Thursday, December 27, 2007

Avoid Hair Loss after Obesity Surgery

Hair loss is one of the reasons weight loss surgery candidates sit on the fence before deciding to have gastric bypass surgery. Obese people, particularly obese women, often have lush gorgeous hair because they are well fed and nourished!
Hair loss is a potential result of weight loss or weight loss surgery.Hair loss might be just a transient effect of weight loss and will be resolved when nutrition and weight stabilize. It might be avoided by taking special formulated vitamein supplements.

Vita4Life3 ( http://www.vita4life3.net/hsn.html ) offers a new complete hair, nail & skin formula using the same fast absorption capsule as other Vita4Life Bariaytric products. It is an enriched ormula with MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Folic Acid, and essential vitamins and minerals essential to healthy hair, skin, and nail production.

What exactly is MSM?
MSM is a food that comes from the ocean, is water soluble, and is not a drug, or a food additive. MSM is the 3rd largest ingredient found in the human body and is found in the fluid of all living organisms. It is present in a variety of foods, including most fresh raw fruits and green vegetables, milk, meat, seafood, and some grains. It is also found in many common beverages such as milk, coffee and tea. It is, in essence, a pure white, odorless, essentially tasteless, water-soluble crystalline solid sulfur powder.Various scientific studies have proven that MSM contributes a definite normalizing effect on body functions. The sulfur normally provided to the body by MSM is required for healthy collagen and keratin which are essential for healthy hair, skin and nails.

Order here Vita4Life3 Hair, Skin and Nail Supplements.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Low-Cost Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) With Unique Price Guarantee

SAO PAULO, Brazil, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Many people want or need weight loss surgery. Many are not covered by health insurance. They need a low-cost, safe and fixed-price alternative. Franco e Rizzi(http://www.robertorizzi.com) offers a unique surgical program with a fixed price of $11,497 (cost of surgical complications included).

Obese people without insurance coverage are obliged to search seriously for the best obesity surgery price and service their money can buy.

Search the web! Estimates are easy to obtain. What is not easy is obtaining a firm commitment! Most estimates do not include costs for extra materials and instruments possibly required during the surgery or recovery period. Extra material costs, extra days in the hospital or even one or more days in intensive care can be a severe gastric bypassblow to any budget.

Having a guaranteed price therefore assists in obtaining better terms for financing the surgery.

"I was amazed at how many people need this operation but are not covered by medical insurance. I want to offer the opportunity for such people to have safe and affordable obesity surgery at a fixed cost," says Dr Roberto Rizzi, who has been active in laparoscopic surgery in Brazil since 1992. "After consulting with my multi-disciplinary team, we were able to structure a package which includes laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in one of the best hospitals in Brazil, the renowned Hospital Sao Luiz (http://www.saoluiz.com.br/internacional), pre and post-care follow-up and the excellent services of Great Start Ltda
(http://www.greatstartinbrazil.com) to manage local transport, patient coordination and assistance. All at a fixed cost, even if complications should occur during the surgery."

The first patient under this "all unforeseen surgery costs included" program was Mrs. Siumara Teixeira, who flew from New York to Brazil to get the weight loss surgery: "I could tell the medical staff and hospital took extraordinary care to ensure everything would run smoothly and without complications. I was on a tight budget, and it was a relief to know I would not have any unforeseen extra costs."

Ruy Bevilacqua (Corporate Medical Director of Hospital Sao Luiz) confirms their support of this unique program structured by Dr. Roberto Rizzi. "We know we have a very efficient facility and all the latest technology at his disposal, and having worked with Dr. Rizzi for twenty years, we feel more than confident of his 'patient's safety first' approach."

About Franco e Rizzi
Dr. Roberto Rizzi and his team have performed more then 3,000 laparoscopic surgeries. His team is specialized in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery as well as other bariatric related surgeries. Dr. Rizzi's team of professionals includes a dietitian, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, a physician, anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, all specialized in obesity treatment.

More Players In USA Obesity Lap-Band Market

Associated Press reported yesterday that Allergan Inc., which makes Botox and sells surgical weight-loss devices, will co-promote its Lap-Band product with health care products provider Covidien Ltd.

The Lap-Band is an adjustable gastric band, a device surgically implanted around the stomach to help severely obese patients lose weight by forcibly limiting food intake. The procedure is an alternative to more invasive gastric bypass surgery, commonly known as stomach stapling.

Under the multi-year agreement, which became effective Nov. 9, Covidien will co-promote Allergan's Lap-Band to bariatric and other surgeons in the United States. Pembroke, Bermuda-based Covidien makes medical devices and pharmaceutical products.

