Nicholson Clinic

Each year thousands of people across the country make the decision to undergo bariatric surgery. While some choose this option to address the cosmetic and self-esteem issues so closely associated with obesity, the reality is most make the decision to help improve overall health. Bariatric surgery has been widely proven to help those who are obese prevent, treat and even reverse a diversity of potentially life-limiting conditions. The truth is procedures such as the gastric bypass are approved by insurance companies because they address serious medical issues that go well beyond cosmetics. While those not in the know might believe that bariatric surgery provides a way for people who aren’t motivated to diet and exercise to lose weight, these procedures can have serious health-related benefits. They include: • Improved cardiovascular health – Obesity and heart disease are tied very tightly together. When people lose weight through bariatric surgery, they are likely to witness a dr...

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....

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? ...

Carrying extra weight puts enormous pressure on your body, causing it to work harder to perform routine functions. Everything is working overtime including your heart. So it’s not surprising that heart disease is a common condition associated with obesity. Heart disease occurs as a result of cholesterol in the arteries that are responsible for delivering blood to the heart. This build up of cholesterol is known as plaque and as it accumulates it narrows the passageway through which blood can travel to the heart. When the heart does not receive enough blood, a variety of conditions can develop including arrhythmias, angina, heart attack, and even heart failure. In fact, heart attack occurs when the arteries leading to the heart are completely blocked. Obesity is connected with this accumulation of plaque because increased weight can result in increased LDL (low density lipoprotein) - the bad cholesterol that collects in the walls of the blood vessels. Obesity also red...

The impacts of obesity on the body can be devastating over the long haul. From heart disease and diabetes to loss of self-esteem and even the development of certain types of cancer, the consequences can be severe. If it’s time to get a handle on weight, there are options. In some cases, lap band surgery might provide the best route for long-term weight loss success. Like all forms of bariatric surgery, lap band procedures shouldn’t be undertaken without serious contemplation. It is best if they are only performed as a last resort, when all other efforts on their own have failed to produce the needed weight loss results. Unlike other forms of weight loss surgery, lap band procedures don’t involve major reconstruction of the body to limit its ability to hold or digest food. That means this procedure has some advantages when it is indicated. Here are just a few of the benefits that can go along with lap band procedures: •       It’s less invasive – ...