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.

You’ve heard the expression, “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”.  Check these out….

• Watch The Sugar….A medium orange has 62 calories, 12 g of sugar, and 3 g of fiber. An 8 ounce glass of OJ has 110 calories, 24 g of sugar and .5 g of fiber!
• The best way to know that you’re eating a healthy meal….Prepare your own meals! As your proportion of home-cooked meals increases, your number of fast food visits decreases.  USDA Scientists found that people eat 500 calories more                                                       on days they consume fast food compared to days                                                       they don’t.

• A serving size of pasta in Italy is about 6 ounces.  In the U.S many restaurant bowls top 2 pounds!!
• You’ll increase your energy levels 32 % if you exercise at least 30 minutes 3x a week for 4 weeks.
• Alcohol impairs muscle-building enzymes, so for maximum gains in the gym, don’t go big at the bar!
• Men, not just women, are at risk for osteoporosis. One in five men will develop it. Lift weights for stronger bones.
• LSU says people who eat eggs for breakfast, eat 250 fewer calories during the day than bagel eaters.
• To fight snack cravings: chew sugarfree gum for 15 minutes after eating, and again 2 hours later.

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana’s non-surgical weight loss program includes protein powders, ready-made protein drinks, shelf-stable meals, soups, protein bars and even biscotti…all in a variety of flavors. 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.

Many new programs promise obesity prevention measures. Yet obesity rates are on the rise. In this article, printed with the permission of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), Joe Nadglowski, president and CEO, discusses the measures our policy leaders must take in order to reverse our current life threatening trends.

The obesity epidemic in the United States has been headline news throughout the past several months. First, it was First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign focusing on childhood obesity and more recently the “F as in Fat” report by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) highlighting the continued growth of obesity rates in many states. The proposed solutions in both of these efforts are that we need more obesity prevention initiatives in the U.S. In fact, there is no mention of treatment of weight-loss in the First Lady’s efforts and only minor references in the TFAH report.

So my question is: Can prevention alone solve the obesity epidemic? In my opinion, the answer is clearly no. Why?

1. Prevention and treatment are not the same thing. Think about obesity as any other chronic condition. Once you are diagnosed with heart disease or cancer, your care adds a new set of tools that are specific to treatment. Do prevention efforts stop? No, of course not, you are still likely encouraged to quit smoking to help your heart and use sunscreen to protect your skin. But, that is not the sole solution, other treatments are offered. With obesity, this is often not the case.
2. We are simply running out of people to whom we can prevent obesity. More than 2/3 of Americans are already overweight or obese. If we really want to solve the obesity epidemic, don’t we need to encourage improved health through weight-loss not just preventing future additional weight gain?
3. Despite its difficulty, obesity does get better when you treat it. Individuals affected by obesity do get healthier after receiving treatment. Modest weight-loss can, and often does, make a significant health difference. A greater focus on treatment would hopefully encourage more people to seek assistance and encourage scientists/physicians and others to develop new and more effective treatments.

Prevention and Treatment Go Hand-in-Hand

Does this mean we should scale back prevention efforts to encourage more treatment? No, not at all. Clearly, prevention and treatment go hand-in-hand when it comes to addressing obesity. The often life-long struggle with weight requires both. You may seek treatment, successfully lose weight and now need access to preventative efforts to maintain your successful weight-loss. Without both, the chance for long term success is limited.

The Real Problem: Weight Bias

So why isn’t treatment receiving the attention it deserves? I previously stated obesity is difficult to treat, but my fear is the real reason lies in weight bias. Weight bias enables people to ignore the disease of obesity and the need for treatment. Too many blame the individual affected by excess weight solely for their struggles. They ignore the significant scientific evidence showing that obesity is a complex issue involving social, environmental, genetic and behavioral issues.

Moving forward, we need more individuals advocating on behalf of treatment, not at the expense of prevention, but as a supporting factor to it. I advocate for this type of balance everyday and encourage you to do the same. The First Lady has stepped forward as a tremendous advocate for prevention, but we now need a public official brave enough to advocate for treatment with the same passion. Help us fi nd that person by writing your elected officials and encouraging them to take the lead. If you’re not sure how to write your legislators,

I encourage you to visit the OAC’s Legislative Action Center on our Web site at www.obesityaction.org for helpful tips. Prevention is important, but in the absence of intervention
(or treatment), we are dooming ourselves to failure in addressing the obesity epidemic. For either prevention or treatment to be successful, you need the other. Why? Well, simply think about it.

If you feel differently or have an alternate view on the topic of “Prevention Versus Treatment,” feel free to share your thoughts by writing the OAC at info@obesityaction.org.

About the Author:
Joe Nadglowski is President and CEO of the OAC. A frequent speaker and author, Mr. Nadglowski has more than 16 years of experience working in patient advocacy and education and is a graduate of the University of Florida. Joe is also the Executive Director of the ASMBS Foundation, through a partnership between the OAC and the Foundation. Through this partnership, the OAC and ASMBS Foundation aim to increase awareness and education on obesity and its treatments through the annual “Walk from Obesity.”

NOTE: Opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the OAC.

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.

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.

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.

