Last week I began the discussion on surgical options for obesity. This week, the topic will remain the same but more In depth.
First, however, I would like to tell you about the AACS approved conference I just attended in California. The conference was held in the Sacramento area and covered Liposuction, Tummy Tucks, Butt implants and Augmentation with fat. I gave lectures on difficult tummy tucks and combining tummy tuck with other surgery. I also gave a lecture on how to avoid blood clots that can sometimes occur around the time of surgery and lastly I lectured on advanced liposuction techniques. The course was a roaring success and afterward we all spent the day in Napa Valley trying out some California wines. The course was attended by physicians from as far away as Viet Nam….pretty cool. I always learn good stuff at courses too, even if there in a teaching mode and this time was no different. I learned some new and cool ways to shape butts and make them larger with both fat and implants or both. I have had a fair amount of experience with these techniques but I learned some new tricks. Now is the time to hit me up if you need a rear end overhaul!!
Now, back to obesity surgery.
If you look at statistics for all types of obesity procedures, you will find some interesting facts. Most of these studies look at the percentage of excess body weight (EBW) lost over a set period of time. The way EBW is measured is by subtracting maximum weight from Ideal body weight. This gives us a number that can be measured and compared. If you compare bypass, sleeve, and lap band procedures, in the short term time frame, the bypass and sleeve appear to work better than the band. However, even though most people would like to lose their weight quickly, they also know that this may not be the best for them. The lap band is slower and requires adjustment, not because it loses volume, but because the anatomy changes as we lose weight and the band loosens. With the bypasses, no adjustments are necessary. The interesting thing is that the studies looking at EBW at the five year and older mark are nearly the same! There is only a 2% difference between the lap band and the more invasive procedures when losing weight. In other words, if you are overweight by 100 pounds and we look at your progress at 5 years, if you have had a bypass you will have lost 58 lbs on average or about 58%. If you have had a Lap Band, you would have lost on average 56 lbs, you would have just lost it a little slower. Pretty interesting!! Many people have knocked the band in the past for not being as successful. After looking at these numbers, the only difference is 2% at five years, AND your anatomy has not been permanently changed, AND it can be removed if you want it gone, AND your problems with vitamin deficiency, muscle and other protein wasting will not be as severe. What I am not saying is the lap band is for everyone as clearly it is not. At Total Body Surgical Cosmetic Surgery, I like use fairly clear parameters for those I think it is best for. I think it works better when the person has a BMI between 30 and 50, has few or no comorbid conditions. Larger patients are generally sicker from their weight and need to lose it faster. With the lap band, you will need supervision, you will need weigh in’s and volume added to the band to help you lose the weight. You will change your personal dynamic with food. Below is a youtube showing how the procedure is done.
More next week....
Remember the breast special, the laser hair removal, and vein specials we currently have going!!
-LOVE YOUR LEGS......AGAIN!!!!
-Laser HAIR Reduction....buy one area and get one F