Covidien's sales representatives will help educate and train surgeons on the Lap-Band procedure, which costs roughly $12,000 to $20,000. Irvine, Calif.-based Allergan said it will continue to recognize revenue from the Lap-Band. Other financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

Allergan acquired the Lap-Band with its 2006 purchase of Inamed.

In late September, the Food and Drug Administration cleared Johnson & Johnson's Realize gastric band, effectively ending Allergan's dominance in the adjustable gastric banding market.

Friday, October 5, 2007

GastriX Surgery - another Bariatric Surgery procedure?

A new surgical procedure was performed at the Munroe Regional Medical Center. A first training session was performed through three back-to-back StomaphyX procedures.

One of the trainees was a surgeon from Casa de Saude Santa Rita in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They looked at the monitors from the gallery area, which was separated from the operating room by large windows.

StomaphyX, developed by a surgeon, is a product of Washington-based EndoGastric Solutions. It has been used since December 2006 in Europe and got clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April.

StomaphyX, according to its maker and surgeons who perform the procedure, makes the otherwise high-risk revision gastric bypass surgery possible.

The procedure is done using a StomaphyX device, which is a form of an endoscope. It enters the patient's stomach through the mouth. The surgeon then uses suction and maneuvering to gather the stomach tissue bit by bit, pleating it from inside, and fastening the pleats with little blue plastic staples. There are no incisions.

Not all obese and overweight patients are candidates for StomaphyX. So far, the candidates have already had gastric bypass surgery, but the surgeon still has to decide who would benefit from the procedure.

The procedure is relatively new, there are no large-scale studies - or small ones, for that matter - to show the procedure's long-term outcome, benefits or risks.

However, based on results from similar procedures in Europe, the company is confident that StomaphyX is going to be safe and effective, especially when compared with the rates of complications from revision gastric bypass surgery.

It also costs roughly $10,000 compared to $25,000 for gastric bypass surgery, and requires no hospitalization in most cases. However, finding an insurance company that would cover the procedure can be tricky and most patients will need to pay out of pocket.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Special Nutrition Supplements Considerations for Bariatric Patients

What you eat, how you eat and how much you eat changes drastically after gastric bypass surgery. Gastric Bypass Surgery alters the anatomy of your digestive system to promote weight loss. Nutritional supplements, special formulated, are required for those who have had Bariatric Surgery. Gastric Bypass surgical patients must take supplements for the rest of their lives in order to maintain their health. Serious problems can occur if required vitamins and minerals are not taken daily.

Most vitamin, mineral, and protein products on the market are not designed to provide Bariatric Patients with optimal results to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Lab results following surgery strongly back problems with over-the-counter nutrition supplements. There are special considerations to look for vitamin and mineral supplements for bariatric patients:

Strength - strong enough so that it would provide each patient with the essential vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy lab results following surgery.

Fast Dissolving - to provide a product in a form that would dissolve quickly, allowing for minimal waste and maximum absorption and return to the body.

Convenience - to provide the patient with the necessary overall daily requirements; meanwhile, providing the patient with a simple system to follow.

Fillers - The vast majority of multi-vitamins, individual supplements and protein products today whether in pill, chewable, or powder form contain at least 25% filler. Filler is a chemical product which is either put into the product to hold it together, to flavor, or to enlarge the product. Fillers prevent much of the necessary absorption bariatric patients require for health maintenance.

More information on ur webpage: Nutritional Supplements after Gastric Bypass

There are also special products on the market like Vita4Life

Those who have had bariatric surgery are encouraged take supplements for the rest of their lives in order to maintain their health.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Gastric Bypass Surgery Makes you live LONGER!

Researchers in Sweden and the United States separately found that obese people who underwent drastic surgery had a 30 percent to 40 percent lower risk of dying seven to 10 years later compared with those who did not have such operations.

Long-term studies of Gastric Bypass Surgery show that gastric bypass surgery not only lead to lasting weight loss but also dramatically improve survival. The results are expected to lead to more such operations, possibly for less severely obese people, too. Currently most health Insurance plans accepts patoents with BMI of 40, in certain cases only as low as 25 BMI. To calculate your BMI click here.

Research was published in last week New England Journal of Medicine. It should help to explain better the benefits and risks of weight-loss surgery. It might also make it easier to qualify forgastric bypass surgery.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Question 7.

Do you have a good emotional health?

Psychological screening is used and often required for any bariatric surgery. The screening help determine if a person is a good candidate for bariatric surgery. For example, people suffering from depression or other emotional conditions may be advised to receive treatment for these conditions before making the decision to undergo bariatric surgery.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Question 6.

