The Daddy of All Weight Loss Techniques.

Father's Day is this Sunday, and it's prompting us to think a little bit about men and weight issues.Whether you're a bariatric surgeon, a person dealing with obesity, or a noncombatant in the long war against the growing human gut, you have had to notice a change in attitudes regarding men and obesity issues.

If you were to walk into a Weight Watchers or Overeater's Anonymous meeting in, say, 1979, you would very likely be startled at how very few men you'd see -- perhaps only one or two in a room full of fifty people. Of course, men had weight issues then, just like today, but they were far less likely to see it as a problem. (The reasons why that was so could probably fill several books.) While weight loss remains a somewhat disproportionately female endeavor today, that's been changing to the point where it won't be long before an equal number of women and men will be doing whatever they can to achieve a healthy weight.

Here at Dr. Feiz and Associates, we're definitely seeing a growing number of males coming in. As men realize that they're health is at least as endangered by obesity as the women in their lives, and they continue to want to be healthy enough to enjoy their children and grandchildren, we expect to shortly be helping just as many daddies as mommies to acheive the happier, healthier life we all deserve.

If you're ready to get on the track to a life free of severe obesity, it might be time to give the offices of Dr. Michael Feiz a call at (800) 868-5946 today to inquire about attending a free seminar.

Living in the Present

There's no doubt that weight loss surgery has made great strides in effectively combating the obesity epidemic since the 1990s. Procedures such as the gastric sleeve and the lap band have presented people with options that are less invasive and extremely effective. Still, that doesn't mean the people who received the earlier procedures made a mistake by not waiting. They received the available treatment for their illness when they needed it and countless people are now living vastly happier and healthier lives as a result.

We say this because some of the new experimental procedures that are getting some press attention at the moment might tempt some folks to hold off in hopes of receiving what they imagine might be a more ideal surgery. This would be a mistake for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that the newer procedures are aimed primarily at the less severely obese who might not even be candidates for currently available bariatric procedures. Secondly, such dangerous illnesses as type 2 diabetes don't wait around for medical science to advance. You have to obtain the surgeries that are available now because you're life is now, not at some undefined point in the future.

If your health and happiness is in danger because of severe obesity, now may be the time to get started. For more information on obtaining the very best in weight loss surgery in California, please contact us at 310-855-8058.

The Elixir of Life

When dealing with either one's personal weight issues or the obesity epidemic as a whole, it was once sort of natural to focus mostly on high calorie foods people, particularly those high in fat and/or carbohydrates. More and more, however, attention has focused on the liquids we all drink.

That makes sense. There's no getting around the responsibility that sugary sodas and juices have for the added pounds that can lead to everything from social isolation and depression to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and much more.

At the same time, sometimes it seems as if we've gone a bit overboard in attacking flavored beverages, even the low calorie ones. Calorie-free diet sodas have come in for an enormous amount of criticism recently for supposedly contributing to weight gain in some fashion -- a notion that some of us, at least, find more than a little counter-intuitive.

Diet soda drinkers can take at least some comfort in a study that came out this week that showed the opposite of what some earlier studies had suggested. This time around, at least, diet sodas seemed to actually support weight loss. It's just one study, of course, but all we know for sure is that we'd rather people drink diet soft drinks than their calorie-laden cousins. As a top provider of weight loss surgery in Los Angeles, we've seen the damage consuming highly caloric beverages on a daily basis can do.

Even so, we do have to say that everyone's go-to drink really ought to be plain old water. Water really is the elixir of life. Drinking more of it makes us healthier and happier and it doesn't have the added chemicals that may or may not lead to health issues. It's good stuff.

The Good and the Perfect

Especially if you follow politics, you might be familiar with the adage to the effect that we should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. While people can (and do) argue over how this might apply to a particular issue, the general principle is hard to argue with; we've all seen what happens when we lose focus of the larger picture on solving a problem while focusing on getting some tiny aspect of it completely right.

