Obesity and Protein Needs

January 7, 2011 by Jim Duffy  
Filed under Weight Loss

The number of people who are medically defined as being obese (which is weighing more than 20% over their ideal weight) is near 34 million in the United States alone. (Source: www.med.Stanford.edu ) The number of people who are currently on, have recently completed, have given up on or are about to kick off a diet of any kind is 20 million at any given time, and they spend around one billion dollars every year on fitness and nutrition plans, pills, supplements and equipment. (Source: www.thriveonline.com)

During their diet plans, these dieters will try the no carb, low carb and slow carb food plans. They will try to avoid all fats, only to find that they are failing miserably. They will try high protein or even extremely high protein diets, only to fail at that as well. In the end, they will turn to skipping meals and not eating at all or will try using liquid diet plans. None of these will work, but why?

- The body needs food to survive, in the right amounts and the right types. This includes all three of the nutrients: carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

- A liquid diet is difficult to sustain for the long term and may be more harmful than it would be beneficial.

- Skipping meals can cause your body to gain weight because of its effect on the metabolism and thermogenesis.

- Balancing all of the nutrients in the correct proportion is more important than not eating at all.

- It is important to know what your needs are before starting a plan of any kind and to discuss that plan with a doctor, a registered dietician or a nutritionist.

The Importance of Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats

The body uses all three of the macronutrients for different purposes. Fat and carbohydrates are burned by the body for energy and other uses. Protein can also be used for energy, but also has many other tasks to complete within the body since it is a vital component of every single cell in the body. Protein’s functions include:

- Building and repairing cells, including those that make up RNA and DNA, the building blocks of life itself.

- Making enzymes which are used to digest food and make new cells.

- Making other chemicals which are used to make neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are used by the body to send nerve related messages around the body.

- Helping to create and maintain connective tissue.

- Building cell membranes.

- Contributing to the cell matrix.

- Maintaining the fluid balance in the body (too much fluid can lead to edema or may cause heart disturbances, too little can cause dehydration.)

- Regulating the acid/base (pH) balance of the blood

- Working in the formation of hormones and enzymes (with the exception of the 8 amino acids that must be received from food sources every day.)

- Contributing to the immune system (antibodies are proteins.)

- Some of the hormones and enzymes created by protein in the body work to regulate sleep, digestion and ovulation.

(Source: Nelson 2009)

A Liquid Diet for the Long Term?

Will you lose weight on an all liquid diet? It depends on a number of factors. First, if you are consuming enough calories of the right kinds, it is possible that you will lose some weight, however, after a brief period of success, the body will overrule most people’s intentions and they will begin to eat (possibly gorge themselves on) solid foods once again. At this point, they are likely not only to gain back everything that they had lost, but to gain additional weight as well. Liquid diets are difficult to manage in the long term but can serve as a great way to kick off or jumpstart a healthier eating plan. There are a number of problems with an all liquid diet, which include:

- Slowed or stalled metabolism. Your body will become convinced that it is starving and will hold onto all foods instead of burning them for energy.

- Amenorrhea. This is cessation of menstrual cycles not related to pregnancy.

- Constipation. It may seem strange that you would be constipated when on an all liquid diet, however, there is no food for the body to push through the system, which can lead to waste materials backing up.

- High protein, liquid diets can lead to serious electrolyte imbalances that can affect the beating and rhythm of the heart.

- 25% or more of those on long term liquid diets develop gall stones, especially those that are at all prone to them.

(Sources: www.colombianet.isource/winter95/diet.html, Vanderbilt University Psychology Department, Cicely Richards)

Skipping Meals and Weight Gain

When you start skipping meals or reduce your calories below what is right for your body and activity level, your body goes into panic mode and holds onto all food. Your body is programmed with a number of signals. When it is hungry, it sends out the signal with the hunger hormone ghrelin, and most people will respond by eating. When the body thinks that it is full, it will send out the satiety hormone, leptin. (Some people are deficient in leptin, which is why they eat far more than they need to but still feel hungry). When the body sends out ghrelin but no food is delivered, it will send out a secondary signal for the body to burn some of the reserves for energy. However, the body will start getting the feeling that no food is ever going to be delivered and will start slowing down what it considers to be non-essential activities, including metabolism. Everything that is eaten will be stored immediately, leading to further weight gain.

