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?

“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.

It’s located right across from Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Cortlandt Manor and is designed to serve all of Westchester County. Our new address: 1985 Crompound Road, Building C, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567.

It’s our fourth New York Bariatric Group location. We also have offices in New Hyde Park, Port Jefferson and Manhattan.

We think you will find our new office to be warm and inviting. It has two rooms for physician consultations, two examining rooms and our main room, which is equipped with a TV and guest Wi-Fi. We also have free parking right in front of our building.

The most important feature: our compassionate and warm-hearted staff. In addition to Jackie Aldas, our receptionist, and Monica Mimoso, our Assistant Director of Physician Relations and Marketing, three surgeons will be on hand to meet with patients on Wednesdays and Thursdays:

• Dr. Shawn Garber, who helped develop the single incision lap-band and sleeve gastrectomy techniques and teaches other surgeons around the country. You may have seen Dr. Garber on TV. He has been on The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, Montel Williams, ABC News and NBC News. He is widely recognized as a leader in our field.
• Dr. Galo Grijalva, who received his training at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, before joining the U.S. Air Force, which gave him the opportunity to co-found a comprehensive bariatric surgery program and train with one of the country’s pioneers in anti-reflux surgery, Dr. Charles Filipe. Dr. Grijalva has more than 14 years of experience in advanced minimally invasive surgery.
• Dr. Eric Sommer, who created the first bariatric program in southeastern Connecticut at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London. He trained at Boston Medical Center and completed a fellowship in advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and robotic surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center under the direction of world renowned surgeon Dr. Garth Ballantyne.

In addition to our in-office consultations, we will be holding monthly seminars at the Hudson Valley Hospital Center in the Wagner Conference Room.

Our new location is part of our commitment to be there when and where you need us.

No matter where you live in the New York area, if diets and exercise have not worked for you, we invite you to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons at a location near you 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.

There’s no time better than now to take the right steps toward a healthier future.

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.

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.

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.

“As a kid, I always had an extra bit of weight to lose and never lost it,” she says. “I was active, but was always chubby. As an adult, my weight just kept growing and growing. After I had my daughter, I was about 280 pounds. That’s when I started looking into weight-loss surgery.

“At first, I toyed with the idea, but I told myself, ‘That’s cheating. If I really want to lose the weight, I just have to put my mind to it.

“I can tell you this now: It’s not cheating. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to have it done.

“I had the surgery five years ago when I was 39 years old. I wheeled into surgery at 290 pounds. As of today, I’ve lost 72 pounds — and I’ve kept it off for five years.

“Before surgery, I was on various medications. I was the fat girl in the room. I couldn’t do the things I wanted to do. I tried all the diets and would lose 20 or 30 pounds, but it never materialized into anything more than that.

“I’ve got about 30 more pounds to lose to be at my ultimate goal, but I’m a lot smaller than once was. I kick-box. I spin. I’m active. I shop in regular stores. People don’t look at me funny when I walk into a room. I don’t feel like that uncomfortable fat girl anymore. There’s no other way to describe it.

“The surgery was not uncomfortable. The experience was wonderful. I was very prepped and prepared. I knew exactly what was going to happen. I knew what my outcome was going to be. I knew what to expect. The pain was minimal. I would do it again. It changed my life.

“When you lose 70 pounds, that changes everything. I take no medications now, which is the hugest part besides being thin. My type 2 diabetes is gone.

“If you’re laden with medical issues because of your weight, the surgery to me is a no-brainer.”

Debbie also told us about the changes in her diet.

“My typical breakfast now is Greek yogurt with granola. Sometimes I’m unconventional and will eat half a turkey sandwich or a protein shake or, if I have time, egg whites with spinach.

“Lunch is always salad with chicken or tuna. Or a half a sandwich and a salad. Dinner is protein, vegetables, maybe a baked potato, maybe not.

“There are certain foods that I don’t eat, but I would never use the word ‘deprived’ to describe my lifestyle today. I think I tried harder to deprive myself of things when I was fatter, because as a fat person, I would tell myself, ‘You shouldn’t eat that.’

“Now I can eat in moderation, walk away, and be happy. I eat like everybody else does now. I don’t pretend to starve myself, thinking that others are looking at me, wondering ‘Does she really need to eat that?’ I don’t have that feeling anymore.”

Congratulations, Debbie.

If you’ve tried all the diets and they don’t seem to be working 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.

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.

She had her weight-loss surgery on Sept. 11, 2007. Last weekend, she went sky-diving. “It was awesome,” she says. She’s been ziplining, too.

