1bestof: weight-loss-surgery

Showing posts with label weight-loss-surgery. Show all posts

Showing posts with label weight-loss-surgery. Show all posts

In Weight-Loss Surgery, Experience Matters

David S. Wernsing, MD, FACS, is a bariatric surgeon with the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

In this video, he discusses Penn’s long-standing bariatric surgery program and the importance of choosing a weight-loss program with the experience and expertise of bariatric surgeons and sub-specialty physicians who are all a part of a bariatric patient’s care.

Meet Penn Experts in Weight-loss Surgery

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you and attend a free informationa session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program. At this free session, you will learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program. Register for this free event here .

Upcoming Weight-Loss Surgery Information Sessions in June

For many people trying to lose weight, taking the first step can be the most difficult part of the process.

Whether it’s getting out of the door to head to the gym, or deciding to choose a healthier option at mealtime, once you take that first step, it can be easier to gain momentum toward a healthier lifestyle.

Weight-Loss Information Sessions at Penn Medicine for June 2013

Choosing to have weight-loss surgery is not an easy decision, but learning all of the facts is easy with Penn’s free weight-loss information sessions.

At a weight-loss information session, patients learn about the various options for weight-loss surgery and get to meet with the surgeons and clinicians who will help them every step of the way.

Learning about weight-loss surgery and getting all the information firsthand from experts at Penn Medicine can be empowering, and help you make a healthy decision that can have lifelong positive effects.

Mark your calendars for the following information sessions at Penn Medicine in June.

6/3: Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
6/4: Penn Medicine Woodbury Heights
6/5: Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (across from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania)
6/10: Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (across from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania)
6/12: Pennsylvania Hospital
6/13: Penn Medicine Valley Forge
6/15: Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
6/17: Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (across from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania)
6/20: Penn Medicine Bucks County
6/24: Pennsylvania Hospital
6/26: Penn Medicine Cherry Hill
6/27: Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (across from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania)

Register for a Weight-Loss Information Session at Penn

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn during this free session and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program

Register for a weight-loss information session here .

Upcoming Weight-Loss Surgery Information Sessions at Penn

Penn Medicine offers free information sessions about weight-loss surgery at 4 convenient locations in Philadelphia, Valley Forge and New Jersey.

At a free weight-loss surgery information session, you will have the opportunity to meet with Penn Medicine bariatric surgeons and members of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program to ask questions and learn more about the types of weight-loss surgery available at Penn.

For a list of upcoming information sessions, visit the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery information session page here.

Are You A Candidate for Weight-Loss Surgery?

Although it may seem like a quick fix to a lifelong struggle with weight, bariatric surgery, or weight-loss surgery, is a major step toward leading a healthy life.

Bariatric surgery is an operation that reduces the size of the stomach using one of a variety of procedures such as adjustable gastric band, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or robotic-assisted bariatric surgery.

Research has shown that bariatric surgery can cure, or help patients prevent, obesity-related conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea.

Is Weight-loss Surgery Right For You?

If dieting hasn’t worked for you in the past, you may be considering weight loss surgery. Because the decision to have bariatric surgery can be a difficult one, the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program provides prospective and current patients with all the information they need to make informed choices.

All patients considering bariatric surgery at Penn must meet specific criteria before being scheduled for a screening evaluation.

These criteria are based on universal standards established by the National Institutes of Health and include:

Exceeding your ideal body weight by more than 100 pounds or 45 kg
Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 or BMI greater than 35 with medical complications related to obesity, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high cholesterol
A documented history of weight management and weight loss attempts with supervised diets and exercise programs
No indication of active alcoholism, active drug addiction or major psychiatric disorder

Patients must undergo a complete pre-operative evaluation that includes physical and psychological assessments.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

Lose Weight and Lose Disease Linked to Obesity

Hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes – these are just some of the types of diseases linked to obesity and being overweight.

The good news about diseases linked to obesity is that these conditions can be relieved or even, in some cases, reversed with lifestyle modification.

Recent evidence suggests that obesity has become a global epidemic and is a major contributor to the development of related conditions including:

Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Hypertension
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)

There are simple solutions and lifestyle changes you can make to fight obesity and its risk factors, and maintain a healthy weight. In addition, new research suggests that surgical weight loss can reduce or eliminate major health risk factors associated with obesity.

