Anyone who has tried to lose weight has enjoyed shedding those pounds. Dropping pounds quickly is even more thrilling. But there are several reasons why we preach moderation, even in weight loss. You’re most likely to experience these rapid drops after taking weight loss medications like Wegovy or Zepbound or having , and one of the biggest concerns during this weight loss process is losing muscle mass ..read more

Almost everything we discuss with bariatric surgeons revolves around . While BMI is a handy tool for measuring whether a patient is at an appropriate weight, it is somewhat inaccurate or at least doesn’t consider differences in body types. Very muscular people (for example…a professional football player), may have a BMI that is considered “obese”. However, their muscle mass accounts for their high weight. Further, it doesn’t consider that many patients may be of average BMI, yet they have a significant risk of weight-related medical problems because they have not built proper musculature – a p ..read more

Whether you’re losing weight using weight loss medications like Wegovy® and ZepboundTM or off-label like Ozempic® and MounjaroTM, or if you’ve had , excess skin is a concern. Most bariatric patients should expect to develop some loose skin after their procedure. At their highest weight, they may have stretched their skin. The good news is that the skin can shrink back down with proper exercise and proper weight loss. However, we have seen some patients with remarkable little loose skin but these patients were very discipline with their eating and exercise ..read more

A recent study has shed more light on the potential risks and complications of long-term proton pump inhibitor or PPI use, showing that long-term use may increase the risk of dementia by over 30%. The study followed patients over 45 who took PPIs for more than four years. The results add to the list of potential side effects of using these drugs past the amount of time indicated ..read more

Dr. Chang believes in a 100% commitment from his patients, just as he gives 100% of his passion and dedication to them. For most, this works well because weight struggles are lifelong. Without accountability, it’s easy to lose focus and motivation and gain back significant weight. Fortunately, good patient selection, education, and working on your habits keeps most of our patients on the right track. We rarely have to worry about bariatric revisions or conversions among our patients ..read more

As general surgeons, we see a wide range of concerns stemming from the intestines – small (also called the small bowel) and large (known as the colon). The intestinal tract is essential for our overall health because it can become diseased, and the microbiome or intestinal flora (normal bacteria) can regulate everything from insulin secretion and gluten tolerance to weight loss and maintenance. Of course, what we eat, and drink makes a significant difference in our overall intestinal health, so it stands to reason that we should discuss whether a gluten-free diet makes sense ..read more

You’ve had surgery to lose weight and settled into a gym routine that combines strength training or weightlifting for building muscle and some cardio for calorie burning. You probably feel great right now. You’ve likely lost a good amount of weight, and your body’s shape is starting to change for the better. You’ve also probably figured out your favorite cardio activities. But how do you make the most of building muscle and burning calories while avoiding injury? Let’s dive in ..read more

can be tricky, even with your closest friends and family. This can be complicated because some family members may not agree with your decision and may criticize you for the path you’ve taken. On the one hand, you may receive a great deal of support and excitement from certain relatives. With the holidays coming up, how do you navigate these differing ideas to ensure you stay on track and get the support you need ..read more

We must manage expectations when discussing the weight loss process after bariatric surgery. For many, this includes discussing realistic goals for how much weight should be lost (and how quickly). We try to temper expectations. Sometimes, patients set unrealistic goals or those that would not be achieved for several years and this leads to frustration and a feeling of failure. However, patients often find, especially in the first few months after surgery, that they may be losing significantly more weight than they expect and more than we suggest in their postoperative packet. There are many p ..read more

The effects and results of are a complex interplay of physical and psychological factors that help patients lose a significant amount of weight. But every patient is different, as are their motivations and abilities. As such, all patients are unique, and predicting results beyond the generalities is challenging, if not impossible. With that, many patients come into their consultation (sometimes even leaving it) with misconceptions and misunderstandings that should be fully understood before surgery. This article will discuss those and how we ensure patients understand the truth about their pro ..read more