All Things in Balance

There are three macronutrients: fat, carbohydrates and proteins. Despite some of the recent diet plans that gained popularity, all three of these are needed in the healthy diet, but in the right amounts and the right types. Fats should make up the smallest portion of the diet and should be the healthy, monounsaturated varieties. Healthy fats include olive oil, avocadoes and Omega-3 fatty acids. Carbohydrates should make up the largest part of the diet, but should also be of the right kind. Complex carbohydrates, like those in most fruits and vegetables and whole grain pastas and breads, take longer for the body to break down and digest and are less likely to lead to insulin surges, which are one of the leading causes of weight gain. Simple carbohydrates, like white bread and sugary foods, can cause the body to flood with insulin, which will lead to weight gain.

Proteins must be of the right type as well or the body will continue to eat until it gets what it needs. The body has a set type of protein that it needs for each task in the body, and if those foods are not received, it will continue to seek food, leading to possible weight gain. If you do not get enough protein with one meal, the body will simply eat more to make up for it. (Source: Science Alert, Massey University 2009).

A diet that increases protein slightly and decreases fat without changing the carbohydrate amount has been shown to lead to decreased calorie intake and significant weight loss. The higher levels of protein are said to be more satisfying, but do not have any effect on either the hunger hormone, ghrelin, or the satiety hormone, leptin. For weight loss, the diet should be 30% protein, 20% fat and 50% complex carbohydrates. (Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

Know What You Need

Before you start any diet plan, you should have an idea of how many calories that you need to maintain your current weight so that you know by how many you will need to reduce to lose weight. Once you know your calorie count, you can start to devise a diet plan that gives you the right amount of all three macronutrients so that you have slow and steady, healthy weight loss. It is important to consider your general, overall health before changing the way that you eat, especially if you are taking medications or are being treated for any physical or mental disorder. Consulting a physician or nutritionist is not just something that diets suggest, it is very important because there are certain types of conditions that can be adversely affected by the wrong eating plan.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein liquid for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright


Using Protein as a Source of Energy

December 23, 2010 by Jim Duffy  
Filed under Weight Loss

Many people think that in order to get a quick boost of energy, they need to have a cup of coffee or something else that is high in caffeine. What a lot of people don’t know is that they can get a shot of energy which will continue working for them throughout the day. What is this miracle energy drug? It’s no drug - it is protein.

Protein is a macronutrient that we need in order to remain strong and healthy. It is essential for muscle growth, recovery, and maintenance. Our hair and nails are made from protein. In fact, if we do not get the amount of protein that we need in our diets, we actually risk developing a condition known as protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). When we hear about children dying of starvation in third world countries, this is usually the condition that they have died from.

It’s no secret that protein gives us energy, and there are many great food sources where you can find all of the protein that you need to get you through the day without needing a caffeine fix. If you are on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet, but find that you don’t have enough energy, there are plenty of ways that you can rectify this just by making a few simple changes in your diet. Don’t worry; you will still get to eat plenty of delicious foods.

Dietary Proteins for Increased Energy

As previously mentioned, there are lots of tasty foods that are loaded with healthy proteins and are still diet friendly. So, you will be getting the protein that you need and still lose weight. One of the best ways to get enough protein is to drink milk and eat more dairy products. Yogurt is extremely high in protein (nearly 13 grams per serving), and so is a glass of milk (make sure it is skimmed so that you don’t get the extra fat). Cheddar and mozzarella cheese are also packed with protein and are recommended for many diet plans.

Here are some other protein-rich foods that will give you plenty of energy without a lot of calories:

Beans: Most types of beans, including string beans, are loaded with protein, and most are diet-friendly. Soy beans are extremely high in protein, and because soy contains all 22 essential and non-essential amino acids, it is considered to be a complete protein.

Nuts: Not just a delicious snack, nuts are protein-packed and loaded with other vitamins and nutrients as well. When it comes to eating nuts, you need to watch the fat and calorie content. For example, cashews, although high in protein, are also extremely high in calories. Try almonds instead, as they are also high in protein but not as fattening. When buying nuts of any kind, make sure that they are unsalted.

