Pre-diabetes is “the state that occurs when a person’s blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes”. Most importantly, people with pre-diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension and stroke. An estimated 79 million Americans age 20 years or older have pre-diabetes. Learn more about obesity and associated health risks such as diabetes.

Who should pay attention to pre-diabetes?
You are at risk for pre-diabetes if you are overweight and 45 years or older. Individuals younger than 45 and overweight, and have any other risk factors such as high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes, physical inactivity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, to name a few, are also at risk. Unfortunately, there usually are no signs or symptoms for pre-diabetes!

As mentioned above, having pre-diabetes exposes individuals to a higher risk for type-2 diabetes. However, studies have shown that losing 5 to 7 percent of body weight through diet and increased physical activity can reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. How do you make this happen? Healthy eating habits and exercise!

What can I do?
Someone with excess weight and pre-diabetes, or insulin resistance may benefit from limiting carbohydrates in their diet. Carbs raise blood sugar more than other foods and will cause the body to produce more insulin.

Regular exercise helps maintain weight loss and prevent weight regain. It also improves glycemic control (measurement of the effects of carbs on sugar level) and reduces cardiovascular disease. Fortunately it doesn’t take dramatic weight loss to reduce the risk for pre-diabetes or to improve your health. Moderate weight loss can help delay or prevent diabetes-related complications. If you feel like you need to lose a moderate amount of weight, learn more about our MyWeight solution, as well as some of our noninvasive procedures such as POSE and ROSE.

Today’s world of technology and social networking may also help you monitor your health. HEALTHSEEKER is a new healthy Facebook game that was developed by the Diabetes Hands Foundation and Joslin Diabetes Center. The goal is to help players make specific lifestyle changes that focus on healthy eating. Check it out!

The Surgical Specialists of LA are a group of 8 board certified advanced laparoscopic surgeons who specialize in surgical and nonsurgical weight loss. For more information about their programs visit www.whyweight.com or www.poseinfo.com.

Tweet

Improve Your Nutrition
Vitamins and protein are key to the healing process following surgery. Protein will help you maintain muscle mass while losing weight and make you feel full longer after your meals. Your doctor will instruct you as to which vitamins and supplements you will need. Plan to incorporate a multi-vitamin, B12, calcium into your daily intake. Start doing this as soon as you can, not only because it will help your health, but it will also to help you get in the habit of taking important vitamin supplements on a continual basis.

Get a Sleep Study
Many over weight individuals suffer from Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) and don’t even know it. SAS is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing. In a recent study of patients who had completed a preoperative evaluation for bariatric surgery, 73% of tested patients had SAS that required treatment. As a result of the study, researchers recommended that patients who undergo bariatric surgery should be screened, tested and treated for sleep apnea.

Start Exercising—everyday
Exercise is crucial to weight loss success; it shortens the recovery period and reduces the risk of postsurgical complications. Our doctors have found that patients who start an exercise program before weight loss surgery are twice as likely to have an easier time exercising after surgery. Because exercise tends to be difficult for people who are overweight, the key is to start slowly. Walk in place for 10 minutes, twice a day. Resume exercising two to three weeks after surgery. Cardio and strength training should be part of your exercise routine, three to five days a week.

Cut Down on Alcohol and Quit Smoking
Smoking can make lungs more sensitive during surgery and can slow the healing process by narrowing the blood vessels and restricting the flow of blood to the healing sites. Smoking contradicts the purpose for having surgery: Improving your health! Alcohol is full of empty calories that provide no nutritional value. Weight loss surgery makes you more sensitive to alcohol, so a little goes a long way.

You have committed to changing your lifestyle. You are ready to achieve and maintain a healthy weight with a regimen of healthy choices. The comprehensive weight loss program, including MyWeight Nutition & Wellness Counseling designed by the Surgical Specialists of LA addresses all of these issues, and we will help you achieve your weight loss goals. Visit www.whyweight.com or call 1-877-691-3001 and ask to speak to a patient advocate to answer questions you may have regarding weight loss and bariatric surgery, including questions about our new incisionless procedure—POSE, a one hour endoscopic procedure that is transforming the lives of our patients.

Tweet

The Study

The study consisted of 239 overweight and obese women. The researchers divided the women into two groups. The first group was provided general information on how to eat healthy, effectively manage stress, and build a physical fitness routine. The second group attended 30 group discussion sessions, covering issues such as physical activity, emotional eating, and improving body acceptance and body image.

The study found that the women in the discussion groups developed better opinions about their bodies and were able to manage their diets better. Over the course of a year, they lost 7 percent of their body weight on average, while the other group lost on average 2 percent.

