Nicholson Clinic

If you have decided to have weight loss surgery, then you know how difficult it was to make the decision. You have probably had all kind of thoughts going through your mind and getting your friends and family on board was probably one of them. You will face emotional and physical challenges before, during, and after your weight loss procedure and getting support from your loved ones during your weight loss journey can be beneficial. According to research, having friends or family members who are supportive of your healthy eating and exercise goals is important for long-term weight-loss success. If you need assistance gaining the support of friends and family, here are a few tips that may help. Educate Them Let them know that this is challenging for you and you would like their support. Have your family get together so you can explain the details about your weight loss procedure. Tell them why you need the surgery, what is expected, possible complications, and why it is importan...

Since the pandemic started almost two years ago, multiple studies have shown that two main risk factors for poor Covid-19 outcomes are advanced age and obesity. While age is not a changeable risk factor, obesity is. Studies have established obesity as a major risk factor for developing serious illness from an infection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Obesity weakens the immune system, creates a chronic inflammatory state, and increases risk for cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and lung conditions. All of these conditions can complicate COVID-19. Our team at the Nicholson Clinic is available to help you enhance your survival rate and minimize COVID-19 risks, as well as other weight related illnesses, through weight loss surgery. How does bariatric surgery help weight loss? Bariatric surgery procedures promote weight loss in one of three ways: Restriction, or limiting the amount of food you can eat before feeling full by reducing the size of the stomach.   M...

As the benefits of bariatric surgery become more widely known, more people are considering this weight loss alternative. While it is quite true that weight loss surgery can help people obtain and maintain a healthy weight, this type of procedure shouldn’t be entered into lightly. Weight loss surgery requires a lifelong commitment in order for people to gain the full benefits. Some of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures involve rather invasive surgeries that alter the body permanently. The gastric bypass, for example, shrinks the stomach’s holding capacity while also rerouting digestion to reduce caloric absorption. Sleeve gastrectomy procedures, a popular alternative to bypasses, permanently shrink the stomach’s holding capacity. The end result of both of these procedures is dramatic weight loss, but that doesn’t mean patients don’t play an important role in the process. In order to gain the full benefits of weight loss surgery while also maintaining health in the pr...

Making the decision to undergo weight loss surgery is a big one that demands plenty of thought, research and advice. While bariatric surgery can prove incredibly helpful for assisting those who struggle with their weight to lose the pounds once and for all, many procedures do result in the permanent alteration of the body. With that in mind, there are a number of points patients may want to consider before moving forward. Why Consider Weight Loss Surgery ? It is estimated that 300,000 Americans die each year due to illnesses linked to obesity. Being overweight can contribute to the development of such potentially fatal conditions as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Obesity has also been strongly linked to a number of different types of potentially fatal cancer. Shedding pounds safely and in a healthy manner can help lower the odds of health-related concerns. For some diabetics, researchers are finding that bariatric surgery may even reverse the effects of the disease over time, ...

Many people understand that obesity can shave years off their life expectancies courtesy of a host of negative medical conditions it can promote. From increasing chances for the development of diabetes to rising cancer and heart disease risks, carrying around extra pounds just isn’t good for the health. It’s been long established that losing weight can help lower those risks, but can losing it courtesy of bariatric surgery help, as well? Studies have indicated a strong link between bariatric surgery and longer-term survival rates for both men and women. Most recently, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine dove into the topic by conducting a study involving 2,500 patients and 7,500 matched controls. The study group involved mostly men (74 percent) and mostly older people with a median age of about 52. While previous studies focused on younger women, researchers wanted to see if bariatric surgery had positive lifespan effects on older people, many of which alr...

Chronic obesity is an issue that can cause ripple effects on health that ultimately lead to shorter lifespans. But, can bariatric surgery designed to help people lose weight once and for all and keep it off really make a difference? Research published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that yes, indeed, it can. The latest round of study involves 2,500 patients and nearly 7,500 matched controls who were all receiving care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system. Researchers found that patients who are obese tended to live longer after having surgery to assist with weight loss than those who don’t. In fact, there was a 53 percent lower risk of dying from any cause at five to 14 years out from a weight loss procedure. While previous studies have been conducted showing a link between surgery and longer-term survival rates, the focus of the VA-based research conducted by the University of Washington School of Medicine was diff...