Peanut Butter: When talking about nuts and protein, we can’t leave out good old peanut butter. This is a favorite of many children and a terrific way to get them to eat healthy. Spread some peanut butter on one of the newer whole grain breads that looks and tastes like white bread, and your kids will never know that they are eating something healthy that will give them the energy to play.

Eggs: Here is a really versatile, high protein food. There are so many things that you can do with eggs, from using them as a stand-alone meal or snack to using them as ingredients in other recipes. For a delicious, protein-rich meal, scramble two egg whites with one egg yolk and a little bit of skimmed milk. When the eggs are cooked, spread on whole grain bread for a filling, scrambled egg sandwich.

Meat, Fish, and Poultry: These are all excellent dietary sources of protein. Red meat should be lean, and for the best diet results, keep your poultry intake to white meat. Fish is a great source of protein, and if you are in a hurry, here is a delicious protein-rich snack that will give you a boost of energy: spread some tuna on top of a whole grain cracker, add a slice of cheese and a few olive slices, and top with another cracker. Two or three of these is a filling, energy-boosting snack.

Get Energy With Protein Supplements

Sometimes you don’t have time to eat a full meal or you just aren’t hungry enough to eat everything that you need to make sure that you get all of the protein your body requires. When you aren’t able to eat a meal, you can still get your protein with protein supplements.

Protein supplements are a great way to get the protein that you need, and provide you with the energy that you need to get you through your busy day. You can incorporate them into a number of your favorite recipes, or if you aren’t looking for a meal, there are plenty of delicious protein-rich drinks that you can purchase or make at home yourself.

Profect by Protica is a good supplement: it has 100 calories, 25 grams of protein, zero fats, and zero carbs. In addition, Profect supplies 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C and 10% of the B complex vitamins.

Powdered Protein - This is an incredibly versatile form of protein supplement. Protein powders are available in a number of flavors from chocolate and vanilla to berry and fruit punch, and there are also unflavored protein powders which are great to add into recipes. With powdered proteins, you can make up delicious energy-boosting slushies, smoothies, and shakes that are packed with protein, portable, and not nearly as filling as a meal. These are ideal meal replacements for dieters and your kids will love them too. Here is a recipe for a sour slushie that you and your kids will want to make every day:

- 1 C Sugar-free lemonade

- 1 C Mixed frozen strawberries and raspberries

- 2 Scoops berry or fruit punch protein powder

- Ice

- Lemon juice

Mix the lemonade, berries, protein powder and ice in a blender. For a super-sour slushie the kids will love, add a couple of squirts of lemon juice.

Liquid Protein - These supplements can be used as meal replacements, either as a stand-alone drink or incorporated into other recipes. Many liquid supplements can also be used in shakes and smoothies, or you can buy pre-made protein shakes that you can take anywhere with you. If you are lactose intolerant, make sure that you read the ingredients before purchasing any liquid protein to make sure that it is not made from milk products.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein liquid for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright


Good Reasons to Add Whey Protein and Protein Supplements to Your Diet

December 15, 2010 by Jim Duffy  
Filed under Weight Loss

Getting the right amount of protein in the diet is important, however, it is not always all that simple. The average person is busy running errands, working long hours away from home and not taking the time to take proper care of themselves. There is little doubt that there are millions of people who need to get better control of their diets. There are 34 million people who qualify as obese in the United States. (Source: www.med.Stanford.edu) There are a number of conditions that are caused or worsened by being overweight, including:

- Cardiovascular disease, which kills over 16 million people per year worldwide. 30% of all deaths every year are directly related to this killer, with stroke and heart attack the two leading causes. In the US, cardiovascular disease causes 40% of all deaths. (Source: Natural News)

- Some cancers list obesity as one of the major risk factors. These include colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, kidney, gallbladder, ovarian, cervical, liver, prostate and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The risk of death from these cancers is higher with a higher BMI as well. (Source: Ammer, 2005)

- Diabetes

- Gall bladder disease

- Psychological issues related to the weight, including low self esteem.

