Nicholson Clinic

Once you and your doctor determine that weight loss surgery is the right plan for you, there are several options to choose from in Texas. Knowing what the risks and benefits of each procedure are key to making an informed decision. There are three types of restrictive procedures which control how much food your stomach can consume: ●        Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding ●        Vertical banded gastroplasty ●        Sleeve gastrectomy Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding In this procedure, small incisions are made in the abdomen through which the surgeon places a silicone adjustable band over the upper portion of the stomach to form a small pouch that holds only about an ounce of food at a time. The band is tightened or loosened by adding or removing saline through a plastic tube connecting the band to a port beneath the skin. This controls side effects and w...

When serious joint problems and concerns about obesity are both present, researchers say addressing one concern before the other can have a positive impact on the overall outcome. Studies have found that patients who are obese and require total joint arthroplasty tend to fare better following replacement surgery if they’ve undergone bariatric surgery first. One of the more recent studies that dove into the benefits of losing weight before undergoing joint replacement involved more than 5,000 morbidly obese patients who needed total joint replacement surgery. About half the group underwent bariatric surgery first while the other half did not. A small group of less than 2,000 patients who needed hip replacement surgery were also studied, as well. Researchers ultimately found that patients who addressed weight first had significantly lowered complication rates following replacement surgery. They also reported increased quality of life following both procedures while also enjoying incre...

People who struggle with their weight may find the lap band procedure provides them the boost they need to successfully shed pounds. This reversible option can dramatically reduce the stomach’s holding capacity. In doing so, the operation can entice people to eat a great deal less. This, in theory and practice, promotes weight loss. Lap bands, however, are not a diet in and of themselves. Those who wish to get the most from this operation will find they have to make some lifestyle and dietary changes along the way. Here are just a few tips that can help those who undergo lap band surgery get the most out of the option while maintaining good health: • Choose foods wisely – This operation shrinks the stomach’s ability to hold food. That means meals will be smaller and a feeling of fullness will come faster. To maintain health and energy, choose foods that are healthy and well balanced. Lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great choices. • Avoid fried and overly d...

Making the decision to undergo bariatric surgery to promote weight loss is not easy. After all, many people see this type of procedure as “elective” and an admission of “failure.” Don’t listen to those people! Weight loss surgery is a very viable option for some people who have struggled long and hard to lose weight. This more or less permanent solution can help shed pounds while dramatically lowering risk for the development of a host of potential health concerns. Since obesity has been strongly linked to diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer and other conditions, sometimes it just makes good sense to take more drastic actions to address weight. So, how can you tell if bariatric surgery is a good option to consider ? Here are some tips: • Find out your BMI – That stands for body mass index. When it’s 30 or higher, a person is considered overweight. Those with a BMI of 35 to 40 might find themselves candidates for surgery as their weight has reached a level that is c...

The inconvenience and embarrassment of incontinence is something most people wish to avoid. For some, however, doing so is easier said than done. About 70 percent of all women who are considered severely obese and about 24 percent of severely obese men face the uneasiness this condition can present on a routine basis. New research is showing there may be hope for those who are overweight and also suffer from incontinence. Surgical procedures meant to promote weight loss, in fact, may also have the added benefit of putting incontinence into remission. Researchers out of the University of California San Francisco recently delved into the topic to find out if bariatric surgery could help reverse the symptoms of incontinence while enabling the shedding of pounds.  To conduct their analysis, researchers surveyed about 2,000 people ages 18 to 78 years old thathad undergone bariatric surgery. Participants had an average age of 47 and had their surgery performed at one of 10 differe...

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about a third of all American adults are obese. With complications from this condition including everything from decreased self-esteem to increased risks for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some forms of cancer, the push is on to help people get fit and stay that way. As a clear connection between extra pounds and increased disease risk is established, more people are turning to alternatives, such as bariatric surgery to help them shed pounds. Alternative forms of exercise like yoga are also gaining ground in America’s quest to lose weight. Bariatric surgery has gained in popularity in recent years for a number of rather compelling reasons. For the chronically obese, this alternative may prove to be the best and most effective means for losing weight. The procedures involved in weight loss surgery have been improved dramatically in recent years, as well, leading to safer, less-invasive surgeries that produce the desired...

When obesity is a chronic concern and losing weight through traditional means is difficult, bariatric surgery provides a viable alternative that can produce the desired results. This type of surgery has proven highly effective in helping people shed a lot of weight in a manner that’s healthy with results that are often permanent. It can also deliver a host of side benefits that go beyond a leaner, trimmer figure. Here are just seven additional reasons why bariatric surgery can be a wise choice for reasons that go beyond pounds: 1.    Type 2 diabetes remission – While there’s no guarantee on this end, careful control of weight can also enable some type 2 diabetics to ease or suspend appearance of symptoms. For some that means an elimination of the need to take insulin and other medications to control blood glucose levels. 2.    Better heart health – When pounds are shed, a person’s risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular-system-related condi...