Type 2 diabetes is a common diagnosis for people who happen to be overweight as they age. This condition, if left unchecked, can lead to a host of complications, some of them life threatening. Considering the complex side effects diabetes presents, most people would prefer to prevent its development in the first place. While not always preventable, diabetes risk can be dramatically lowered when weight is kept in check. Doctors have long understand the strong connection between obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes. People who manage to maintain a healthy weight or obese people who shed the pounds tend to be at a much lower risk for contracting this disease. Unfortunately, for many, losing weight just isn’t an easy proposition. This is where weight loss surgery can come into play . These surgical procedures seek to help obese people shed pounds by helping their bodies suppress appetite while also reducing the holding capacity of the stomach. But, can these procedures r...

Acid reflux is a common complaint for many people, especially those who are suffering from obesity. Characterized by a burning sensation in the esophagus and chest known as heartburn, a sour stomach, and even vomiting, acid reflux can be very uncomfortable and when left untreated can cause serious complications including damage to the esophagus and the development of ulcers. How does acid reflux happen? When the valve between the esophagus and the stomach doesn’t close completely as it should, acid that typically resides in the stomach to break down our food, comes back up through the esophagus. This causes the feeling of burning. And when acid reflux occurs more than twice week this is a condition that is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Experts believe that obesity is linked to acid reflux and GERD because a larger belly worsens symptoms. Luckily, lifestyle changes can dramatically improve symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. What can be done? ...

While losing weight through diet and exercise is often the best and healthiest course to take, not everyone has a body that cooperates. When shedding those pounds becomes impossible and the disappointments add up faster than the wins, alternatives do exist. For many the answer lies with affordable weight loss surgery; Dallas, luckily, has some great options. Why Consider Surgery? While it’s best to try other methods first, if they don’t work for whatever reason, the right Dallas weight loss surgeon can often provide the right solution for permanent weight loss. Whether the best option is Lap Band surgery or another cutting-edge procedure designed to help the body in its mission to shed pounds, there are some compelling reasons to consider medical procedures to help if all else fails. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that one third of the American adult population is obese. This condition, although common, can have very serious complications. If...

Obesity is a condition that may seem easy to overcome by conventional methods like a healthy diet and exercise. These methods may however not work for some individuals. It can be very distressing trying to lose weight over a long period of time to no avail. When all else fails and your BMI is at extreme levels, you may want to look into surgical weight loss procedures. Bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery is a viable option for losing weight. It has been tried and tested and the results show it to be a safe and effective weight-loss method. There are different types of weight-loss surgery, but all target the workings of the digestive system to effectively help your body lose weight gradually over a period of time. A doctor will evaluate each patient completely reviewing all health factors such as heart or lung conditions before determining the best procedure to use. Weight loss surgery has shown to decrease excess weight by 40 to 50 percent in a 2 to 3 year period ...

Losing weight isn’t easy, no matter your starting weight. Traditional diets fail most of the time.   Statistics show   that at least 95 percent of dieters will regain all of their weight loss plus about 10 pounds after five years. Why? In many cases, a person’s obesity is due to heredity and metabolism. No matter how strong a person’s commitment to weight loss, not everybody can be as thin as they want to be. Dieting for weight loss does not ensure permanent weight control. In fact, when the body is continuously deprived adequate calories and nutrients, metabolism will slow down in an attempt for the body to conserve energy. As soon as the diet restrictions are reduced or removed, rapid weight gain is the likely result. Has weight loss been a lifelong battle for you? Have you tried every fad diet with little or no success? Weight loss surgery might be the answer you’ve been waiting for. Here are 10 reasons to consider bariatric surgery for a thinner, healthier you....