There are diets that are suggested by doctors as well as diets that are found online, in books and from a number of magazines. Some of these diets are not well-researched or studied, not safe and most of all not effective for the long term. It is important to keep in mind that a healthy, well-rounded diet includes all of the food groups, has the right level of all of the macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein) and ensures that all vitamin needs are met every day. A good diet plan has enough calories to keep the metabolism high without sending the body into a state of ketosis.

Using a liquid protein supplement shot, like Profect from Protica, is also a good choice, especially for those who do not want to or cannot use whey protein.

The Benefits of Whey Protein

Adding whey protein powder to the diet can be advantageous not only as a weight loss tool, but also for the many additional health benefits that can be realized with it. Whey powder is derived from milk, a byproduct of cheese. It contains lacto globulin, alpha-lactalbumin and serum albumin, making it perfect for pregnant women. It is also the highest food source of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), which have the advantage of being the only amino acids to metabolize directly to muscle tissue. These are used first for exercise and resistance training. Whey protein is also an excellent source of leucine (which is also needed for muscle growth.) Leucine is an amino acid that has been shown to decrease body fat. Finally, whey has glutathione, an antioxidant that is an important part of the healthy immune system.

Benefits of whey protein:

- Improves blood vessel function

- Helps insulin work better in the body and also helps to maintain a stable blood sugar level after meals

- Helps the optimal intake of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals

- Helps to preserve lean muscle mass

- Maintains the blood pressure within normal limits

- The whey-derived peptide NOP-47 increases vascular function

(Source: Mercola 2009)

Additional Benefits for Weight Loss

Whey has little or no fat and carbs. It has several benefits for weight loss, starting with its ability to stabilize the blood glucose. When the body digests food it is converted to glucose to be used for energy. If the body does not need the energy at that time, the glucose will be stored as fat and the body will gain weight. The faster that the body digests food, the more the blood sugar level will be raised, leading to a flood of insulin. Insulin is like the traffic cop, deciding where blood sugar has to go. If there is too much sugar and too much insulin, there will be more weight gain. It is a simple formula. Whey protein also helps to lower the amount of hunger that is felt by the body by releasing two hunger-suppressing hormones, cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucogon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Whey protein shows a greater impact on satiety than casein, which is found in milk.

Whey Protein

There are two forms of whey protein: concentrate and isolate. The concentrate is the most common and usually less expensive of the two and contains between 30-85% protein. The isolate is 90% protein and has less fat and less lactose. A person who is lactose intolerant may be able to handle the whey protein isolate in some cases. Whey protein is appropriate for those who follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, but is not for vegans.

Whey Protein for Athletes

Whey protein is an excellent resource to enhance muscle recovery after a workout and prevent muscle breakdown. Glycogen in the body is stored as energy in the muscle and helps the muscles to retain water. During exercise, the muscle burns carbohydrates for fuel first because fat and protein cannot be burned fast enough to keep up with the demands. After the workout is completed, the muscle will continue to burn energy for up to 24 hours. During this time, if there is not a new protein source, the muscles will be broken down for fuel, leading to a loss of lean muscle mass. (Source: Quinn 2007)

Using Whey Protein Powder

Before buying a huge canister of whey protein powder, it is better to try a smaller container first (even though it will be more expensive this way) to make sure that you can tolerate the taste and that there is no allergic reaction. Whey can be a problem for those who are lactose intolerant, however, there might be a lesser problem if you stick to powders that are labeled as a whey protein isolate rather than concentrate.

When you find the right kind, make sure that you are using it correctly. For instance, some whey protein powders should be mixed with nonfat or low fat milk, while some can be mixed with water.

If you have any questions about whey protein powder and its use, you should discuss them with a nutritionist. In addition, before starting any kind of supplement, you should discuss the need for it with your own physician.