Lisa is a nurse. She co-leads a support group for people who have undergone weight-loss surgery. We’re delighted she has agreed to share some of her experiences and tips here:

“My weight had been up and down my whole life. I started my first formal diet in the sixth grade. At first, I would lose and gain 15 pounds. Then, as I got older and had my children, I would gain and lose 50 pounds, then 75, then 100. It was a vicious circle that kept getting worse.

“When I reached 285 pounds, I decided to have the surgery, My husband said it was voluntary. To me. it wasn’t. It had to be done, or I wasn’t going to live a long and happy life.”

It’s been almost five years since your weight-loss surgery, does it get easier to keep the weight off?

“Over time, it’s gets easier, and it gets harder. Some people do put weight on, because over time, your body compensates to the surgery. But I truly feel that if you learn the rules at the beginning and follow them through, you will be successful.

“Yes, there are rules you need to follow after you have the surgery. It’s not like you can have the surgery and just go out there and eat anything you want. You have to adjust.

“There are still a few things I don’t do. I have not had any kind of sugar since my surgery. I don’t eat any kinds of candies, cakes or cookies. I do have carbohydrates. I will eat natural sugar — in a fruit. I feel like sugar is a drug to me. If I have it, I could go off the deep end. I’ve just learned to accept that. To me, it’s well worth it. I don’t miss it.

“It is a bit of an adjustment — always drinking your water, trying to follow the rules, making sure you’re taking your vitamins and supplements. I’m very diligent about this, because I want to be healthy. You just have to be sure you’re working the tools your doctor gave you to the best advantage. I think that’s how I’ve been so successful.

“For me, not eating sugar is not even an issue. It doesn’t faze me at all. Everything is sugar-free now. There are 4 million diabetics in the world. People ask, ‘How do you do that?’ It’s easy. I’m like a diabetic. I do not eat sugar. I will not have it.

“I’m not gaining weight, because I try to do what I learned. I think that’s key.

“I would tell anyone who just had the surgery that the tool is what they gave you with the surgery, and you have to use it and do what’s right and learn how to eat again.

“On a normal day, I eat cheese a lot, because it’s high in protein. For breakfast, I might have cheese and crackers, or scrambled eggs, or a supplement — a high-protein meal always.

“For lunch, some days I’ll eat a sandwich — or chili. I’m a big chili fan, especially since the surgery. It’s high-protein. Today at work, we had Mexican food, so I had a part of a burrito. I saved the rest for tomorrow.

“For dinner, last night we had barbeque, so I had steak, some corn and some salad.

“I try not to obsess over what I’m eating. In between, if I’m hungry, I’ll have a piece of cheese or a handful of almonds. There are a lot of high-protein, low-fat, low-carb snacks out there.

“I try not to graze all day. If I’m going to have a snack, I try to plan it and make it healthy.

“With my support group, we have a book, and people will bring it labels of items that they have come across that provide good ideas of what to eat. Through that, I’ve learned so much.”

Any bits of advice for those considering surgery?

“Listen to your doctor. Follow their rules. Know what they’re talking about. Support is the key to success. Attend your support group meetings. Ask questions. People who have the surgery and have been successful are willing to help — especially new people.

“If people could see my life today, they would know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

* * *

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons, call our office at (516) 616-5500 or click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

By scanning through our blog series, you’ll find the personal stories of people like you who have struggled through the challenge of obesity, made the big decision to undergo weight-loss surgery and have interesting stories to tell about the amazing changes in their lives.

By conducting thorough research, you are doing the right thing. It is a big decision, leading to major life changes. The more you know, the more confident you will be that your decision is the right one.

Beyond this blog, this website has such a wealth of information that you may not have found it all yet. So to help you with your research, here are a few links you may find useful:

1. Have lots of questions? You’re not alone. For answers to the most commonly asked questions we get, click here
2. Concerned about insurance and financing? There are options. Click here.
3. Did you know we offer free informational seminars at several locations? Click here for a schedule.
4. We’re proud of our New York Bariatric team. To meet our team members via video, click here.
5. For more patient success stories, including before and after photos, click here

And there’s more: Right from our home page, you can:

• Find our BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator — an important number to know if you’re considering surgery.
• Watch our Dr. Garber explain lap-band surgery on the Dr. Oz show.
• Catch the heartwarming story of Carrie Wilson, popular singer and daughter of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, who tells Montel Williams about her weight-loss journey.

Our website name is easy to remember: www.stopobesityforlife.com.

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons, call our office at (516) 616-5500 or click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

Good luck to you!