Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Support You Need

For people who suffer from severe obesity, day to day life can be challenging and impaired by the many various associated health conditions. For local residents who choose to pursue  weight loss surgery in Los Angeles, they are taking a major step toward improving the quality of their life, decreasing the odds of succumbing to life threatening medical complications, and lengthening their lifespan. Never-the-less, even though weight loss surgery, like the high quality procedures we perform here at Dr. Feiz & Associates, is proven to be safe and effective, it’s still a life altering decision, and a very significant one at that. That’s why anyone who intends to  undergo a bariatric operation should have as much support as possible. 

As medical professionals who are dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle we work hard to provide our patients with all the resources and support they need. We provide information and support group contacts on website to help our patients, past, present, and future, reach out and interact with one another. We also make ourselves available through a quick and easy online contact form to give you the firsthand expertise from the professionals who know best. Your decision toward a better you is an important one, and we’ll help you through it every step of the way.

Snacking Done Right

Believe it or not, there are many causes that can lead to obesity, but most of them involve overeating. Overeating, in of itself, can be a complex topic because it too can have many underlying factors that very from person to person. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of impulse control, sometimes it’s a symptom of a much larger issue like depression or anxiety. Whatever the case, it’s something that most of us do at some point or another, and it’s rarely a good thing. Some of us eat meals with portions that are too big or too calorie dense, or eat too frequently, but for many of us it’s all about snacking. Here are 3 tips about snacking that can help you keep that weight off and live a healthy lifestyle.

1. You’re probably just thirsty. Did you know that that feeling of hunger you’re getting in between meals might actually be a sign of dehydration? How many glasses of water do you drink a day? It might not be enough. The next time you feel a pang of hunger when you’re waiting for a meal, try downing a glass. You might be surprised how quickly the hunger subsides. 
2. Eat a fruit. Fruits are tried and true and the go-to food for healthy eating.They’re easily portable, and can fill you up in a good way. Make it a policy to keep a few apples or oranges on you and have at it if you can’t wait until lunch
3. Make it don’t buy it. There are all kinds of healthy snacks you can make at home, and they’re almost always going to be better than the convenience store impulse buy of a bag of chips. Try making your own cheese crisps, trail mix, or rice crispy treats. Try a few from here: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/quick-easy/healthy-snack-ideas

When it comes to your health and weight, Dr. Feiz and Associates care. For anyone suffering from severe obesity, a procedure like a sleeve gastrectomy is proven to offer positive results. In the meantime, watch your snacking!

 

 

Tools to Fight the Battle Against Obesity

An article that we linked to earlier today highlights the fact that many experts agree on obesity being a disease that cannot be easily “cured” with just diet and exercise. There are many biological and hormonal problems that stick with people their entire life, across multiple years and multiple diets. Experts agree that weight loss surgery in Los Angeles is a great tool that can have lifelong benefits in the fight against these hunger cravings.

There is no better choice than Dr. Feiz & Associates when picking a surgeon to perform your sleeve gastrectomy, both because of his proven skill as a surgeon, and because of the spectacular post-surgical support that our staff provides to help guide you through your weight loss journey.

The sleeve gastrectomy procedure, as performed by Dr. Feiz, helps both physically by limiting the size of the patient’s stomach, but also hormonally. The stomach omits a hormone called ghrelin that travels to the brain and gives off signals that give people food cravings. Because the sleeve gastrectomy involves removing a portion of the stomach which omits ghrelin, the procedure reduces the amount of ghrelin that reaches the brain, therefore reducing hunger cravings.

No One Does it Alone

A new study which found that people lost more weight in an online weight loss program when they participated in its more social aspects is nice to hear, but far from surprising. At Dr. Feiz & Associates, we're keenly aware that human beings are social animals and almost no one achieves their weight loss goals on their own. The more social support we receive during our weight loss efforts the better.

The fact of the matter is that, even with the help of an outstanding weight loss procedure such as a sleeve gastrectomy, permanent and significant weight loss requires a great deal of effort and commitment. Having the support of the people most important to us is, of course, a major help. At the same time, it's also not a bad thing to make new "weight loss buddies." There's definitely something about being able to compare notes with others who are undergoing a similar struggle.

Of  course, weight loss is also a great deal easier when our appetite for excessive food has been subdued. The combination of outstanding weight loss surgery in Los Angeles and social support from both those closest to us and more casual friends can be just about unbeatable.

Forming Healthy Eating Habits is the Key to Weight Loss Success

If you've seen the patient testimonial page on Dr. Feiz's website, it's clear that weight loss surgeries like the sleeve gastrectomy procedure are highly effective ways for obese patients to lose weight. But, simply getting the procedure is by no means a cure-all solution. Weight loss surgery is designed to curb hunger cravings so that it is easier for people to eat less. It is up to them to make sure that they are actually eating less. What's also important is to develop the habit of eating food that is generally healthier than what many patients ate before their surgery.

The time following weight loss surgery is also the best time to commit to a healthy diet and form lifelong healthy eating habits. While there is an old adage that says it takes 21 days of doing something to form a good habit, research conducted at the University of London shows that the average good habit is formed in closer to 66 days. This means that if weight loss surgery patients can commit to eating right for just over two months following their surgery, then eating right will come much more naturally to them across the rest of their life! A healthy lifestyle is closer than you think!

Spreading the Weighty Truth

A short article, "5 Things Not to Say to Someone Who’s Had Weight-Loss Surgery" written by Samantha Gregor, got us thinking about just how little many people across the weight spectrum really know about the problem of obesity and the obesity epidemic. Her first suggestion: "Don’t say: 'You’re so lucky you can eat anything you want now!'” is an example of the somewhat shocking ignorance of at least some people.

Of course, if there really were a surgery that would allow people to eat as much high calorie food as they wanted without gaining excessive weight, there would be a line around the block outside Dr. Feiz & Associates, and not everyone in it would even be particularly overweight. You'd think by now most people be aware that bariatric surgery merely makes eating a great deal less a great deal easier by reducing the appetite. And, while the idea that weight loss surgery allows you to eat fattening foods and not gain weight may be relatively rare, a surprising number of people assume that bariatric procedures are a way to lose weight without doing any of the "work" associated with eating less and exercising more. Our patients are fully aware that that is a million miles from the truth.

If you're ready to do the work that goes into maintaining a truly healthy lifestyle but have found the pangs of hunger just too distracting on your previous weight loss attempts, that what we're here for. As always, give us a call at 877-301-1333. You'll learn something and you just might end up being a lot healthier and a lot happier.