Dr. Lavin commented that “this new research has indicated that having a positive body image can help you lose weight. Developing a healthier body image can come from concrete proof that you’re actually achieving weight loss. Body image issues can be common in overweight and obese people and are often associated with poorer weight loss outcomes. Additionally, poor body image has been linked with negative eating behaviors that interfere with weight loss. Thus, it is very important to address and reduce body image concerns when treating obesity.”

Positive body image & weight loss options

Bariatric surgery is often a very effective treatment for obesity. However, some people who are overweight (BMI of 25 – 30) or even some who are obese (BMI 30 – 35) don’t meet the qualifications for standard laparoscopic bariatric procedures, according to NIH guidelines. Dr. Lavin explained that there are treatments for these people. “The new incisionless endoscopic procedure, the POSE (Primary Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal), can give these people opportunity for weight loss by curbing their appetite through shrinking the stomach, thereby causing decreased hunger and cravings as well as decreased capacity at meals.” POSE is a one-hour outpatient procedure that is performed through the mouth and does not require any incisions or cuts. It has many advantages, including less post-op pain than traditional bariatric surgery and no external incisions, meaning no visible scars.

Dr. Lavin added, “a positive body image is the foundation for weight management. Procedures such as POSE can help patients gain that positive body image as they begin seeing tangible results after years of yo-yo dieting.” You can visit poseinfo.com, to learn more about the POSE procedure.

To learn more about POSE, or any of other weight loss surgery options provided by Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, please register for a FREE online seminar at either www.poseinfo.com, or www.whyweight.com, or call us at 877-691-3001.

Tweet

The world of social networking is new to us but we’re catching on quickly. We invite you to join us in making our social communications beneficial to you and your fellow patients, as well as those who are considering various weight loss options:

• Like us on Facebook (Covington office page and Lafayette office page) to get notified about the latest news and share them with your friends and family
• Follow us on Twitter to get instant updates and announcements
• Watch our patients on YouTube where they tell their exciting weight loss success stories

Why join the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana at WhyWeight.com social network communities?

We plan to take full advantage of the social media to update you on what’s happening with SSL, WhyWeight.com, obesity and weight loss surgical and non-surgical options. You will be the first to hear about our announcements, blog articles, tips, recipes, photos, upcoming events and the latest news stories from the media. On our WhyWeight YouTube Channel, you can also read about each of our nine advanced laparoscopic Louisiana weight loss surgeons or watch their personal videos.

In addition, through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube you will now be able to connect with other SSL patients who have had sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, gastric banding, POSE and ROSE incisionless procedures, revisional surgery or participated in the MyWeight program.

Last but not least, you are the key to our social media communications. Using our online communities, you can share experience and feedback with your fellow patients and with us. You can also post your own story or photos, and share recipes and tips that worked for you. And you can read about other patients’ experiences as well for personal inspiration and encouragement!

Please share our updates with your friends, family and anyone you know who might be considering weight loss surgery or non-surgical weight loss in Louisiana. Help us spread the word and join us in the fight against obesity!

About the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana at WhyWeight.com

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana is committed to helping you lose weight and obtain a healthy lifestyle. Our nutritionists are available for one-on-one consultations. Whether you need to lose 15, 50 or 150 pounds, SSL can help you. Our medically supervised weight loss program, MyWeight, combines nutrition therapy, physical activity and physician prescribed medication, if necessary. Our minimally invasive weight loss surgery procedure options, including gastric banding, gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and the duodenal switch, are for those who need to lose 50 or more pounds. The new POSE procedure is incisionless and is for patients who want to lose up to 50 pounds. Schedule your free weight-loss surgery seminar today to learn more!

Tweet

Perhaps better known as NB4K, Nobesity for kids listens to the needs of the community and addresses physical activity, nutrition, and healthy minds in the community, school, after-school, home and work environments based on the needs of the community.

Nobesity for kids has several programs and activities. The After-School Program is a 12 week fun program that helps children set goals and track nutrition and physical activity. The Club Fit Camp Program is a 9 week program with a physical activity daily plan, physical educational plan, nutritional class and information which helps children set goals and track nutrition and activity. It is specially designed for children ages 6-16 and includes a customized 5 day workout plan (3 days with a personal trainer and 2 days at home), weekly nutrition and support meetings, customized NB4K meal plan/menu, customized NB4K fitness journal, access to NB4K online fitness and food journal, water bottle, workout suit and pedometer. There are also free yoga classes, free nutrition classes, sports training, boot camp and personal trainers.

