Valerie Heinl

http://www.tc-ffb.de/euax/paygxdewfuk

    Valerie Heinl

Joint pain improves after weight loss surgery

http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2012/10/lose-the-weight-lose-the-pain/

Weight loss surgery improves Type 2 diabetes

In this study, 80% of people undergoing sleeve gastrectomy had resolution of their diabetes.

Weight loss surgery for those with kidney disease

Protein questions and answers

Why do I need protein?

*Protein helps you to lose fat, maintain muscle, and promotes proper healing after surgery

How much protein do I need?

*You should get about 70 grams of protein daily

What are some ways that I can add protein to my diet?

*Liquid Protein Supplement
*Protein powder
*Choose protein dense foods over starch-fish, chicken, eggs, or beans instead of potatoes, rice, or noodles
*When making protein shakes, freeze milk in ice trays and use when blending shakes instead of ice.

What type of protein should I choose in a supplement?

*Choose protein supplements that contain whey or soy isolate. These types of proteins are better absorbed after gastric bypass

*If lactose intolerance is an issue, choose whey isolate protein supplements because it contains almost no lactose. Whey concentrate and soy milk are also well tolerated in many people who experience lactose intolerance

What happens if I do not get enough protein?

*Muscle wasting, hair loss, weakness

Weight loss surgery is not just for the super obese anymore

This article describes how the bypass and band work. It also hilights how dramatically your health can improve with weight loss surgery.

Athlete after weight loss surgery

Click on the title to see the inspiring story of one man who became an athlete after weight loss surgery.

Lap-Band Surgery

Click on the title to see how one woman dramatically improved her health after weight loss surgery.

Sagging skin after weight loss surgery

Read about one man's struggle to get insurance to pay to have loose skin removed.

News Update on Sleeve Gastrectomy

Follow this link to read more about trends in Bariatric Surgery.

Obesity and pain

See this link about obesity and pain. Feel free to make comments!
http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/cf/slideshows/why-being-overweight-causes-pain-5-facts/walking/?ap=825

Sleeve gastrectomy

Click on Sleeve Gastrectomy title to see article about one woman's dramatic weight loss.

FDA approves the band for patients with a BMI of 30-35

The FDA has approved the use of the Lap-Band system for patients with a Body Mass Index of 30-35 with at least one medical problem related to obesity.

What does this mean for people interested in weight loss surgery?

Surgeons can now place bands in patients that meet this criteria with the blessing of the FDA. Most insurance companies do not cover the Lap-Band system for anyone with a BMI less than 35, but with the new guidelines, cash pay patients can still have the procedure.

If you have any questions about weight loss surgery, please call Valerie at 251-471-7413.

Bariatric Lifestyle

Thanks to all who participated in the support group this month. I hope that all of you feel that you benefited from the discussion. Tammy and I are always looking for topics to discuss so let us know if there is anything you would like to talk about.


Please make sure that you are all taking a multivitamin and calcium CITRATE. Check the label of your vitamins to be sure that you have calcium citrate and not some other form of calcium. The reason for using calcium citrate is that it is absorbed better than other forms of calcium after bariatric surgery.

Please keep me posted on your progress!
Valerie Heinl
251-471-7413

Support groups

The USA Center for Weight Loss Surgery is excited to announce the opening of a support group. The support group is for patients, families, and anyone interested in bariatric surgery.

The support group will meet on the first Thursday of each month at USA Medical Center at 6:00 pm. Our first meeting is scheduled for November 4, 2010.

Terri Meadows, CRNP works closely with Dr. Richards to provide care for bariatric patients. She will be leading the support group. All of us here at the USA Center for Weight Loss Surgery look forward to meeting with you and hearing your stories, successes, and struggles.

Please call 251-471-7413 with any questions. Please post any support group topic ideas to this blog.

For more information on bariatric surgery at USAMC, please click on the support title of this blog or the link on the right that says "Bariatric surgery at USA."

www.southalabama.edu/com/surgery/bariatric.html

Seminar time change

The September 21 seminar has been changed to 5:00 pm. Hope to see you there!

Seminars

Are you or someone you love struggling with losing weight? Have you considered weight loss surgery?

Attending an informational seminar is one of the first steps in the weight loss surgery process. At our seminars, you will learn about surgical options, benefits, risks, and cost.

Cash price information is also available.

Thanks to all who have attended our recent seminars.


Future dates for 2010 are listed below.
All seminars are FREE and open to anyone interested in learning more about bariatric surgery.
August 24th at 5:30 p.m.
Sept 21st at 6:00 p.m.
Oct 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Nov 16 at 6:00 p.m.

All seminars are held at the USA Children's and Women's hospital education building (CWEB II-Atlantis Room).

Please call 251-471-7413 for questions or directions.

Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in the University of South Alabama Center for Weight Loss Surgery. Dr. Richards and the rest of the bariatric team are here to assist you through the surgical weight loss process.

Morbid obesity is an epidemic in the United States and around the world. Untreated, obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, and death. Eliminating or controlling these medical problems becomes much easier once obesity is controlled.

The University of South Alabama Center for Weight Loss Surgery provides assistance before, during, and after surgery. Our goal is to help people achieve an improved level of health.

This blog will include articles for both prospective patients as well as post band and bypass patients.

If you have topics that you are interested in learning more about, please let us know.