Comments on: Could a stapler down your throat fight fat? http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/19/deep-throat-obesity-surgery/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:13:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Lori http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/19/deep-throat-obesity-surgery/#comment-13006 Lori Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:03:10 +0000 http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1331#comment-13006 I had the TOGA procedure on March 31, 2009 as part of the clinical trial. Because this is a blind study I will not know for a year if I was actually stapled or not. At this point I am treated as if I have and have been following the diet and directions from my surgeon. Right now my intake of food is about 1 cup per meal and 2 small snacks a day. I can say that it takes will power to avoid the food I am not supposed to eat. Unlike the RNY procedure, I do not get sick or feel bad if I eat something that I am not supposed to. For this reason I feel like this procedure is not for everyone. You have to want it and want it bad for it to work. I have been asked if I could just do it on my own, and I don’t feel that I could. I have tried many “diets” and exercise plans and never saw any results. This is working for me, and for that I am thankful and very happy. I feel better, I am off many of the meds I was taking and have a better appreciation for food and it’s place in my life. I had the TOGA procedure on March 31, 2009 as part of the clinical trial. Because this is a blind study I will not know for a year if I was actually stapled or not. At this point I am treated as if I have and have been following the diet and directions from my surgeon.

Right now my intake of food is about 1 cup per meal and 2 small snacks a day. I can say that it takes will power to avoid the food I am not supposed to eat. Unlike the RNY procedure, I do not get sick or feel bad if I eat something that I am not supposed to. For this reason I feel like this procedure is not for everyone. You have to want it and want it bad for it to work.

I have been asked if I could just do it on my own, and I don’t feel that I could. I have tried many “diets” and exercise plans and never saw any results. This is working for me, and for that I am thankful and very happy. I feel better, I am off many of the meds I was taking and have a better appreciation for food and it’s place in my life.

]]> By: Sara http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/19/deep-throat-obesity-surgery/#comment-12774 Sara Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:34:57 +0000 http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1331#comment-12774 Sorry, there's a reason why you want a lap Sleeve Gastrectomy over TOGA. The surgeon needs to also get a look at your other organs which may have been impacted by your obesity--NASH is common, gallstones, etc. Also, removing the remnant stomach reduces significantly the production of ghrelin--one of the hormones that cause hunger. Leaving the remnant stomach in plae, through TOGA, will not cause the ghrelin-effect..thus I highly doubt the procedure will be as effective. As it is, restrictive only procedures are modestly successful--roughly a 50-60% EWL over time (although better than any diet or meds). Far better solution for those with significant morbid obesity is the duodenal switch... a sleeve gastrectomy plus bypassing a majority of the small intestine. Great 20 year data, very few issues assuming long-enough common channel, and adequate supplementation (tweaked through annual bloodwork). Sorry, there's a reason why you want a lap Sleeve Gastrectomy over TOGA. The surgeon needs to also get a look at your other organs which may have been impacted by your obesity–NASH is common, gallstones, etc. Also, removing the remnant stomach reduces significantly the production of ghrelin–one of the hormones that cause hunger. Leaving the remnant stomach in plae, through TOGA, will not cause the ghrelin-effect..thus I highly doubt the procedure will be as effective.

As it is, restrictive only procedures are modestly successful–roughly a 50-60% EWL over time (although better than any diet or meds). Far better solution for those with significant morbid obesity is the duodenal switch... a sleeve gastrectomy plus bypassing a majority of the small intestine. Great 20 year data, very few issues assuming long-enough common channel, and adequate supplementation (tweaked through annual bloodwork).

]]> By: Geri S. http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/19/deep-throat-obesity-surgery/#comment-12679 Geri S. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:22:04 +0000 http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1331#comment-12679 I find these surgical procedures and the search for new medications so sad. After the fact attempts at fixing a much larger social medical problem which we are now finding are not long term solutions in many cases, despite the risks taken of surgical intervention. We need to educate our population about proper nutrition and exercise and start this education when our children begin school. As someone who works in the nutrition field, I understand how difficult it can be for people to change their old bad food habits, but it can be done, if the psychological side of food habits are also taken into consideration. It is an entire person process, not just a diet. Diet is most definitely a four letter word! I find these surgical procedures and the search for new medications so sad. After the fact attempts at fixing a much larger social medical problem which we are now finding are not long term solutions in many cases, despite the risks taken of surgical intervention. We need to educate our population about proper nutrition and exercise and start this education when our children begin school.

As someone who works in the nutrition field, I understand how difficult it can be for people to change their old bad food habits, but it can be done, if the psychological side of food habits are also taken into consideration. It is an entire person process, not just a diet. Diet is most definitely a four letter word!

]]>