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Archive for the ‘Information Seminars’ Category

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Think of It as a Life Changer

There are a couple of ways to think about weight-loss surgery.

You can view it as something that will change your size — but that’s only part of the story.

The real truth is it’s something that will change your life.

Surgery alone is not the answer to better health. The operation is a catalyst. It’s the launching point for an all-new way of living — and eating.

It’s a big step. And it’s important to have the right mindset before taking it. The surgery will force you to create new eating habits. Your stomach will be smaller, so you will get fuller faster. As a result, it will be more important than ever to make smart food choices.

Scan this series of blogs, and you will find the stories of several patients who have taken the big step. They have all learned a new way of eating. They’re taking in far less, but they say they don’t feel deprived. In fact, the most common comment among them is, “I wish I did it sooner.”

All surgery is a risk. But living with morbid obesity can be riskier. Chances of serious illness of various kinds multiply with excess weight.

Mindset is a critical factor in weight-loss surgery. Are you ready for a new life?

So if you’re thinking about taking the big step, here’s our advice: don’t view about it as a way to change your size. It’s much more than that. It changes …

  • your vitality
  • your diet
  • your physical capabilities
  • your attitude
  • how others view you

… in short, it changes your entire life.

Your next step? Here are three options:

1) Attend one of our free informational seminars. You’ll hear from our surgeons and our patients about the important things you need to know. You can sign up through this website.

2) Make an appointment to see one of our surgeons by calling (516) 616-5500.

3) Click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

You don’t have to face this challenge alone. Before and after your surgery, we are here to help you.

Category: Expert Advice, Health Benefits, Information Seminars, Weight Loss

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Monday, August 27, 2012

Do You Know Your BMI?

Most people can tell you what they weigh. Not many know their BMI.

BMI is your Body Mass Index. It’s the primary measure of obesity. It’s a measure of weight proportionate to height. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared, but the easy way is to enter your height and weight into the BMI calculator on the top of the home page of our website.

Here are the descriptions for each BMI rating:

  • 22 to 25: Normal
  • 25 to 30: Overweight
  • 30 to 35: Obese
  • 35 to 40: Severely Obese
  • Over 40: Morbidly Obese

BMI is generally considered to be an effective way to gauge whether a person is overweight or obese, but there are exceptions. Bodybuilders may have a BMI in the overweight range. However, they are not considered overweight because muscle tissue weighs more than fat tissue. In most cases though, BMI is a good indicator.

Our bariatric surgery specialists — and most insurance companies — consider people with a BMI of 40 as candidates for surgery, as well as those with BMI of 30 with a life-threatening complication from their obesity.

There are additional factors to be considered to determine if you’re a good candidate for weight-loss surgery. Generally, surgery should be considered only when other diet and exercise have failed to work for you.

Knowing your BMI is a good first step in educating yourself.

Another good action step: Attend one of our free information seminars, which we hold regularly. Our next one is set for Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at our new office at 380 Second Avenue in Manhattan. You’re welcome to bring family or friends. Dr. Shawn Garber and Dr. Spencer Holover will be there to answer your questions, and patients will be on hand to share their experiences first-hand.

You can reserve your spot at this seminar through this website. You can also check our full seminar schedule. We have many other sessions planned for Manhattan and Suffolk, Westchester and Nassau counties through December, in addition to online sessions.

We also invite you to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons by calling our office at (516) 616-5500 or, if you prefer, click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

There’s never a better time than right now to take the first step toward a healthier, happier life.

Category: Exercise, Expert Advice, Health Benefits, Information Seminars, Obesity, Weight Loss

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Find Peers at an NYBG Support Group

While choosing to have a bariatric surgery is something very personal, the process leading up to that decision and the recovery after any procedure involves a team of doctors, family and friends. Because bariatric surgery is such a life-changing event, nearly all surgeons will recommend joining some kind of support group to aid you in the process.

The excellent team of doctors at t he New York Bariatric Group

Before you have committed to a particular bariatric procedure or doctor, do some research to find bariatric support groups located in your area. Instead of spending hours reading doctor reviews online, jump into a bariatric chat room or attend a meeting to ask actual patients what their experiences have been like. While no two people will ever have the exact same results or complications, they can definitely tell you which doctors go the extra mile and which give patients the cold shoulder.
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Category: Information Seminars, Support Groups, Weight Loss

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