Do you have a serious medical condition?

Any major surgery involves the potential for complications - adverse events which increase risk, hospital stay, and mortality. Some complications are common to all abdominal operations, while some are specific to bariatric surgery. A person who chooses to undergo bariatric surgery should know about these risks. Mortality is affected by complications, which in turn are affected by pre-existing risk factors such as degree of obesity, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and history of prior pulmonary embolism. Some people with serious heart or lung conditions may not be a good candidate for surgery.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Question 5.

Are you prepared for significant lifestyle changes?

You should expect preoperative counseling before undergoing obesity surgery. This counseling will help you better understand that weight loss surgery is only one part of a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss. In no way should gastric bypass surgery be viewed as just a "quick fix". Rather, gastric bypass surgery patients will be required to make lifelong changes to their diet and exercise habits to ensure a lasting result after weight loss surgery. Your eating patterns and practices will change drastically after gastric bypass surgery. Extreme attention to diet is required, and nutritional supplements are necessary. You will have to eat numerous small portions of food throughout the day rather than large meals.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Question 4.

Are your expectations realistic?

Almost all obessity surgery procedures have resulted in consistent short-term weight loss. Unfortunately there is no perfect operation. The remarkable drive for the obese patient to regain weight cannot be eliminated in all patients. Furthermore, the history of weight loss surgery repeats itself with procedures that seemed initially to be very promising and safe in theory, but which were later found to be failures.

As such, newer procedures should always be viewed with caution. The RYGBP have withstood appropriate scrutiny through well documented results. The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass outnumbers all other procedures and results. Weight loss of 65 to 80% of excess body weight (the amount by which actual body weight exceeds actuarial ideal body weight) is typical of most large series of Gastric Bypass operations reported.

Most people who undergo other bariatric surgery can expect to lose two-thirds to three-fourths of their excess weight. However, up to 25% of those bariatric surgeries are not successful. Patients can be regaining weight by slowly ingesting high-calorie foods or even eating quantities significant enough to stretch the stomach pouch after gastric bypass. Another aspect of extreme weight loss is the problem of excess skin or unattractive fat pockets and the possible need for plastic surgical procedures to correct these problems.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Question 3

Do you have a serious medical condition?
Any major surgery involves the potential for complications - adverse events which increase risk, hospital stay, and mortality. Some complications are common to all abdominal operations, while some are specific to bariatric surgery. A person who chooses to undergo bariatric surgery should know about these risks. Some people with serious heart or lung conditions may not be a good candidate for surgery. You can read a lot more about possible complications here

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Question 2.

Did you try other weight loss programs?
Did you try other weight loss programs, such diets and exercise, without success? Have you tried such methods repeatedly? Bariatric surgery is considered a last-resort solution for people who are unable to lose weight by any other means. You should have made serious and prolonged attempts to lose weight by other means under appropriate medical supervision.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Question 1

How much weight do you need to lose?
First you need to ask yourself how much weight you need to lose. You must have enough excess body weight to qualify for obesity surgery. Weight loss of 65 to 80% of excess body weight (the amount by which actual body weight exceeds ideal body weight) is a typical result of Gastric Bypass Surgery (GBS). You need to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). Use BMI tables to see where you are now and where you like to be. How to calculate your BMI and BMI tables can be found at the Affordable Obesity Surgery in Brazil website. Obesity surgery can be considered if your BMI is 35 or above.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Considering Obesity Surgery in Brazil? Questions to ask!

Obesity surgery refers to surgery performed on the stomach and/or intestines to decrease the amount of food that can be consumed and absorbed, as a result, to help a obese person to lose weight.

Gastric bypass is a permanent reduction in the size of the stomach in which a small pouch is created from the proximal portion of the stomach and attached to the intestine in a location that bypasses about 2 feet of normal intestine.

To help you decide if gastric bypass obesity surgery might be of benefit for you we will help with some daily questions.

Question 1 will be posted tomorrow.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Insurance and Obesity Surgery

The treatment of obesity is a covered benefit under many insurance policies. Coverage depends on what type of policy you have and the terms within the policy.

Each insurance policy can vary greatly, even when issued by the same company. Your employer dictates the coverage in your policy.

Many insurance companies will pay for gastric bypass surgery if you meet certain conditions.

However, many other insurance companies have “Exclusion” clauses for treating obesity. These companies refuse to cover any treatment related to "losing weight." They will only treat the diseases caused by excessive body weight.

