Friday, February 16, 2007 Thinking Balloon? Better Off Dieting
A new review of nine studies has concluded that people who want to lose weight via intragastric balloon are better off just changing their diet.
The review is published in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a journal produced by The Cochrane Collaboration, an organization that evaluates medical research. The studies reviewed included almost 400 overweight or obese patients who underwent placement of a small balloon inside their stomachs in an effort to positively affect weight loss. Some studies included dietary changes, while some relied solely on the intragastric balloon.
In addition to the primary finding that by 24 weeks, no more weight loss was seen in either the balloon or the diet-alone groups, there also appeared to be weight re-gain upon removal of the balloon as compared to the diet group's continued weight loss over time. Intragastric balloons are not intended to be a permanent or even long-term weight-loss aid.
The research also demonstrated five times greater chance of stomach ulcers, erosion, or inflammation in the balloon group.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Juvederm, The Latest Line Filler
Allergan, Inc., the makers of Botox®, are now marketing their latest facial enhancement product: Juvedermâ„¢ injectable gel.
Made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, Juvederm offers another nonsurgical option for smoothing out creases, wrinkles, and folds that come from living a full life. The company website describes a smoother consistency gel is unique to Juvederm, resulting in a more natural feel. Like other hyaluronic acid products, skin allergies to treatment are not expected.
Injections directly into the sites are performed in exam rooms within about 15 minutes, using either topical or injectable anesthesia, with little recovery time. Results are said to last up to six months.
Studies showed adverse events of usually mild to moderate severity, not requiring intervention, and lasting a week or less. Most common side effects reported were related to temporary injection site reactions such as redness, pain, firmness, swelling, lumps, bumps, and bruising.
Read about one woman's experience with Juvederm, as well as some interesting information on the growth of the injectable cosmetic procedure industry, in this Courier-Post Online article.
Find FDA information on Juvederm through this link.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Creams Thought To Be Harmless Can Be Deadly
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration is warning consumers to use common sense with their numbing creams.
Citing the two deaths of women in their 20's, both of whom applied topical anesthetics to their legs after laser hair removal, the FDA says that even over-the-counter versions of these commonly used creams -- which contain ingredients such as lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, and prilocaine -- can enter the bloodstream and be toxic when applied over large areas of the body or for long periods of time. The women who died had also wrapped their legs in plastic over the creams, as instructed. Both experienced seizures and comas prior to death from drug toxicity.
Numbing creams are often prescribed for use both during and after some cosmetic procedures to control pain. While they have been and can continue to be used safely and effectively, the FDA recommends medical supervision and consumer caution. Particularly at risk are small children and anyone with liver or heart disease.
For more information, see the FDA Health Advisory on their website.
Monday, February 05, 2007 Educated Caution Recommended for Teens Looking to Weight-Loss Surgery
Everyone's heard the downside to our nation's abundance -- people are starting out more obese and younger, making it even more likely that they'll be unhealthy adults.
There's encouraging news. Several studies are in the works that will explore the efficacy and safety of weight-loss surgery for children.
In this Associated Press article, writer David B. Caruso says that 2004 saw only 350 kids in the U.S. having such surgeries.
Up to now, the risks associated with gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric banding have just been too high for adults to consider children as appropriate surgical patients. But the trend toward obesity in children continues to grow seemingly unabated. At the same time, surgeons are gaining more experience with the techniques, and new methods are developing, increasing the odds of safe surgery. The result is that major medical centers are exploring the options for teens through funded research studies.
Before being accepted for the surgical weight-loss route, though, hopeful patients are required to make medically supervised, non-surgical attempts at dropping pounds. It's a step applauded by those experts who say there's more to healthy eating for kids than simply changing the digestive tract.
Even those specialists who are very pro-surgery find it disquieting when adults head for surgery without first trying other means toward health. They say for children to receive similar messages about the use of aggressive surgery would be unfortunate.
Still, with the help of such studies in teens, it will soon be more possible to weigh the detrimental and usually lifelong impact of childhood obesity against the chances of deleterious effects from surgical intervention.
Friday, February 02, 2007 Bariatric Surgery Video
I came across this informative video on Youtube about the Roux-en-Y procedure.
Friday, February 02, 2007 There is strenghth in numbers.....
No matter what scenario, the buddy system seems to work very well when going in for any cosmetic procedure. It is great sharing the entire process from consultation through recovery together. It's definitely moral support and everything seems a bit easier to handle knowing your friend is going through the same or similar recovery process. And it doesn't hurt that you could also get a discount (depending on practice)... Remember to always ask questions so you know your surgeon is qualified.
