A peer-reviewed, evidence-based journal that promotes clinical development and metabolic insights in total bariatric patient care for the healthcare professional
Issue link: https://bariatrictimes.epubxp.com/i/245728
Editorial Message Bariatric Times • January 2014 Raul J. Rosenthal, MD, FACS, Clinical Editor, Bariatric Times, Professor of Surgery and Chairman, Department of General Surgery; Director, The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute; Director, General Surgery Residency Program and Fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Readers of Bariatric Times: Welcome to the January issue. First, we present an article titled, "Augmenting Weight Loss Using Technology" by Jennifer Arussi, MS, RD, from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. I read this review with great interest. Self-monitoring is not a new tool in bariatrics. Industry has offered patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) a comprehensive website where they could enter personal data and follow their progress. This article shows that the available literature on this topic is favorable and supportive for the use of technology; however, I believe that we need to remind ourselves that it can become another challenge to our patients. While some may be adherent to and benefit from self-monitoring, others may see at as a challenge in their already long list of postoperative recommendations. As Arussi mentions in her article, it is important to remember that not everyone is capable of "self assessment." I personally love pedometers and always use heart monitors when exercising. Knowing the amount of calories we consume and burn is, in my opinion, a vital component of lifestyle changes. In this month's "Checklists in Bariatric Surgery," we review the reasons, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with marginal ulceration after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This is a clinical scenario that, in some cases, can become a reason for reversal of a bariatric procedure. Erratum In the December 2013 issue of Bariatric Times, the front cover article titled, "Exploring Patients' Decision-Making Process in Choosing to Undergo Band or Bypass: An Interview with Drs. Christina C. Wee, Caroline Apovian, Daniel B. Jones, and George L. Blackburn," featured incorrect photos of the authors. The correct appearance of the article authors is to the right. India to Raise Taxes on Sweetened Beverages in an Attempt to Control Obesity and Diabetes Dr. Wasef Abu Jaish presents a very interesting case of dysphagia lusoria in a patient after RYGB. Dysphagia lusoria is an abnormal condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing caused by aberrant right subclavian artery. This rare etiology should remind us that the bypass is not always the reason for symptoms such as nausea and vomiting after bariatric procedures, and we should always look for other systems as a potential source. In this month's "Medical Methods in Obesity Treatment," Dr. Robert Kushner and Dana Brittan review the current status of the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), which was founded in 2011. The board will administer the first certifying examination in December 2014. I am proud to say that with the help of Dr. Julie Kim, and under the presidency of Dr. Bruce Wolfe, I prepared the board questions for the bariatric surgery section of the exam. I congratulate Dr. Kushner and members of the ABOM for this important milestone, and I also wish all potential examinees best of luck with their exam. Also in this issue, we highlight the Davis Clinic, Houston, Texas, in our "Bariatric Center Spotlight," and Dr. Walter Pories continues to share his wonderful collection of drawings in "Cartoon Corner." I read with great interest and learned much from an article published in USA Today1 featuring Joseph Bresee, an influenza expert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The article stated that 46 percent of adult patients hospitalized nationwide due to influenza are obese. Though this might be a coincidence, it does support the theory that obesity is an immunosuppressive disease, which might make those affected by the disease prone to get easily infected with the flu virus. I also enjoyed the article published in PLOS Medicine2 stating that India is planning on raising the taxes to 20 percent on sweetened beverages in an attempt to control the obesity and diabetes epidemic. According to their calculation, such a measure would avert 11.2 million cases of overweight/obesity and 400,000 cases of type 2 diabetes between 2014 and 2023. Nice move. I hope you will enjoy this issue of BT. 3 MATRIX MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS STAFF President/Group Publisher Robert L. Dougherty Partner Patrick D. Scullin Vice President, Business Development Joseph J. Morris Vice President, Executive Editor Elizabeth A. Klumpp Managing Editor Angela M. Hayes Associate Editor Kimberly B. Chesky EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE should be directed to Elizabeth Klumpp, Bariatric Times, Matrix Medical Communications, 1595 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Telephone: (866) 325-9907 or (484) 266-0702, Fax: (484) 266-0726. E-mail: eklumpp@matrixmed com.com ADVERTISING QUERIES should be addressed to Robert Dougherty. President/Group Publisher, Bariatric Times, Matrix Medical Communications, 1595 Paoli Pike, Ste. 201, West Chester, PA 19380. Telephone: (866) 325-9907 or (484) 266-0702, Fax: (484) 266-0726. E-mail: rdougherty@matrixmedcom.com Sincerely, Raul J. Rosenthal, MD, FACS Editor, Bariatric Times REFERENCES 1. 2. Weise A. Almost 50% of people hospitalized for the flu are obese. USA Today. January 13, 2014. Basu S, Vellakkal S, Agrawal S, et al. Averting obesity and type 2 diabetes in India through sugar-sweetened beverage taxation: an economicepidemiologic modeling study. PLoS Med. 2014;11(1):e1001582. CHRISTINA C. WEE, MD, MPH CAROLINE APOVIAN, MD, FACP, DANIEL B. JONES, MD, MS, FACS GEORGE L. BLACKBURN, MD, Dr. Wee is Associate Professor of FACN Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Dr. Apovian is Professor of Medicine Associate Section Chief for Research and Pediatrics, Boston University and Director of the Obesity and School of Medicine; Director, Nutrition Health Behaviors Programs in the and Weight Management, Section of Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts Massachusetts. PHD Dr. Jones is Professor of Surgery, Dr. Blackburn is S. Daniel Abraham Harvard Medical School, Vice Chair Professor of Nutrition, Associate of Surgery, Office of Technology and Director, Division of Nutrition Harvard Innovation, Chief, Minimally Invasive Medical School Director, Center for the Surgical Services, Beth Israel Study of Nutrition Medicine, Department of Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medial Center, Massachusetts. Boston, Massachusetts. Matrix Medical Communications 1595 Paoli Pike, Suite 201 West Chester, PA 19380 © 2013 Matrix Medical Communications. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed by authors, contributors, and advertisers are their own and not necessarily those of Matrix Medical Communications, the editorial staff, or any member of the editorial advisory board. Matrix Medical Communications is not responsible for accuracy of dosages given in the articles printed herein. The appearance of advertisements in this journal is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality, or safety. Matrix Medical Communications disclaims responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas or products referred to in the articles or advertisements. Reprints are available. Contact Matrix Medical Communications for information. Bariatric Times (ISSN 1551-3572) is published by Matrix Medical Communications, 1595 Paoli Pike, Ste. 201, West Chester, PA 19380. Telephone: (866) 325-9907 or (484) 2660702, Fax: (484) 266-0726. Printed in USA.