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Focus Is On Sleeve Gastrectomy, Part II – Patient Benefits

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

dekeBenefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy

For many of our patients, the most important benefit of the gastric sleeve is that they not only begin losing weight right away, but their health can improve dramatically right after surgery. Weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, can be significantly improved or even resolved in as little as one week after the procedure.

There are also several other benefits that the gastric sleeve provides to patients:

• Fewer incisions are made (only three) – one in the naval, and two poke holes the size of a pencil.

• At approximately 35 minutes, the procedure is quicker than gastric bypass or banding.

• It requires no intestinal re-routing, which makes for a less-complicated procedure and results in quicker recovery.

Insurance & Cost

Most insurance carriers that cover bariatric surgery now cover the gastric sleeve procedure, and more insurance carriers are expected to begin covering it in the future. Gastric sleeve is also more affordable than traditional gastric bypass (it costs about the same as gastric banding). Take advantage of our free insurance verification to see if you qualify.

For those interested in self-pay, The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana provide the added benefit of one year’s worth of post-op complication coverage included in our affordable cash price.

Real Success Story

Deke Bellavia, whom you might know as the co-host of SportsTalk and the “Countdown to Kick-Off” on WWL Radio, the New Orleans Saints Radio Network, was type 2 diabetic and had high blood pressure. Deke knew he needed to lose weight in order to get his health back in check. His blood sugar was something he needed to get under control quickly, so after evaluating the options Deke chose the sleeve gastrectomy. His decision was easy – Deke heard SSL is the best weight loss surgery program in the country and he was very pleased with the process they have developed to prepare patients for surgery.

Since his surgery 2 years ago, Deke lost 128 lbs and stopped taking all his diabetes and blood pressure medications. He says: “SSL have changed my life. They really helped me take control of my health and my life. I can take on and do more work; I don’t need as much sleep but feel great. To sum it all up, I am able to do a lot more with my life than ever before.”

If you are interested in learning more about the sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic weight loss surgery, please contact the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana at 1-877-691-3001 or visit them at www.whyweight.com.

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!

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Posted in Bariatric Surgery Cost and Insurance, Gastric Sleeve, Weight Loss News | No Comments »

Focus Is On Sleeve Gastrectomy, Part I – Why Is It So Effective?

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Gastric sleeveAs one of the busiest groups for sleeve gastrectomy in the region, during the past five years, the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana (SSL) have helped to change the lives of over 1,000 individuals with the laparoscopic gastric sleeve procedure. The weight reduction results we have seen with the gastric sleeve have been very effective, with 50-70% excess weight loss at one year post-op, maintained for years thereafter.

Why Sleeve Gastrectomy Is So Effective

Sleeve gastrectomy provides a straightforward weight loss solution that has an immediate effect, similar to the gastric bypass. The gastric sleeve procedure removes the majority of the left portion of the stomach where the hunger center resides. The concept is to reduce the stomach size while also decreasing the hunger drive, which results in being able to feel full after eating less food.

Dr. James Redmann, one of the nine board-certified surgeons at SSL, says, “The sleeve gastrectomy works because of two key elements. First, the left side of the stomach, which is the hunger center, is removed. Second, there is only 30% of the original stomach left, which can only hold a little bit of food. The gastric sleeve is so effective because it cuts the hunger drive and provides portion control.”

Not being hungry all the time is a new feeling for most patients, one that changes their lives for good. They aren’t as hungry and they can’t eat as much, so they lose weight – it’s that simple. “One of the biggest advantages of the gastric sleeve is that it makes sense to patients,” says Dr. Redmann. “‘The surgeon takes out 70% of the stomach, my hunger is controlled, I lose weight.’ No diagrams are necessary to explain how it works, and there is no foreign object in the body. This makes sense to the patient and is easy to relate to.”

If you are interested in learning more about the sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic weight loss surgery, please contact the Surgical Specialists of LA at 1-877-691-3001 or www.whyweight.com.

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!

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I am a Winner, and Winners…

Friday, November 12th, 2010

An Article and Exercise by Katie Jay, MSW, Certified Life Coach
Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
www.nawls.com

I-am-a-winnerI 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.

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Posted in Bariatric Support, Duodenal Switch, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Uncategorized | No Comments »

“Lose 30 pounds in 30 Days!” and Other Weight Loss Myths

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
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 has 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.

weight-loss-dinnerYou’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.

