The study was comprised of 442 patients in Switzerland who underwent bariatric surgery from 1998 through 2005. Of the total, 221 had the gastric bypass procedure and the other 221 a gastric band placed. The patients were matched according to sex, age and Body Mass Index (BMI). In order to qualify for surgery, patients had a BMI of greater than 40, or greater than 35 with at least one other disease (such as diabetes). None of the patients had a BMI exceeding 50. After a year, the average BMI in the bypass group fell below 30, and the gastric band group fell to about 34. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese. The researchers found that for gastric band patients, maximum weight loss was achieved at 36 months, while the bypass patients achieved maximum weight loss at 18 months. Immediately following surgery, the gastric bypass patients had more complications, with a complication rate of 17%. This is not surprising, however, considering that the gastric bypass is a more complex procedure requiring longer operative time and hospital stay. The gastric band patients had a complication rate of 5.4% immediately following surgery.

At Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, we believe that it is important to the success of patients to have surgical options when choosing which surgery best fits your medical situation, comfort level and lifestyle. We are one of the few programs in our area which offers patients a choice of the full spectrum of weight loss surgery options, from incisionless procedures such as POSE to more traditional weight loss surgeries such as gastric bypass. You can learn more about our program here.

Image from here

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The study is a meta-analysis, which is a careful and rigorous review of many clinical studies.   Seven studies out of 4,576 possible papers met the criteria to be included in this study.  Because the seven studies reported amounts of chocolate consumption in different manners, the authors decided to compare lowest to highest chocolate consumption when they looked at the health benefits. The authors of the study explain that the exact amount of chocolate needed to experience the health benefits is not clear, yet.

The study also cautions against large consumption of chocolate. Chocolate is high in sugar and calories and therefore can be destructive to weight loss and overall health.  Dark chocolate, which contains a higher cocoa content, will provide the most health benefits without as much fat and sugar as milk chocolate.

At the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, we understand that our patients need nutrition plans tailored to their needs—even if that means including the occasional piece of dark chocolate! Balance is always very important. You can learn more about our program and weight loss options on our website, by registering for a free weight loss surgery seminar, or by calling us at 877-691-3001.

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*Image from here

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.

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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.

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There are many suggestions for maintaining a healthy diet and achieving overall health and fitness. In order to reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health, individuals should seriously consider focusing on items such as:

• Developing eating patterns focused on consuming fewer calories
• Making more informed food choices
  • Less dining out
  • Fewer high saturated fats
  • More fruits and vegetables
• Increasing physical activity (2-3 times/week)
• Maintaining a healthy weight

The United States government oversees health and dietary recommendations and by law, reviews, updates if necessary, and publishes the Dietary Guidelines for Americans every 5 years. Each edition is jointly created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 Key Recommendations encompass two concepts: 1) Balancing calories to manage weight and, 2) Focus on consuming nutritional foods and beverages. Each of these concepts includes key recommendations.

Balancing Calories to Manage Weight

• Prevent and/or reduce overweight and obesity through improved eating and physical activity behaviors.
• Control total calorie intake to manage body weight. For people who are overweight or obese, this means consuming fewer calories from foods and beverages.
• Increase physical activity and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors
• Maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life

Food and Food Components to Reduce

• Reduce daily sodium intake to less that 2,300 mg. People 51 years old, African Americans, diabetics, hypertensive individuals, and chronic kidney disease patients should limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg.
• Consume less than 10% of calories from saturated fatty acids
• Consume less than 300 mg per day of dietary cholesterol
• Keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible by limiting foods that contain synthetic sources of trans fats
• Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars
• Limit the consumption of foods that contain refined grains, especially refined grain foods that contain solid fats, added sugars, and sodium
• If alcohol is consumed, it should be consumed in moderation – up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men – and only by adults of legal drinking age.

The Surgical Specialists of LA promote a combination of healthy eating habits and exercise to achieve an ideal body weight. MyWeight is a medically supervised weight loss program where we create a personalized weight loss diet plan designed specifically for you. If you’d like more information about MyWeight and how it or any of the programs offered by the Surgical Specialist of LA can help change your life, learn more at www.whyweight.com, or or call 1-877-691-3001.

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“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.

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

My resistance creates unwanted consequences

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

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

I have to get past my resistance

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

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

Resistance undermines weight loss surgery progress, too

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

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

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

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

And my food cravings got worse

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

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

Now my behavior felt intolerable to me

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

Like Ruby, I needed clearer limits

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

I used my husband’s motto to challenge myself

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

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

“I am a winner.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everyone wants to win

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

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

Do you want to feel like a winner?

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

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

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

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

The C.H.O.I.C.E. campaign stands for “Choosing Health over Obesity Inspiring Change through Empowerment,” and is an educational initiative. Allergan aims to encourage congress to address the obesity epidemic by working with obese individuals and medical doctors to create policy. Prevention is only one side of the story. We must also address the current obesity epidemic through effective treatments, such asbariatric surgery, for those who are 100 pound or more overweight.

To enter the Live My C.H.O.I.C.E. contest, entrants are asked to submit an essay of 600 words or less, or a 5 minute video. The essay or video should address how obesity has affected your life and why the LAP-BAND is your best option. You can also enter a friend or family member or have a friend or family member submit on your behalf. The contest runs through December 2010. Enter now!

If you want to learn more about the LAP-BAND or other surgical weight loss options, the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help. Attend a free seminar or watch an online seminar from home. Then schedule your one-on-one consultation and start your journey to a healthier happier lifestyle!

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.