Oprah Winfrey will tackle her native state's overweight issues on a show scheduled to air Monday.
The Oprah Winfrey Show is seeking Meridian residents via www.oprah.com. According to the site, fitness expert Bob Greene will be in Meridian Friday to meet with residents interested in committing to his Best Life Challenge weight-loss program.
For more details, visit the site and click on the Be On The Show link.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friday, November 16, 2007
Study: weight-loss drugs don't work!
Three diet drugs recommended for long-term use result in minimal weight loss and carry some serious side effects.
In a paper published Friday in the British Medical Journal, researchers in Canada and Brazil analyzed existing data on three popular weight-loss drugs: orlistat, or Xenical; sibutramine, known as Meridia in the United States and Reductil in Europe; and rimonabant, or Accomplia.
Scientists found that patients on the drugs -- men and women between 45 and 50 years old who weighed about 220 pounds and had a body mass index of about 35 -- lost less than 11 pounds on average. The study participants used the drugs for periods of between one and four years.
"Drugs are not the magic cure and are not for everybody," said Dr. Raj Padwal, an assistant professor at the University of Alberta, one of the paper's authors. "But in specific patients, they have great benefits."
Padwal and colleagues considered 16 trials that tested orlistat, which involved 10,631 people. Orlistat, which works by preventing fat digestion, helped people lose about 6.6 pounds on average. But it also reduced diabetes and improved their cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Up to 30 percent of patients had unpleasant digestive and intestinal side effects, such as incontinence.
Of the 10 trials on sibutramine, which involved 2,623 people, study participants lost about 9 pounds on average and had improved cholesterol levels. In up to 20 percent of patients, sibutramine caused side effects including raised blood pressure and pulse rates, insomnia and nausea.
And in the four rimonabant studies involving 6,365 people, scientists found that users lost on average about 11 pounds. Rimonabant also improved their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The risk of mood disorders increased in 6 percent of patients.
Both sibutramine and rimonabant work by interrupting nerve signals in the brain.>>
Another study published Friday in The Lancet also showed rimonabant raised the risk of psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety.
A report from the Food and Drug Administration in June found that 26 percent of people on rimonabant -- versus 14 percent of those given a placebo -- developed symptoms that included depression, anxiety and, in severe cases, suicidal tendencies. The FDA refused to authorize the drug.
Modest help is worthwhile
Rimonabant has been approved by the European Drug Agency, and is available in countries including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom.
Sibutramine and orlistat are licensed for sale in the U.S. Another version of orlistat known as Alli is sold over the counter in the U.S., and its maker, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, is seeking approval for sales in Europe.
Some experts say that the few pounds the drugs help people to shed are worth it. "Modest weight loss brings surprisingly big health gains," said Susan Jebb, head of nutrition and health at Britain's Medical Research Council. Jebb was not tied to either study.
"We are not just fighting obesity, but the things that come along with it," Jebb said. Losing as little as 5 pounds can help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
But other experts worry that easy access to diet drugs give people a false sense of security. "Selling anti-obesity drugs over the counter will perpetuate the myth that obesity can be fixed simply by popping a pill," wrote Dr. Gareth Williams, dean and professor of medicine at the University of Bristol, in an editorial in the British Medical Journal.
Padwal said the biggest caveat about the drugs is that their long-term effects are unknown. In 2005, global sales of the drugs were estimated at $1.2 billion.>>
Faced with an increasing global obesity epidemic -- the World Health Organization estimates that 3 billion adults will be overweight or obese by 2015 -- many experts think the drugs could be used more widely.
"Diet and lifestyle interventions on their own have been stunningly poor," Jebb said. "We've got to be realistic," she said. "Even though the weight losses from the drugs are modest, they're better than most other things we've got."
In a paper published Friday in the British Medical Journal, researchers in Canada and Brazil analyzed existing data on three popular weight-loss drugs: orlistat, or Xenical; sibutramine, known as Meridia in the United States and Reductil in Europe; and rimonabant, or Accomplia.