In other words, if you lose weight, you can also lose the conditions related to obesity.

Lose the Weight and Weight-Related Conditions

Join Penn Medicine specialists in cardiology, endocrinology, and bariatric surgery at Penn Medicine Valley Forge on Tuesday, January 29th at 7pm for an informative seminar where Penn experts will discuss how your weight and obesity impacts overall health.

You will also learn strategies to lose weight for good, and stay healthy.

Date: Tuesday, January 29
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Location: Penn Medicine Valley Forge, 1001 Chesterbrook Boulevard, Berwyn, PA 19312

This event is free, but seating is limited. Call 1-800-789-PENN (7366) to reserve your space today.

Read Stories About People Who’ve Lost Weight and Gained Health at Penn

Jackie Savoy lost 150 pounds, got off her hypertension medications and stopped suffering from sleep apnea.

Bruce Sachais lost 115 pounds, but gained more energy because his blood pressure went back to normal and began sleeping better due to improved sleep – without interruptions from sleep apnea.

Lisa Harris lost 160 pounds, and now is pain-free who no longer uses a cane to walk, or feels like health restrictions keep her from doing the things she loves.

Robotic Weight-loss Surgery at Penn

Surgeons at Penn Medicine have been providing the highest quality medical care while helping patients achieve their lifestyle and weight loss goals for more than 20 years. Now they have combined that comprehensive care with robotic-assisted surgery for treating severe obesity.

Obesity has become an epidemic problem in the United States, reducing the life span of many Americans and impacting the nation’s health in detrimental ways. Morbid obesity is often associated with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea and an increased risk of colorectal and other cancers. For many of these people, diets, medications and behavior modifications often fail.

Surgical treatments of obesity, including the robotic assisted vertical sleeve gastrectomy and Lap-Band® procedures, offer hope as a proven method of achieving long-term weight loss for this population. Bariatric surgeons at the Hospital of the University Pennsylvania have been using the surgical robot when performing vertical sleeve gastrectomy and Lap-Band procedures for several years. Because of the robot’s ergonomic design and 3D imaging, it is ideally suited for bariatric surgery.

Penn is at the forefront of bariatric surgery. In addition to performing bariatric procedures for more than 20 years, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital are recognized as a Centers of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Noel Williams, MD, director of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program, said there are many advantages for patients when using robotics for bariatric surgery including:

Reduced trauma to the body
Shorter recovery time
Less chance of infection
Less postoperative pain

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you by attending a free weight-loss information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn at this free session, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Register for this free weight-loss information session.

What to Expect at a Medical Weight Management Meeting

Recently, a patient posted on the Penn Medicine Weight Loss Facebook page:

“What goes on at a medical weight management meeting at Penn?”

Medical weight management meetings are meetings for people who have chosen to have weight-loss surgery at Penn in Philadelphia.

The Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program's pre-operative nutrition screening is focused on changing patients' eating behaviors and food selection practices. This helps patients adjust to their post-operative diet and achieve the best results possible from bariatric surgery.

During this meeting, a dietitian from the program evaluates patients' weight loss history and current eating and exercise behaviors using a weight and diet history questionnaire. Patients also keep a food diary to record their daily intake and learn the principles of post-operative gastric bypass, including dietary progression, protein and fluid requirements, and lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation.

The medical weight management meeting includes the following:

A Penn registered dietitian who reviews your current eating patterns and provides nutrition counseling. The dietitian also helps prepare you for the eating behaviors and dietary changes required to be successful after bariatric surgery.
A Penn nurse practitioner who evaluates your current medical studies and reviews the results with you. You are asked to review your nutrition binder prior to the meeting and bring it with you to your visit.

Remember: You must have insurance approval to schedule weight-loss surgery. In fact, insurance may require three to six months of medical weight management before your surgery depending on your insurance plan.

Get More Information About Weight-loss Surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you by attending a free weight-loss information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn at this free session, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Register for this free weight-loss information session.

Believe it or not: Carbs are an Essential Part of Your Healthy Diet after Weight-Loss Surgery

Cara Stewart, RD, LDN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, explains the importance of carbohydrates for a healthy diet after weight-loss surgery.

