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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Does the Cause Really Matter?

Why is obesity on the rise?

According to one recent study, technology is the culprit.

The worldwide study by the Milken Institute found that for every 10 percent increase in a country’s spending on communications technology, there’s a 1.4 percent increase in obesity rates.

That seems to ring true, doesn’t it? Think about the “screen” time we all spend … whether it’s high-definition TVs, smart phones, notepads, laptops or gaming devices. For people of all ages, these wonderful advancements can mean a more sedentary lifestyle.

And it’s not just an American phenomenon. The link between technology and obesity applied to all 27 countries in the study.

But just as we lead the way in technology, we also lead in obesity. In the USA, the obesity rate is 33.8 percent, followed by Mexico (30 percent), New Zealand (26.5 percent), Australia (24.6 percent) and Canada (24.2 percent).

And according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by the year 2030, the U.S. obesity rate is expected to rise to 42 percent.

What is the true cause of this alarming trend?

Our answer: Does it matter?

Not really.

For people who are severely obese, the right question is: What can I do to get on the road to healthier life?

That’s where we come in. We’re dedicated to changing the lives of people with severe weight problems. If diets and exercise have not produced effective, lasting results for you, it’s time to learn more about weight-loss surgery.

We invite you to explore our website and our blog, where you can learn from the experiences of our patients who have graciously shared their stories.

Better yet, we invite you to attend one of our seminars, where you can meet our surgeons and patients face-to-face and get your questions answered. You can find our seminar schedule on this website.

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

Yes, inaction can contribute to obesity. But the good news is that the action of reaching out to learn more can be that first step to a new life.

Why not take that first step today?

Category: Expert Advice, Health Benefits, Obesity, Weight Loss

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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Pamela’s Advice: Get the Information

Pamela is 45. She’s a paralegal in the New York area. Here’s her story:

“I was quite active when I was younger. I never was a plus-size until I hit my mid- to late 30s.

“When I was 28, I fell down some stairs, and I have a permanent back injury. Over the years, I’ve battled with that off and on. And as I’ve gotten older, it got worse. It became a vicious cycle: The less you can do, the more sedentary you become, the more weight you gain. And once you hit your late 30s, your metabolism changes. It just got harder to get the weight off.

“I used to see the New York Bariatric Group ads every day on the subway. At first, I was against surgery. I thought I should be able to lose weight myself through diet and exercise. But my problem was I couldn’t exercise any more. Every time I got on the elliptical machine, I got sciatic pain down my leg after 10 minutes.

“As my weight went up, my back problems got worse, and I was on that merry-go-round. I had to get off. It was a downward spiral. The more you gain, the less you can do, you get depressed, you gain more . . .

“One day, I was climbing up the subway stairs, and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I thought, I’m 42 years old; this is ridiculous. I have to do something. Then I thought, if I see that ad one more time, I’m calling — and there it was! So I called.”

That was in March of 2010. For the next few months, Pamela went through the process of qualifying for and preparing for her weight-loss surgery. She had the surgery that November.

“I got on the table. They put me out. I woke up. It was like nothing happened. In fact, when I came to, I had to ask, ‘Did you guys actually do anything?’ I had a very good experience.

Since then, Pamela has lost 90 pounds. “I have about 30 more to go,” she says.

“I’ve had a couple of back episodes since then, but since I’ve taken the weight off, I recover faster. And now I’m at the point where I have no sciatic pain. I haven’t felt this good in a very long time.

“I’m able to walk and run all my errands without being in pain or having to take pain medication. Exercise has been a challenge until recently, but my orthopedist has just cleared me for physical therapy.”

Pamela described her current diet.

“I usually have coffee and yogurt in the morning. For lunch, I might have tuna salad, egg salad, a mixed green salad, soup or sushi. For dinner, I might have grilled rotisserie chicken with a salad or sushi. I eat a variety of foods.  It depends on the day, but I always go with smaller portions. And I don’t feel like I suffer because of it.”

Pamela says she appreciates that people are wishing her well when they notice her weight loss, but “I get embarrassed,” she says. “My purpose was to get my health in order. That’s why I did this.”

Her words of advice for others in the same situation:

“Get the information. I have three friends right now who have gone to the seminar and are going to make their first appointment. I was their guinea pig. They saw how well it worked for me.

“For me, it was a wonderful experience, but it’s a very personal decision because of how society treats you when you’re overweight. People are so sensitive to it. It’s the world we live in.

“It’s not for everybody, but at least get the information. The experience couldn’t have been better. And I’m not a person who likes going to doctors, so for me to say that is a big deal.”

