| ORLive Presents: A Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Obesity Minimally Invasive Weight Loss Surgery
A laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure for obesity will be performed live over the Internet from Tampa General Hospital on March 6, 2007 at 4 PM EST on www.OR-Live.com. The LAP-BAND(R) System procedure involves placing an adjustable band around the connection between the food pipe and stomach to restrict the amount of food an individual can consume at one time. Since it is adjustable, the band can gradually be tightened by the physician during office visits, allowing individuals to use it as a tool to change their eating behaviors and lose weight. The procedure is intended to help patients reach a healthier weight in order to lead more mobile and active lives. Obesity is a chronic disease that affects more than 60 million Americans over the age of 20. It affects every organ system in the body and can cause major illnesses including diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, acid reflux disease and degenerative joint disease.
Ways to survive esophageal cancer
A few days ago I posted about Cathy's EC Cafe. It's a webpage designed to help those diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In that post I mentioned one of the stories I liked on the webpage written by a six year esophageal cancer survivor named Barry Bokhaut. I decided to email Barry and talk to him about his experience and any advice he might have for those diagnosed.
I think Barry's story is inspirational and can help others newly diagnosed know that survival is possible even though the statistics look grim. According to the American Cancer Society 13,770 of the 14,550 estimated cases of esophageal cancer in 2006 will die of their disease. At the current time only less than 20 percent of patients survive five years.
Barry answered the question as to why esphageal cancer is so hard to cure.
Coverage of weight-loss surgery shelved for more study
Genevieve Winegar, 23, says "without a doubt" gastric-bypass surgery saved her life. After she underwent the procedure in 2002, the 5-foot-9-inch Winegar lost 200 of her 348 pounds.
"I was an obese child, an obese teen," said Winegar, who had suffered diseases such as acid reflux and was so depressed she thought of suicide. Now, she says she's happy and healthy.
The idea of covering the costly surgery was discussed Wednesday by members of the House's Workforce Services Committee, who opted for further study of the issue this year.
Committee members raised questions about the cost to the state, whether the requirement would raise insurance costs in general, and the risks involved with such surgeries.
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