NB4K is affiliated with the National Afterschool Association , The American Council for Fitness & Nutrition Foundation, the President’s Challenge Program, and the Office of Disease Prebention and Health Promotion (ODPHP)-Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

NB4K’s program is more than just an exercise class. It is a challenging lifestyle. For more information visit www.nobesity4kids.org.

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana is a group of nine advanced laparoscopic surgeons who specialize in surgical and nonsurgical weight loss. Free seminars are offered on a weekly basis, and are also available online. Visit www.whyweight.com for more information or contact our office at 1-877-691-3001.

I have been going to dog-training classes. My dog is not the problem. I am. I can’t seem to be consistent in my approach to Ruby, so in her confusion she misbehaves.
It’s my responsibility to set boundaries with Ruby so that she knows what to do, but I feel inadequate. I’m too busy. I forget to practice. I’d rather do something else. I have to work. I have a million excuses.

My resistance creates unwanted consequences

For awhile Ruby’s indiscretions (a.k.a. my unwillingness to train my dog) were tolerable. She chewed a pair of my son’s tube socks. She ate the cat’s food. She pulled on the leashwhen I walked her.

But things have gotten worse. Ruby nips me to let me know it is time for her walk. She dines on litter-box fare (yuck!). She jumps onto the furniture when we turn our backs.

I have to get past my resistance

If I continue to let Ruby get away with these antics, and inevitably let things get worse, my life is going to get a lot more chaotic. And the consequences will become dire.

(Sadly, it’s at this point that many families give their pets back to the adoption agency. The problem goes from cute to annoying to intolerable.)

Resistance undermines weight loss surgery progress, too

When my hunger came back after weight loss surgery, it was almost cute at first. I ate half of a french fry and one bite of a dessert at a wedding reception. I felt petite and in control.

I was resisting my surgeon’s guidelines, but rationalized that I followed most of them

For awhile my indiscretions (a.k.a. my unwillingness to follow my plan) were tolerable. I wasn’t gaining weight and I felt great.

But things got worse. I started eating popcorn every night. I quit exercising at the gym. I ate toast with butter at bedtime.

And my food cravings got worse

So, I pushed my limits ever further. As this happened, I began to negotiate with myself about everything. Could I eat this at 3pm if I ate less of something at dinner?

How many calories is that snack food and maybe it’s okay to eat if I skip my protein drink (thus avoiding the extra calories).
It was annoying to always be negotiating with myself, pushing the boundaries. The consequences became more dire; I gained a few pounds.

Now my behavior felt intolerable to me

A few pounds is not a big concern in the vast scheme of things. But it is at this point that many weight loss surgery patients give up. But I didn’t give up.

Like Ruby, I needed clearer limits

I was in pure resistance mode. I was out of control and looking for trouble. Unlike my dog, though, I could identify my resistance and make a decision to set better limits for myself. So, that’s what I did.

I used my husband’s motto to challenge myself

As my biggest cheerleader, Mike has always supported me in my efforts at self improvement and with my dream to help others overcome obesity.

During times when I have felt uncertain or fearful or discouraged he has put his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eyes, and made me repeat after him:

“I am a winner.”

He makes me say it until I really feel it. Sometimes I get really mad at him, but he persists until he breaks my resistance.

One morning, Mike noticed I did not write down a food plan or seem to have any intention of making one. So, he made me say that phrase. It’s hard to feel resistance and feel like a winner at the same time. So, for a few moments, as we looked into each other’s eyes, I felt like a winner.

Over the course of that day I decided to keep saying it to myself

I got past my resistance to healthier eating using my own version of Mike’s saying:

“I’m a winner, and winners _____________________.”

I filled in the blank depending on what I was doing. So, when I wanted to eat fast food for lunch, I told myself:

“I’m a winner, and winners eat *healthy*, great-tasting meals.”

When I wanted to skip going to the gym, I told myself:

“I’m a winner, and winners exercise daily.”

And when I wanted to eat that french fry, I told myself:

“I’m a winner, and winners eat healthy fats, not trans fats.”

Everyone wants to win

When I look at my choices from the vantage point of being a winner, it’s easy to see which choices will serve me well and which ones won’t.

When I feel like a winner, I am much happier to do the next right thing — to resist the temptation to overeat or to pick unhealthy foods.

Do you want to feel like a winner?

No, you can’t borrow Mike! Go stand in front of your mirror, and look into your own eyes. Smile broadly and say, “I’m a winner!”

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Watch an online seminar now or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

This article is from Small Bites, the email newsletter for the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery.

