Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool that can level the playing field in your struggle to lose weight, but it’s not a magical cure. Rather, it should be viewed as more of an investment in your future. So as the calendar approaches 2020, why not make it your New Year’s declaration to invest in your health, your career and your relationships—in other words, your life. This investment will be the extent to which you commit to the effort of losing weight, whether in terms of time, finance, emotion, or the physical and behavioral undertaking. Bariatric surgery is a journey. Weight loss doesn’t happ ..read more

If someone you love has recently undergone bariatric surgery, a gift this holiday season that will help get them closer to their weight-loss goals will surely be welcomed. As the bariatric patient on your shopping list begins their healthier lifestyle, the following gift ideas can show your support of their weight-loss success. Gifts of Experience What better way to pamper the bariatric patient than to gift them a massage experience or spa treatment? Taking time to de-stress, pamper and appreciate how far they’ve come will allow the bariatric patient to better appreciate their body and the jo ..read more

The approaching holidays, cooler weather and shorter days may provide ample reasons not to eat well and exercise regularly. Although it’s not necessary to take all of the jolly out of the holiday season, try to compensate for decadent choices by doing something good for your health every chance you get. When something unconstructive happens to affect your fitness level, try offsetting it with something good. This will not necessarily help you progress forward, but it will at least act as a placeholder until you are able to get back to a more normal lifestyle. Here are some ways to offset less ..read more

There is no substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a qualified bariatric surgeon when it comes to getting your pressing questions about weight loss surgery answered. But if you are considering surgery, it’s best to be armed with as much information as possible as you meet with a physician and make decisions about treatment, timing, and more. Here, we provide valuable insights supported by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  Am I a good candidate for surgery? The only way to truly know if you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery is by discussing it with a ..read more

With the start of a new school season approaching, many families will soon have to trade light, healthy summer eating for on-the-go meals. Sporting events, meetings, and an abundance of other before- and after-school activities may require eating on the run. It’s a lifestyle pattern that can lead to weight creep. The transitional weight gain that happens between the end of summer and early fall is especially common in students who head off to college. But the “freshmen 15” can happen to just about anyone this time of year due to a variety of different factors: Less physical activity leads to l ..read more

When your body has too much fat, the result is obesity. It’s a chronic disease that poses a significant threat to human health, and more and more Americans are feeling the effects of it. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General describes obesity as being at epidemic proportions. 35 percent of women and 31 percent of men are considered seriously overweight 15 percent of children between the ages of six and 19 are overweight Obesity accounts for an estimated 300,000 premature deaths in the U.S. Because tobacco use is declining, health officials now warn obesity as a result of physical inactivity and po ..read more

Weight loss is not magic. Neither is weight loss surgery. It takes time to change behaviors that can lead to weight gain, and subsequently it takes time to shed excess pounds. Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool to help patients improve their health and achieve weight loss, and most patients see very good results with surgery. This tool, when coupled with the motivation to change, healthy dietary habits, and physical activity is what makes sustainable weight loss successful.  Of course, each individual has unique goals and benchmarks for determining the satisfactory outcome after weight loss ..read more

You can still have yourself a blast this summer, and keep to a healthy diet. Although you might find yourself tempted by the heavy food choices found at many cookouts, picnics and waterside vendors, know that healthy options also abound this time of year. In fact, nothing says summer like fresh fruits and vegetables. The great thing is fresh produce, warm-weather salads and cold beverages can not only be healthy but delicious too. Here are some ways to eat healthy from Memorial Day to Labor Day without tipping the scale or risking nutritional value. Pile On the Color When you fill your plate w ..read more

Deviled eggs, honey ham and chocolate bunnies are all perennial favorites for the Easter brunch, lunch or dinner table. But such tempting indulgences can make it easy to go overboard on this day of celebration. What’s important to remember about Easter eating, and any day of feasting for that matter, is that it’s all about balance. You don’t necessarily have to forgo that Cadbury Crème Egg. Just eat it last, when you’re fairly full, and eat it slowly to give your body and mind time to savor each bite. Here are some other nutritionist-approved ways to make Easter eating a healthier happening. S ..read more

Sometimes, in spite of every effort, you may not be able to achieve long-term weight loss on your own. In cases of chronic or severe obesity, bariatric surgery can serve as a tool to reaching weight loss goals. It can also help with overall well-being by improving other diseases or disorders that may be present, such as diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea. Weight-loss surgery is an option for most people who struggle with obesity and who have not achieved sustainable weight loss through diet and exercise programs. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery estimates that more tha ..read more