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HealthWays
S
ince ValleyCare’s Weight Loss Surgery
Program began in 2000, nearly 1,500
patients have lost signi cant weight and
greatly improved their health with the help of
the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and the
laparoscopic adjustable gastric band.
Now we are excited to introduce a third
effective procedure, called sleeve gastrectomy,
which offers patients another surgical option
to help them safely achieve their weight
loss goals.
With sleeve gastrectomy—commonly
known as “the sleeve”—up to 85 percent of
the stomach is removed laparoscopically,
creating a small, sleeve-shaped stomach.
This reduces appetite and dramatically limits
portion size. Since the small intestine is not
altered, unlike in gastric bypass surgery,
absorption of food and medications re-
mains mostly unchanged. The weight
loss rivals that of gastric bypass,
averaging 58 to 70 percent
of excess body weight in
one year.
To be considered for
the sleeve procedure, a
patient must be morbidly
obese, which means being
at least 100 pounds over his
or her ideal body weight—a
body mass index (BMI) of
40—or be 70 to 75 pounds
over his or her ideal body
weight—a BMI of 35—with
health issues worsened by
obesity. The surgery itself
takes about an hour and
requires one or two nights
in the hospital.
BACK TO HEALTH
While sleeve gastrectomy statistics from studies
lasting ve years or more involve only a small
number of patients, weight loss appears to be
maintained over that time. Results are excellent
for one- to three- year studies.
In addition to signi cant weight loss, the
sleeve has been shown to dramatically reduce
health concerns such as high blood pressure,
obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes. Type 2
diabetes remission is reported at 60 to 80 per-
cent. This means that the majority of morbidly
obese patients who undergo the sleeve surgery
will be able to eliminate all medical treatment
needed to normalize blood sugar. High blood
pressure and sleep apnea are also resolved in up
to 80 percent of patients.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
The lifestyle changes needed for success after
sleeve gastrectomy are much like those for
other weight loss surgeries. Patients must be
committed to eating three small, healthy meals
each day and taking a daily multivitamin and
calcium pill with vitamin D. Alcohol and caf-
feine consumption should be strictly limited, as
should be desserts and other sweets.
Exercise is crucial for maximizing weight
loss in the year after surgery and even more
important for maintaining it. Most people nd
exercise much more enjoyable when it is helping
them to stay at a healthy, comfortable weight.
With three weight loss surgery options
available, we can o er you the best
procedure based on your health conditions and
weight loss needs.
Call the ValleyCareWeight
Loss Surgery Program at
800 577 5030
, or visit
us at www.valleycare.com.
E
veryone needs sleep, but not everyone gets enough.
Each year 10 million Americans seek help because
of sleep disorders.
Lack of sleep can lead to health problems and can be
triggered by stress or be the result of a lifetime of sleep dif-
culties. Insomnia—dif culty falling or staying asleep—is
the most common sleep problem, and women are twice as
likely as men to have it.
But men outpace women in a more serious problem—
sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea experience frequent
breathing stops and starts during sleep. In the United
States, 1 in 6 men and 1 in 10 to 15 women will develop
some degree of sleep apnea, which can lead to stroke and
has been associated with high blood pressure, diabetes,
heart disease and a poor quality of life.
“Over the last decade we have recognized sleep apnea
and sleep disorders as major health issues,” says Chirag
Pandya, MD, director of ValleyCare Sleep Center.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Men of all ages are at risk for sleep apnea, and so are
women—especially just before, during and after meno-
pause. Even children can develop sleep apnea. If you have
sleep apnea, you may experience these symptoms:
Snoring
Breathing stops, accompanied by choking or gasping
during sleep
Waking frequently during sleep
Feeling tired or sleepy during the day
Morning headaches
HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I HAVE SLEEP APNEA?
The Sleep Center offers comprehensive patient assessments,
including a one- or two-night sleep study to monitor you in
a comfortable, hotel-like room, complete with a television
and Wi-Fi.
WHAT IS A SLEEP STUDY?
For a typical study, you’ll
arrive at the clinic in the
early evening. A techni-
cian will attach sensors to
your skin to monitor brain
waves, breathing patterns,
oxygen levels, heart rhythms,
arm and leg movement and
snoring.
“It doesn’t involve any
procedures or needles, only
sensors,” says Dr. Pandya,
who also has been the patient
in a study. “It’s like spending
a night in a hotel room.”
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
The sleep study helps categorize the degree of sleep apnea.
Depending on the degree of the condition, there are three
major treatments:
CPAP therapy
a special mask at night keeps the
airway open by using compressed air.
Oral devices
resembling a mouth guard, these keep
the airways open.
Surgery
removing tonsils (especially in children)
and other surgical therapies can help.
WHAT ABOUT INSOMNIA?
The Sleep Center begins with a thorough clinical evalu-
ation and medical history to identify any underlying
causes. Then treatment can be targeted to that medical
problem. Treatment may include U.S. Food and Drug
Administration-approved medication and cognitive be-
havioral therapy. The evaluation can also determine
if sleep apnea is involved.
GETTING A GOOD NIGHT’S REST
Follow these tips to make the most of your sleep:
Get up at the same time every day, regardless of when
you went to bed.
Avoid long daytime naps.
Use your bed only for sleep and sex, not for reading or
worrying.
Avoid consuming heavy and spicy meals, alcohol, caf-
feine, or nicotine before bed.
Set regular mealtimes, and eat a balanced diet.
Establish a bedtime routine. Don’t wear tight clothing
to bed.
If you can’t sleep within 30 minutes, get out of bed and
read or listen to soothing music.
Spend time in the sun during the day.
If you are having trouble sleeping, help is available.
For more information or to schedule an evaluation,
call ValleyCare Sleep Center at
925 454 4280
.
SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
NewAdvances in
Weight Loss Surgery
In Need of Good
Sleep
?
The ValleyCare Sleep Center can help
Heidi is showing a pair
of her“before” jeans.
Chirag Pandya, MD, is the
medical director of the
ValleyCare Sleep Center.