Gastric sleeve could prepare patients for organ transplantation

Another study coming from the 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery suggests that gastric sleeve surgery improves the success rate of organ transplants for morbidly obese patients. The report from University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine researchers says that the sleeve gastrectomy can be performed safely on many of these patients and, due to the weight loss from it, they are more suitable for organ transplantation.

This is one of many newly discovered benefits of bariatric surgery. It's been found that many obesity-related issues are minimized after weight loss procedures, including Type 2 diabetes. Many patients no longer need insulin after surgery. Due to the weight loss, as well, heart health and life expectancy improve. Sleeve surgery shouldn't be done just to fix these issues, though it supports the connection between weight loss and overall health.

Sleeve gastrectomy could be covered soon by Medicare and Medicaid

Reports coming from the 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery are supporting the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), as noted by www.theheart.org. The event, taking place in San Diego, has produced support for the gastric sleeve as a safe bariatric procedure, especially when administered by more experienced doctors like Dr. Feiz.

This evidence is being shown to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which provides health coverage for over 100 million people. Earlier this year, in March, CMS permitted limited coverage of LSG for controlled trials. Over the next few days, CMS will make a decision on if they'll extend to full coverage for this procedure.

This could be great news for those needing drastic weight loss in Los Angeles who aren't currently covered for it. Dr. Feiz does offer financing for those who don't have coverage, but it is always easier when there is. Keep checking in here for new developments on this issue.

Become a Patient Ambassador

Happy patients of Dr. Feiz might be eligible for award, and gifts like a free iPod or an Am Ex gift card. Ask about becoming a patient ambassador. All ambassadors have to do is spread the word around the Internet on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and elsewhere. Spreading the news about a doctor you can trust for bariatric surgery, and helping others on their weight loss journey, can have great rewards.

In June, our patient ambassador was Felice Trager, but we’re looking for someone for July, and every month thereafter. Contact us today and send us the names of potential nominees.

It's about reclaiming your life

Weight carries a certain stigma with it, unfortunately, and so does bariatric surgery. If you're struggling with your weight, the stigma can be making your life feel out of your control: on one hand you know the methods like diet and exercise that you're "supposed" to follow. And on the other hand, you know an effect method like gastric sleeve surgery or gastric bypass is out there, but you worry about being judged.

But the level truth is that bariatric surgery is normal, and what stigma remains is mostly in the minds of small minded, judgmental individuals who would find find ways to criticize you anyway. As the media run more and more stories about the success of these procedures, the truth is beginning to emerge. 

Moreover, getting bariatric surgery from Dr. Feiz & Associates is a big step toward a healthier life. If you're seriously overweight, listening to the judgements of others might be something you just can't afford to do anymore.

Congratulations Felice Trager!

I'm proud to announce our Patient Ambassador Program that we just launched today! Each month, we will be rewarding a patient of ours on their success and journey with their weight loss! This month we are proud to announce our very first patient ambassador: Felice Trager!

She had surgery with us in May 2009 and has had nothing but success with her band!! Congrats Felice we are so proud of you!!

Dr. Feiz Honored by ASMBS

Dr. Feiz has been honored with an award for excellence, and it's an important one: The ASMBS "Center of Excellence" designation.

With bariatric surgery's profile growing by leaps and bounds every day, it's important to separate the truly exceptional practitioners and hold them up as examples. The American Society for Metobolic and Bariatric Surgery, or ASMBS is the worlds largest society dedicated to the betterment of bariatric surgery. Their stated purpose is to "improve public health and well being by lessening the burden of the disease of obesity and related diseases throughout the world." The organization selects surgeons and centers that are truly committed to safe and effective care.

Instead of choosing blindly, patients can look to the recommendations of organizations like the ASMBS and make informed choice about who will perform their Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass surgeries.  

Trending: Sleep Apnea and Cancer

Lap Band patients, and patients of other bariatric procedures show a marked improvement in the symptoms associate with sleep apnea. That's especially good news, because The New York Times and a few other publications in the fast few weeks have run stories on a link between sleep apnea and cancer. 


One of the studies quoted in The Times was from Spain, where severe Sleep Apnea patients had a startling 65% greater incidence of cancer of some form or another. Those are some startling numbers. In the meantime, unrelated scientists in South Dakota have noticed a direct genetic link between morbid obesity and sleep apnea.

The optimism to be found in all of these stories, however, is the ever growing trust of the public in sleeve gastrectomy and its more familiar cousin, gastric bypass for medical weight loss.