When it comes to containing the obesity epidemic, patients often face this same issue on a very personal level. We've all known obese people who keep finding new excuses not to take action -- whether they're considering obesity surgery or simply making a serious attempt to eat a bit healthier and exercise more. Sometimes these are pretty much simply excuses for delaying the issue. "After the holidays" (there are always holidays coming up), "after my vacation," and so on.

This can also happen after people have made real progress with their weight, where they might harm their own chances at actually being happy by focusing on expectations that might not be practical for them. At Dr. Feiz and Associates, we try very hard to make sure that patients have realistic expectations for the results of a weight loss procedure and its effect on their health and appearance.

While it's pretty likely to improve both, the realism doesn't always take right away. We've seen patients temporarily lose site of the fact that they may have lost scores of pounds and greatly improved their blood sugar -- or even reversed type 2 diabetes -- while feeling like failures for not getting rid of the final 10 or 15 pounds or looking like a model or movie star.

This is part of the reason Dr. Feiz and Associates provides detailed follow-up and counseling to help patients adjust to their new bodies. While it's good to avoid becoming complacent, we should be able to be happy with ourselves when we've made significant improvements. The good is very often good enough. The perfect really can wait.

If you think you can do a lot of good for yourself with weight loss surgery with Dr. Feiz, right now may be the best possible time to get in touch. Please call 800-868-5946 to inquire about a free seminar.

Why is Lifting Weights Important for Weight Loss?

The popular notion is that weight loss is a matter of simple mathematics: calories in and calories out gives you the "net" calories you've had, and leads to weight loss, gain, or maintenance. However, renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Michael Feiz knows that weight loss is more than a game of counting calories, and that it also takes more than just getting off the sofa to lose weight. Of course, Dr. Feiz would not discourage any form of physical activity that benefits the patient, but he would also like to encourage one oft-forgotten form of exercise that many may dismiss when it comes to losing weight: strength training. 

The fact of the matter is, our bodies are finely tuned to maintain our weight, and losing weight goes against the body's natural tendency to keep us from losing weight. To fight that, it's of course important to exercise, and to "trick" the bodies metabolism so it speeds up rather than slows down or stays the same. That can be achieved in part by lifting weights on a regular basis, and adding lean muscle mass. Many might think "wait, hold on, why do I need to get muscular? Don't I just want to lose fat?" Wrong! Dr. Feiz knows that after obesity surgery, lifting weight is just as important as regular cardiovascular exercises like walking, hiking, bicycling, jogging, and playing sports. Why? Because lifting weights makes you gain muscles, and muscle mass helps the body burn through calories more efficiently. It's a win-win, in that sense, and gaining strength is just as important as burning calories through cardio workouts!

If you're interested in learning more about weight loss surgery with Los Angeles Lap-Band and gastric sleeve surgeon Dr. Michael Feiz, contact us today at 310-855-8058 for a free consultation with a specialist!

Common Weight Loss Surgery Myths Can Be Hurtful

Here at Dr. Feiz & Associates, we are constantly reading about the latest online news when it comes to weight loss surgery. So, to our delight, we found a charming video from the eightWest program out of Michigan television station WOOD TV. In the video, they bring in an expert to dispel weight loss surgery myths.

The first thing the expert mentions is that many patients across all types of weight loss surgery will come in to a consultation feeling like many people in their lives are challenging their decision. They'll say things like "it's the easy way out" or that the patient can do it alone. The expert as well as the team here at Dr. Feiz & Associates have both seen that these are not the case. Weight loss surgery in Los Angeles with Dr. Feiz and Associates is just a tool to help patients finally overcome their obesity.

