Bariatric patients must make significant changes in their lives Most welcome these changes knowing the goal is worth the sacrifice. With many of our celebrations revolving around alcohol, it can be difficult for bariatric patients to reconcile the prospect of a life without a drink here or there. Fortunately, alcohol consumption is a nuanced but ultimately acceptable option after bariatric surgery, with a few rules and caveats. So, let’s jump into how exactly a bariatric patient (and especially a gastric bypass patient) can and should consume alcohol and some of the potential problems and pitf ..read more

, weight regain is at the top of many patients’ minds. After all, the whole point of surgery is to drop the pounds, get back to a more normal weight, and improve or eliminate the diseases associated with obesity; there are horror stories on the Internet discussing significant regain and reversal of the benefit achieved through surgery. It is one of the issues that stops most common issues stopping patients from getting surgery. Let’s discuss weight gain and whether you should be worried about it now that you are considering bariatric surgery ..read more

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