When It Comes to the Heat, Courses Fighting Nature
Keith Osterman allowed himself the luxury of exhaling recently when the almanac revealed that the number of daylight hours had finally ticked below 14.
For many women, weight loss surgery is a springboard for improved vigilance regarding all personal health issues. Women in particular become champions of their own health following the massive weight loss that results from gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band (lap-band), or gastric sleeve surgery. The weight loss affords many who suffered from overall poor health due to morbid obesity a chance to actively pursue a healthier lifestyle, including proactive monitoring of health risks.
Patients are advised to develop a relationship with their general health care provider who will monitor health risks with standard testing. Below are guidelines for standard testing. However, some patients may require different tests or different frequency in testing based on their health and family history of disease.
- Breast Cancer: Mammogram is the standard screening test for breast cancer. Unless there is a family history of breast cancer women should be screened beginning at age 40 with follow-up screening every 1 to 2 years on the advice of their physician.
- Cervical Cancer: Women age 25 or older should have a pap smear every 1 to 3 years to screen for cervical cancer. Personal health and family history will factor in your doctors decision for the frequency of testing. Screening may stop at age 65 if advised by a physician.
- Colorectal Cancer: Women should be tested for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 with a colonoscopy. The test should be repeated every 5 to 10 years.
- Diabetes: The FPG test; oral glucose tolerance test, is the standard method of screening for diabetes. With no risk factors or family history of diabetes testing for women will begin at age 45 and be repeated every 3 years.
- High Blood Pressure: The familiar blood press cuff (Sphygmomanometer) is the standard test for high blood pressure. Women should be tested beginning at age 30 with monitoring every 2 years, or more frequently if blood pressure tests high.
- High Cholesterol: A blood test to measure the lipoprotein profile will indicate when a woman has high cholesterol. Cholesterol levels should be measured beginning at age 20 and repeated every 5 years. More frequent testing may be prescribed for those found to have high cholesterol.
- Osteoporosis: A bone density test will be done to determine the health of the skeletal system. Women should be tested for osteoporosis beginning at age 65 and repeated every two years. Earlier testing may be ordered for those with a family history of osteoporosis.
Standard guidelines are set for all medical testing. However, a close relationship with your personal physician may indicate a different screening schedule for you based on your personal health history, current symptoms, and family health history. Establishing an honest and mindful relationship with a health care provider is beneficial to all seeking proactive health management.
Kaye Bailey (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved
Kaye Bailey is an internationally recognized writer, speaker and weight loss surgery advocate. She is the author of the highly successful weight loss surgery back to basics plan: 5 Day Pouch Test and the 5 Day Pouch Test Owner's Manual. Her follow-up book, Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test, was published in December 2009. It provides guidance for long-term weight and health management with all bariatric surgical procedures. Ms. Bailey is known for her powerful "You can do this!" manner and her belief in the power of personal responsibility. She is the founder of LivingAfterWLS, LLC parent company to the LivingAfterWLS.com and 5daypouchtest.com websites. Supporting both websites is the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood, an online compassion-driven community for weight loss surgery, gastric bypass and gastric banding patients.
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