Some of the other myths covered relate to dietary changes following surgery. The expert states that patients don't live on protein shakes forever, bariatric patients don't have to eat an excessively high protein diet, and they don't have to buy special food. Watch the full video here if interested:

Dr. Feiz strives to make all realities of weight loss surgery known to his patients very early on in the process. He's a board-certified bariatric surgeon with years of experience helping patients experience dramatic and life-changing weight loss through surgery. He, above all, is an ally to his patients and helps them weather whatever criticisms they may be facing for choosing bariatric surgery. For a free consultation with a specialist at Dr. Feiz & Associates, give us a call at 310-817-6911.

A Guide to Making the Perfect Smoothie!

Dr. Michael Feiz, a leading Los Angeles weight loss surgeon, is often asked for nutrition advice on healthy eating, and one of his tips for a satisfying morning meal is a green smoothies. Healthy smoothies blends carbs, protein, and fat in a delicious beverage which isn’t too high in sugar or calories. By making a smoothie at home rather than buying one, you can control the
ingredients, nutritional value, and calories. You’ll also save time and money. The key to making
a healthy smoothie is choosing the right ingredients that will help you stay full until your next
meal.

Here’s a guide to making the perfect smoothie, from the bottom of your blender to the top, courtesy of Dr. Feiz & Associates:

LIQUID
When you’re ready to start making your smoothie, add the liquid ingredients to your blender or
juicer first. You can try many different types of liquid to make the perfect smoothie, from coconut
water to almond milk. The most common choice is dairy milk, but any type of milk will work as a
base.

Try the following liquids in your healthy smoothie:

• Milk. You can use dairy milk in your smoothie to get a smooth base to your drink. Dairy
products are linked to improved bone health due to the high calcium content. The high
level of potassium in milk can maintain healthy blood pressure and lower the risk of
heart disease. Choose fat-free or low-fat milk, which has little or no solid fat.
• Non-dairy milk. Soy milk is naturally cholesterol-free, high in protein, and low in fat and
is a popular choice for the lactose-intolerant. Almond and coconut milk are another
great alternative to dairy choices. Almond milk has a rich, creamy taste which is lower in
calories and fat than dairy milk. Coconut milk has a light, sweet flavor but is higher in
fat.
• Fruit juice. While fruit juice is a popular addition to a smoothie, it also usually has added
sugar. Try to stick to whole fruits, which have natural sugar and are not as calorically
dense.
• Coffee or Tea. If you’re making a blended coffee drink, you can get a caffeine boost in
your homemade Frappuccino. Tea has caffeine, as well as antioxidants.
• Yogurt. Thicker than dairy milk, yogurt comes in a variety of flavors. Try a non-fat or
low-fat variety, and check the ingredients list to determine how much sugar it has. Aim
for no more than 14 grams of sugar per serving. To replace your regular yogurt, try
Greek yogurt, which is thicker and has twice the protein.
Although many smoothies contain dairy to give them a milk consistency, you don’t need it to
prepare a well-balanced smoothie. You can still get that creaminess by adding certain fruits,
which bulk up texture, in the next step.

FRUIT

When you’re thinking of the perfect smoothie, no doubt fruit is the main ingredient. As the most
popular smoothie ingredient, you have lots of choices. While fruit has many vitamins and minerals, and most are fat free, it’s important to choose ingredients wisely so you have a
delicious drink which isn’t too high in sugar.
• Bananas. As one of the most popular fruit smoothie additions, bananas can give your
beverage a creamier texture without adding any fat. Bananas are high in fiber, vitamins,
and minerals, and are worth the 100 calories you’ll get in a medium-sized fruit. Bananas
have lower water content than other fruits, making them more calorically-dense, but as
part of a healthy diet, will not lead to weight gain.
• Berries. Fresh or frozen, berries are a healthy low-calorie, high-fiber addition to a
smoothie. If you’re buying canned or frozen berries, make sure they have no added
sugar or syrup. Berries such as strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are naturally
sweet without the need for added sugar. Berries also have a high amount of vitamin C,
calcium, magnesium, folate, and potassium.
• Citrus fruits. Comprised of the lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit and tangerine, the citrus
family offers an amazing source of vitamin C, as well as fiber, calcium, and folic acid.
Plus, they add a low-calorie “zing” to your smoothie. Watch that you don’t add too many
acidic fruits or it may irritate your mouth.
• Other fruits you may choose to add to your smoothie include apples, grapes, kiwifruit,
melons, pears, peaches, papayas, pineapple, plums, mangoes, avocados, or tomatoes.

