Archives: February 2023
More Information on Ghrelin, The Hunger Hormone
If you’re reading this article, you have likely spent a good amount of time researching bariatric surgery, and we commend you for that. Bariatric surgery is not a one-and-done solution to excess weight and obesity. It requires a lot of careful thought, introspection, and research into the best procedure for you. Having done at least some of that, you will have undoubtedly come across a hormone known as ghrelin. This is one of the few hormones that promote hunger rather than satiety, which is leptin‘s job. Ghrelin sprang to the forefront of bariatric surgery in the late 1990s because of the experiences we, as surgeons, saw in our patients after gastric sleeves. Amazingly, gastric sleeve patients were losing a great deal of excess body weight. However, it seemed disproportionate to the simplicity of the procedure. It turned out that the restriction-only mechanism of the gastric sleeve was not the only mechanism that worked to help patients. Soon, we realized that by removing the fundus of the stomach, the outer, curved end, and creating the sleeved shape pouch, we were also removing the primary production center of the hunger hormone in our bodies. It stands to reason that by doing this, patients lost even more weight because they had a hormonal mechanism of weight loss in addition to physical restriction.
Walking Versus Running. Which Is Better After Bariatric Surgery?
It’s hard to overstate the importance of exercise after your bariatric procedure. The surgery forces you to eat less and be more mindful of the calories and macronutrients you put in your body; however, surgery does not force you to exercise. That said, exercise represents a vital component of any weight loss program, bariatric surgery or not. Arguably, exercise is the primary driver of weight loss maintenance over the longer term.
That leads us to a common question – is walking or running better after bariatric surgery?
There are benefits and drawbacks to walking and running but let’s approach this question in more general terms.
Is It a Hemorrhoid or Anal Fissure?
Updated for 2023!
We all experience sore or itchy rear ends at some point in our lives, often resolving with proper self-care. Some of us may even experience painful bowel movements and bright red streaks of blood in the toilet. This is a common reason to visit a colorectal surgeon like Dr. Alex Crean at MASJax. Fortunately, most cases of bright red blood during a bowel movement and resultant discomfort or pain are caused by a benign condition known as hemorrhoids or piles. However, this condition can be easily confused with anal fissures – small cuts or tears in the lining of the anus. How can you tell the difference? With similar symptoms, it can be difficult for patients to figure out what’s happening, and blood presence is downright frightening. Don’t even get us started on Dr. Google; that can easily convince a worried patient. An exam by a trained colorectal physician will help you to get a precise diagnosis of your condition and find the best treatment for you sooner rather than later.