Posted in Bariatric Support, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program, Nutrition | No Comments »

Cigna Now Covers Sleeve Gastrectomy

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
As of May 15, 2010 Cigna has changed its position of reimbursement for sleeve gastrectomy and will now cover the procedure.  The coverage will This coverage will be the same as other bariatric surgery procedures covered by Cigna.  Per the official Cigna coverage policy, “When the specific medical necessity critera for bariatric surgery have been met, Cigna covers ANY of the following open or laparoscopic bariatric surgery procedures: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable silicone gastric banding (e.g. LAP-BAND®, REALIZE™), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD?DS) for individuals with a BMI (Body Mass Index) > 50, sleeve gastrectomy (GS) and vertical banded gastroplasty.  This policy has the potential to impact over 10 million lives covered by Cigna.
If you have Cigna health insurance or are interested in learning more about insurance coverage for bariatric surgery The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

cigna logoAs of May 15, 2010 Cigna has changed its position of reimbursement for sleeve gastrectomy and will now cover the procedure.  The coverage will This coverage will be the same as other bariatric surgery procedures covered by Cigna.  Per the official Cigna coverage policy, “When the specific medical necessity critera for bariatric surgery have been met, Cigna covers ANY of the following open or laparoscopic bariatric surgery procedures: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable silicone gastric banding (e.g. LAP-BAND®, REALIZE™), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD?DS) for individuals with a BMI (Body Mass Index) > 50, sleeve gastrectomy (GS) and vertical banded gastroplasty.  This policy has the potential to impact over 10 million lives covered by Cigna.

If you have Cigna health insurance or are interested in learning more about insurance coverage for bariatric surgery The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

Posted in Bariatric Surgery Cost and Insurance, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve | No Comments »

Aetna Now Covers Sleeve Gastrectomy

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

images

As of April 9, 2010, Aetna has changed its position on reimbursement for sleeve gastrectomy and will now cover the procedure. This coverage will be the same as other bariatric surgery procedures covered by Aetna. Per the official Aetna coverage policy, “Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal witch (DS), or laparoscopic silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria are met.” (Selection criteria are detailed in the policy-0157). This policy has the potential to impact over 18 million lives covered by Aetna.

If you have Aetna health insurance or are interested in learning more about insurance coverage for bariatric surgery The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

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Is Obesity the Last Acceptable Form of Discrimination?

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

weightdiscriminationprevalent

Obesity remains a socially acceptable injustice and often referred to as “the last acceptable form of discrimination.” Overweight individuals are often the subject of jokes in the media which can translate to real life discrimination. In this article, printed with permission of the Obesity Action Coalition, Rebecca Phul, PhD discusses the difference between “stigma” and “discrimination” and what legal ramifications, if any, can take place to protect overweight individuals.

Weight Discrimination: A Socially Acceptable Injustice

By Rebecca Puhl, PhD

Obesity is highly stigmatized in our society. Overweight and obese individuals are vulnerable to negative bias, prejudice and discrimination in many different settings, including the workplace, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and even within interpersonal relationships.

Unfortunately, weight bias remains very socially acceptable in North American culture; it is rarely challenged, and often ignored. As a result, thousands of obese individuals are at risk for unfair treatment, and there are few outlets available to provide support or protection.

What is the difference between “stigma” and “discrimination?”

Weight stigma or bias generally refers to negative weight-related attitudes toward an overweight or obese individual. These attitudes are often manifested by negative stereotypes (e.g., that obese persons are “lazy” or “lacking in willpower”), social rejection and prejudice. Weight stigma includes verbal teasing (e.g., name calling, derogatory remarks, being made fun of, etc.), physical aggression (e.g., hitting, kicking, pushing, shoving, etc.) and relational victimization (e.g., social exclusion, being ignored, avoided, or the target of rumors).

Many obese individuals report being treated with less respect or courtesy than thinner persons and being called names or insults because of their weight. Thus, weight stigma can emerge in subtle forms, or it can be expressed directly.

Discrimination is distinct from stigma and negative attitudes, and specifically refers to unequal, unfair treatment of people because of their weight. For example, an obese person who is qualified for a job but is not hired for the position because of his or her weight may have been the victim of weight discrimination.

Other examples include being denied a job promotion or fired from a job because of one’s weight; being denied certain medical procedures or provided inferior medical care because of one’s weight; or being denied a scholarship, a bank loan or prevented from renting or buying a home because of one’s weight.

In each of these cases, the behaviors directed toward the obese individual depict inequitable treatment with no justifiable cause, and legal recourse may be an appropriate response in these situations.

Obesity Discrimination on the Rise

Despite the increasing prevalence of obesity, it appears that incidences of weight discrimination are only becoming worse.

In our research, we examined trends of weight discrimination throughout a 10 year period from 1995-2005 and found that the prevalence increased by 66 percent during this decade, from 7-12 percent of the general population. This finding was not a result of increasing obesity rates, but rather specifically demonstrates that more people are experiencing weight discrimination.

