OBJECTIVE To assess substance use before and after bariatric weight loss surgery (WLS). There is a paucity of research investigating the occurrence of substance use following bariatric WLS. It was hypothesized that patients who underwent WLS would exhibit an increase in substance use (drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking) following surgery to compensate for a marked decrease in food int...

BACKGROUND The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is one of the most common operations for morbid obesity. Laparoscopic techniques have been reported, but suffer from small numbers of patients, longer operative times and seemingly higher initial complication rates as compared to the traditional "open" procedure. The minimally invasive approach continues to be a challenge even to the most experien...

To evaluate the theoretical increased precision offered by utilization of the robotic instrument, we attempted to determine whether incorporation of its use into traditional laparoscopic gastric bypass would duplicate or improve the success of the operation without increasing complications. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most commonly performed procedure for morbid obesity in the United St...

OBJECTIVES Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the gold standard for treating morbid obesity in this country. The totally laparoscopic performance of this procedure, although quite demanding and technically difficult, has revolutionized it; and the demand for it has skyrocketed. We describe 2 cases where it became necessary to convert the Y into a "W" while performing the procedure. METHODS A laparos...

BACKGROUND Circular-stapled anastomosis with trans-oral anvil insertion is one of the most commonly used methods for the creation of the gastrojejunostomy in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). We present a retrospective analysis of laparoscopic gastric bypass by comparing 2 techniques of circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy; Orvil(TM) and hand-made Orvil. METHODS Patients who were s...

BACKGROUND Canada needs to increase capacity for bariatric surgery to reduce the wait for this cost-effective, life-saving surgery. The aim of this study was to test whether laparoscopic bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass, can be delivered safely in secondary health care centres (SHCCs). METHODS In this prospective cohort study, patients received bariatric surgery at an SHCC that had...

BACKGROUND Prevalence of obesity in the world, in both developed and developing countries, is growing rapidly. Bariatric surgery is now accepted as the treatment for morbid obesity. OBJECTIVE This study compares laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy's effectiveness (LSG) with the most common bariatric surgery, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y (LRYGB) gastric bypass. METHODS A systematic review was performe...

OBJECTIVE To summarize our experience with small-bowel obstructions after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. DESIGN Retrospective record review. SETTING University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS One hundred five consecutive patients undergoing surgery for intestinal obstruction after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between May 24, 2001, and December 1, 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUR...

BACKGROUND Fibrin sealants (FSs) have been used in both open and laparoscopic bariatric surgery to decrease the anastomotic leak rate; however, conclusive evidence to recommend routine use is still lacking. We studied FS use and its effect on the clinical inflammatory response after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. METHODS Of 474 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic Ro...