Carbohydrates often get vilified in weight-loss circles, with claims of preventing weight loss and even contributing to weight gain. But the truth is that carbohydrates, or carbs for short, are actually your body’s main source of energy and an essential component of a balanced diet.

In fact, your body relies on carbs to power everything from breathing to walking to thinking! So, while it is important to focus on eating adequate protein after weight-loss surgery, it is also essential to incorporate good carbs into your diet.

The first few months after weight-loss surgery, your diet should primarily consist of protein since your stomach is too small to consume much else. Once your stomach is ready for a more diverse selection of food, aim to get half of your daily calories from carbs. That should amount to approximately 130 grams of carbs per day. Remember, it might take several months or up to a year after surgery to get to this point, so it is important to be patient and set short-term goals along the way.

Consuming adequate carbs from good food sources allows your body to use protein for healing and maintaining muscle mass, instead of being diverted for energy. The best sources of carbs contain fiber, which slows digestion, keeps you full longer and helps regulate your bowel. Examples of healthy carbs include:

1 piece of fruit (i.e. an apple the size of a baseball) = 15 grams of carbohydrate
1 cup of milk = 12 grams of carbohydrate
½ cup of oatmeal = 15 grams of carbohydrate
1 slice of whole-grain bread = 15 grams of carbohydrate
½ cup cooked beans = 15 grams of carbohydrate

Try to avoid simple carbs like white bread, white rice, white pasta and sweets. They contain minimal nutrients, promote hunger and can cause blood sugar spikes.
Keep in mind that your carbohydrate needs may vary depending on medical issues such as diabetes, so check with your dietitian or health care team to determine your personal dietary goals.

- Cara Stewart, RD, LDN

What to Eat After Weight-loss Surgery

There is a misconception that after weight loss surgery, people can only eat tiny morsels of food, are malnourished and no longer enjoy food.

While patients do, in fact, need to restrict the amount of food they eat – especially in the first few weeks after surgery – most people can resume healthy, moderate eating.

Patients cannot eat large quantities of food they ate before surgery, because their digestive tract is physically different and can no longer accommodate large amounts of food.

Following surgery, meals will likely consist of two to four tablespoons of food. As you advance your diet, you should be eating "regular" food within six to eight weeks of surgery.

Smoothies, shakes and purees

Following weight-loss surgery at Penn, you meet regularly with a dietitian who offers nutritional support. And, since protein plays an important role in both the healing and weight loss process following surgery, it is recommended you incorporate high protein drinks that are low in fat and sugar into their diets.

As you are able to eat more and increase the variety in your diet, you should rely on high protein foods to help meet your protein goal as outlined by the nutrition team.

Try this recipe for a Banana Berry Smoothie.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you by attending a free information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

At this free session, you will learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Register for this free event here.

How Much Weight Will I Lose with Weight-loss Surgery?

Here’s an exercise:

Imagine losing 1/3 of your weight.

Take your weight and multiply it by .30. Now subtract that number from your current weight. Imagine what your life would be like if you weighed that number.

Could you move easier? Would your knees still hurt? Could you keep up with your kids or grandchildren?

Would you be able to stop taking some of the medications you take every day? What would it be like to regain your health?

On average, someone who undergoes weight-loss gastric bypass surgery can expect to lose approximately 30 percent of his or her starting weight. Most of this loss is experienced during the first few months following surgery with the weight loss continuing for 12 to 18 months after surgery.

Weight loss associated with the adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy may not be as rapid and the weight loss may not be quite as great.

Each person’s weight-loss progress is different, but one thing is clear: healthy eating habits, exercise and ongoing support are critical for continued success.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn
Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you by attending a free information session from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

At this free session, you can learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Register for this free event here.

Prevent Weight Gain After Weight-loss Surgery

Many people who have weight-loss surgery are excited at the new opportunities for them post surgery. They imagine a life without medical conditions associated with obesity and are ready to begin living without the extra weight.

They are also concerned about the possibility of gaining weight back post surgery.

Unfortunately, over time some people do regain the weight after weight-loss surgery. Therefore, to achieve optimal weight-loss results, it is important to follow the nutritional guidelines provided post-surgery as a part of your new lifestyle.

