by Manuel Cáceres, MD; David. A. Geller, MD, FACS;
and Carol A. McCloskey, MD, FACS

Drs. Cáceres and McCloskey are from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Division of Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Geller is from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Liver Cancer Center.

Background
The obesity epidemic and the evolution of minimally invasive surgical techniques have dramatically increased the number of bariatric procedures performed annually. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most frequently performed bariatric procedure in the United States. Based on incidental pathology, it is estimated that 2 to 2.5 percent of patients undergoing bariatric surgery will have an unexpected pathology found during surgery or during preoperative workup.[1,2] These unexpected findings rarely interfere with the completion of the planned bariatric surgery. Hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign liver lesions. The prevalence of this hepatic lesion is between 5 and 20 percent.[3] Usually these benign tumors are asymptomatic and are found incidentally on screening radiological images, intraoperatively, or at autopsy. Controversy still exists about the excision of giant hemangiomas, defined as lesions larger than 4cm in diameter,[4,5] and resection is often limited to lesions that have an uncertain diagnoisis, rapid growth, or associated symptoms. Read the rest of this article »

by Tracy Martinez, RN, BSN, CBN

Background
There are an estimated 93 million Americans who are obese and an estimated 12 million suffering from morbid obesity. This life-threatening disease in and of itself affects one’s mobility and quality of life, and creates social stigmas.[1] Studies suggest a considerable increase in this disease among all groups regardless of age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background.[2]

Some of the most alarming statistics are in our children, predicting an even graver future. The proportion of obese and overweight children and adolescents in the United States nearly doubled in the 1980s alone, and the numbers continue to rise.[3,4] Unfortunately, many, if not most, of our patients who suffer from morbid obesity have endured a lifetime of loneliness, discrimination, and self blame. Why is this still true? As you read this article, reflect on the statistics that still remain in today’s day and age, and why these stigmas still exist. Read the rest of this article »

An Interview with:

Dr. Walter Pories,Professor of Surgery, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Greenville, North Carolina, Past President, ASMBS

Dr. Neil Hutcher, Commonwealth Surgeons, Ltd., Richmond, Virginia; Past President, ASMBS

Dr. Ricardo Cohen, Director, The Center for the Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, and Baros Institute,
São Paulo, Brazil

Introduction by Joy C. Bunt, MD, PhD; and Robin Blackstone, MD, FACS Read the rest of this article »

Bradley The Dog Who Couldn’t Stop Eating by Linda Trainor, Illustrated by John Ewing. Read the rest of this article »

Interviewed by
Cynthia Alexander, PsyD

When Bariatric Times asked me to interview Dr. David Sarwer, I jumped at the chance. There are only a handful of psychologists who really understand the field of bariatric psychology. Anyone keeping up with bariatric research will be familiar with David B. Sarwer, PhD. He is Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and also the Director of Clinical Services for the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders and the Director for Stunkard Weight Management Program. His research and expertise have been guiding forces in bariatric psychology. Of particular interest is his research on plastic surgery and the bariatric patient, as well as on psychological issues related to plastic surgery. I would like to thank Dr. Sarwer personally and on behalf of Bariatric Times for the time he invested in this interview. I am sure this exchange of questions and enlightening responses will be of interest to a wide variety of professionals working with bariatric patients, and should help us all better understand our patients in an effort to provide improved and informed multidisciplinary care.

-Cynthia Alexander, PsyD Read the rest of this article »

Letters to the Editor

Dear Bariatric Times Editor:
I recently read Dr. Hildago’s article—coauthored by you and published in the February issue of Bariatric Times—entitled “Small Bowel Complications after Malabsorptive Procedures: Internal Hernias, Obstructions, and Intussusceptions.”[1] I had several comments I wanted to make and hope you don’t mind my sharing them with you. Read the rest of this article »

Edgemont, PA—May 15, 2009— Matrix Medical Communications (MMC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Colleen Hutchinson to Senior Managing Editor of Bariatric Times. This new title is a reflection of Hutchinson’s dedication to the pursuit of medical publishing excellence and her level of publishing expertise related to field of metabolic and bariatric medicine.

Read the rest of this article »