HealthSmart Q & A-21

Dear HealthSmart,

Who qualifies for bariatric weight loss surgery? Do insurance companies usually cover the procedure?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Amir Ghaferi, M.D., M.S., Assistant Professor of Bariatric Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. Here’s his response:

To be eligible for bariatric weight loss surgery in the United States you must have a BMI of 35 or greater, with at least one weight-related comorbidity, i.e. diabetes, hypertension, cardio vascular disease, etc. If your BMI is 40 or greater, there is no weight-related comorbidity requirement. With the tremendous variance in insurance companies, it’s sort of a grab bag determining if the procedure will be covered or not. Some insurance companies require patients undergo supervised weight loss prior to the surgery, lasting anywhere from three to six months, or even up to a year. However, there is zero data to support that any preoperative weight loss has any effect on a patient’s post-op outcome. If a patient is considering paying out of pocket for the procedure, they’re looking at close to $15,000 or more.

 

Dear HealthSmart,

Now in my 50s, I’m trying to make up for a misspent youth with good health practices. I know several people who suffer from Parkinson’s. What steps can I take to reduce my risk for this disease?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Jeffrey Bronstein, MD/PhD, a leading Parkinson’s researcher and Director of Movement Disorders at the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine. Here’s his response:

Many people are surprised that healthy living can significantly reduce their risk for Parkinson’s. By that I mean vigorous exercise at least five days a week, a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep. Also, our research indicates that people who live in areas with a lot of air pollution—especially from car fumes—are more prone to developing the disease, as are those who live near large commercial farms that are heavy users of pesticides. If you must drive in heavily traveled areas like Los Angeles, where I live and you drive a lot, try to avoid inhaling car fumes by rolling up your windows and using the interior air circulation option.

 

Dear HealthSmart,

I’ve suffered from constipation for years and have tried everything – laxatives, high fiber food, etc. I recently heard that Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is often a cause of constipation. What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, and how is it treated?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Arnold Wald, Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at University of Wisconsin. Here’s his response:

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction refers to a wide range of issues that occur when the pelvic muscles are weak or impaired, negatively affecting our body’s ability to push material through the colon and eliminate it. Your muscles may not be strong enough to bear down and push the material through, or you could have structural problems that prevent you from bearing down (pushing waste material through the colon). Patients suffering from PFD undergo treatments that are designed to make the colon function better through pelvic muscle reconditioning. When making a diagnosis with appropriate testing, doctors can use biofeedback to show the patients exactly what they’re doing wrong. Results can be seen after 3-6 sessions of muscle retraining, with a success rate as high as 80% possible. Patients at specialized treatment centers only need determination, a sharp mind, a good memory, and ability to push through the frustration.

 

Do you have questions on health or wellness you’d like answered by the nation’s leading medical researchers? If so, you can send to Editor@WashNews.com. HealthSmart is a national newspaper column from the Washington News Service in DC. Due to demand, we are unable to reply to all inquiries. Responses through the column are no substitute for care from physicians or other medical professionals.

Copyright Ellen James Martin 2021

 

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