Blog

The Connection Between Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

June 18, 2015

When you sleep, your mind and your body have the opportunity to recover from the day’s events, stressful, happy, and neutral alike. However, if you’re not getting good quality rest each night, a number of unwanted effects can occur. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing periodically during the night. There are many risk factors that can lead to OSA, and one of the most common is excess weight. To help our patients identify if they have this condition and seek treatment, our team at Griffin Hospital has provided the following quiz that you can use to assess your sleep quality. In the event you receive a score of 10-24, we recommend you seek out a sleep specialist that can diagnose your concerns. For more information about OSA, weight loss surgery, or to schedule a consultation with our experienced bariatric surgeon, please contact us today. Take Our OSA Quiz

I Had Bariatric Surgery, Now What?

June 11, 2015

So you completed your pre-operative checklist, the insurance said “yes,” and you have now had bariatric surgery. It may seem like the most important part is over, but continued long-term follow-up care is essential to your overall success. Dr. Rishi Ramlogan, our experienced weight loss surgeon, and our entire bariatric team wants your surgery and weight loss efforts to be as successful as possible. Here at Griffin Bariatrics you will be seen one week after your surgery in our bariatric office. At this time we will make sure you are feeling well, your pain is managed (if you have any), and your surgical sites are healing appropriately. Additionally, we will discuss starting vitamins and supplements. Your follow-up schedule will continue with a 1 month visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 1 year visit, and annually thereafter unless otherwise specified or needed. Throughout your follow-up office visits we will be monitoring your weight loss progress, overall nutrition, and periodic blood work to treat any vitamin deficiencies and to address any questions or concerns that you may have. Our bariatric team will provide... Read More

Food Journals: Why They Work

June 4, 2015

Are you aware of how many calories you consume each day? If you’re someone that eats on the go or eats out often, you might be surprised to learn your daily calorie intake. Our bariatric surgery specialists explain how quickly food items can add up. Consider your breakfast - if you're drinking two Grande Caramel Lattes from Starbucks every day, you’re ingesting 480 calories. If your breakfast of choice is a Big n' Toasted from Dunkin Donuts, that's an additional 530 calories. Calories from coffee drinks, alcoholic beverages, and random snacks (i.e. donuts from the break room) can significantly affect the number on your scale. Using a calorie counter (a.k.a. a food journal) can be a great weight loss tool. In addition to keeping track of your caloric intake, it monitors your exercise and weight loss goals and offers other services such as community support forums. Using calorie counters can be an eye opening experience for many patients - not everyone realizes how many calories are in the foods they enjoy. They also assist you in making healthier choices in the... Read More

What Is Dumping Syndrome?

May 28, 2015

Dumping syndrome or “rapid gastric emptying” can be a common side effect after weight loss surgery. Our bariatric surgery specialists can help you identify this concern and address the issue before serious problems can set in. Dumping syndrome describes a group of symptoms that can occur when food is emptied too quickly from the stomach. These symptoms may include: Nausea or vomiting Abdominal pain or cramping Diarrhea Increased heart rate Dizziness Sweating or feeling flushed Feeling full after eating only a small amount Symptoms typically occur during or right after a meal, but may also occur 1-3 hours later. Although the effects may be frightening, they are not life threatening and can be avoided with changes to how and what you eat. Here are a few tips to help avoid this uncomfortable experience: Try to eat smaller and more frequent meals. Aim to eat 5-6 small meals a day Eat your food slowly, and chew food well before swallowing. Cutting food into small pieces will also help Avoid foods/fluids that are high in sugar. For example: cookies, doughnuts, fruit juices, pies, and... Read More

What Vitamins Should I Take After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

May 12, 2015

Following gastric bypass surgery, you must adopt a new diet that involves ingesting fewer calories and taking a number of vitamins to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy system. The food and drink you consume may not provide enough nutrients on their own, and taking vitamin supplements can help make up for the deficiency. These vitamins can be found at most local health food stores, pharmacies, and even some grocery stores, and our skilled bariatric surgeon, Dr. Rishi Ramlogan, will advise you of which ones will be best for your needs. Some of the supplements he may recommend include: Calcium: To maintain bone strength Vitamin B12: To prevent anemia and protect blood cells Vitamin D: To promote calcium and phosphorus absorption Multivitamin: For comprehensive support and to fill nutrition gaps Iron: To prevent anemia and to help store oxygen in muscle tissue In addition to these, Dr. Ramlogan may also advise taking other nutrients, such as protein or folic acid, depending on your dietary needs. Each vitamin performs a vital service, and you should be sure to take the recommended... Read More

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