How common is weight discrimination?

Given the social acceptability of negative attitudes toward obese individuals, it may not be surprising to learn that weight discrimination is common in the United States.

In a recent study, we examined the prevalence of multiple forms of discrimination in a nationally representative sample of 2,290 American adults and found that weight discrimination is common among Americans, with rates relatively close to the prevalence of race and age discrimination. Among women, weight discrimination was even more common than racial discrimination. Among all adults in the study, weight discrimination was more prevalent than discrimination due to ethnicity, sexual orientation and physical disability. Almost 60 percent of participants in our study who reported weight discrimination experienced at least one occurrence of employment-based discrimination, such as not being hired for a job.

On average, a person’s chances of being discriminated against because of weight become higher as their body weight increases. In our study, 10 percent of overweight women reported weight discrimination, 20 percent of obese women reported weight discrimination and 45 percent of very obese women reported weight discrimination.

Rates for men were lower, with 3 percent of overweight, 6 percent of obese and 28 percent of very obese men reporting weight discrimination. This finding also tells us that women begin experiencing weight discrimination at lower levels of body weight than men.

What legal action can be taken for victims of weight discrimination?

Unfortunately, there are few legal options available for individuals who suffer weight discrimination. Currently, there are no federal laws that exist to prohibit discrimination based on weight.

With the exception of one state law (Michigan) and a few local jurisdictions that address discrimination on the basis of weight or appearance (e.g., San Francisco), the vast majority of people who experience weight discrimination in the U.S. must pursue legal recourse through other indirect avenues.

In particular, obese individuals have depended on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Most cases filed under these categories pertain to weight-based discrimination in employment settings, and only a few cases have been successful. In addition, whether it is appropriate for obesity to be considered a “disability” under the ADA is questionable and could perpetuate bias further.

Overweight people who are not “morbidly obese,” but who experience weight discrimination cannot file claims under the ADA because they are not considered disabled under this law. It places an unfair burden for individuals to prove that their obesity is debilitating and disabling in order to obtain fair and equitable treatment in the workplace.

These unresolved issues, in addition to public perceptions that place blame on obese people, have led to inconsistent court rulings and often deter obese individuals from taking any legal action.

Clearly, legislation is badly needed to protect individuals from weight discrimination. Massachusetts recently introduced legislation (House Bill 1844) to prohibit weight-based discrimination in employment settings. The hearing was held on March 25th 2008, with no opposition present at the hearing, and all expert testimonies were in favor of the bill. No decision has yet been made, but if this bill passes, it will be an important step in encouraging other states to follow suit.

Reducing weight bias requires major shifts in societal attitudes, and national actions are needed to establish meaningful legislation to ensure that obese persons receive the equitable treatment they deserve.

This article first appeared on www.OAC.org. Reproduced with permission from Obesity Action Coalition. Please visit www.oac.org

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.

About the Author:

Rebecca Puhl, PhD, is the Director of Research and Weight Stigma Initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. Dr. Puhl is responsible for coordinating research and policy efforts aimed at reducing weight bias.

References:

Puhl R, Brownell KD. (2001). Bias, discrimination, and obesity. Obesity Research, 9:788-805.

Puhl, R.M., Andreyeva, T., & Brownell, K.D (2008). Perceptions of weight discrimination: prevalence and comparison to race and gender discrimination in America. International Journal of Obesity. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2008.22

Andreyeva, T., Puhl, R.M., & Brownell, K.D (2008). Changes in Perceived Weight Discrimination Among Americans, 1995-1996 through 2004-2006. Obesity. oi:10.1038/oby.2008.35

Brownell, K.D., Puhl, R., Schwartz, M.B., Rudd, L. (Eds.) (2005). Weight Bias: Nature, Consequences, and Remedies. New York: Guilford Publications.

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Food Labels – A Primer: Part Two

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Nutirtion facts

Are you taking the time to learn what exactly is in the food you eat? Last week the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana shared the first part of a feature article by Jacqueline Jacques, ND that explained the types of items consumers should look for in a food label. This week are are pleased to share the conclusion of this article and reprinted with the permission of the Obesity Action Coalition.

