with the procedure. Nonetheless, there is risk associated with every surgery. And when it comes to laser technology used in and around the eye, it is absolutely imperative to ensure that you are working with skilled and reputable surgeons and a surgery center that is committed to patient care through safe laser eye surgery.

The burden of finding this information is up to you - the patient - but is well-worth the time it will take to ensure a positive experience. Begin your search for safe laser eye surgery by researching the laser eye surgery centers in and around your area. Talk to friends and family who have undergone the procedure to assess their experience; and get recommendations from your general eye doctor and even your primary care physician. Recommendations are key to narrowing your search for a reputable surgery center.

Once you have narrowed your search through recommendations it is crucial that you conduct your own research by examining each surgery center's history, surgical and patient care philosophy, reputation in the industry, and financial options that will be available to you. Follow-up this research by visiting the surgery centers yourself to assess cleanliness of the facility, professionalism of the office and medical support staff, and commitment to safe laser eye surgery through the level of technology being used.

Finally, meet with the surgeon who would perform your procedure to determine his/her experience and strategy for patient care and safety procedures. Any surgeon in which you are interested should perform laser eye surgery on a daily basis and have an overall dedication to safe laser eye surgery and successful results.

What Does Eye Surgery Entail?

Amore permanent solution for many individuals exists with a laser eye surgery procedure such as LASIK. In Synergetic, a company that sells ophthalmic equipment used in eye surgery sued two former employees for trade secret misappropriation.

But you should look for a surgeon who has several years of experience - make sure, though, if the surgeon has been doing corrective eye surgery for 10 years or more that he's up to date on all the latest procedures.

The Next Step Since I gave up playing lacrosse long ago and my prejudice against glasses has worn off, some may say that it's time I take the next logical step in my eye care progression and get laser eye surgery. Less pain seems to be experienced along with more rapid healing that LASEK eye surgery.

However, if you are comfortable wearing glasses or contact lenses, you don't really have to have any kind of laser eye surgery.

If you are looking into laser eye surgery for yourself, this is a factor that you should consider. Postoperative swelling after laser surgery is less compared to the swelling that occurs with conventional eye surgery.

As with any type of surgery there have been documented results that are not complimentary, but having said that, the laser eye surgery procedure these days is fairly commonplace and has come a long way since it's beginning.

Myopia (nearsightedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness), and Astigmatism can all be solved through lasik eye surgery. In contrast, other physicians and surgeons consider LASIK laser eye surgery as the best option whatsoever. Laser eye surgery will not help people with age-related vision problems, such as presbyopia.

If your expectations are too high and unrealistic and you are not a risk taker, you will be rejected by your doctor for LASIK eye surgery. Even though laser eye surgery is extremely common practice you should still take the time to investigate if the surgery is right for you. However, with today's technology, laser eye surgery is now a reality.

Laser eye surgery is for the most part a simple procedure that millions of people have recovered from with great success. To correct poor vision Lasik eye surgery has become the popular choice. They will also tell you if you even are a person that can consider having lasik eye surgery at all.

A quality eye surgeon is vital to achieving excellent results from any laser eye surgery. Laser eye surgery can be an option for this problem by helping correct the distortions and improve passing of light rays. Surgeons often tend to specialise in a particular type of eye surgery so ask them how much experience they have in performing the particular procedure you require.

Although Laser eye surgery is a very safe and highly effective treatment, it still needs an experience & trained personnel. Nevertheless, there are some things that you can count on experiencing before you can have your laser eye surgery. Lasik eye surgery can be performed for $1500 at a reasonable eye clinic.

That's why it's important to understand as much as you can about the procedure via Lasik eye surgery reviews. Laser eye surgery weakens the cornea, so persons with thin corneas are not good candidates. Laser eye surgery is one of the most advanced, and is used especially for the correction of problems like myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness), and astigmatism (distorted vision).

With an 'autoimmune disease' like rheumatoid arthritis, or an 'immunodeficiency disease' such as HIV, the risk of infection and other complications following laser eye surgery is greater.

5 Signs You May Need a Cosmetic Surgery Facelift

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your face? Do you have scars, problems with acne, or is your face starting to show the early signs of aging? If so, you may be curious as to what all of your options are. Despite the fact that you do have a number of different treatment options, many men and women in your shoes opt for cosmetic surgery.

So, should you get a cosmetic surgery facelift? Of course, there are a number of factors that you will want to take into consideration when determining so. There are, however, signs that you will want to look for. If these signs, five of which are outlined below, apply to you, a cosmetic surgery facelift may be in your best interest.

1 - You Are Getting Older

It is no secret that our skin changes as we age. Unfortunately, these changes aren't always pleasant and attractive. Throughout the course of your life you may have developed small scars on your face. These can be taken care of with cosmetic surgery. Although there are a number of reasons why you could undergo a cosmetic surgery facelift, wrinkle treatment is the most common. It is important to remember that just because you are getting older in age; it doesn't mean that you have to look like it!

2 - You Are Embarrassed

Are you embarrassed by the way that you look? Although every single individual is beautiful in their own way, that may not help to change the way that you feel. Those who undergo cosmetic surgery facelifts often have the sole goal of improving their appearance. Whether you are depressed with the signs of aging, if your face is saggy-like after a large weight loss, or if you just want a change, a cosmetic surgery facelift may be an option for you to seriously consider.

3 - You Have Already Examined Your Other Options

As nice as it is to improve your appearance by undergoing a cosmetic surgery facelift, it is important to know that you do have other options. For example, scars or marks that resemble stretch marks can also be removed with laser surgery, as opposed to actually going under the knife. There are also a large number of over-the-counter products that are designed to help reduce wrinkles and slow down the signs of aging. Although surgery does produce quicker results, especially when compared to over-the-counter products, cosmetic surgery does cost more money.