The C.H.O.I.C.E. (Choosing Health over Obesity Inspiring Change through Empowerment) Campaign is an educational initiative designed to provide a platform for consumers, healthcare professionals and Congress to work together to address the obesity epidemic through a dual focus on prevention and treatment, to reduce the prevalence of obesity and ultimately help                                                                        the obese regain their health and their lives.

The C.H.O.I.C.E. campaign is built on three tenants:

• Obesity is a disease, NOT a choice. People need to understand that being significantly overweight (e.g., 100 pounds or more overweight) is not a choice resulting from lack of will power or laziness. Those struggling with their weight have often spent years dieting and exercising without long-term success. Too often, people misperceive obesity as a personal choice resulting from bad lifestyle and eating habits. But, medical research now indicates obesity has more to do with science and the biology of fat, rather than lack of will power or discipline. The C.H.O.I.C.E. Campaign provides education and facts to address the stigma associated with obesity, an important step in the prevention and treatment of the disease.
• People who are 100 pounds or more overweight do have a choice. There is growing medical evidence to support that, for people who are more than 100 pounds overweight, weight-loss surgery is more effective than traditional dieting and exercise alone. Anyone who is more than 100 pounds overweight deserves to know they do have a choice.
• America has a choice when it comes to costs associated with obesity. The annual cost of overweight and obesity in America is now projected at $147 billion per year, and is only expected to increase. Prevention policies alone are not enough to address the growing U.S. obesity epidemic. Tackling the obesity epidemic requires a commitment to both prevention and treatment and will only happen with the help of consumers, healthcare professionals and Congress.

If you’re interested learning more about the C.H.O.I.C.E. Campaign or signing the online petition to congress you can visit www.mychoicecampaign.com. You can also find the campaign on Facebook.

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to fighting the obesity epidemic by 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.

On March 26, 2010, a resolution was unanimously passed in the Senate to designate September 2010 as “National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”, bringing national attention to a growing epidemic among youth in the United States. The resolution requests that the president issue a proclamation calling on the federal government, states, tribes and localities to observe September with programs that promote healthy eating and physical activity. Activities planned in September are important steps to improving kids’ wellness and educating families on how to live healthier.

The obesity crisis and unhealthy lifestyles are contributing to the growth of health care costs in America. First Lady Michelle Obama is making childhood obesity one of her top priorities.  Since the mid-1970s, obesity rates in the U.S. have increased dramatically for both children and adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate the annual expenditures related to overweight individuals and obesity to be more than $264 billion.  This is greater than the cost of tobacco-related illnesses!  In 2007, spending on health care in the U.S. reached $2.2 trillion or $7,421/person, or 16.2% spending share of gross domestic product.

Facts of appalling proportion:

•    31.8% or 23,000,000 children and teenagers 2-19 are obese or overweight.  This is a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic.

•    The financial implications of childhood obesity pose a tremendous threat to our economy and health care system, carrying up to $14,000,000,000 per year in direct health care cost.

•    People in the U.S. spend about 9% of their total medical costs on obesity-related illnesses.

•    Obese young children have an 80% chance of being obese adults and are more at risk for associated adult health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis.

•    In part due to the childhood obesity epidemic, 1 in 3 children born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes at some point in their lifetime if the current trend continues.

Source: Read The Bill: S. Res. 412 – GovTrack.us.  Text of S. Res. 412: A resolution designating September 2010 as “National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”.
Source: Senate Passes Resolution to Designate September “National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”.  http://gillibrand.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=C6CC2288-3D15-4856-8E70-982

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.

Have you ever wondered just how many calories that chicken quesadilla or reuben sandwich will add to your caloric intake for lunch?  What about the “healthy” veggie spud and cream of broccoli soup?

Eating out can be a real problem for those who are watching their weight and trying to eat healthy.  Until now.  Buried in the pages of the health reform bill passed by the U.S. Congress, is a provision requiring chain restaurants with 20 or more stores to disclose the number of calories on their menus.

Offering a menu without calories is like offering a menu without prices. Individuals should know what their financial cost and their health cost is for what they are ordering. When you purchase food in a grocery store, the “Nutrition Facts” label gives key nutritional information including calories, fat grams, sodium content, etc. for each serving in the package. The customer in a restaurant has to make a blind guess and “judge” how fattening and unhealthy each menu option may be.

Menu-labeling will not reverse the obesity epidemic by itself.  But it is a step in the right direction and one that will cost very little to implement.  Menu-labeling will give each individual the knowledge to make healthy choices, thus putting the responsibility on each of us and ultimately lowering healthcare costs, overall.

Regardless of the view on the overall health reform bill, nearly everyone agrees, including the National Restaurant Association and public health advocates, that this is one part of the bill that will improve health and cut costs in the long run. When the law takes effect in 2011, the number of calories will be noted right next to the price on the menu.

Source: Menu-labeling to Win the Struggle Against Obesity – Kansas City infoZine News.  Jason Eberhart-Phillips, MD.  www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/40532.

Until these changes take place, the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help you make healthy and informed decisions.  The MyWeight™ nutrition and wellness counseling program in Louisiana offers individualized weight loss programs, lifestyle coaching and one-on-one medical consultation.  Contact our office to learn more about the MyWeight™ medically supervised weight loss program.

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.