Nicholson Clinic

The post-weight-loss surgery workout: 5 tips for staying motivated The decision to undergo weight loss surgery includes a mental commitment to change one’s lifestyle. This means healthier eating habits, frequent blood work monitoring, and actively participating in … well … action. One of the wonderful things about a more active lifestyle is that the more one engages in working out, the more one’s body will crave the activity. So, how does one stay motivated to get to this feel-good-about-working-out stage? One’s Comfort Zone To know oneself is quite possibly half (or more) of the battle. Some feel comfortable exercising in a structured public environment like the gym, possibly with a personal trainer. Others feel better working out in the privacy of one’s own home with workout videos. Still others enjoy the great outdoors. In nice weather (or even inclement weather), some people jog, walk, or row to stay on track with personal fitness and weight loss goals. The impo...

Not everyone who might benefit from weight loss surgery can obtain it. Costs, side-effect concerns or the physical inability to endure a surgical procedure may simply take this option off the table for some. A relatively new alternative, may offer the help some people need to gain control of their weight once and for all. The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure is designed to mimic the sleeve gastrectomy without the invasiveness of surgery. This procedure is performed using an endoscope instead of a scalpel. Much like the gastrectomy, gastroplasty shrinks the stomach’s holding capacity. Instead of removing portions of the stomach to achieve the goal, the procedure involves cinching the stomach in order to reshape it. The end result is a stomach that is shorter and narrower, much like the outcome of the gastrectomy. Since it is performed using an endoscope and a special suturing device, there is no need for incisions. The gastroplasty procedure has been approved for use by the FD...

Adults are not the only ones who struggle with weight. Obesity is estimated to impact about a third of the American population, including children and teenagers. For those who are young, obesity can set them up for a lifetime of health-related concerns in addition to the social stigmas they might face. Considering the potentially grave ramifications obesity may have for teens, researchers have been exploring the benefits bariatric surgery may hold for them.  Multiple studies have shown that bariatric surgery can help teens who are severely obese shed weight and keep it off. One long-term study was conducted that followed nearly 60 teens who underwent gastric bypass procedures. After eight years, the teens had lost on average about 30 percent of their initial weight. The teens in the study group also showed significant drops in such concerns as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  While the benefits were clearly noted, researchers also uncovered points tha...

Making the decision to undergo gastric bypass to address obesity is an excellent way to promote weight loss while potentially improving health in a number of ways. This surgical procedure is a major undertaking, however, that does require careful consideration and preparation. Before moving full-steam ahead for a bypass, it’s important to weigh the options for weight loss and seek out professional advice. A full medical assessment will be necessary and psychological clearance, as well, before surgery can be green lighted. Patients considering this route will also find that counseling in advance of surgery is part of the preparation process. This is required to ensure that patients fully understand the procedure, what to expect afterwards and to address any potential underlying causes for obesity, such as eating disorders. If a green light for gastric bypass is given, patients can help themselves get ready by: Making Lifestyle Changes in Advance Working in advance to address lifestyle...

With growing obesity rates strongly linked to the rise of type 2 diabetes cases across the country, doctors are looking for ways to help patients shed pounds while bringing their blood sugar levels under control. A small-scale study recently released in JAMA shows that weight loss surgery may provide the assistance required to help successfully treat the symptoms of diabetes. Researchers found that while diet and exercise are helpful in diabetes management, weight loss surgery can prove to be even more beneficial. About two thirds of the patients in the study who underwent a particular type of gastric bypass procedure did not require diabetes medication three years after surgery. Of those who underwent adjustable gastric banding, a third no longer needed medications, researchers found. The study was undertaken by the University of Pittsburg Medical Center. It involved 61 obese people who had all been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. All patients were between the ages of 22 and 55....

Losing weight through surgery allows you to take the next step into a life that is healthier and allows you to stay in control of your own body and mind. It is also a life in which you are required - in order to be successful - to change your diet and make better choices for yourself. This is a journey in and of itself and one that requires a commitment to learning new ways of doing things. Often, all it takes is looking at things a new way. You can still enjoy the things that you love but in a slightly altered way - stripped of the ingredients that no longer serve your purpose and using other ingredients that support your new lifestyle. Can you still have dessert? Absolutely, but in a different way. Weight loss surgery patients are asked to eat low sugar, low fat foods and increase protein intake. So in a nod to those new guidelines and still honoring the beauty of dessert, here is recipe that will satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Chocolate Cheesecake Ingredients: Fat-Free...

Those struggling with obesity understand the daily challenges that being overweight can bring to their daily life. There are mobility issues, a physical impact that includes the risk of developing a variety of co-morbid conditions, and, just as important, the emotional fallout from being overweight in a world that so values a lean, healthy body. By the time they are adults, many overweight people have tried dozens of diets and, in the end, wind up back where they were before because they are unable to manage the changes that need to be made to maintain long-term success. When health concerns become too big to ignore, you may wonder if weight loss surgery is right for you . It’s certainly not for everyone. And ultimately it’s important to work with your doctor to determine if surgery is the right choice. If you’re considering weight loss surgery, the following factors typically determine if someone is a good candidate: *   Weight. Obviously the reason that you’...