4 - You Have Had Bad Reactions to Over-the-Counter Products

As it was previously stated, there are alternatives to cosmetic surgery facelifts. One of those alternatives is over-the-counter skincare products. There are products that are designed for scars, acne, and wrinkles. Another sign that a surgical facelift may be in your best interest if you have tried a few of these over-the-counter products without success. In fact, have you had bad reactions to these products? Some consumers end up with even more skin problems, namely a bad case of skin irritation.

5 - You Want Results and You Want Them Now

Of course, when you undergo a surgical facelift, it is important to remember that you do need time to recover. Both your body and your skin in particular will need to rest. When that rest and recovery time has ended, you should be able to see immediate results. Laser surgery often takes multiple sessions and over-the-counter skincare products need to be used for months before results are seen. So, if you want to improve the appearance of your face and see results right now, a surgical cosmetic facelift should be examined.

The five above mentioned signs are just a few of the many signs that a cosmetic surgery facelift may be in your best interest. As a reminder, there are dangers that are associated with surgical facelifts, including pain and discomfort. Even with the possibility of painful side effects, many men and women, just like you, find that the pros outweigh the cons.

Laser Eye Surgery: 7 Tips on What to Expect

Have you ever thought about having laser eye surgery performed to correct a vision problem? If you have, what is stopping you? Do you simply want more information as to what happens during the surgery? If so, keep reading. The following information is meant to answer your questions regarding the procedure that is called laser eye surgery.

1- When you are contemplating laser eye surgery, also known as LASIK eye surgery, the first step is to speak with your eye care professional. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you are indeed a candidate. During the prescreening phase, they will go over a list of requirements such as:

* No change in eye prescriptions with in the last year
* That you have no eye diseases
* That you can sit still for an hour straight
* That you fully understand after surgery care

2- When you go to the clinic for your procedure, you will be taken to a room with a recliner. This is where you will be seated. Your eye will be numbed and the eyelid clamped open to prevent blinking.

3- The surgeon will be performing the surgery with a rather large machine. While it may look intimidating, it is necessary as it has a camera, the laser and computer attached to it. The doctor will cut a flap in the cornea with a scalpel, and then switch to the laser for the remainder of the surgery.

4- During the prescreening phase the doctor measured how much of the cornea tissue would need to be removed for the best vision to be achieved. This number was entered into the computer that is attached to the laser. The computer then controls how long the laser will be used to remove the set amount of tissue. When the correct amount has been removed from under the cornea, the laser automatically shuts off.

5- That is it. The laser eye surgery is completed. Now it is time for the recovery process to begin. Since the cornea is not sutured together after the surgery, the surgeon will place an eye patch over it. This patch will protect the cornea from being accidentally harmed.

6- Most patients return to work with in a couple of days and most normal activities with in a couple of weeks. Your recovery will, of course, depend upon you and your particular situation. However, you should expect to have better vision within a short amount of time following the surgery.

7- It is a good idea to have someone drive you to the clinic for the procedure, as you will not be able to see clearly enough to drive yourself. You may also experience light sensitivity for a short period of time.

Best Way to Go About Laser Eye Surgery

The development of laser eye surgery took place in 1990; since that time till now, a lot of positive outcomes have been recorded from the technique. Millions of people all over the world have enhanced their vision through this eye surgery option. Also known as Lasik eye surgery, the technique's high success rate has increased its popularity as an eye surgery option. Laser eye correction technique helps in improving the quality of life as well as self-esteem of individuals with visual impairment. However, you need to exercise care when choosing a surgeon for this technique.

What is Lasik Eye Surgery all About?

Also known as laser eye correction, Lasik or laser eye surgery is among the various eye surgery options available today. However, the procedure is a laser vision correction technique performed often. Simply put, the procedure involves the cutting of a flap in the top layer of the patient's eye. Subsequently, the flap is replaced systematically to finish the procedure.

Over the years, laser eye surgery technique has evolved into a more powerful technique as a result of constant improvement and sophistication of the technology in use for the procedure. As a result, more options for lasik eye surgery are now available, and better results are realized from the outcome. The integration of multiple lasik options via the sophistication of the technology in use enables the qualification of more people for the use of laser technology to correct refractive eye issue.

The newest developments and options in cataract surgery with laser eye surgery technique include;

• Wavefront technology – allowing for custom Lasik

• Intralase laser – enabling the blade-free lasik surgery

Laser Eye Surgery Cost

There is no fixed cost for lasik procedure; the cost will depend on several factors regarding the treatment. Also, other factors that play role in determining the overall cost of Lasik include the quality of the laser system as well as the equipment used, and your choice of surgeon. Again, the nature of care given to the patient, the nature of the procedure and the vision prescription are all determining factors to the cost of Lasik surgery. Even the geographical area involved would interfere in the price that will be quoted for this special eye surgery option; for instance, there are differing regional prices between California and New York.

Tips on Selecting a Laser Eye Surgeon

Choosing a Laser eye surgery expert is an essential decision that the patient need to make. The choice is not something you rush into; settling for a well-experienced and renowned Lasik expert is the best way to ensure high possibility of positive outcome of the technique.

A good way to get a suitable doctor for the technique is to allow your optician to make the recommendation for you. Also, if you know anyone who had high success rate from the technique, the person's recommendation can be trusted. Now, when choosing a laser eye surgery doctor, ensure that you are not sacrificing quality for low-cost – bear in mind that your vision – in fact your entire life is involved!