The presentation outlined the methods used to treat obesity from the 17th century through today, starting with the earliest recorded treatments for obesity, which included bleedings and recommendations such as drinking vinegar to dissolve fat and engaging in ‘violent exercise’. Hundreds of years later, during the time of World War II and beyond, quite a few weight loss drugs were developed. These drugs, however, were found to cause too many negative side effects, so their usage was intermittent or stopped completely. The next significant milestone in obesity treatment was in the 1990’s, with the drug Fen-Phen.  It had record-breaking sales, but was recalled in the late 1990’s when it was linked with heart valve problems. Since the recall of Fen-Phen, there have been numerous efforts to create safe and effective obesity drugs; however, currently there are only two drugs that are approved for obesity treatment. The challenge in developing and getting obesity drugs to the market, explains Dr. Mark Fusco, a bariatric surgeon in Florida, is that “they need to demonstrate a significant safety profile to win approval from governmental agencies that are increasingly risk averse.”

Because of the challenges in finding pharmaceutical treatments, surgery and procedures, like POSE, continue to be the most effective in treating obesity. POSE is a new minimally invasive weight loss procedure designed for patients that want to lose 20-70 pounds. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are at the forefront of this new technology and are amongst the most experienced at the procedure in the world. Dr. Michael Thomas explained that no matter what procedure you choose, POSE or surgery, “the most important thing patients can do is go to an experienced bariatric surgeon to get the best results. After that, it’s very important that they follow-up with their doctor to make sure they stay on track and have life-long healthy weight loss.”

Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers a comprehensive weight loss program that involves life-long care for the whole continuum of patients whether they want to lose 20 pounds or 400 pounds.

Tweet

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

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

Pose Information

PoseInfo.com allows you to watch the procedure and listen to patients who have had the Pose. They share their stories, the changes in their hunger drives and their newfound health and happiness. You are also able to watch a seminar video commentated by Dr. Tom Lavin. To watch this highly educational video, please visit us at PoseInfo.com today!

Dr. Tom Lavin and Dr. Michael Thomas are industry leaders in performing the procedure and with educating other surgeons, both domestically and internationally. Because SSL has performed more POSE procedures than any other surgical practice in the world, we have been asked to speak at the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) in Hamburg, Germany at the end of August. Our experience is seen in our exceptional results.

Benefits of Pose

POSE is primarily designed for patients who need to lose between 20 and 70 pounds. Patients report an immediate decrease in hunger drive, a significant change in their cravings, and are thrilled with the speedy recovery and minimal downtime. The reduction, and even elimination, of medications due to the success of POSE has allowed many to not only lose weight but also get their overall health back.

To start your weight loss transformation or for more information, visit us at www.poseinfo.com. You may also call 1-877-691-3001 and speak to one of the seven full time patient advocates who will assist you and answer all of your questions. We are here to make your POSE weight loss a reality!

Tweet

Benefits 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!

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

“This is great news for the State of Louisiana and the Gulf South Region, where the obesity rates are among the highest in the country” said Dr. Tom Lavin, one of the nine board-certified surgeons with the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. Louisiana was named the fifth most obese state in the country, while neighboring state, Mississippi, was named number one.* The need for more effective treatment options for those suffering from obesity is apparent, as almost 37 million Americans have a BMI of 30-40 and at least one comorbid condition.**

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the Untied States, second only to smoking. It is a disease that requires treatment and successful long-term solutions. The LAP-BAND, combined with diet and exercise, provides an effective treatment option for those in a lower BMI range that previously did not have options beyond diet, exercise and pharmacotherapy.

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. Minimally invasive weight loss surgery (gastric banding, gastric bypass, gastric sleeve) and the new incisionless procedure, POSE, are options for those who need to lose 50 or more pounds. Schedule your free weight-loss surgery seminar today to learn more!

Contact the Surgical Specialists of LA for more information at 1-877-691-3001 or www.whyweight.com.

References

*Trust For America’s Health Report: F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future. June 2010.
**JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 2010, “Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among US Adults, 1999-2008” and 2009 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System annual data, http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/.

Adolescents who got the least amount of sleep had a 4.2 times higher risk of becoming obese. Those who slept during the week but stayed up late on weekend nights tripled their risk.

Coupled with lack of sleep is the question, “What are kids doing when they’re not tucked between the sheets?” The answer, not surprisingly, is that they’re playing video games (a sedentary activity), watching TV (another sedentary activity), and eating high-calorie junk food, which are all associated with higher childhood obesity rates.

Researchers believe that sleep deprivation affects metabolism and the endocrine system, especially when the body is young and growing. It also negatively affects two hormones that regulate hunger and appetite, causing overeating. And if that isn’t enough, lack of sleep throws off the body’s biological clock… particularly the mechanism that controls glucose and insulin. When this regulatory mechanism is out of balance, it causes weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. And finally, lack of sleep increases the levels of the hormone cortisol, which regulates how the body uses energy. High levels of cortisol have been linked to insulin resistance and a higher BMI (body mass index).

So how many hours a night should the average child sleep? The NIH (National Institutes of Health) recommends 9 to 10 hours a night. Dr. David Gozal, one of the University of Chicago’s lead researchers and chair of the pediatrics department at the University of Chicago in Illinois said, “Adequate sleep can help reduce obesity as well as other health problems like cardiovascular disease and diabetes now and in the future.”

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. Minimally invasive weight loss surgery (gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) and the new incisionless procedure, POSE, are options for those who need to lose 50 or more pounds. Schedule your free weight-loss surgery seminar today to learn more!

Contact the Surgical Specialists of LA for more information at 1-877-691-3001 or www.whyweight.com.

Apples and Apricots… are good for you!

Apples can be traced back to the Romans and Egyptians who introduced them to Britain and America. Apricot in Latin means “precious” because this fruit ripens earlier than other summer fruits. The Chinese associate the apricot with education and medicine. Apricots are members of the peach family, only smaller.

Try this Veggie Delight Smoothie:

2 cups apple juice
1 cup sliced apple
1 cup applesauce
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup peeled & sliced cucumber
2.5 cups of ice

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

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. Minimally invasive weight loss surgery (gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) and the new incisionless procedure, POSE, are options for those who need to lose 50 or more pounds. Schedule your free weight-loss surgery seminar today to learn more!

Contact the Surgical Specialists of LA for more information at 1-877-691-3001 or www.whyweight.com.

A recent recommendation has been 3,000 steps per day, five days a week; however, these findings suggest that 10,000 steps per day (five days a week) achieve a threefold improvement in insulin sensitivity.

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana recommends physical activity, such as walking, combined with healthy nutrition to obtain your ideal weight. Whether you have had, or are considering, weight loss surgery, these are necessary for a healthy life. Our non-surgical program, MyWeight, combines nutritional counseling with personalized meal plans and prescription medications, if necessary. Surgical weight loss, such as gastric banding or gastric bypass surgery, has been proven to help in reducing and, in some cases, eliminating co-morbidities associated with the disease of obesity, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The group of nine surgeons at the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are highly skilled in advanced laparoscopy and have performed more than 4,000 surgical weight loss procedures. If you are interested in learning more about our weight loss programs, join us for a free seminar, contact our office or take a weight loss quiz to get you started.

Do something for yourself this new year. Purchase a pedometer and start walking. Your heart and your body will thank you!

*Source: British Medical Journal, news release, Jan 13, 2011.

]]> http://blog.whyweight.com/walk-to-get-healthy-and-lower-your-risk-of-diabetes/feed/ 0