Weight Loss Surgery

Putting “Me Time” On The Schedule

August 24, 2012

Back to school shopping is in full swing. Parents are participating in the yearly scavenger hunt for color matched supplies to give their children the best possible start to the school year. And of course there are also after school ballet classes, the little league games, boy scouts meetings and driving lessons for teenagers to fit into your schedule. Summer is slipping away fast and so is the “me time” on your schedule. Regardless if you have a family with children or are a busy professional, scheduling some time for yourself can be very challenging. We all want more time to relax and exercise, but being able to implement this goal can be difficult and the dreaded (yet always at the ready) Mommy (and/or professional) guilt is just waiting around the corner. After bariatric surgery, it is strongly recommended (read required) that patients exercise daily, eat a healthy balanced diet that allows for plenty of protein, take daily supplements, find ways of managing stress and get a good night’s rest. Whew! Now that you are post Gastric Bypass, Lap-Band or... Read More

Finding Inspiration After Weight Loss Surgery From The Olympic Games

August 10, 2012

It is hard not to get awe struck when watching the Olympic Games on television. The athletes make it look so easy, their bodies smoothly achieving record-breaking feats. Amazing, are their stories of perseverance. The enduring workouts, multiple injuries and time away from family and friends all obliged to cumulate at a chance to participate and maybe even medal at the Olympic Games. The athletes’ seemingly super-natural powers can be intimidating. However, what makes an athlete successful is very similar to what makes a bariatric patient successful. Set your goal. It is great to have a long term goal in mind, such as running a ½ marathon or lose 120 pounds. However, like every athlete knows, focus on smaller goals that let you reach your dreams. Surpass the hurdles. If you are going to do something amazing, you will be bound to have some road blocks. Don’t give up after a setback. Come to the monthly On Track Workshop and get motivated and energized again! Get a cheer squad. Why do the cameras in the Olympic Games focus so much... Read More

Chia Seeds Can Be A Helpful Supplement After Weight Loss Surgery

July 11, 2012

When most people think of chia seeds they think of the green sprouts that provide the “hair” to kitschy pottery resembling the heads of state and cartoon characters (you are probably singing the jingle right now, too). Little did we know in the late seventies that these same seeds that you soaked, as a kid, to grow a green fleece on your clay sheep was also so nutritious. Maintaining a healthy diet after bariatric surgery is very important. Patients are encouraged to consume a target of 75 grams of protein daily and to ensure proper hydration, adequate amounts of fiber and take daily multivitamin and calcium supplements. This is easier said than done. This is mainly due to the small “pouch” size of Gastric Bypass, reduced stomach capacity of the Sleeve Gastrectomy and the adjustment of the Lap Band System. Chia seeds are a helpful supplement that can add protein, fiber and a lot of nutrition. They are not, however, a replacement for your daily multivitamins and calcium supplements. The humble chia seed is a great supplement for bariatric patients... Read More

How to get off the weight loss plateau after weight loss surgery

May 16, 2012

Plateaus happen to most people who try to lose weight. It also happens to patients who have had bariatric surgery. The first thing to understand is that patients who had the Lap-Band Procedure will lose an average of 2 pounds a week over three years. Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy patients lose the excess weight more quickly, following a predictable pattern: the most rapid weight loss occurs in the first 6 months (the honeymoon period), then weight loss slows a bit, but is still significant, until the first year post op. By 18 months, the weight naturally stabilizes. Understanding the weight loss pattern is important to success with bariatric surgery. It is easy to get wrapped up in the thinking that you do not need to exercise when the weight just seems to melt off at first. But once the honeymoon period is over, most patients (regardless which bariatric procedure they had) will hit a plateau. Besides panicking and screaming in despair, is there anything you can do? 1. First of all, make sure you have all the facts. We... Read More

Lap-Band and Bariatric Surgery is not a gimmick at Griffin Hospital

February 23, 2012

You may have heard in the news recently that a group of weight-loss clinics in Southern California is under scrutiny because of an aggressive ad campaign, insurance fraud and the death of five patients. This group of Lap-Band surgical centers is being investigated by local, state and federal agencies, including Congress. At Griffin Hospital, we understand that bariatric surgery is not just a gimmick and it remains the most effective way to combat obesity. Any bariatric surgery, including the Lap-Band, comes with inherent risks. Our informational seminars for prospective patients and pre-operative education describe the inherent risks of bariatric surgery and of the disease of morbid obesity. Dr. Tim Ehrlich, Medical Director of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Griffin Hospital, has participated in several FDA Lap-Band studies, including the low-BMI study. He believes that the Lap-Band can be a good choice for the right patient. Today, there are several bariatric procedures to choose from, and the prospective patient should be cautious when a single procedure is marketed for every patient. Dr. Ehrlich and his associate Dr. Ramlogan perform several bariatric procedures... Read More