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?

How to re-create yourself? Part 1

This is part 1 of a 3 part series on recreating your life!

Spring is the time for renewal, growth and change. Eastern medicine empahasizes the air for re-creation and balance of oneself begins with the seasons. And dis-ease with oneself may set in when old behavioral patterns become unhealthy and change is not accepted into one's life when it is needed.

Recently the idea of re-creating became constantly evident in every aspect of my life. Re-creation, how do I re-create myself and what does it mean?


There is a saying that states that:
'The only thing you can count on in life is change.'




And although for some of you "I hate change-ers" this can be scary, but really it is true and no matter how hard you try to hang onto today, today will change into tomorrow. And that is good, it is the natural part of life's every changing re-creating of itself.

So what is re-creating oneself?

Re-creating oneself encompasses a dramatic challenging of one's daily habits and beliefs.  Becoming observant of unconscious ways that you treat yourself and others. A few unconscious attributes I have recently became conscious of is:

• How I feel about others
• Negative self talk
• How I apply and where I apply my creative abilities
• How I spend my time
• And positive and negative ways that I care for myself

Taking a thorough inventory of these qualities about myself has opened up my eyes in so many ways to how I operate on an every basis and will overall help me improve myself.



Here are few great books to help you through the process of recreating yourself:

1)   Recreating Your Self   by Neale Donald Walsch

            

2)  Recreating Your Self  : Building Self-Esteem Through Imaging and Self-Hypnosis by Nancy J. Napier

     


3) Flawless! The Ten Most Common Character Flaws and What You Can Do about Them by Louis A. Tartaglia

     

4) The Five Things We Cannot Change: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them by David Richo

           

5 Effective Weight Loss Tips: How to Eat Half Your Usual Portions

Weight loss is a phenomenon; the United States seems to have a cultural epidemic, and it has for some time. A corporate play on who can provide the best solutions for the littlest amount of money or the smallest monthly fee. 

Photo: American Amish Donuts

Make a choice to take your weight loss into your own hands. So today, a free tip from the experts, try this handy dandy trick that has worked for many:

• Eat half of what you normally eat. i.e. if you have a plate of food or you are ordering from a restaurant or taking your normal portions, take half of that portion. 

Eating half of what you normally would in a meal can be an effective way to manage your calorie intake and potentially lose weight. This strategy involves mindful eating, portion control, and an understanding of hunger cues. 

Here's how to approach this eating method:

1. Use Smaller Plates:
Switching to smaller plates can visually trick your brain into thinking you are eating more than you are.This makes smaller portions appear larger and can help you feel more satisfied with less food.

2. Serve Yourself Half:
When preparing your plate, immediately serve yourself half the amount you normally would. This helps in controlling portion size right from the start.

3. Eat Slowly:
Take your time with each bite and chew thoroughly. Eating slowly allows your body to register feelings of fullness, which can take up to 20 minutes to occur.

4. Drink Water Before Meals:
Drinking a glass of water before eating can help fill your stomach and reduce hunger, making it easier to eat less.

5. Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods:
Fill your plate with high-fiber vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. These foods help you feel full longer, which can prevent overeating.

By adopting these habits, you can gradually adjust to eating smaller portions without feeling deprived, leading to a more balanced and health-conscious approach to eating.

It's as easy as that to start something new today. Cheers to the best in all of us!

Photo: Weight Loss Gummy

Photo: Meal Prep for Weight Loss

Photo: Wall Pilates Workouts for Women to Lose Weight