The Nutrition Facts Box

If you know what to look at, the Nutrition Facts Box actually provides a lot of information.
Nutrition Information that Should be Present in the Nutrition Facts Box

Mandatory Items:

• Total calories
• Calories from fat
• Total fat
• Saturated fat
• Trans fat
• Cholesterol
• Sodium
• Total carbohydrate
• Sugars
• Protein
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Iron

Non- mandatory items that should be included:

• Calories from saturated fat
• Polyunsaturated fat
• Monounsaturated fat
• Potassium
• Dietary fiber
• Soluble fiber
• Insoluble fiber
• Sugar alcohol (i.e. xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol)
• Other carbohydrate (difference between total carbohydrate and sum of dietary fiber, sugars, and sugar alcohol if declared)
• Percent of vitamin A present as beta-carotene
• Other essential vitamins and minerals

From the top of the box, you can start by looking at the serving size and the number of servings in a container. For products like bread, where the serving is usually one slice, this is typically easy to understand. For foods that don’t come in neat portions, consumers often do not use the serving size that the manufacturer recommends.

A great example is cereal. For many cereals, the serving size is 1/3 to 1/2 cup. That’s about a medium handful for most adults – and it doesn’t even come close to filling your cereal bowl. When pouring cereal, many of use three to four times the “serving” size. Same goes for foods like juice, pasta, chips, crackers, nuts, ice cream and other things where the serving size may differ a lot from what most people eat.

Two examples that I find bothersome are bottled drinks and nutrition bars. Many bottled drinks (from juice to soda) and packaged bars that look like single servings are actually 1 ½ to 2 servings per container. So, if you eat the entire contents of the package, you need to multiply the calories, fat content, etc by 1.5 or 2 to know what you are actually eating.

Everything else in the Nutrition Facts box is based on a single serving of the product – not on the amount that you typically eat. As you move through the box, keep this in mind. If you are trying to limit calories, fat, salt (sodium) or cholesterol, you can now much more easily know how much you are getting. If you want to make sure you get enough protein or fiber every day, you can see that as well.

Finally, you can also use the box to know how much iron, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C you are getting each day. Other nutrients such as B-vitamins, vitamin E, D, K, and most minerals are not required, but can be listed voluntarily by the manufacturer.

You also see some percentages (%) in the Nutrition Facts box. These percentages tell you that for the listed nutrients how much of the Recommended Daily Value you get with a serving of that food. The Daily Value (DV) is the suggested amount of a nutrient (a vitamin, mineral, protein, fat, fiber or carbohydrate) that you should get each day. The Percent Daily Value (% DV) is the amount of that nutrient you should get based on an assumed calorie intake. For all nutrients, if they provide 5 percent or less of the DV, the food is low in that nutrient; if they provide 20 percent or more, they are high in that nutrient.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) generally assumes an intake of 2,000 calories for an average adult. Optionally, the manufacturer can show you percentages based on an intake of 2,500 calories as well. Also voluntary, but commonly shown, are the number of calories per gram of fat, carbohydrate and protein.

The Ingredients

The Nutrition Facts box is helpful, but the information in it is still limited. Foods are also required to have a complete listing of all the ingredients that they contain. This is required for all foods that have more than one ingredient. Usually this information is listed directly below or adjacent to the Nutrition Facts box. Ingredients are listed by weight.

While fewer ingredients don’t always make a healthier food, it is not uncommon to find that foods with long, complicated ingredient lists contain more additive, more fillers and more non-nutritional ingredients.

By reading this list carefully, it can help you to compare not just the simple nutrition facts in the box, but also the quality of your food. You might be amazed when you start to compare foods like catsups, breads, soups and more just how much variation there is for individual types of foods.

Allergens

The newest label regulations require specific information for ingredients that have been identified as potentially harmful allergens. The allergens that must be declared on food labels are:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
• Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
• Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• Peanuts
• Wheat
• Soybeans

Manufacturers can declare the source of the ingredient directly in the ingredient list, or they can place this information in a separate statement following the ingredient list. (This will usually be preceded by the phrase “This product contains…”) While wheat is on this list, many medical authorities have commented that gluten is not, and perhaps should be. The FDA is currently reviewing the criteria for adding gluten to this list as well as looking to clearly define “gluten-free.”

Nutrient Content Claims and Health Claims

It is becoming increasingly common for manufacturers to market health claims about their food. Whether it is margarine that helps your heart, cereal that lowers cholesterol or simply something that is “healthy” compared to the other choices on the shelf. You might be surprised at how regulated this language is by the FDA.

A nutrient content claim is one that tells you that compared to a similar food, the food from brand X is lower in something (like fat or sugar), free of something (like sodium or cholesterol) or provides a better than average source of a nutrient (like calcium or protein). Virtually every term from “light” to “high” has a strict definition that manufacturers must meet to use the term, or they risk serious penalties and fines.

Actual health claims for foods are extremely limited. To date, there are only 12 that the FDA has allowed, though they are considering others. In addition, there are two approved claims based on authoritative statements from scientific bodies that are allowed. One is for whole grains, heart disease and cancer and states: “Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.”

