Weight loss before gastric bypass: feasibility and effect on postoperative weight loss and weight loss maintenance.

Background: This study was performed at a tertiary care university hospital. We hypothesized that weight loss before laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is feasible, does not diminish the expected postoperative weight loss, and might enhance overall weight loss and maintenance.

Methods: A population of 351 consecutive patients, who had undergone LRYGB, was divided into 4 groups depending on the percentage of body weight loss achieved before surgery (group 1, none or gain; group 2, <5%; group 3, 5-10%; and group 4, >10%).

Breast cancer-race, ethnicity, and survival: a literature review.

A review of the literature on breast cancer was conducted to identify gaps in knowledge as it relates breast cancer risk, race, and survival. The discussion has been divided into three broad categories: (1) breast cancer basics and the relationships between risks, race, and survival; (2) influence of race and socioeconomic status on breast cancer morbidity and mortality; and (3) relationship between age and mammography screening. All of the cited studies reveal evidence of a linkage between race and breast cancer survival, however, the effects of socioeconomic factors and race needs to be examined.