Totally Worth It!

It has been one week exactly since my gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Michael Feiz, bariatric surgeon extraordinaire! That is seriously how I feel about him. It was a glamorous first couple of days in the Beverly Hills recovery center I was staying at, but home to mom I went on Thursday.

I have to admit, I lost the paperwork and I may have misunderstood some of the post-surgery instructions so I wasn’t feeling my best initially. Thank goodness for the staff at Dr. Michael Feiz and Associates, Rebekah cleared away all questions. Today is a whole other story.

What was also very interesting today, is that my brain is already thinking differently. We did a run to a fast food restaurant which I used to love, but instead of my usual crave, I said NO to the bad food. It’s hard to describe because I am still getting used to the idea of healthy eating, but my brain knows the food isn’t worth it.

Check me out prepping my healthy meals as I return to work this Friday. I love my new life!

By the way, did I mention that I have lost 23 lbs in one week! YES. 23 lbs of LOST WEIGHT! Yup, totally worth it! 

Weight Loss Surgery can Dramatically Affect the Health of Your Child

As the premier team for weight loss in Los Angeles, the staff at Dr. Feiz and Associates is always interested on the latest news regarding bariatric surgery or other health-related news. That's why we were particularly thrilled to read a story posted in the Los Angeles Times earlier today regarding the positive effects of weight loss surgery on a woman's children.

A growing body of research illustrates that a pregnant woman's own health issues have a powerful impact on those of her child, particularly in regards to weight status. However, the study also shows that weight-loss procedures such as gastric sleeve surgery or other bariatric procedures can change a child's health outcome dramatically. Compared to their peers born to obese women, children born to mothers following weight-loss surgery are significantly less likely to be obese. In fact, they generally show healthier blood pressure, lipid profiles and metabolic function.

Looking at a group of siblings born to the same mother - some before and some after weight-loss surgery - Canadian researchers found a significant difference in the way genes influencing weight, metabolic function and inflammation express themselves. It is a process known as "fetal programming", in which a woman's nutrition, stress levels, exposure to toxic pollutants and her own health status can bend a baby's genetic make-up, not by changing the code, but by tweaking the way those genes carry out their program.

For Dr. Feiz and his team, much of this comes as little surprise, however, it is particularly gratifying to see the results of the study confirmed and publicized in such a widely read publication as the Los Angeles Times. If this leads to more women (and men, for that matter) making healthier choices in their lives, we couldn't be more pleased. If you're interested in lap band in Beverly Hills or any of Dr. Feiz's other life-changing procedures, contact Dr. Feiz and Associates today!

Manners Matter

Dr. Michael Feiz, a board certified bariatric weight loss surgeon, commented that the NY Post story http://m.nypost.com/p/news/local/labor_big_real_heavy_sleeper_jl3C7gI710FI3XqpEl5o3O about a man who, based on the photos, may be suffering from health issues associated with obesity, should have been written about with a bit more sensitivity, regardless of political opinion.

Obesity is a complex illness which should be responded to with care and consideration, not vilification notes Dr. Feiz. Surgical weight loss procedures such as the gastric sleeve can help an obese person return to a safe healthy weight.

The Link Between Alzheimer's and Obesity

Dr. Michael Feiz, board certified bariatric weight loss surgeon, noted that obesity is a worldwide disease that has serious short term and long term health consequences. 

The BBC report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22479049 about the link between obesity and Alzheimer's is yet another reason that patients who are obese should seek help and medical advice on the best methods to reduce weight.

Today’s The BIG DAY!

I’m on my way to my gastric sleeve surgery. I’m not nervous at all. Having weight loss surgery with Dr. Michael Feiz feels so right to me.

Yesterday I started my liquid diet that should get me through the rest of the week. I have protein shakes, sugar free popsicles and more healthy goodies that the staff at Dr. Feiz’s office gave me to help me prepare for after the surgery. Ready, set, go to my new life! 

Weight Loss Surgery Countdown!

