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Help Fight Obesity in Louisiana

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Louisiana – The Least Healthy State in the Nation

weightScaleCould where you live actually determine how long you live? According to the United Health Foundation, it can! In their annual report, “America’s Health Rankings,” the UHF provides an analysis of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis1.

In the 2008 report, Louisiana moved to the bottom position making it the least healthy state in the nation. Joining Louisiana at the bottom were Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi. Some of the top-ranked states were Vermont, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Utah. Researchers based their findings on several factors, including the personal behaviors of those living in the state, such as smoking, and factors like the rate of uninsured residents, the percentage of children in poverty, or the rate of preventable hospitalizations and cancer deaths.

But another important indicator is the obesity rate, because obesity, can often lead to other serious health conditions such as type II diabetes and heart disease. Since 1990, the prevalence of obesity in Louisiana has increased by 150% percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 28.1% of the Louisiana population is now classified as obese2.

Regardless of rank, each state has the opportunity to improve the health of its residents. Fighting the obesity epidemic is an excellent way to start – even modest weight loss can significantly improve one’s health. Medically supervised weight loss programs have been proven successful and, for the morbidly obese, bariatric surgery is known to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers all minimally invasive options, as well as the revolutionary incisionless weight loss surgery options and personalized non-surgical weight loss plans.

Join the 2009 Walk From Obesity

In the end, the health of our State depends on the actions of the individuals who reside here. As weight loss specialists and Louisiana citizens, the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana joins the fight every year by sponsoring the annual American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s Walk From Obesity. This year, the SSL- and Southern Surgical Hospital-sponsored Walk will be held on November 14 in conjunction with Camellia City Market and Olde Towne Merchants in Slidell’s Historic Olde Towne District:

Walk from Obesity

2009 Walk From Obesity
Saturday November 14, 2009
8:30am in Slidell, LA

Interested in joining the annual Walk from Obesity to help raise funds for the research, prevention and advanced treatments and make Louisiana a healthier place to live? Visit WhyWeight.com to register online or call Kim Mulkey at (985) 661-2172.

1. United Health Foundations: “America’s Health Rankings.”
Available at http://www.americashealthrankings.org/2008/index.html
2. CDC: “U.S. Obesity Trends 1985 – 2008.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html

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Posted in Gastric Bypass, Incisionless Bariatric Surgery, Lap Band, Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program, Obesity Today, Weight Loss News | Comments Off

The Emotional Side of Weight Loss Surgery

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

LotusFor those patients who have struggled with weight their whole life, bariatric surgery may seem like the final solution. It’s true that, for the morbidly obese, weight loss surgery is known to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment. But surgery is only the first step. Successful weight loss comes from an ongoing mental and emotional commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Most weight loss surgeries, such as gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND® and REALIZE Band), or gastric sleeve are all aimed at hunger control. They limit the amount of food one can eat giving patients the tool they need to lose weight.

But once surgery turns the physical hunger off, other psychological issues may surface. Many patients find that they have a complicated relationship with food and that their new approach to eating causes anxiety. Others have used food as a coping mechanism for negative emotions and must learn other ways to deal with these feelings. Surgery alone cannot repair these issues.

We at Surgical Specialists of Louisiana understand and are here to help. Since 2000, we have been helping our patients address the psychological side of bariatric surgery before and after their procedure.  Our team of weight loss specialists sees patients frequently for the first year after surgery to ensure they have the necessary skills to deal with physical and emotional changes. We continue to guide them through their weight loss journey as they are our patients for life.

Our patients also have unlimited access to bariatric support groups in Metairie, Slidell, Lafayette, and Covington, Louisiana, and can call the clinic staff as needed. We encourage all our patients to attend support groups as an excellent peer-to-peer forum, support network, and educational opportunity.

Ultimately, we believe that a comprehensive approach is necessary to ensure weight loss success. This is why we have a team of highly skilled surgeons, experienced patient advocates, nutritionists and psychologists available for our patients. We understand that nobody is perfect, but with ongoing commitment and communication we can help you succeed!

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Posted in Bariatric Support, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Lap Band, Obesity Today, Realize Band | Comments Off

The Obesity Epidemic

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

It comes as no surprise that the United States is suffering from an obesity epidemic. Over the past thirty years, the number of Americans classified as overweight or obese has, according to the CDC, nearly doubled. Today about 21.6% of adults in the United States are obese1.

Overweight and obesity are terms used to identify ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy. Obesity is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea. These associated health conditions are often referred to as comorbidities. Obesity is also associated with a shocking 400,000 deaths each year.

Obesity MapYou may have seen the CDC’s colorful maps that visually depict how obesity is sweeping the nation – the maps redden and darken with each passing year. In 2008, only Colorado had an obese population of less than 20%. Here in Louisiana, nearly 30% of the adult population is now classified as obese1.

But adult obesity isn’t the only cause for concern. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, for the first time in two centuries, the current generation of children may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This is due mainly in part to the obesity epidemic and subsequential increase in comorbid conditions, such as Type II diabetes, among children and adolescents. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) shows that the incidence of obesity has increased to 12.4% for children aged 2 to 5 years and to roughly 17% for those aged 6 to 19 years3.

The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) has also found a correlation between obesity and racial/ethnic groups. African Americans have the highest rates of obesity – a 51% higher prevalence compared to Caucasians, while Hispanics have a 21% higher prevalence1. More information about obesity and its impact on health can be found in our Weight Loss Learning Center.

These statistics may seem daunting but rest assured – there is good news! Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers many options to help you lose weight, keep it off and improve your health. We offer laparoscopic weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass, incisionless weight loss procedures and even a personalized non-surgical medically supervised weight loss program. You can attend one of our free seminars to learn more, or contact us to request a confidential phone call.

1 CDC: “U.S. Obesity Trends 1985 – 2008.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
data/trends.html. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.

2. Weight-Control Information Network (WIN); an information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Statistics related to overweight and obesity. June 2007. Available at http://win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.

3. CDC: “Childhood Overweight and Obesity”. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
childhood/index. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.

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Posted in Incisionless Bariatric Surgery, Lap Band, Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program, Nutrition, Obesity Today | Comments Off

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