Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery also known as weight loss surgery involves the different procedures which can be performed on obese or fat people. In thsi type of weight loss mechanism, Weight loss is obtained by reducing stomach size by the help of implanting medical device such as gastric banding or by removing some part of the stomach. Weight-loss or bariatric surgeries change the digestive system, often limiting the amount of food you can eat.

Generally speaking, this procedure can give more weight loss compared to other restrictive procedures although it involves the surgery associated risks.

Complications from weight loss surgery are frequent. A study of insurance claims of 2522 who had undergone bariatric surgery showed 21.9% complications during the initial hospital stay and a total of 40% risk of complications in the subsequent six months.

Although exercise and eating right are the best ways to lose weight but many people have been using this method for years without much of success. For people in this such situation, weight loss surgery also known as bariatric surgery can be a viable option.

SPeaking about other tangible advantages of bariatric surgery is that the mothers who undergo weight loss surgery prior to pregnancy are less likely to have overweight children.

These surgeries help you lose weight and can lower your risk of medical problems associated with obesity. It is a major procedure that has risks and side effects and requires permanent changes in your lifestyle. Before deciding to have gastric surgery, it’s very important to understand what’s involved. The typical diet program after gastric bypass is so restrictive that patients frequently find it too difficult. You can take this as a opportunity to start over and learn new healthy eating and fitness habits.

Points to know about Bariatric Surgery

1. Bariatric surgery are serious operations with a risk of significant complications.
2. Many surgeries are irreversible. Discuss all options with your doctor.
3. Have a realistic and informed expectations about the impact of surgery.
4. After surgery, it is vital to adhere to the proper diet.
5. Participation in post-operative support groups is beneficial.

Personal Health Record

A personal health record also known as PHR for short is an important and confidential tool for maintaining your health related information. A PHR can be looked as a digital record or electronic file which contains your health information and recent medial services comprising and not restricting to medical conditions, medications, allergies, doctors visited, etc. This information can be saved once and can be used later by individuals choice. It is the user who controls how the information in digital health record is used and you can grant permission to different people to access it. These digital health record are hosted on internet which makes it available online whenever you wish to access it. But it is quite secure and no one can access it without your permission.

A typical Personal Health Record will provide full and accurate data on the health and medical history of any individual. It may also has necessary electronic credentials which will help in validating the data.

The PHR can be shared with other individuals such as caregivers, family members and providers, etc based on the consent of the owner of the PHR. Ideally, a Personal Health Record contains fairly complete summary of an individual’s health and medical history.

How PHR can help?

- They can help to gather, store and manage lifelong health related data
- Help you to share information with authorized care providers
- It maximizes the health benefits with quick turnaround

What can be part of personal health record?

1. Your name,
2. Birth date
3. Blood type
4. Emergency contact
5. Date of last physical
6. Dates and results of tests and screenings
7. Major illnesses and surgeries, with dates
8. A list of your medicines, dosages and how long you’ve taken them
9. Any allergies
10. Any chronic diseases
11. Any history of illnesses in your family