This article first appeared in the OAC News Vol.2/ Issue 3 April 2007 Reproduced with permission from Obesity Action Coalition. Please visit www.oac.org

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.

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Weight Loss Surgery May Cut Risk of Cancer

Friday, January 8th, 2010

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Research has long linked obesity to such negative health conditions as high blood pressure, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. One commonly overlooked, yet very serious, risk of obesity is cancer. A pivotal study released in 2003 followed more than 900,000 adults for sixteen years1. When these men and women were enrolled in the study they were cancer free, but over the duration of the study, more than 50,000 cancer deaths occurred. The study concluded that those with a body mass index of 40 or more, those considered morbidly obese, had death rates from all cancers that were 52% higher for men and 62% higher for women compared to people of normal weight. Based on this data, the researchers estimated that 14 percent of all deaths from cancer in men and 20 percent of those in women could be directly linked to obesity. Obesity related cancers include esophagus, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas and kidney cancers. For women, there is also an increased rate of breast, uterus and other gynecologic cancers.

Seven years have passed since the publication of that study and much headway has been made in the treatment and prevention of obesity in the United States. Although the obese population continues to climb, options such as weight loss surgery and medically supervised diets are widely available. This June, the Journal of the American College of Surgeons published a report that bariatric surgery appears to decrease the risk of cancer in obese women.

The study followed 1,482 severely obese (BMI over 30) women who had undergone bariatric surgery and compared them to a group of severely obese women who had not undergone surgery. Although the results of the study were not conclusive, the obese women who did not have surgery had a significantly higher cancer diagnosis2. These findings may be the first step toward bariatric surgery being a preventative treatment for obesity related cancers.

Certainly more research needs to be done to evaluate the numerous factors contributing to weight loss. Still, for the morbidly obese, weight loss surgery, such gastric bypass or laparoscopic gastric banding, has proven to be a more effective means of weight loss than diet and exercise alone.

1. EE Callee, C Rodriguez, K Walker-Thurmond, M Thun Overweight, Obesity and Mortality from Canter in a Prospectively Studied Cohort of U.S. Adults, NEJM 348: 1625-1638, April 24, 2003, No. 17
2. Cancer in Obese Women: Potential Protective Impact of Bariatric Surgery, 17 April 2009

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.

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Bariatric Patient Spotlight–Obesity & Type 2 Diabetes: Steven Head

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

As a young adult, Steven Head of Lecompte, Louisiana, injured himself falling out of a tree and slowly began to gain weight. Although he often made solid efforts at weight loss, once losing over 80 lbs, the weight came back as soon as he stopped dieting. As his weight crept up, so did associated health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. By age 50, Steven was injecting 200 units of insulin each day when he found a wound on the bottom of his foot that would not heal. When the doctors started mentioning amputation, Steven knew he had to do something.

Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone necessary to convert sugar and starches into energy. Its exact cause is unknown, but genetics, obesity, and lack of exercise are all contributing factors.

Glucose intolerance should not be taken lightly. But, unfortunately, it is not the only concern. Nearly 60-70% of people with diabetes develop some form of nervous system damage including the loss of ability to feel pain. Nearly 30% of adults ages 40 and over with diabetes suffer from neuropathy, impaired sensation of the feet. This means that those with neuropathy can develop blisters or sores on their feet that they may not be aware of.

Despite several visits to specialists across the state and multiple treatments, Steven’s wound on his foot did not get better. Finally, the doctors suggested amputation, and Steven realized that he had to get rid of the diabetes in order to save his leg.

In December of 2006, Steven had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery performed by Dr. Tom Lavin of the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. This minimally invasive, one-hour procedure creates a smaller stomach pouch that allows food to bypass a large portion of the small intestine so the patient absorbs fewer calories. Interestingly, gastric bypass, also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, also affects the hormones that may be behind diabetes. Studies show that 83.8% of patients often resolve their diabetes within days of bariatric surgery.

Since his surgery, Steven has lost 185 pounds and is no longer diabetic. Best of all, his wound was healed and he was able to keep full use of his foot and leg.

Dr. Lavin believes that, by treating the core problem, many obese individuals can solve most of their related health problems. Steven is excited about his weight loss success, but beyond the numbers on the scale he is thrilled to have regained his health.

1. American Diabetes Association. All about diabetes. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/ about-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Nov 15, 2009

2. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH. National Diabetes Statistics, 2007. Available at : http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/PUBS/statistics/. Accessed Nov 15, 2009.

3. Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA 2004;292(14):1724-37.

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