Thanks, Pamela, for sharing your story.

If diets and exercise have not worked for you, we invite you to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons by calling (516) 616-5500 or, if you prefer, click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

Category: Health Benefits, Obesity, Post Surgery, Procedures, 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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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

A Question You Should Always Ask

Thinking about weight-loss surgery? It’s a big step. It’s a life-changer. You can learn a lot about the experience on our website. Many patients have told their stories here.

If you’re considering your options, we have one important piece of advice for you. Before you select a bariatric clinic, always ask this question:

Are you a Center of Excellence?

The answer at the New York Bariatric Group: Absolutely!

We were awarded that designation by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

“Center of Excellence is a designation based on experience, good outcomes, safety record and hospital infrastructure, including special furniture, such a special beds, chairs and gowns, to make sure you are very comfortable during your hospital stay,” says Dr. Shawn Garber, head of the New York Bariatric Group. “All of the factors combined make for a much safer surgical experience for patients to undergo surgery.”

The Center of Excellence certification program was created by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery along with the Surgical Review Corporation to better ensure quality in bariatric surgery. The certification is based upon an independent review of programs.

To earn the Center of Excellence designation, we underwent a series of site inspections, during which all aspects of our surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected.

Only one out of every 300 bariatric surgery centers have earned this designation. Studies clearly show the best run bariatric centers have the highest success rates and the lowest rates of complications.

As a Center of Excellence, we agree to share information on clinical pathways, protocols and outcomes data — to be an active leader in our field.

And as a Center of Excellence, we provide you with the tools you need for a successful life-changing experience. We work together to find a program that’s right for you, so you can start living life to its fullest.

If you’re seriously considering weight-loss surgery, we 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.

We are fully committed to helping you along your journey of discovering a healthier you.

Category: Expert Advice, Obesity, Procedures, Weight Loss

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Friday, August 3, 2012

How Many Reasons Do You Need?

We’ve said it before: If you’re reading this blog, you’re doing the right thing. No one should take surgery lightly. The best course of action is to learn all you can about your options, and then make an informed decision.

In this series of blogs, you’ll find lots of personal stories from our patients who are happy to share their experiences about life after weight-loss surgery. They will tell you the surgery requires major life changes, but they will also tell you the changes were worth it.

Often times, the easiest course of action is to do nothing. In our minds, doing nothing does not seem risky. But when it comes to obesity, the risks are many.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers a service called Medline Plus, which provides a wealth of up-to-date health information. In just the last three months, the following articles have been published on Medline Plus about the health risks of obesity:

  1. Obesity Might Hinder Treatment of Some Breast Cancers (07/16/2012, HealthDay)
  2. Heavy People More Likely to Have Colon Polyps (07/12/2012, Reuters Health)
  3. Extra Weight Comes with More Knee Pain, Stiffness (06/28/2012, Reuters Health)
  4. Obesity, Depression Blamed for Daytime Sleepiness ‘Epidemic’ (06/13/2012, HealthDay)
  5. Bigger Waist Tied to Increased Risk of Diabetes (06/05/2012, HealthDay)
  6. Seniors with Asthma Do Worse if Obese (06/05/2012, HealthDay)
  7. Obesity May Raise Odds for Painful Leg Condition (05/30/2012, HealthDay)
  8. As Obesity Rates Rise, Cases of Kidney Stones Double (05/25/2012, HealthDay)
  9. Severely Obese Have More Complications with Spinal Surgery (05/24/2012, HealthDay)
  10. Obese More Likely to Be Diagnosed with Advanced Thyroid Cancer (05/21/2012, HealthDay)
  11. Being Obese May Make Job Search Tougher (05/17/2012, HealthDay)
  12. Pot Belly Boosts Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (05/10/2012, HealthDay)
  13. Rising Obesity Rates Might Mean More Rheumatoid Arthritis (05/04/2012, HealthDay)

The long-term health risks of obesity are well-documented. Last month, James McIntosh, an economics professor at Concordia University in Montreal, released a study that showed obese individuals visit their doctor more frequently than regular smokers who are at a healthy weight.

His comment: “The fact that obesity is more serious than smoking helps people understand the gravity of the problem because they already have some kind of intuitive understanding of how bad smoking is.”

Weight-loss surgery is a course of action to consider when diets and exercise programs have failed to produce results. Is it the right thing for you?

We 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.

Best wishes to you. We’re here to help.

Category: Obesity, Weight Loss

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