To prevent weight regain after weight-loss surgery patients must follow a healthy diet plan with the focus on whole foods and continue to follow the guidelines for eating after surgery. Suggestions to stay on track include:

Eat lean proteins, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables.
Avoid foods containing more than 15 grams of sugar per serving.
Select foods low in fat.
Track protein intake and get at least 60 to 80 grams/day. Protein containing foods will help keep you full and satisfied.
Making time to eat, at least 3 times a day. Eating slowly (20 to 30 minutes/meal) is also very important.
Make sure your fluid needs are met with 48 to 64 ounces of low or non-calorie beverages.
Separate eating and drinking by 30 minutes. This is a primary diet principle that must be continued.
Continue to take suggested multivitamins and mineral supplements on a daily basis.
Exercise 250 to 300 minutes per week. This level of activity plays an import role in the maintenance of weight loss.

Poor food choices

In some cases, people who resume eating foods high in fat or sugar regain weight or experience minimal weight loss following weight-loss surgery. Therefore, to achieve optimal weight-loss results, it is important to follow the nutritional guidelines provided post-surgery as a part of your new lifestyle.

Foods to avoid include:

Milk shakes, malt drinks and all high-calorie liquids
Cakes and pastries
Fried foods
Pudding
Chips and other high fat snack foods
Soft drinks
Ice cream
Candy

You can also find many healthy recipes after weight-loss surgery on this blog.

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn by attending a free information session about weight-loss surgery.

Alcohol After Weight-loss Surgery

People considering weight-loss surgery often ask if it is possible to safely incorporate alcohol into a healthy diet and lifestyle after surgery. The short answer is “yes,” but gradually and with modifications.

Here’s why:

Altered metabolism
Research shows that blood alcohol levels peak higher and faster and take longer to return to normal due to altered metabolism after gastric bypass surgery. In addition, many post-surgical patients consume less food when they’re drinking alcohol, which contributes to expedited absorption of alcohol in the blood stream. For many post-surgical patients, all it takes is a single drink to elevate blood alcohol level to the point of legal intoxication. This is important to remember for maintaining a healthy diet and before getting behind the wheel.

Low blood sugar
Rapid weight loss and low carbohydrate intake can lead to reduced sugar or glycogen in your body. Alcohol consumption further depletes glycogen, which causes your blood sugar levels to drop, putting those who have had bariatric surgery at higher risk for developing low blood sugar.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a dangerous condition that can lead to loss of consciousness, brain and nerve damage or even death if left untreated. As a result, it’s important to be on the lookout for symptoms, which include loss of coordination and balance, slurred speech, poor vision and confusion.

If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, drink diluted juice or take a glucose tablet immediately to raise your blood sugar level, and then have a snack with complex carbohydrates and protein to sustain it. If hypoglycemic episodes occur frequently even without alcohol consumption, make sure you seek proper medical treatment.

Excess calories
Alcohol is high in calories and low in nutrients, which is why excess calories from alcohol can slow weight loss or even contribute to weight gain.

Addiction transfer
Patients with a history of addiction are at higher risk for developing a new addiction. With the dramatic reduction of food consumption after bariatric surgery, some patients may trade their food addiction for other addictive behaviors, including drugs, shopping, gambling, sex and alcohol.

Guidelines for drinking:
Follow these guidelines to re-introduce alcohol without compromising your commitment to a healthy lifestyle after weight-loss surgery:

Avoid alcohol for the first six months after bariatric surgery.
When you get permission to start drinking alcohol again, avoid carbonated beverages and sugary drink mixers.
Remember that after surgery, even small amounts of alcohol can cause intoxication and low blood sugar.
Never drink and drive, even after consuming only minimal alcohol.
Only drink with meals or while eating to help slow absorption of alcohol.
Be aware of the calorie content of alcohol.
If you find yourself drinking regularly to cope with emotions or stress, seek help by consulting with your doctor.

- Cara Stewart

Cara Stewart, RD, LDN, is a member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team.

Preparing and Recovering from Weight-Loss Surgery

Samantha Warner-Grimsley, RN, CBN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, explains how the team at Penn Medicine helps patients prepare and recover from weight loss surgery.

Preparing people for weight-loss surgery and the lifestyle adjustments that are necessary after surgery are crucial components for long-term weight loss. That is why the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team helps prepare you for your weight-loss surgery and then assists in your recovery so you can quickly get on track for achieving your weight-loss goals.

