The Shame of Shaming

It's amazing but, in this day and age, there are still people who believe we can socially stigmatize our way to a reduction in obesity. Those of us involved in weight loss surgery, and those of us who are dealing with weight issues understand one fact that people who are not intimately involved with weight issues might never come to understand: eating is nothing like smoking or drug use.

It's true that a certain amount of social stigma has been helpful in combating such substance addictions as cigarette smoking and perhaps alcoholism too. However, there is one major and glaringly obvious difference between these addictions and chronic overeating -- you can theoretically stop overeating, but you can't stop eating entirely. Moreover, without treatment, the urges only get stronger as you lose weight. No surprise then that a new study published in the journal, PLoS ONE, shows that the more obese people feel discriminated against for their weight, the more likely they are to remain obese.

The reason treatments like sleeve gastrectomy surgery have become necessary is that overeating might be similar to an addiction, but it simply can't be dealt with in the same way. We're all "addicted" to food in the sense that we need it to live and our body is constantly driving us to eat. What appears to be happening is that overweight people seem to have more persistent, harder to resist signals being sent to them.

Even here in looks-conscious Los Angeles, even the most well-off, and well-motivated, obese celebrity with access to the best trainers and nutritionists in the world might find weight loss next to impossible without a lap band in Beverly Hills. Clearly, then, shaming and discrimination is not what obese people need to help them lose weight. Most of them have plenty of that already. What overweight people need to lose weight is pretty simple: help.

Bariatric Surgery is Never Just About Looks

Dr. Michael Feiz, leading expert in bariatric surgery, frequently consults with potential weight loss surgery patients in his Los Angeles-based office. While many of these patients are concerned about their physical appearance, they generally seek obesity surgery from Dr. Feiz to have a healthier life. During one of Dr. Feiz' free consultations or seminars, he'll regularly share many of the health benefits from receiving a bariatric procedure.

The following image from the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) shows the full body health results that can be achieved from a weight loss procedure, including sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Dr. Feiz, in his numerous years as a weight loss expert, can back up the claims made in the picture. For example, he'll very often see the cessation of depression issues, sleep apnea, and even diabetes. To learn more, call Dr. Feiz' office at 310-817-6911 or go to www.drfeiz.com to schedule and appointment.

From asmbs.org

Lap Band to Sleeve Gastrectomy Conversion Picks up Stragglers

Many patients undergoing bariatric surgery opt for the lap band procedure because it can be an effective tool for dramatic weight loss. It's also one of the least invasive bariatric surgeries available. Yet, even though this surgery has had a life-changing effect on many patients, many can feel that it's not adequate enough. Some lap band patients, though they have a stomach with a reduced capacity, have a hard time feeling full. This is why a percentage of lap band patients turn to Dr. Feiz for a lap band to sleeve gastrectomy conversion.

The lap band has a reputation for predominantly being a behavioral modification procedure as it physically restricts the amount of food a person can eat. On the other hand, sleeve gastrectomy surgery  does that as well while also targeting the hormonal aspect of hunger. A gastric sleeve suppresses the hunger-stimulating hormone Ghrelin, allowing a patient to feel fuller faster. When a patient doesn't get their expected result from a lap band (usually because they still have problems restricting their portion sizes), they get the conversion surgery. This is a huge decision to make, practically as serious as the decision to get bariatric surgery in the first place. If you're considering this surgery, you should consult with an experienced, caring, and honest doctor like Dr. Feiz to discuss your options.

Bariatric surgery could be cost effective even for mildly obese

The Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis released a report that suggests that bariatric surgery is cost-effective for mildly obese patients and the severely obese. By cost-effective, the study means that the price of surgery is much less than the patient's lifetime medical costs due to obesity-related illnesses. A postdoctoral research associate and first author of the study wants to make bariatric procedures, including sleeve gastrectomy surgery, universally available to all obese people.

As more studies and research like this come to light, patients turn to Dr. Feiz & Associates for weight-loss treatments and consultations in Los Angeles. His many proud patients share their glowing testimonials on his site. One woman, who got a lap band in Los Angeles, states it was the "best decision of my life" and that Dr. Feiz is "a great and caring surgeon." He compassionately works with his patients to guide them through this life-changing process. More stories can be read here: http://www.drfeiz.com/patient-stories/blog.html

Obesity and Polyps: Another Cancer Link

According to a brand new release by the National Cancer Institute, overweight people are more likely to develop colon polyps. The incidence of polyps among obese patients was 22% versus 19% in slimmer people. Avoiding polyps is no reason to turn to bariatric surgery on its own, but as a component of the larger tapestry of hazards that weight loss can help you dodge it is worth consideration.

Also known as adenomas, polyps are bundles of cells that bunch together and start to grow outward from the lining of a patient's colon. Significantly, most colon cancers are thought to develop from the tissues in colon polyps. Less than ten percent of polyps actually turn cancerous, but it's food for thought. Sleeve gastrectomy and other operations are a serious matter but remaining obese is a serious condition.

After recent revelations about increased risk of other types of cancer, this is just another of the myriad ways in which obesity can potentially shorten a person's life. Weight loss in Los Angeles is always the right move for your health; this is just one more reason.

Is there a kind of weight loss surgery with a faster and less painful recovery?

Are you interested in a weight loss procedure like sleeve gastrectomy surgery but are hesitant because you are concerned about a painful and lengthy recovery? These are legitimate reasons for reluctance, but it's worth considering the difference made by a new and proven method known as the STARR Treatment. With the STARR Treatment, a few select surgeons - Dr. Michael Feiz among them - are able to perform micro sleeve surgery, which offers the same dramatic weight loss results as conventional sleeve gastrectomy, but is done with only a SINGLE INCISION. As you can imagine, less cutting means less post-operative pain, a faster healing period, and virtually no scarring. If you are interested in learning more about this breakthrough procedure, contact us to schedule a FREE consultation.