Drawbacks of Protein

One of the drawbacks of protein is the allergy potential, especially for those who are lactose intolerant. Some people may also find that the taste is not tolerable to them at all. Make sure that you are still following the protein guidelines when using any supplement so that you do not exceed the safe intake level from both food and supplements. In addition, an extremely high level of whey protein can cause liver damage. (Source: Be Well @ Stanford 2009)

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein liquid for diabetic patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright


5 Reasons Why Abdominoplasty Is Often Worthwhile Following Pregnancy

July 29, 2010 by Charles Taylor  
Filed under Weight Loss

Although some people reject the idea and think it’s a waste of money a tummy tuck after childbirth can be a sensible idea. Not only does it help to restore a ladies free childbirth shape, it also is useful for removing the physical stress that a sagging abdomen can cause. It is not a substitute for taking care of the body but it can be a powerful tool in recovering from one or more child-births.

It’s very common after childbirth to see stretching and damage to both the muscles and skin of the middle and lower abdomen. This can cause a number of health problems for women including back pain, poor posture and an uncomfortable gait. Tummy tuck surgery can be the answer to these health problems. It can also heal associated issues such as headaches and abdominal skin discomfort. Of course the physical discomfort of a sagging belly are probably nothing compared to the emotional pain some women will experience. Seeing yourself in the mirror looking pregnant after childbirth is not something most would enjoy.

Of course exercise and proper diet are the first things any mother should try. But these are not always the answer. Responsible behavior with health is certainly a requirement for everyone, but there are cases when surgery is required to overcome difficult issues. This is particularly true where the abdomen is sagging in a pronounced way.

It does take time to recover from the tummy tuck but the results are noticeable very quickly, improving both physical and mental discomfort. The surgeon will request the patient to keep to a healthy diet and lifestyle following the operation as this is a good way to prevent problems.

Within about 5 to 6 weeks most people will find that they can resume many of their normal activities. For best results, following a tummy tuck it is wise to try to maintain a healthy weight. For some women this can further help to firm up the belly. Posture, everyday movement, socializing and simple self-confidence will often be substantially improved after the operation.

Was this article helpful for you? Then you might also want to go over to tummy tuck pictures or breast augmentation for other good articles.


What Kind Of Equipment Should Be Found At Lap Band And Weight Loss Surgery Clinics?

June 7, 2010 by Adriana Noton  
Filed under Weight Loss

Weight loss surgery has become a popular choice for people who have been unsuccessful at losing weight using conventional diet and exercise programs. Lap Band Surgery is one of the more popular choices because it is a safe and minimally invasive procedure. As well, this weight loss procedure has proven to be an effective method to achieving and maintaining long-term weight loss.

Lap Band Surgery involves placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach just below the esophagus. Saline is injected into the band to create restriction thereby reducing the amount of food consumed. When the stomach is restricted, it will take much less food for a patient to feel full. The result is a dramatic loss of weight. The amount of restriction can be adjusted by filling and withdrawing the saline in the band. It is a safe and reversible weight loss procedure for people suffering from obesity.

As with any weight loss surgery, there is a lot for patients to do before and after having the lap band procedure. Patient compliance is key and a good program is essential. They need to be well informed about what the procedure entails and what they have to do before and after the surgery. When patients undergo the surgery, they will have a medical and professional support team. The clinic itself will be equipped with all of the essential equipment and resources to make the procedure a success.

A quality weight loss surgery clinic will have an on-site fitness training centre available to their weight loss patients. The centre will have all of the essential exercising and strengthening equipment to help patients learn how to develop a sustainable physical exercise program. There will be a personnel trainer or kinesiologist to assist patients with their exercises and teach them to safely and properly exercise.

The weight loss clinic will have a special room designed to hold education seminars. Seminars are informational and designed to help patients become comfortable and confident with the weight loss procedure and living a banded life. The goal of the seminars is to help patients achieve successful weight loss and sustain it.

The clinic will have all of the necessary and mandatory accreditations and should be specifically designed to properly treat and care for obese and overweight patients, which includes making the clinic comfortable for the patient. It will have specific surgical suites for specific functions. For instance, at a clinic, patients will normally find an advanced surgical area where all of the surgical equipment will be located. This includes equipment associated with the actual surgery such as anesthesia, heart monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, and medical devices to monitor lung function. There will also be an advanced recovery area that will include all of the equipment necessary for overnight nursing care for patients who are in need of extra care.