All patients scheduled for bariatric surgery at Penn Medicine attend a nutrition class approximately two weeks before surgery. The purpose of the class is to prepare you for the post-surgical dietary changes that are necessary for successful weight loss.

During the class, a nurse reviews important information about your surgery and post-operative care. Knowing what to expect during and after surgery can help reduce anxiety and promote well-being during the recovery phase. The nurse also addresses any concerns or problems that you may have.

To bridge the transition from hospital to home, the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team offers homecare or visiting nursing services for people who have had gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery. These services provide you with the expertise of a professional health care provider within the comfort of your own home, acting as a liaison between you and the bariatric surgery team.

Even with homecare services after bariatric surgery, health care professionals only come to your home for prescheduled visits. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of symptoms that can signal post-surgical complications and know when you need to contact your surgeon.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your bariatric surgeon’s office immediately:

Fever greater than 101 degrees
Severe pain
Persistent nausea
Vomiting
Wound redness or drainage
No bowel movement within three to four days after surgery
Inability to consume adequate liquids
Inability to tolerate your medications

When you make the decision to have bariatric surgery, you’re making a life-long commitment to a healthier you. A vital part of that commitment includes follow-up care. Regular visits with your bariatric surgery team, including the surgeon, nurse practitioner and dietician, can help you achieve and maintain long-term weight-loss success.

- Samantha Warner-Grimsley, RN, CBN

Empower Yourself: Learn About Weight-loss Surgery at FREE Information Sessions

For many people trying to lose weight, taking the first step can be the most difficult part of the process.

Whether it’s getting out of the door to head to the gym, or deciding to choose a healthier option at mealtime, once you take that first step, it can be easier to gain momentum toward a healthier lifestyle.

Choosing to have weight-loss surgery is not an easy decision, but learning all of the facts is easy with Penn’s free weight-loss information sessions.

At a weight-loss information session, patients learn about the various options for weight-loss surgery and get to meet with the surgeons and clinicians who will help them every step of the way.

Learning about weight-loss surgery and getting all the information firsthand from experts at Penn Medicine can be empowering, and help you make a healthy decision that can have lifelong positive effects.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Are you ready to commit to a healthier life?

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you by attending a free information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn during this free session and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program

Register for this free event here.

Protein intake after weight loss surgery: Are you getting enough?

Karen Buzby, RD, LDN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, provides step-by-step tips for adding protein into a healthy diet after weight-loss surgery.

Protein is essential for just about every bodily process, including regenerating strength and promoting healing. That is why dietary recommendations after weight-loss surgery emphasize the importance of adequate protein intake.

The recommended protein intake after weight-loss surgery is 60 to 80 grams a day.* To determine the protein content in various food items, read the nutrition fact label. In general, most protein-rich foods contain at least seven grams of protein per ounce.

Examples of protein-rich foods include:

Meat
Poultry
Seafood
Eggs
Dairy products
Beans
Peas
Nuts

After weight loss surgery, dense, protein-rich foods must be reintroduced slowly, allowing time for the stomach to heal and decreasing the likelihood of obstruction. This timeline provides step-by-step tips for safely and healthfully reintroducing protein into your post-surgical diet:**

Two weeks after weight loss surgery:
For the first two weeks after your surgery, it is critical to stick to a full liquid diet and rely on protein drinks to fulfill your protein needs. Continue drinking protein drinks until you can meet the daily protein recommendations with solid food alone. Read more about finding a protein supplement that meets your dietary needs.

Three weeks after weight loss surgery:
Approximately three weeks after your surgery, you can start eating pureed foods. The best way to incorporate solid protein in your pureed diet is by using a blender. If blended protein sources don’t appeal to you, there are other softer forms of protein to opt for instead, including:

Eggs
Finely flaked, water-packed tuna
Yogurt
Cottage cheese

Baby food is discouraged after weight loss surgery because it has low protein content.

