Palmyra Surgical Gastric Band Surgery Specialists » Obesity

Obesity Factors Not Related to Extra Calories

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:20:16 +0000

Experts agree that the best way to prevent or combat obesity is to balance a healthy diet with plenty of physical activity. However, some people find that cutting calories and exercising more does not produce the weight loss results they hoped for. In fact, you may find you’re gaining weight despite doing everything “right.” Learn more about weight gain that has nothing to do with too many calories.

3 Other Obesity Factors

Lack of Sleep

What does sleep have to do with obesity? Some people may find that missing out on eight hours leads to stress eating or late night snacking. But even if you’re not taking in extra calories, your body may still be holding on to more fat. Fatigue causes physiological stress, which causes your body to store fat more efficiently.

Too Much Stress

You probably don’t need a doctor to tell you if you’re feeling stressed out. But did you know that being mentally stressed can lead to weight gain? Stress can trigger a metabolic response to slow down and reserve resources, including fat and calories. Your body also releases stress hormones, like cortisol and leptin, which have been linked to an increase in belly fat.

Medication

Some medications can cause people to gain as much as 10 pounds per month. Prescriptions most commonly linked to weight gain include:

Steroids
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Antiseizure medications
Diabetes medications
High blood pressure medications
Heartburn medications

Should you stop taking your medicine to lose weight? No. But you may want to drink more water and make sure you’re getting plenty of exercise.

Choosing a Weight Loss Surgery Program That is Best For You

admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:03:02 +0000

Weight loss surgery can provide a permanent solution to your struggles with obesity. However, there are many factors to consider when creating a weight loss surgery program. Every body, like every person, is different, and it’s important to create a weight loss surgery plan that will address your individual needs.

3 Steps To Choosing The Right Weight Loss Surgery Program For You

Research Your Surgical Options. There is more than one type of weight loss surgery available to you. You may choose from gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding or the gastric sleeve procedure. Talk with your primary care doctor as well as multiple surgeons to learn more about the different types of weight loss surgery and determine which weight loss surgery procedure is right for you.
Research Potential Surgeons. Once you’ve determined which weight loss surgery procedure is best for your body, the next step is to decide which surgeon is right for you. Talk to surgeons to find out their experience and track record with various procedures and specifically what kind of success rate they have with the weight loss surgery you’re most interested. The more procedures a surgeon has performed, the better your chances are of having a successful operation.
Make A Post-Op Plan. Much of the success of your weight loss surgery will depend on what you do after surgery. Weight loss surgery is part of an overall lifestyle change, and that’s difficult for anyone to do without proper support. Find out if your surgical center offers counseling or support groups and what kind of follow up is provided. Have a support system in place to help with dietary changes and exercise plans.

There is a lot to consider before having weight loss surgery. Take the time to research, shop around, and ask questions to ensure you create a weight loss surgery plan that will work for you.

Sleep Apnea and Bariatric Surgery

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:45 +0000

Sleep apnea is a dangerous and life threatening condition that affects many bariatric surgery patients before surgery. When one has sleep apnea, they are unable to breathe properly when they sleep because their throat becomes constricted by fatty tissue and restricts the flow of oxygen into the lungs. Sleep apnea sufferers will be afflicted by loud snoring, gasping or choking for air during the night, and even periods of time without breathing.

Studies have found that sleep apnea most often occurred in obese patients. This is likely the reason that bariatric surgery, and its corresponding weight loss, can result in resolved sleep apnea.

In 2008, the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that bariatric surgery can reduce or cure the symptoms of sleep apnea in some people. They did this by following and testing 24 patients (75 % of which were women) with sleep apnea one year before and after bariatric surgery. The journal also mentions that some patients, even after substantial weight loss following bariatric surgery, will still have sleep apnea and should treat it using a continuing positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. In their studies, a total of six patients were still in need of CPAP.