The treatment and care of overweight and obese patients is the highest priority for a weight loss clinic. All of the equipment, specialists, and support team, are dedicated to ensuring that each patient has a smooth and successful lap band surgery and supportive follow up care throughout the weight loss process.

Adjustable gastric banding offers safe and sustainable results for weight loss surgery. The Lapband Ontario reduces the amount of food your stomach can hold and allows you to feel fuller longer. When doing research on Lap Band Blog, consider the CIBO Weight Loss Clinic.


The Most Effective Weight Loss Surgeries

May 2, 2010 by Adriana Noton  
Filed under Weight Loss

There are many different types of diets, and whether they work or not really depend on the user. Of course, there are fad diets, diets that are quite dangerous. However, for some people dieting and exercising is almost next to impossible. The next option therefore is surgery. Generally there are four different types of surgery one can undergo. They all work essentially under the same principle: make you feel full faster while eating less by reducing capacity of food eaten.

The first procedure is what commonly known as “stomach stapling” or the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG). This procedure, although much safer than the gastric bypass (skipping the stomach altogether), it is irreversible and requires actual cutting and stapling of the stomach. Because of this, there’s an increase in complications and serious risk involved with this procedure. However, this procedure does have the advantage of not interfering with nutrition absorption and deficiencies.

There’s also the Biliopancreatic Diversion procedure. Again, another irreversible surgery. Essentially what happens is, a large part of your stomach is removed, and the remaining part is diverted straight to the final segment of the small intestine. Much of the food passes by the digestive system without being absorbed. This procedure requires not only stapling and cutting of the stomach and the bowels, but it also has the highest mortality rate out of all the procedures. Plus you will need life time mal-nutrition monitoring. However, it does achieve the most rapid weight loss out of all the procedures outlined.

We can’t forget the ever present gastric bypass. Your stomach would be stapled into a smaller pouch, reducing the amount of food you can store. This small pouch is then bypassed to the intestines. Not only would you eat less, but you also absorb less. This is a major surgery, and extremely difficult to reverse. Unfortunately this procedure is also highly correlated with dumping syndrome (where food goes past your system too fast, undigested, causing nausea and cramps). However, it does offer some of the fastest average weight loss than other procedures, along with rapid initial loss of weight.

The last, and safest surgery is the Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure, aka Lap-Band. It works under the same principle of reducing the amount of food you eat, by placing a limit on it. However, because it uses an adjustable band instead of stapling or removing portions of your digestive system, it is reversible. It is done via a laparoscope, meaning it is much less invasive than the other procedures, since small incisions are used. As a result, recovery time for the procedure is quick, and complications are minimized. Weight loss results are comparable with the other procedures, and again, this is completely reversible.

An alternative to surgery is hot yoga. There has been scientific proof that exercise can improve your physical state drastically. In fact, if you are having sleeping problems, exercising may be just what you need in your life. The problem is that there are too many exercising options available. Which is the most effective one? A popular recommendation is hot yoga, which has been done for over 175 years. It combines basic yoga techniques as well as promoting perspiration through increased body temperature. This method might take more work than surgery, but the results are just as effective as ever!

Our healthy life tips blog you can find a wealth of information relating to healthy tips for living. You will find a wealth of information there.


How Long will one be Out of Work after having Lap Band Surgery?

November 25, 2009 by Adriana Noton  
Filed under Weight Loss

Many people who have weight loss surgery will do so to not only lose weight, but to improve their overall health and well being. One popular weight loss surgery is lap band surgery. They often will have the surgery to reduce such health conditions as sleep apnea, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, and heart conditions. Lap band surgery will help them lose the weight and keep it off.

When having lap band surgery, an inflatable gastric band is inserted into the stomach where a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. A small stomach pouch and passageway is created which limited food intake and causes one to feel full. The result is a loss of weight. Adjustment of the band is done adding or removing saline into the pouch. The size of the band depends on one’s particular weight loss needs and their health requirements. Lap band surgery is a safe and non invasive weight loss surgery with a general recovery period.

