Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:39:01 PM> MODMSG MODERATOR:Hello everyone, and welcome to our chat tonight. We will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Todd Foreman, M.D. of the Bariatric Wellness Institute will join us tonight for a special chat about gastric bypass surgery. The chat will be moderated, so the questions you submit to Dr. Foreman will first be sent to me, the moderator, and then on to the rest of the chat room one at a time, in the order in which they are received.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:53:07 PM> MODMSG MODERATOR:Dr. Foreman is with us now, and we are ready to begin!

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:53:47 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:Hi, I'm Dr. Foreman, a Bariatric Surgeon. I am here tonight to answer any questions you may have on Bariatric Surgery. Please send your questions when you are ready.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:53:58 PM> MODMSG MODERATOR:Here is our first question. . .

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:54:01 PM> MODMSG htravelqueen:can this surgery be reversed?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:55:38 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:htravelqueen: Technically the surgery can be reversed but it is very difficult and has a high complication rate. In general we consider the surgery to be a permanent solution for weight loss.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:55:53 PM> MODMSG pamela:exactly how overweight do u have to be to have this surgery?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:56:59 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:pamela: This really depends on the insurance policy, most policies look at either a weight of 100 pounds over ideal body weight or a Body Mass Index of 40 or greater.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:57:53 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:There is a BMI and normal body weight calculator on www.bariatricwellnessinstitute.com.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:57:56 PM> MODMSG pamela:how long is recovery time after surgery?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 05:58:51 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:pamela: Recovery time varies from patient to patient, but for most patients that have a lapriscopic gastric bypass the recovery time is 1 1/2 to 2 weeks.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:00:33 PM> MODMSG pamela:i have friends who have had this done ..now some things they eat make them sick ..y?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:03:52 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:pamela: There are a number of reasons why someone may get sick after eating certain foods. One of the most common problems are paeteints that eat too quickly or eat to much. Another common problem is patients who eat foods with sugar, after the bypass your body is not able to proccess sugar the way it used to. We;ve contracet with Bariatric Wellness Center for pre and post op nutirtional care and they will coach any patient through the process.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:03:56 PM> MODMSG htravelqueen:how long are you on liquids and do you have to uce protien powders or drinks

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:05:16 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:htravelqueen: This varies by surgeon - in our program patients are on liquids for two weeks followed by pureed for another 4 weeks. We do recommend protein supplements.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:05:18 PM> MODMSG pamela:how long is the actual surgery?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:05:48 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:pamela: Depending on the patient it can be anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours, but most are under 2 hours.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:05:50 PM> MODMSG rena:what are the guide line to know if you are a canidate for the surgery?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:07:27 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:rena: Please refer to the answer above that I provided to pamela. Some patients with other severe medical problems such as diabetes for hypertension may be apporved for the surgery with a BMI of 35 or over

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:07:32 PM> MODMSG pamela:what r the health risks and dangers of this surgery?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:10:27 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:pamela: I would recommend you review www.lapbariatrics.com or set an appoinment at our office for a full answer. Unfortunately I can't fully address this in the time we have tonight. It can vary for each individual.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:10:34 PM> MODMSG Fran:I am 18 Mos. past surgery. Weight loss and health great! I have 2 problems! I am always hungry, eating 4-8 times daily, so far without weight gain. What is an acceptable appetite suppresant? Also, is it normal to be hungry almost 24/7? I really would rather "Forget" to Eat?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:12:19 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:Fran: Most patients aren't hungry around the clock. I would recommend you meet with one of our nutritionist at Bariatric Wellness Institute.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:12:49 PM> MODMSG kdavis820:Hello, can you tell me if your office accepts Medicare for this procedure?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:14:54 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:kdavis820: Most Medicare patietns would be accepted on a case by case basis because of age or other medical problems. You can meet with Bariatric Wellness Institute to see if you meet the requirements.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:14:59 PM> MODMSG tigerfan:how long after the first consultation with the doctor, can the surgery be scheduled?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:17:30 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:tigerfan: There are a number of factors that can affect this. First is insurance as some policies will have requirements for 6 months of physician supervised weight loss while others will not. Each patient is unique and some require more preoperative testing than others. Usually it's from 4-6 months.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:17:42 PM> MODMSG rena:I know exercise is important, what kind and how much is reccommended

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:18:57 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:rena: We reccomend aerobic exercise such as walking for at least 20-30 minutes 5 days a week.

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:19:38 PM> MODMSG pamela:could u tell me the phone#?

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:20:31 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:Please call The Bariatric Wellness Institute @ 517-1774

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:20:34 PM> MODMSG htravelqueen:how do you know if you have leakage and what can be done for it

Thu Jan 27, 2005 06:23:49 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Dr. Todd Foreman:htravelqueen: There are a number of signs and symptoms which could indicate a leak, but none are specific. In general if a patient is having symptoms which are not normal for a post operative period we would bring them into the hospital and perform a thourough evalutaion to find out if there is any leak. In our practice 0.2% of patients have had leaks(out of 1,500 patients). The national average is 1-5%.