Five to six weeks after weight loss surgery:
Once you progress to the “soft diet,” which usually occurs about five to six weeks after surgery, you can begin introducing soft, but solid foods into your diet. These foods include:

Ground or chopped meat and poultry
Moist fish
Cooked beans
Lentils
Soft, soy-based meat alternatives

Eight weeks after weight loss surgery:
Two months after your surgery, you can begin adding all forms of low-fat protein into your healthy diet. The best way to prepare protein-rich foods is by moist cooking methods and reheating it in a microwave to prevent dryness and food intolerance.

In general, the best way to make sure you’re getting an adequate amount of protein is by keeping a food diary and tracking your protein intake. See the chart below for a protein content guide.

Food	Serving	Calories	Protein (grams)
MEAT Group
Sirloin Steak, lean	2 oz	95	16
Ground Beef, 95% lean	2 oz	92	14
Pork Loin	2 oz	94	17
Chicken, white meat, no skin	2 oz	93	17
Ground turkey	2 oz	75	11
Light Tuna, canned in water	2 oz	66	14
Salmon	2 oz	116	12
Shrimp	2 oz	70	14
Egg, large	1	80	6
Egg whites	2	35	7
Egg Beaters®	¼ cup	30	6
DAIRY Group
Skim Milk	8 oz	90	8
Yogurt, light	6 oz	80	6
Greek yogurt, nonfat, plain	6 oz	90	15
Mozzarella cheese, part-skim	1 oz	70	7
Cottage cheese, 1% milkfat	2 oz	40	7
NUTS / BEANS Group
Soybeans, aka Edamame	¼ cup	65	6
Tofu, Firm	2 oz	40	5
Soy Milk, Plain	8 oz	100	7
Peanut Butter	2 Tbsp	190	8
Almonds	1 oz	165	6
Chickpeas	¼ cup	70	3
Black Beans	¼ cup	55	4
Lentils	¼ cup	60	4
Boca® Burger, Original	1 oz	30	5

- Karen Buzby, RD, LDN

*Allied Health Sciences Section Ad Hoc Nutrition committee, Aillis L, Blankenship J, Buffington C, Furtado M, P{arrott J. Bariataric Nutrition: Suggestions for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient. Surg OBes RElat Dis 2008; 4(5Suppl):S73-108.

**The timeline reflects the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team’s approach to reintroducing protein after weight loss surgery. If you are recovering from weight loss surgery, make sure to consult with your health care team to determine your personal dietary plan.

Why Choose Penn for Weight-loss Surgery?

Why choose Penn Medicine for weight-loss surgery? Choose Penn for weight-loss surgery because Penn offers more than just a bariatric surgery program.

Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery is health management that involves services and specialists from a number of Penn programs including endocrinology and diabetes, sleep medicine and cardiovascular care, in addition to some of the most experienced bariatric surgeons in the Philadelphia region.

Patients who have weight-loss surgery at Penn receive their treatment from a multidisciplinary team of experts who follow their weight-loss journey from before surgery, until they meet their goals and beyond.

In this video, Penn Bariatric Surgeon Gary Korus, MD, FACS, discusses the benefits of having weight-loss surgery at Penn, and how clinical care and research in bariatric medicine is changing the way patients lose weight.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you and attend a free information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn at this free session, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Register for this free event here.

Penn Weight-Loss Team Most Experienced In Philadelphia Region

When it comes to choosing a bariatric surgeon and program, experience counts. Research shows the more experience a surgeon has and the more procedures he or she performs, the better the outcomes. Penn surgeons in the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program perform more than 500 bariatric surgeries every year, making Penn the most experienced program in the greater Philadelphia region.

In this video, bariatric surgeon Alan Schuricht, MD, talks about the experience of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Team, and why when a patient loses weight, the whole office celebrates.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you and attend a free information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program. At this free session, you will learn more about weight loss surgery at Penn, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Program Register for this free event here.

Your Daily Dose: Vitamin B12 Supplements after Weight Loss Surgery

Cara Stewart, RD, LDN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, explains the importance of the vitamin B12 supplements after weight loss surgery.

Vitamin B12 is the most common vitamin deficiency people experience after weight loss surgery. That is why it is important to supplement your diet with vitamin B12, especially after gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Vitamin B12 is essential for proper nerve function, metabolism and red blood cell production. Deficiency can lead to B12 deficiency anemia, which causes fatigue, rapid heart rate, easy bruising and bleeding, stomach upset and diarrhea or constipation.