Tomorrow is my gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Feiz so, of course, I had to go to Disneyland today with my family! I took this week off to prepare for the big day tomorrow and then to recover from surgery. I feel like all I do is repeat myself but I am soooooo excited!

Tonight, I am spending the night at my mom’s house, but then after my surgery in Marina Del Ray, I am off to a luxurious Beverly Hills after-care center. I love the way my new life is starting and all I can say is THANK YOU DR. FEIZ!

 

Some Facts for those Looking to Start a Family After Weight Loss Surgery

For weight loss surgery, Southern California residents have come to trust  Dr. Feiz for his incredible surgical skill and experience. However, Dr. Feiz is also highly regarded for his warm and friendly bedside manner. The expert surgeon is always invested in ensuring every gastric sleeve surgery feels comfortable throughout the entire process. In that spirit, we at the offices of Dr. Feiz wanted to share some fascinating facts regarding one of the most important milestones one may face after their weight loss procedure - pregnancy.

The summer months are among the most common for babies to be born in, so there is bound to be some post-bariatric surgery patients entering their third trimesters soon! In fact, studies have shown that bariatric surgery can actually produce a sudden positive change in fertility. Good news for those who want to celebrate their healthy new body and perspective on life by starting a family.

That said, many doctors recommend that women avoid getting pregnant until 18 months after surgery. After surgery, the rapid changes your body goes through can make the process of growing a baby unusually complicated. After 18 months, though, a woman's weight will likely have stabilized enough to provide her baby with proper nutrition.

Overall, the health risks involved in pregnancy decrease substantially, another bit of good news for those undergoing the revolutionary surgery for weight loss in Los Angeles under the care of Dr. Feiz. Whether you're looking to garner a trim new body before starting a family or to enhance the quality of life for yourself and your current loved ones, Dr. Feiz is happy to provide you with exceptional weight loss procedures that can have a tremendous impact on your life.

TWO MORE DAYS!

by Callie Ellis

I am so excited for my weight loss surgery with Dr. Feiz this Wednesday. It's all I can think about!!

Randy Jackson says farewell to Idol; We take a look back on his weight loss journey

Last night on American Idol, we said good-bye to a staple of the long-running talent competition, Randy Jackson. After a surprisingly sweet farewell video, viewers not only saw Mr. Jackson's journey on the show, but also his weight loss over the years. It reminded the team here at Dr. Feiz and Associates of the bariatric surgery that he has been so open to discussing.

Randy Jackson join a growing list of celebrity weight loss surgery recipients when he received the gastric bypass procedure about ten years ago. It's been reported that he lost 100 pounds in the first year and, by making dietary, exercise, and lifestyle changes, has kept it off. He even wrote a book in 2008 on getting "a jump on your best health ever," which even has weight loss surgery friendly versions of some of his favorite Southern dishes.

Michael Feiz, MD, FACS has seen many similar results in his many patients throughout the years. A top-ranked surgeon performing gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and the lap band in Beverly Hills, Dr. Feiz ensures that life-altering weight loss for his patients is attainable. He achieves this through compassionate aftercare, world-class surgical expertise, and a supportive staff out of his Beverly Hills clinic. Visit www.drfeiz.com for more information.

Woo Hoo! My Weight Loss Surgery Date Is Close!

By Callie Ellis

Yes! Next Wednesday, May 22^nd I will be having the gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Michael Feiz at the Huntington Beach, CA office.

Is that not the best news ever!?!?! I thought after the hassle with the paperwork that this day would never come and now almost here. I said it before, and I will say it again, I LOVE Dr. Feiz, Lupe and the rest of his staff. They have been the best to me. They have been so helpful giving me all of the information I need before and after my weight loss surgery. This time next year when I go to the beach, it will be in my new bikini body! Woo Hoo!!

