Comments on: The Bypass Effect On Diabetes, Cancer
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- As a registered nurse who cares for a large number of gastric bypass surgery patients, I was very disappointed by the lack of research done by 60 Minutes and the one-sided reporting that failed to examine the frequent side effects and complications associated with this surgery. Many patients gain back all of their weight and more, while others suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, "dumping syndrome" and cross addictions such as alcoholism. Gastric bypass surgery is not a cure for obesity. Patients need to change their diet and lifestyle for permanent results. I expected more from the reporters of 60 Minutes than this misleading story.
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- I appreciated the news story and it couldn''t have come at a better time. I am currently struggling with my insurance company. I do meet criteria for bypass surgery, but am being denied coverage due to a series of episodes of misinformation that was given to me by the insurance company. I have been researching this for better than a year and am glad that there is more conversation about gastric bypass than ever before. It should always be considered a last resort for anyone considering this surgery as an option. I''m sure the benefits don''t always outweigh the risks for every person considering the surgery. FYI, many of the others in my support group report their diabetes in remission, many left the hospital without ever needing their meds again, and with improved renal function. I think there is more to it than eating less for such a quick remission from diabetes. I''m still going for it.
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- I also had the surgery in 2001 and lost 90lbs and have kept it off. Another fact that needs to be considered is the insurance companies don''t want to cover post bypass patients without escalating the premiums. I really think this is unfair, because in the long run we are healthier and no longer take many of the medications they use to pay for. So why are our insurance premiums higher? I would like to hear from others on this and see if we can''t lobby to congress to get this changed. Thank you!
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- I WAS PLEASED TO VIEW YOUR SEGMENT ON BYPASS SURGERY. I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY WELL PRESENTED. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE YOU WERE REMISS IN NOT DISCUSSING THE OTHER SUCCESSFUL METHODS OF WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, SPECIFICALLY LAPAROSCOPIC ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING. THIS SURGICAL PROCEDURE IS A SAFER,HEALTHIER METHOD OF LOSING WEIGHT, AND SHOULD BE PRESENTED ON YOUR PROGRAM SO THE PUBLIC CAN MAKE CLEAR, INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING THEIR HEALTH CARE.
PRESENTLY, WE AT SYOSSET HOSPITAL (SYOSSET, NY) HAVE PERFORMED OVER 2000 OF THESE PROCEDURES, WITH EXCELLENT RESULTS INCLUDING REMISSION OF DIABETES AND OTHER CO-MORBIDITIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: DRGEISS.COM
JUNE WARMAN, RN BSN CNOR - Reply to this comment
- I felt that Lesley Stahl didn''t do her homework for the bypass surgery segment. I think that a questionable "cause and effect" conclusion was drawn between gastric bypass and the reversal of diabetes as well as the reduction of certain cancers. The viewer is left with the idea that the surgery itself is responsible for the disappearance of diabetes and lower rates of cancer. Ms. Stahl doesn%u2019t seem to realize that a number of eminent physicians are reversing diabetes and heart disease and lowering the risk of cancer through diet alone, and their accomplishments are well established in the scientific record. These gastric bypass patients very likely reversed their diabetes because they no longer eat in any quantity the foods that cause and promote diabetes. For those who are interested in losing weight (with no limit on portion sizes and no calorie counting), and preventing and reversing heart disease and diabetes, as well as lowering the risk of cancer, I recommend these books: %u201CThe China Study%u201D by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University, %u201CEat to Live%u201D by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, board-certified physician specializing in preventing and reversing heart disease through nutritional methods, and %u201CPrevent and Reverse Heart Disease%u201D by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., former surgeon, clinician and researcher at the renowned Cleveland Clinic and President of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (1991).
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- To claim WLS is the easy way out is to have no idea of what is involved. WLS is merely a TOOL. Not a miracle cure or a guarantee you will be thin for life, and should not be undertaken lightly. It is the start of a journey for which people have to be constantly vigilant and self-accountable. It%u2019s a LIFETIME commitment to portioned controlled meals 3 X a day, adequate water intake, daily vitamins and exercise. A lifetime abstinence from sugar, carbs, caffeine, carbonated drinks, alcohol, high-caloric foods, overeating and snacking. Not adhering to this will result in not losing all the weight you want, to weight regain and long-term health risks: over stretched pouch,intestinal blockage, dumping syndrome, hernias, abscesses, ulcers, gallbladder issues, anemia, nerve damage, osteoporosis etc. Follow up appts with your surgeon and yearly blood tests, attending support groups, counseling/therapy is essential to long-term success. Emotions WILL run amok, relationships WILL change, and body dysmorphia may arise. But for me the benefits greatly out weight the complications that may arise. If your surgeon has not addressed all these issues and more, if they do not have pre/ post surgery support then look for another clinic. I was fortunate to go through a highly accredited program in CA, which is regimented and very supportive. It has made all the difference. Good luck to all of those having undergone it. Anyone interested in a copy of the program,e-mail me. Photogrrl2005@yahoo.com
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- I also question how the title of this suddenly changed today to indicate how cancer is less likely in post gastric bypass patients.
There is some thought that post bypass patients may be likely have more advanced bowel cancers- as gi symptoms would not be experienced since so much of the bowel is bypassed. (Normally, gi cancer patients would have obstruction, bleeding, other symptoms- this might not be experienced if the portion of the bowel affected was bypassed). - Reply to this comment
- All well and good but try telling the other side of the story: all of the foods you can no longer eat, the problems with having a lot of gas, the vomiting, the stomach problems. There is another side to this coin, tell that as well
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- I too had the surgery 5 years ago in Florida, back then insurance paid for it , no problem, I no longer have Asthma, Borderline Diabetes, and High blood pressure, so I think the insurance did well I took meds for that every single month. Had many tests done, now I have nothing! I have not gained but 20 pds back of which I forced myself to gain. It was a health/life changing exp and I promote to the right candiates. Good luck to all.
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- I am extremely concerned by the report I just watched on 60 minutes, so much so that I feel I need to make my case known. I am now several years out from roux en y gastric bypass surgery and love the news attention the benefits of the surgery gets! So many people have benefited from highly improved lives due to this modern medical procedure. However, I am concerned that the surgery is labeled as a wonderful fix and a cure for those who suffer from obesity for whatever personal demons which drove them to overeat/under exercise in the first place, while the down sides of this life changing action are irrationally overlooked! I have never seen a report on the side effect that has thus far ruined my and my families lives. Even doing deep research, the newly discovered connection between roux en y and the side effects I have developed turns up extremely lacking. I believe that patients considering this surgery as well as those who have already had the procedure need to be made aware. Please check the link to my story! http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/a,messageboard/action,replies/board_id,4856/cat_id,4456/topic_id,3591778/ Hopefully my journey is almost over, but I wish there was more information out there for potential patients in the future.
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