After lap band surgery, most people return to work within 2-3 days. Your surgeon will determine when you can return to your regular daily activities, however, most people go back to their regular routines 7-10 days after surgery. Lap band surgery is the least invasive weight loss surgery. There is no stapling or cutting of the small bowel or stomach wall, and there is not any intestinal re-routing. As well, there are very small incisions and minimal scarring. Pain is minimal and the hospital stay is short. The surgery can easily be reversed at any time and the stomach will restore to its regular form.

There are also fewer risks associated with lap band surgery. For instance, adjustments are performed without further surgery, there is a decreased risk of muscle mass and hair loss, reduced risk of nutritional deficiencies, and there is no “dumping syndrome” associated with nutritional intake limitations.

After one has lap band surgery, they will only have to spend a couple of hours recovering in the hospital. When they are sent home, they will be given instructions on care and diet, including what they can eat, in what form, and how much they can eat at a time. They will also have a number of check ups with their physician.

Obesity is a serious health issue that affects both men and women all over the country. The health impact is huge with many diseases and conditions emerging such as lung illnesses, heart disease, circulatory problems, diabetes, and much more. When diet and diet pills, diet and exercise routines, and the many weight loss programs have not yielded any results, lap band surgery has proven to be an effective treatment for weight loss and alleviating a number of health conditions. The best part of the surgery is it is effective at achieving long term weight loss. It has become an effective weight loss treatment with more than 300,000 lap band devices being placed throughout the world. It is also the most popular weight loss surgery in the world. Before undergoing any type of surgery, including weight loss surgery, it is important to consult with your physician.

CIBO Clinic offers safe and sustainable results for lap band surgery. The Lap Band clinic reduces the amount of food your stomach can hold and allows you to feel fuller longer.


What to Do Before and After Bariatric Surgery

February 24, 2009 by Chris Chandler  
Filed under Weight Loss

Bariatrics is the medical specialty that specifically attempts to cure obesity and the chronic diseases caused by the extra weight. There are numerous bariatric procedures that help stop obesity, but you need to keep in mind the risks as well as the benefits of this operation.

Get The Best Bariatric Surgeon

Adjustable gastric lap-band surgery is very popular but the primary issue that will perhaps surprise you (more than you probably thought) is the broad variety in weight loss surgery success rates from one doctor to the next. If you want to encounter a lot fewer operation and post-operative complications, so be sure to get an experienced doctor.

Problems and Complications Possible When having Weight Loss Surgery

In bariatric surgery, following the surgery if you consume too much food at one time, could possibly injure your digestive system very badly. Eating too much following the adjustable lap band procedure can even damage the ring-like device because it is like pulling a napkin through a small napkin ring. The excess food stretches the band possibly hurting you stomach.

Bariatric bypass surgery makes patients nauseated if they overdo the food intake following bariatric surgery. In addition, patients remain at a lifelong risk of nutritional deficiencies after having a bariatric procedures.

You Have to Do Your Part Once Your Have Bariatric Surgery

There are no guarantees for any manner of weight loss, including bariatric surgery, to generate and preserve a normal weight. Patients are successful only with maximum cooperation and commitment to behavioral change and medical follow-up”and this cooperation and commitment must be carried out for the rest of your life.

Bariatric Surgery Requires Permanent Lifestyle Changes

Bariatric operations are best when incorporated with permanent dietary and behavioral adaptations. Bariatric surgery is seen a proven procedure that has shown the capacity to help overcome obesity.

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The Many Benefits Of Weight Loss Surgery

February 14, 2009 by Andrew W Johns  
Filed under Diet

If you have been watching your weight go up and you are worried about the rising pounds, you may be wondering whether weight loss surgery really works. Do you think you could or would be able to stop any further weight gain by a surgical procedure? Around the world the attention is on weight loss surgery as an effective long term method of weight loss owing to the large amount of time studying weight problems and techniques that have become available.

Two areas where doctors agree that weight loss surgery is the best move forward are when the individual is seriously overweight or their metabolism is so slow that normal weight loss will take to long. The advances in diagnosis and treatment are the reason why people who wish to undergo weight loss surgery should no longer be afraid of the procedure because high clinical standards are now being implemented in every surgical operation.