VEGGIES

Although you may not think of adding a cucumber or cup of kale to your smoothie, the taste of
these nutritional powerhouses is easily canceled out by the fruit and other ingredients. Another
added benefit of putting veggies in your smoothie is that you’ll easily boost your daily servings of
vegetables. Even though they may turn your smoothie bright green, don’t worry, you’ll still taste
the orange, banana, and yogurt on top of the spinach!

And if you really can’t bear the thought of a green smoothie, add in darker berries, such as
blueberries and blackberries, which will mask the green color.

• Spinach. When blended, spinach is pulverized into almost nothing, so have a heavy
hand when adding spinach to your smoothie. Once incorporated, you’ll get all of the
great nutrients spinach provides and you’ll barely taste it, if you notice it at all. Raw
spinach has very low caloric density, at only 7 calories per one cup. Spinach also has
more than 100 percent of your vitamin K in one serving, as well as a high amount of
vitamin C, A, and E.
• Kale. This dark, leafy green it has loads of vitamins, minerals and calcium. Similar to
spinach, kale is very low in calories.
• Carrots. As one of the vegetables with higher sugar content, this versatile vegetable can
be added to your smoothie without worry that it will muddle the taste of your
masterpiece. Carrots have a number of health benefits, such as improving vision with
high vitamin A content, fighting free radicals, and protecting against certain cancers. One
thing to be aware of is that carrots may be harder to blend, depending on the wattage of
your blender. If you’re not keen on carrot chunks, use a juicer to blend carrots or buy
carrot juice instead of adding raw carrots. • Some other veggies which work well in smoothies include chard, cucumbers, celery, peas and water chestnuts.

NUT BUTTER

This tasty addition will add a thicker texture to your smoothie while adding plenty of protein,
fiber, and essential fatty acids. Nuts are naturally low in sodium, but nut butters may add in salt
for flavor, so check for unsalted varieties. Nut butters all have high fat content, so just a
tablespoon is likely to give your smoothie the kick it needs without adding too many calories.
For a nut butter with heart-healthy unsaturated fats, try almond butter. This variation to classic
peanut butter has a higher amount of essential fatty acids and is a good option for those with
peanut allergies.

Peanuts aren’t actually a nut, but a legume, but they are in the same category as nut butters.
Choose organic, unsalted peanut butter, which is less processed than its brand name
counterpart. Peanut butter is often processed so the oil won’t separate, or to reduce the fat
content.

Here are some nut butters you may want to try in your smoothie:

• Almond butter
• Cashew butter
• Macadamia nut butter
• Peanut butter
• Pecan butter
• Pistachio butter
• Walnut butter

SUPPLEMENTS

• Protein powder. By adding this popular supplement, you can make your smoothie more
like a meal. Check the ingredient of your protein powder to see if it has added calories
along with its boost of protein. Protein powder comes in many varieties, such as whey,
soy, or casein-based, and also comes in a many flavors. Plain or vanilla protein powder
blends best with fruit flavors.
• Chlorella and spirulina. These food sources come from algae, or sea vegetables, and
are high in protein and contain essential fatty acids.
• Seeds. Another source of protein and essential fatty acids comes from flax, chia, and
other seeds. They are nutrient rich and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. You can
buy whole flax seeds or powdered flaxseeds. • Spices. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to add sweet complexities
to your smoothie without adding any calories. Cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar
while nutmeg can help improve sleep.
• Flavoring. You may opt to add some honey, agave extract, or brown sugar to your
smoothie if it doesn’t have enough natural sugars to satisfy you. Another, no-calorie
option is adding stevia, a natural sweetener.