Nicholson Clinic

Most people who seek out bariatric surgery do so in hopes of helping them shed a significant amount of weight with a strong likelihood of keeping it off. While procedures like the gastric bypass have been strongly proven to achieve the primary goal, researchers have uncovered a rather long list of side benefits that go beyond weight loss. People who are considered seriously obese may experience the following benefits from weight loss surgery aside from weight loss itself: • Remission or assistance with type 2 diabetes – Some people who suffer from obesity-related type 2 diabetes have experienced remissions after undergoing weight loss surgery. Studies have shown that even when remission doesn’t occur, dramatic improvements in symptoms are likely. • Improved cardiovascular health – Obesity takes a very strong toll on the cardiovascular system. Weight loss surgery can reduce the risk for coronary heart disease and stroke. Following surgery people tend to see big improvements in...

People who are obese face a long list of potential health complications. From cancer and diabetes to heart disease and beyond, the connections to life-limiting conditions are many. Men may also face side effects from obesity that impact their ability to produce testosterone. This condition, known as hypogonadism, can create rather troubling symptoms for men. They include erectile dysfunction, infertility, a loss of muscle mass and other concerns. Researchers are finding that bariatric surgery meant to address obesity can ultimately result not only in weight loss, but also a reversal in hypogonadism in some cases. A recent study related to men who suffered from severe obesity and hypogonadism found very promising results following gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures. Men in the study found their total testosterone levels rise as soon as one month after weight loss surgery. The reversal continued during follow-ups, as well. Bariatric surgery procedures , such as the byp...

As America’s obesity problem spirals out of control, new options to help in the battle against the bulge are being introduced. An estimated third of the country’s population is currently considered obese, increasing risks for diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer and other complications. While obesity is a serious concern for adults, children are not immune. It is also estimated about a third of America’s young adults are considered obese. While weight loss programs and invasive surgical interventions can help some people shed pounds, that is not always the case. Diet and exercise alone simply does not help everyone. Surgical procedures like the gastric bypass are only recommended in cases where a person’s body mass index is especially high. People caught in the middle will find there are new options available to help them. One involves a much less invasive procedure that essentially mimics the effects of weight loss surgery for a measured period of time, using a balloon ins...

Women of child-bearing age who happen to be obese are likely to hear their obstetricians say shedding pounds before conceiving is a very wise decision. After all, maternal obesity can increase the chances of having a high birth-weight baby while opening the door to a host of potential complications, including serious problems during delivery. Women who are eligible for bariatric surgery will find this option can help them shed pounds quickly and in a lasting way. In doing so, it also reduces the risk for many pregnancy-related complications. Researchers, however, say that it could open the door on a new one women should be mindful of: low birth weight babies. A recent study looked at babies born to women who had undergone gastric bypass procedures. The study included just under 60 newborns. A total of 23 percent were found to be small for their gestational age. Researchers also found that some of the mothers, despite the use of supplements, were deficient in such vital nutrients a...

Bariatric surgery has long been proven to help those who are severely overweight shed pounds and keep them off. These procedures, including gastric bypasses and the sleeve gastrectomy, aren’t for everyone though. With strict body mass index requirements and a highly invasive nature, standard weight loss surgery is generally reserved as a last-resort option in serious cases where obesity may or already has interfered with overall health. The reality of the requirements involved for bariatric surgery leaves a lot of people who are overweight and could benefit from help out in the cold. Enter a new procedure that is mostly non-invasive and meant to target people with lower BMIs. Called the gastric balloon procedure, this new option mimics the effects of bariatric surgery without the surgery. It also happens to be a temporary measure, which means no permanent alterations of the body take place. The balloon procedure works much like the sleeve gastrectomy . It is designed to limit the ...

It’s well known that bariatric surgery can help people shed a tremendous amount of weight and reshape their bodies in the process. Researchers are finding this type of medical procedure may also be a fountain of youth of sorts, as well. Recent studies have shed light on changes at the molecular level that occur following surgery that may actually reverse premature aging in cells. To arrive at those findings, researchers looked at “telomeres.” These are structures that are found at the ends of every chromosome in the body. Their purpose is to protect DNA. As cells divide, a portion of the telomere’s length is lost. Once enough length is lost, cells stop dividing, which is a mark of aging. A number of lifestyle habits can increase the rate at which telomeres are lost, including smoking, poor diet and obesity. The recent study found that people who undergo bariatric surgery have noticeable changes in their telomeres. After surgery, the speed at which telomeres shorten is markedly re...

Obesity has long been connected to problems related to cardiovascular health. Risks for heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol are all known to rise right along with weight. New research indicates that people who undergo bariatric surgery to address obesity are likely to discover very good news on the cardiovascular front. Researchers have found that patient lipid profiles dramatically improve in the months following surgical intervention to address weight. That finding came out of an analysis of 178 other studies that included surgery’s impacts on lipid profiles. All told, records related to more than 25,000 patients were reviewed. Researchers found that overall patients undergoing any type of bariatric surgery benefited from significant reductions in total cholesterol levels, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Patients also showed a significant rise in high density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is considered the “good” cholesterol. Researchers did ...