Thank Goodness For Lupe and Rebekah!

by Callie Ellis

Another week has passed and it seems like time is moving slower the closer I get to my gastric sleeve/weight loss surgery date. Last week I submitted all of the paperwork to my insurance company. Let me tell you, that’s a hurdle and a half. Thank goodness for the staff at Dr. Michael Feiz’s Beverly Hills bariatric surgery office, especially Lupe and Rebekah. They have been helping me every step of the way. They're so good at translating all of the insurance mumbo jumbo and making sure to connect the dots on what is needed to move forward with my procedure.

I am going to share a little secret with you (well not a really a secret to all those that know me.) With the exception of Dr. Feiz, I really hate going to the doctors. HATE IT! So there isn’t much documentation of my weight throughout the years. We initially submitted pictures but that wasn’t enough for the insurance company. However, an accident from several years ago in Texas is actually turning out to be a life saver. Isn’t that funny? I was involved in a car accident and was taken to the ER where, of course, they weighed me. And my weight was high. So Lupe at Dr. Feiz’s office is now working with the hospital to make sure we get the paperwork to the insurance company so that my gastric sleeve surgery can be done on time. Just another day towards a healthier life!  

It Only Seems Like Magic

The news this week about Governor Chris Christie got us thinking about how some other well known people who have benefited from weight loss surgery over the years. Looking over the names, we realized that while almost all of them seem to have made some very genuine improvements that would have been all but impossible to achieve prior to such bariatric procedures as the lap-band. the gastric sleeve and bypass, life goes on. They are all obviously healthier, but all of them appear to have had their share of ups and downs, also. 

Comedian Ralphie May is not as well known as some of the others, though in his own way he's nearly as controversial and outspoken as Governor Christie. Although still a very large man by any definition, he's lost well over 400 pounds from a high that was reportedly close to 800 pounds. Even as May has made very obvious and public progress since his surgery, his struggles have continued in other ways. Having trimmed down considerably thanks to a serious diet and exercise regimen, his problems did not completely evaporate.

By his own account, May had to cancel appearances in order to go into rehab last year in order to deal with post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and some resulting issues with drugs and alcohol, triggered by multiple brushes with death. Not all of his health issues were directly weight-related, as May's first major brush with death was from an car accident at age 16 in which he broke 42 bones. A more recent close call, however, involved a pulmonary embolism related to double pneumonia, which may well have been exacerbated by his weight and other lifestyle issues.

The point here is that, while Mr. May is actually doing very well in terms of his bariatric surgery, issues such as PTSD had to be deal with separately. Severely obese people often tend to think that losing excess weight will solve all of their problems. However, what they invariably find is that they still have many of the same issues, despite their significantly improved health and appearance.

Whatever types of weight loss surgery our patients are receiving, we always counsel them to look at their entire situation and not only their weight. We know it's hard to believe sometimes, but thin people have problems, too.

The Lap Band is in the News!

Yesterday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie shared with the world that he had weight loss surgery back in February. Here at Dr. Feiz and Associates, we are so happy that he has taken control of his health. It's an exciting time for him and his family on the start to a healthier life! Gov. Christie had the lap band procedure and you can learn more about it at drfeiz.com or call 1-800-868-5946 to schedule your free consult today! 

Watch a sneak preview of his interview with Brian Williams Here!

Dr. Feiz Must Read Summer Book: Big Brother

BIG Brother by Lionel Shriver is a fictional story about a sister trying to rescue a man who is eating himself to death.

I feel that this story told by an acclaimed prize winning author who has sadly experienced the very real death of her own 'big brother' Greg, four years ago at age 55 due to obesity related causes is important. Obesity is a very complicated subject and sometimes it is the literary experience that helps us better understand how a life can be cut short without medical intervention of this easily correctable condition.

With at least 2.8 million adults dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese, this book resonates with me personally in an emotional and impactful way. As a weight loss surgeon I understand how this epidemic of obesity can be stopped as I experience similar real life stories daily.

The reviews are calling it entertaining, gripping and intelligent. I know I am going to read it. What do you think?

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