One of the most common reasons why people would like to lose weight is to enhance their physical attributes. This type of weight loss surgery is serious and to go through this type of procedure just in an attempt to look good should not be the main reason.

The whole basis of weight loss surgery is to reduce the number of obese people that die prematurely and to improve their lives. In any case where an overweight person is thinking about weight loss surgery, they should seek professional advice, consider their lifestyle and research the subject more before deciding it is the right way forward.

Having the weight loss surgery is just the beginning of it all, and without long term goals that your psychiatrist can help you with, it will have all been a waste. Of course, success in weight loss surgery is based now not so much on how much weight is lost, although that is important, but on how successfully it is kept off with figures showing that a 50 percent reduction in extra weight in addition to keeping the weight off for 5 years or more is considered very successful.

Obviously as with all cases, the skill of the surgeon is a factor that will affect but the patients attitude and other physical characteristics might also be responsible. While figures from one person to another will differ, after a weight loss operation, a person can lose between a third and half of their extra body weight in half a year and this may even increase to 75 percent or more by the end of a year.

Best of all, people who were able to loss weight through surgical operations can actually maintain a continuous weight loss of up to 50 percent to 60 percent in the next 10 to 14 years after surgery. Patients have much to think about before they decide on this course of action and it is not something that should be rushed.

Consequently, the actual weight that will be lost is reliant on the weight before surgery, surgical procedure, patient’s age, capability to exercise, total health condition of the patient, and determination. Therefore, it can be concluded that losing weight is not just a question of deciding to be strong-willed and determined or upbeat and positive as permanent lifestyle changes are the most important for long-term success.

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5 Things to Consider before Lap Band or Weight Loss Surgery

February 11, 2009 by Adrianna Noton  
Filed under Weight Loss

Weight loss surgery is a serious decision to make because it is also life altering. It involves you making lifestyle changes that you have to more or less stick to for the rest of your life. If you dont, then the entire procedure can reverse itself and the weight will come back. That is something you certainly want to avoid.

Because of the lifestyle changes that must be made, there are things that must be considered before having lap band surgery. Five of those considerations are:

- Anyone with alcohol or drug dependency will not be eligible for the procedure. The doctor may say that small amounts of red wine are okay, but anything other than that cannot be ingested after the lap band has been put in place. This is because individuals with addictions such as drugs and alcohol can cause severe harm to themselves and they can reverse the process.

- Thinking of lap band surgery can be quite exciting, but you have to make sure you take into consideration the fact that the lifestyle changes are major. Your eating is easier to control because the band is placed around part of the stomach through a minimally invasive surgery, creating a small pouch. This is why those with lap band cannot eat as much as they used to. You have to be willing to stick with your portions and change the food you eat. This means minimal junk food.

- Another important consideration is that you will have to exercise at some point. The weight loss surgery alone can do great things, but exercise can do even greater things. This is because the body needs toned up during and after the weight loss. The weight loss can be so incredible that the body needs to take on a shape. You will also feel more energetic and feel like you can do more things on a day-to-day basis.

- Keep in mind that there are complications that can occur with weight loss surgery. Those complications include large chunks of food becoming trapped in the passage between the smaller stomach section and the larger section, constipation, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, abnormal stools, and there are also complications that can occur with the band.

- The band may have to be adjusted. Because there is a small port to the band that is right under the skin, port displacement can become an issue. The port is so the doctor can inject saline into the band and aspirate it if the band needs to be looser for comfort reasons. It may take a while to find the right comfort level.

Weight loss is exciting because you can watch yourself transform right before your own eyes. However, it has to be done right. When done right, the results are amazing. You will feel better, look better, you are adding years onto your life, you are doing your family an amazing favor, and life is going to be better in general.

When you stick with the plan that your doctor places you on after your weight loss surgery, you will see the best results. Any deviation from that plan can result in the small stomach pouch becoming larger. That is something to be careful of because the stomach is expandable. The stomach being expandable is one of the reasons why so many individuals can eat so much food. It takes so much to fill their stomach. With lap band surgery, that problem is eradicated. As a matter of fact, a lot of problems that exist before lap band surgery are eradicated.

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