Will weight loss surgery work for you?

With claims from doctors that there are no scars, a fast surgery and instant weight loss, why not? But let's cover some of the basics first, before we make an appointment at the local doctor's office:

1. The surgery started many years ago on cancer patients with severe ulcers. Where the doctors removed large parts of the stomach or intestine to help control the cancer patient's ulcers. The doctors noticed that the cancer patients began to loose weight after the surgery, and weight loss surgery was born.
2. Obesity surgery involves manipulating the stomach or/and small intestine in some way.
3. There are two types of surgery used currently for weight loss: malabsorption and restrictive surgery.
4. Malabsorption surgery shortens the length of the small intestine therefore limiting the amount of food that is digested or absorbed.
   
5. Restrictive surgery involves making the stomach smaller. In restrictive surgery a section of your stomach is removed or closed off therefore limiting the amount of food it can hold which also causes you to feel full.

Photo courtesy of: PennMedicine.org

The University of Rochester's Medical Center states that in order to have bariatic surgery you must meet these qualifications:

• BMI (body mass index is determined by your height and weight) of 40
• BMI of 35-39.9 with one of the following obesity related health conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea.
• Absence of any psychiatric disorders
• Absence of any eating disorders
• No active substance abuse
• 21 years of age and older
• History of obesity of at least 5 years or greater
• Documented failed attempts at conventional weight loss programs
• Ability to follow pre-operative and post operative dietary, exercise and behavioral recommendations

To calculate your body mass index visit the University of Rochester's website: URMC.Rochester.edu

Keep in mind like most surgeries there is the possibility of many side effects, for a list of side effect consult your physician or WebMD.

Aside from physical side effects keep in mind the emotional effects of this surgery. Sure you feel fuller and you will begin to drop the pounds if all goes as the ads state. However the underlined behavior not being mentioned is dealing with the emotional patterns that began your weight gain nightmare. So if you decide to take advantage of this new advancement in medical technology, just don't forget about inner emotional self. The self that you buried deep underneath those extra pounds. Remember that your butt may look better for now, however that phases out after some time when the underlined emotions that created all that fat in the first place begin to resurface. Whatever your choice may be, best wishes in a new happy and positive you!

For more information on weight loss surgery, here is a brief list of informative websites:

• WeightLossSurgeryChannel.com
• American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
• National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
• Obesity Help
• Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
  

Source:

WebMD's - Is Weight Loss Surgury For You?

BBQ Your Way to Weight Loss

Spice up your food plan this summer with healthy grilling. Grilling can present a tasty and healthy way to cook your food while enjoying the outdoors. I tend to steer towards a wood grill because I like to play around with smoking veggies and meats, however I currently use a gas grill. It is just as good and faster to cook on.

If you haven't cooked with a gas grill before take a look at this video on How to Grill.

One of my favorite recipe websites is Saveur.com.  This is the online version of Saveur Magazine with a search bar. The Food Network also offers a complete selection of healthy and not so healthy recipes for grilling.

Vegetables on the Grill - Photo by Steve

So try something new this summer and delight your taste buds with your favorite vegetables in a balsamic and herb infusion, grilled chicken breasts for your salads or even grilled pineapple or peaches for dessert.

Not Your Average Marriage Proposal Video

Check out this fun and all inclusive marriage proposal video. Need ideas on how to do it? This may help. If you have no plans to propose or it has already happened to you  then maybe this will just lift your spirit and bring you back to a place of soulful love!

Video: Isaac's Live Lip-Dub Proposal by RobertaFosse on YouTube

Marriage proposals can be tough, how do you do it? Will it be right? What about the timing? There are so many questions and what ifs. Below are some helpful books that helped me through the process. Salute!

Beyonce Loses 60 Pounds of Baby Weight!

Congrats to Beyonce for losing 60 pounds!  Why waste time after giving birth to a new daughter? Beyonce did not, in fact soon after Blue Ivy's birth in January she began to get ready for her May four concert weekend in Atlantic City, NJ.  Bearing a custom-made Ralph & Russo two-piece midriff, adorned with eye-catching Swarovski crystals fringe.

Image courtesy of: Amazon S3

"Y'all have no idea how hard I worked!" says  the 30-year-old Beyonce to her fans during her May concert at Revel's Ovation Hall.  Strange as it may be, it is comforting to know that even Beyonce has had weight issues and struggled to move forward with weight loss. So congrats to this beautiful woman no matter what her size.

Image courtesy of: ABC7.com