Unfortunately, many policies have “Exclusions” written into them. This means that even though the treatment may be “Medically Necessary”, it is not a covered benefit. Patients with BMI below 45 are less likely to get approved.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Diabetes and Obesity – New research in Brazil

Poorly managed type 2 diabetes costs the U.S. health system an extra US$22.9 billion a year in direct medical costs to treat heart, eye, kidney and other serious health problems associated with the disease, diabetes groups reported yesterday.
Annual health costs for a type 2 diabetic are three times that of the average American without diagnosed diabetes, according to a new report called State of Diabetes Complications in America.
About 20.8 million Americans have diabetes, which causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year.
Most have type 2, or adult-onset diabetes, in which the body loses its ability to use insulin.
Obesity and lack of exercise are linked with type 2 diabetes, which can cause blindness, heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease and foot problems that can require amputations.

Gastric Bypass Obesity Surgery cures diabetes type 2 in almost all patients within a short period of time after obesity surgery.

It is different with type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, a person’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Preserving beta cells is a key concept in the management of type 1 diabetes and in the prevention of its related complications.

In a small study, a treatment that included stem cell transplantation induced prolonged insulin independence in patients with newly diagnosed type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes. In a statement, lead author Dr. Julio C. Voltarelli, from the Regional Blood Centre in Ribeiro Preto, Brazil, called the results “very encouraging”. While the same approach has been used in other autoimmune disorders, the current study, to the author’s knowledge, represents the first time the approach has been used in human type 1 diabetes.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Americans Opting For Weight Loss Surgery In Brazil

Weight loss surgery is gaining popularity with Americans. Weight loss or also called bariatric surgery is meant for obese people with serious medical conditions related to their weight. The most common form of this surgery is gastric bypass surgery.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality one of the reasons of the extremely dramatic increases is that the mortality risks from obesity surgery have improved greatly. The national death rate for patients hospitalized for bariatric surgery declined 78 percent, from 0.9 percent in 1998 to 0.2 percent in 2004. Laparoscopic weight loss surgery has the lowest mortality risks.

Data collected from Embratur (the Brazil Governmental Agency for developing national tourism) indicate that about 40 thousand out of the foreign visitors who came to Brazil came for medical purposes last year.

A group of Brazilian health care providers, which includes hospitals, created even an health consortium in order to comply with the foreign demand. Many health clinics in Brazil offer medical services to foreigners.

During an interview with Gringoes, Dr. Roberto Rizzi of Franco e Rizzi remarked that the cost of obesity surgery is significantly lower in Brazil than in many other countries. Also the quality and reputation of surgeons in Brazil makes many foreigners decide to come to Brazil for this procedure. Dr. Rizzi has patients from USA, China, Mozambique and other countries for these reasons.

Brazilian professionals keep a strong exchange with international medicine, attending international congresses and participating in study groups. This gives a very good image of the Brazilian medicine overseas, and brings everyday more foreign visitors to for medical treatment to Brazil.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Obesity Surgery - Ten Qualifications for surgery

If you are thinking of having weight loss surgery, you may have to consider certain criteria in order to be qualified for the surgery. If you do not meet these criteria, then the surgery may cause higher risks and problems. It is important to know what these qualifications are before considering weight loss surgery so that you may know if it is right for you. So let us look at the top 10 qualifications you should consider before weight-loss surgery.

1. Morbid Obesity. Are you morbidly obese? If you're over 100 pounds from your ideal weight then you are considered morbidly obese.

2. Medical problems. There are a couple of medical conditions that can happen if you are overweight. For example you may have diabetes, swelling or pain due to being overweight, if so then you will be qualified for weight loss surgery.

3. BMI. BMI simply means your body mass index. This index is used to determine whether you qualify for weight loss surgery. You need to have a BMI of forty or greater in order to qualify for surgery.

4. Diet programs. Generally it is recommended that you are monitored for six months using diet programs prior to weight loss surgery. It needs to be shown that none of these programs have worked for you to make you completely qualified.

5. The length of time that you are obese. Sometimes you will need to have been obese for at least five years. This just proves that you have been unable to reduce your weight in any other way and that it is causing you problems in your everyday life.

6. Insurance and financial considerations. Prior to getting weight loss surgery, you will need to satisfy your insurance company and examine your financial status. Some insurance companies have specific requirements before allowing you proceed with weight loss surgery.

7. Problems with performing daily activities. For example, family activities, work ability and social functioning. Generally, being obese may cause problems with doing routine activities.

8. Your mental stability. Are you mentally prepared to have the surgery performed? Will you be able to make the necessary changes after surgery in order to change your lifestyle and get any help necessary to change dietary and mental habits.