If the deficiency remains unaddressed, it can result in permanent nerve damage, including tingling or numbness in fingers and toes, difficulty walking, mood changes, memory loss and dementia.

Weight loss surgery reduces the acidity in the stomach, which makes absorption of vitamins and nutrients more difficult. That is why vitamin B12 deficiency is particularly common after surgery and supplementation is often required long after recovery.

Proper supplementation involves taking a daily form of vitamin B12 that dissolves under the tongue or getting a monthly injection, which is typically done by your primary care physician.

To prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, follow the dietary recommendations for supplementation after weight loss surgery and get your blood work checked regularly by a primary care physician or bariatric care team.

If you experience the symptoms associated with B12 deficiency, please check with your health care team.

- Cara Stewart, RD, LDN

Is Weight-loss Surgery Right For You?

Bariatric surgery is an operation that reduces the size of the stomach using one of a variety of procedures such as adjustable gastric band, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or robotic-assisted bariatric surgery.
Although it may seem like a quick fix to a lifelong struggle with weight, bariatric surgery, or weight-loss surgery, is a major step toward leading a healthy life.

Research has shown that bariatric surgery can cure, or help patients prevent, obesity-related conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea.

Is Weight-loss Surgery Right For You?

If dieting hasn’t worked for you in the past, you may be considering weight loss surgery. Because the decision to have bariatric surgery can be a difficult one, the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program provides prospective and current patients with all the information they need to make informed choices.

All patients considering bariatric surgery at Penn must meet specific criteria before being scheduled for a screening evaluation.

These criteria are based on universal standards established by the National Institutes of Health and include:

Exceeding your ideal body weight by more than 100 pounds or 45 kg
Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 or BMI greater than 35 with medical complications related to obesity, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high cholesterol
A documented history of weight management and weight loss attempts with supervised diets and exercise programs
No indication of active alcoholism, active drug addiction or major psychiatric disorder

Patients must undergo a complete pre-operative evaluation that includes physical and psychological assessments.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you and attend a free information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

At this free session, you will learn more about weight loss surgery at Penn, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Register for this free event here.

Weight-loss Surgery About More Than Looks

Weight-loss surgery is not just about looks. It's about getting back to a quality of life they can enjoy with their family and friends.

Matt Kirkland, MD, FACS, director of the metabolic and bariatric surgery program at Pennsylvania Hospital talks about weight-loss surgery at Penn in Philadelphia. And how weight-loss surgery helps patients get back to living.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you and attend a free information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

At this free session, you will learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Register for this free event here.

What is Weight-loss Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight-loss approach that uses surgical procedures to help patients lose weight, avoid or reverse some diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and improve overall health.

Because every patient considering bariatric surgery is unique, the Penn Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Program offers a full range of bariatric surgical options. This ensures that patients receive the bariatric surgery that will provide them with the best possible results.

Here are four types of bariatric surgery at Penn.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is typically considered for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 50 or higher. During the surgery, a sleeve–shaped tube is created from a small portion of the stomach and the majority of the stomach is removed. The small intestine is not surgically altered. Sleeve gastrectomy may require a second operation like conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (see below) if even more weight loss is required to improve a patient's health.

Robotic-assisted Bariatric Surgery

All procedures performed by Penn bariatric surgeons are available using a minimally invasive approach called laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery offers many benefits for patients including shorter recovery times and less post-operative pain. In addition, Penn performs robotic-assisted bariatric surgery for the adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy procedures. Penn's bariatric specialists are highly experienced in robotic-assisted surgery and have performed more than 500 robotic LAP-BAND® and sleeve gastrectomy procedures.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB)

The most common type of bariatric surgery performed in the United States, during the Roux-en-Y procedure a Penn surgeon divides a small gastric pouch from the upper portion of the stomach and attaches it directly to the small intestine, completely bypassing the larger part of the stomach.

Adjustable Gastric Band

The adjustable gastric band does not divide or reattach any part of the gastrointestinal tract. During the procedure, a Penn surgeon places a band around the upper portion of the stomach creating a small pouch with a narrow opening to the lower stomach. The food eaten stays in the small pouch for more time, so the patient feels full longer. The band is adjustable, which means it can be tightened or loosened after surgery as needed.