Subscribe today and get your F’REE report, The 10 Most Common Mistakes Weight Loss Surgery Patients Make at www.10WLSmistakes.com.
(c) 2007 National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, Inc. All rights reserved.

Imagine that your job in life is to swim across a fast-moving river carrying a bag of rocks. People often fill their bags with too many rocks, including rocks that don’t belong to
them.

A fast-moving river can be hard to get across even under the best of conditions. And it’s nearly impossible to cross when you are carrying a heavy burden.

We live in a busy world. Often success is measured by how much we do, how busy we are, and how heavy the load is that we carry.

Weight Loss Surgery patients are faced with a choice after surgery, because we have chosen to add some hefty rocks to our bags — the responsibility of making our rigorous WLS lifestyle a priority — our ability to carry lots of other rocks will be limited.
By the very nature of our WLS we carry a lot of rocks in our bags: taking vitamins and supplements, monitoring our labs, exercising, losing and maintaining weight, drinking water, eating enough protein, dealing with food obsession, being prepared for any eating situation, adjusting our self image, fighting urges to graze or overeat or eat sweets…I could go on and on!

This added burden for WLS patients makes it imperative that we be deliberate in the number and size of the rocks we carry.

Because we carry the extra burden of the WLS lifestyle, we must take a realistic look at our lives and adjust our obligations accordingly.

If you are carrying other people’s rocks unnecessarily; i.e., doing all the work for the team at your job, volunteering again because no other parent will step up, making cookies for a friend’s party; you might want to rethink what you’re doing.

Carrying too many rocks is risky business. And carrying your WLS rocks and everyone else’s just might make your sink.
Keep these three things in mind, and begin to work on not making yourself carry such a huge bag of rocks:

1. Everyone has to carry rocks, but the people whose loads are the lightest tend to set good boundaries, value themselves, and take an honest look at their capabilities.
2. When you carry someone else’s rocks, and they are capable of carrying their own rocks, you don’t do yourself or them a favor.
3. Making brave choices about which rocks you will carry — and which ones you will not carry — will bring you more rewards than you could ever imagine.

Just remember, you don’t have to do everything everyone expects of you. You can say no to eating at a restaurant that triggers you to overeat. You can ask your husband or wife not to bring chips into the house. You can even say no to running an errand for a friend, if running that errand would interfere with your healthy habit of eating before you get too hungry.

The river may rage in my life, but I am determined to carry as light a load as possible. How about you?

An Exercise:

Make a list of the rocks in your bag — your various responsibilities. This week, drop at least one of the rocks that doesn’t belong to you.

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Watch an online seminar now or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

This article is from Small Bites, the email newsletter for the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery.

Subscribe today and get your F’REE report, The 10 Most Common Mistakes Weight Loss Surgery Patients Make at www.10WLSmistakes.com.

(c) 2007 National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, Inc. All rights reserved.

Protein Through Nuts and Seeds

• They are nutritious, high in protein and healthy fats.
• Store them in the freezer and they’ll last longer
• For a great snack grab a small handful of Macadamia nuts, almonds, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Sunflower Seeds or Pumpkin seeds. 4-6 nuts is about 1 ounce.

Sweet Items

• Sugar substitute in granular form, Splenda, can be used for cooking and baking. Don’t ever use Equal in cooking!
• ThickenThinNot/Starch is an excellent substitute for cornstarch, with only a fraction of the carbs. Use this for thickening sauces and gravies.
• Use pure Vanilla, Lemon, and Chocolate extract.
• If you’re curious about sugar alcohols and how they matter, read our recent blog entry on this topic!

For more healthy information visit our website. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana’s estore offers a variety of items to help with your meal planning. Call 1-877-691-3001 or send an email to info@whyweight.com for more information.  Also, check out the website’s MyWeight estore to place orders for products.

Peppermint Shake

1 pkg. MyWeight French Vanilla Shake
1cup cold water
5 ice cubes
½ tsp peppermint extract
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 drop green food coloring

Place all ingredients in a blender, mix, and serve.


French Vanilla Lime Cooler

1 pkg. MyWeight French Vanilla Shake Mix
8 oz water
2 Tbsp Lime Juice
4 Ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth

Peachy Smoothie

1 pkg. MyWeight French Vanilla Shake
2 oz Vanilla low-fat yogurt
6 oz cold water
1 fresh peach, skinned and cut up
4 Ice cubes

Mix all ingredients in blender on medium speed.

Almond Joy

1 pkg. MyWeight Swiss Chocolate Shake
8 oz. water
½ tsp almond extract
½ tsp coconut extract

Mix all ingredients in blender on medium speed.