9. Understanding the procedures involved. Make sure that you know about the risks, benefits, procedures and commitments involved with weight loss surgery, otherwise you're better not to get the procedure performed.

10. Your confidence factor. If you are hesitant about having surgery or don’t feel that it is right for you, then you would be better to consider other options.

If you have met some or most of the qualifications above, then consult your physician or a surgeon about what weight loss surgery could do for you. You can then begin to make the necessary steps required in moving back into a more healthy lifestyle.

For More Information On Health Topics:
Health Info Docs
Weight Loss Surgery
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_O'Rourke

Friday, March 23, 2007

Obesity Surgery – Complications included?

If you need obesity surgery and you have no health insurance or your medical coverage doesn’t include obesity surgery, you are on your own.

Search the internet and you find many sites offering obesity surgery at affordable prices. However, do read the small captures, most offers don’t include the cost of complications. If you have to use your savings or maybe need financing to cover the cost of the surgery, you might need to consider this risk. Even if it is a small risk. The cost of “complications” can total to a significant amount! Just to stay a few extra days in an intensive care unit (ICU) will blow your budget.

Franco e Rizzi (www.robertorizzi.com) offer affordable obesity surgery for patients with BMI between 35 and 45 with the cost of surgical complications included.

To calculate your BMI go to www.robertorizzi.com/bmi.htm

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Overweight a matter of social ridicule?

Not only is being overweight a matter of social ridicule, but it is also a very dangerous proposition health-wise. Obesity is an open invitation for at least six of the most terrible diseases known to man: diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular problems, paralysis, gangrene and heart attacks. Hence obesity may not considered itself be a disease, but it could definitely be a serious life-threatening condition.

Bariatric Surgery might be a solution. Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: ''weight'' and ''treatment.'' Bariatric surgery is not an easy option for overweight sufferers. It is a drastic step, and carries the usual pain and risks of any major gastrointestinal surgical operation.

In general, in order to qualify for bariatric surgery you must be 'morbidly obese', which usually means being overweight by 100 pounds (man) or 80 pounds (woman) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40+. Affordable weight loss surgery is available in Brazil. Check: www.robertorizzi.com The website contains a lot of information on weight loss surgery.

Weight Loss through Obesity Surgery

Overweight people who have tried diets and exercise but have not achieved lasting weight loss may be candidates for bariatric weight loss surgery.
Weight loss surgery is fast becoming a very popular way for obese and morbidly obese people to get and keep the weight off. Significant weight loss can be achieved with obesity surgery, but patients need to have realistic weight loss expectations.

The patient needs to make changes to the diet after undergoing weight loss surgery. The stomach will be reduced to a much smaller size and, as a result, the amount of food the patient can eat is very limited. In order to ensure good nutrition and health, the patient must pay very close attention to the types of food he/she eats. Foods that were well tolerated prior to surgery for obesity may cause discomfort afterwards.
Patients who approach the surgery with a goal of improving their health and quality of life will have the most success.

If you are a candidate for Weight Loss Surgery, but you have no health insurance or your Insurance Company does not cover Gastric Bypass Surgery you might want to look for ways to lower the cost of surgery.

One option is to consider having Obesity Surgery in Brazil, having the one of the best bariatric surgery techniques with affordable prices. “Franco e Rizzi” website (www.robertorizzi.com) provides detailed information on Obesity Surgery in Brazil, including information on the different surgical procedures.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Obesity Surgery in Brazil

Affordable Obesity Surgery is now available from “Franco e Rizzi, Clinica Cirurgica Videolaporoscopia”, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A new website http://www.robertorizzi.com/ was developed by Lotgering Consultancy (LotCon) and provides invaluable information about obesity surgery and the different surgical procedures.

According to Dr. Roberto Rizzi, obesity surgery in Brazil is an interesting option for millions of Americans struggling with morbid obesity and fighting to convince their health care providers to pay for the expensive weight loss surgery. Brazil offers modern, affordable and safe medical Obesity Surgery (weight loss surgery), as well as cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

Dr. Roberto Rizzi and his team performed more then 3000 Laparoscopic surgeries. His team is specialized in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery as well as other Bariatric surgeries. Dr. Roberto Rizzi's team of professionals includes dietitian, psychologist, physiotherapist, anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, all specialized in obesity treatment.

For more details visit the website (http://www.robertorrizzi.com/) or send an email to the following email address: mailto:staff@robertorizzi.com?subject=Affordable%20Obesity%20Surgery%20in%20Brazil.