On today’s Morning Media Update, The University of Kansas Health System reports a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients today. There are 16 people with the active virus being treated, a decrease from 18 yesterday. Of those patients, six are in the ICU, the same as yesterday. One is on a ventilator. HaysMed has two active infections, the same as yesterday.
In today’s session, Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, answered some question about COVID-19, especially about the surge in Springfield, Mo.
He was asked about whether or not it was safe to travel to the area with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. His recommendation is to avoid any areas with high rates of spread, especially for unvaccinated people. Masking and social distancing is still important in high-risk areas, but being outdoors provides some lower risks of infection.
On a question about the need for booster shots, Dr. Hawkinson said that there is no guidance on booster shots yet. “We do know and understand that immune response from vaccines can be effective for up to 12 months,” he says.
Dr. Hawkinson also busted a myth that was asked about regarding a rumor that no one under age 30 should get vaccinated due to the risk of myocarditis. “That’s a horrible myth,” said Dr. Hawkingson. “Overwhelming benefits of the vaccine outweigh any of those slight chances of myocarditis.”
He was also asked if he could assure people there are no long-term side effects from the vaccine. While there are no guarantees in medicine, he said that there is no evidence of long-term side effects. There is plenty of data around how COVID-19 affects you. He also said unvaccinated COVID patients are at a higher risk of having to be re-hospitalized in 60-90 days.
When asked about how long is the immunity protection after getting COVID, Dr. Hawkinson said that patient do not have as good of an antibody response compared to those who got vaccinated.
Host Jessica Lovell then introduced special guests Dr. Jennifer McAllaster, Bariatric Surgeon at The University of Kansas Health System to explain who and when people should consider medical interventions and patient Marla Cantwell from Springfield to talk about her experience undergoing a gastric sleeve surgery to lose weight.
To level set, the National Institute of Health recently statistics show:
- 1 in 3 adults are considered overweight
- 2 in 3 adults are considered obese
- 1 in 13 adults are considered extremely obese
- 1-6 children (ages 2-16) are considered obese
Based on this information, the need for healthier lifestyle choices is more important that ever. Cantwell had her surgery in June 2019 and lost 180 pounds in 13 months. She decided to move forward with the surgery because she made a list of what was important to her.
“One of the first things I did was think about my ‘whys,’” she says. “I was obese from age 5 to 61. Weight limited me my whole life. I was ready for a change.”
She wanted to get healthy because she had been experiencing high blood pressure and sleep apnea, and also had a family history of diabetes, cancer and heart conditions. When asked if the pandemic was a challenge, she said that she had a routine established and did not want to undo any of the hard work she put into where she is.
“I determined I am not going back to my old eating habits,” she says. “Having healthy coping skills was key for me.”
Cantwell’s story is rewarding, but is it typical? Dr. McAllaster says that these types of procedures are very successful, but it is not a one-time fix.
“The operation is a tool,” Dr. McAllaster says. “But she is doing other things – healthy eating and exercise. This is a long-term process.”
Dr. McAllaster said the pandemic was difficult for everyone, especially patients. She explained what it takes to be successful. She added the risks with interventions are low, but bariatric operations are not for everyone.Medical issues may not allow it and not every insurance company covers it.
Dr. McAllaster knows first-hand. Not only is she a renowned doctor in this space, she was also a patient. Her patients served as an inspiration for her to get the bariatric sleeve surgery since she saw how successful they were.
In terms of cost, because many insurance companies do not cover it, the costs can range around $10,000. Cantwell said that this was an all-inclusive cost and it covered the follow-up support and help from psychologists and dieticians.
Cantwell added an important point about the value of the cost of this procedure. “The surgery far outweighs all of the costs of the co-morbidities,” she says.
Cantwell offers the following tips for success:
- It’s a tool, but you have to do the work to make it happen.
- Healthy coping skills are huge.
- I eat every three hours, but very small amounts.
- I exercise 4-5 days a week.
- I plan all my meals.
- I take vitamins.
- I track what I eat.
- Be mindful of emotions (walk vs. eat when stressed).
- I weigh once a week to make sure I stay in the 150-160-pound range.
- Most importantly, believe in yourself.
For community questions, a viewer asked about Wegovey, the first FDA approved weight loss drug since 2014. Dr. McAllaster said it’s not a magic bullet, but it needs to be part of a comprehensive plan.
Friday, July 9 at 8:00 a.m. Dr. Mark Rupp, Chief of infectious diseases and medical director of infection control and epidemiology at Nebraska Medicine talks COVID-19 with Dr. Dana Hawkinson. And, its The University of Kansas Health System verses Nebraska Medicine.Who will wint the Step Challenge?Brett Carey, Director of Wellness and Bri Stecklein, Wellness Manager at The University of Kansas Health System are joined by Heidi Husk, Wellness Manager at Nebraska Medicine.
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