Tips for Success When Eating Out

• Keep Your Portions Small
• When ordering entrees, have the waiter box ½ before serving the other ½
• Use a salad plate to decrease the portion size
• Have the waiter bring your salad with your entrée
• Have the waiter remove the bread from the table, or DECLINE it when he serves it
• Take 3 bites of protein for every 1 bite of carbs or fats
• Count Cocktails as dessert
• Choose to splurge on a day when you can exercise
• Research the web for restaurant menu and healthy choice/low carb selections
• Have a protein drink before you leave to go out
• Keep reference books for calorie counting and low carb selections handy.  Check out: www.calorieking.com or www.atkins.com for calorie and carbohydrate measurements

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers nutritional drinks, supplements, meal replacements, protein bars and various other items through our MyWeight program at each of our locations.  If you are interested in learning more about our products contact Bethany at bdulski@whyweight.com.

You’ve heard it.  ”Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!” “Eat as much as you want and still lose weight!” With so many products and weight-loss theories out there, it’s easy to get confused. This information may help clear up confusion about weight loss, nutrition and physical exercise. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana have two licensed dietitians who are available to answer your questions on following a healthy eating plan and losing weight safely. Contact us today to learn more.

Myth: Nuts are fattening and you should not eat them if you want to lose weight.

Fact: In small amounts, nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. Nuts are high in calories and fat. However, most nuts contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries. Nuts are also good sources of protein, dietary fiber, and minerals including magnesium and copper.

Tip: Enjoy small portions of nuts. One-half ounce of mixed nuts has about 84 calories.

Myth: Eating red meat is bad for your health and makes it harder to lose weight.

Fact: Eating lean meat in small amounts can be part of a healthy weight-loss plan. Red meat, pork, chicken, and fish contain some cholesterol and saturated fat (the least healthy kind of fat). They also contain healthy nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc.

Tip: Choose cuts of meat that are lower in fat and trim all visible fat. Lower fat meats include pork tenderloin and beef round steak, tenderloin, sirloin tip, flank steak, and extra lean ground beef. Also, pay attention to portion size. Three ounces of meat or poultry is the size of a deck of cards.

Myth: Dairy products are fattening and unhealthy.

Fact: Low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese are just as nutritious as whole-milk dairy products, but they are lower in fat and calories. Dairy products have many nutrients your body needs. They offer protein to build muscles and help organs work properly, and calcium to strengthen bones. Most milk and some yogurt are fortified with vitamin D to help your body use calcium.

Tip: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming 3 cups per day of fat-free/low-fat milk or equivalent milk products. For more information on these guidelines, visit http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.

If you cannot digest lactose (the sugar found in dairy products), choose low-lactose or lactose-free dairy products, or other foods and beverages that offer calcium and vitamin D (listed below).

• Calcium: soy-based beverage or tofu made with calcium sulfate; canned salmon; dark leafy greens like collards or kale
• Vitamin D: soy-based beverage or cereal (getting some sunlight on your skin also gives you a small amount of vitamin D)

Myth: “Going vegetarian” means you are sure to lose weight and be healthier.

Fact: Research shows that people who follow a vegetarian eating plan, on average, eat fewer calories and less fat than nonvegetarians. They also tend to have lower body weights relative to their heights than nonvegetarians. Choosing a vegetarian eating plan with a low fat content may be helpful for weight loss. But vegetarians—like nonvegetarians—can make food choices that contribute to weight gain, like eating large amounts of high-fat, high-calorie foods or foods with little or no nutritional value.

Vegetarian diets should be as carefully planned as nonvegetarian diets to make sure they are balanced. Nutrients that nonvegetarians normally get from animal products, but that are not always found in a vegetarian eating plan, are iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, and protein.

Tip: Choose a vegetarian eating plan that is low in fat and that provides all of the nutrients your body needs. Food and beverage sources of nutrients that may be lacking in a vegetarian diet are listed below.

• Iron: cashews, spinach, lentils, garbanzo beans, fortified bread or cereal
• Calcium: dairy products, fortified soy-based beverages, tofu made with calcium sulfate, collard greens, kale, broccoli
• Vitamin D: fortified foods and beverages including milk, soy-based beverages, or cereal
• Vitamin B12: eggs, dairy products, fortified cereal or soy-based beverages, tempeh, miso (tempeh and miso are foods made from soybeans)
• Zinc: whole grains (especially the germ and bran of the grain), nuts, tofu, leafy vegetables (spinach, cabbage, lettuce)
• Protein: eggs, dairy products, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, soy-based burgers

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.