Scientists found that patients on the drugs -- men and women between 45 and 50 years old who weighed about 220 pounds and had a body mass index of about 35 -- lost less than 11 pounds on average. The study participants used the drugs for periods of between one and four years.
"Drugs are not the magic cure and are not for everybody," said Dr. Raj Padwal, an assistant professor at the University of Alberta, one of the paper's authors. "But in specific patients, they have great benefits."
Padwal and colleagues considered 16 trials that tested orlistat, which involved 10,631 people. Orlistat, which works by preventing fat digestion, helped people lose about 6.6 pounds on average. But it also reduced diabetes and improved their cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Up to 30 percent of patients had unpleasant digestive and intestinal side effects, such as incontinence.
Of the 10 trials on sibutramine, which involved 2,623 people, study participants lost about 9 pounds on average and had improved cholesterol levels. In up to 20 percent of patients, sibutramine caused side effects including raised blood pressure and pulse rates, insomnia and nausea.
And in the four rimonabant studies involving 6,365 people, scientists found that users lost on average about 11 pounds. Rimonabant also improved their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The risk of mood disorders increased in 6 percent of patients.
Both sibutramine and rimonabant work by interrupting nerve signals in the brain.>>
Another study published Friday in The Lancet also showed rimonabant raised the risk of psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety.
A report from the Food and Drug Administration in June found that 26 percent of people on rimonabant -- versus 14 percent of those given a placebo -- developed symptoms that included depression, anxiety and, in severe cases, suicidal tendencies. The FDA refused to authorize the drug.
Modest help is worthwhile
Rimonabant has been approved by the European Drug Agency, and is available in countries including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom.
Sibutramine and orlistat are licensed for sale in the U.S. Another version of orlistat known as Alli is sold over the counter in the U.S., and its maker, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, is seeking approval for sales in Europe.
Some experts say that the few pounds the drugs help people to shed are worth it. "Modest weight loss brings surprisingly big health gains," said Susan Jebb, head of nutrition and health at Britain's Medical Research Council. Jebb was not tied to either study.
"We are not just fighting obesity, but the things that come along with it," Jebb said. Losing as little as 5 pounds can help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
But other experts worry that easy access to diet drugs give people a false sense of security. "Selling anti-obesity drugs over the counter will perpetuate the myth that obesity can be fixed simply by popping a pill," wrote Dr. Gareth Williams, dean and professor of medicine at the University of Bristol, in an editorial in the British Medical Journal.
Padwal said the biggest caveat about the drugs is that their long-term effects are unknown. In 2005, global sales of the drugs were estimated at $1.2 billion.>>
Faced with an increasing global obesity epidemic -- the World Health Organization estimates that 3 billion adults will be overweight or obese by 2015 -- many experts think the drugs could be used more widely.
"Diet and lifestyle interventions on their own have been stunningly poor," Jebb said. "We've got to be realistic," she said. "Even though the weight losses from the drugs are modest, they're better than most other things we've got."
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Herbalife, Obesity and Weight Loss
HerbaLife is helping the fight against Obesity as stated in their financial Q3 report:
"Quote"
Over the past few years, we have been customizing delivery of these products to strategically support various distributor DMOs. For example, in July, at the North American extravaganza, we launched our new kids line in H3O, our hydration product. Our kid's line addresses both the children's health and childhood obesity epidemic by offering the nutrient filled snacks and supplements and it opens up a product and business opportunity for stay at home moms. H3O is a key product addition that supports our brand alignment with healthy active lifestyle as well as supporting the emerging DMO such as wellness coaching and sampling.
At our European extravaganza in Cologne, we introduced single serve formula one packets to support the emerging sample and wellness DMOs as well as the second shake per day opportunity for Nutrition Clubs. In Brazil, we launched the first part of our strategic outer care product line in a world team school in August. This line is called Soft Green and all products contain green tea. The phase one launch included a hand moisturizer and liquid soap with three additional products to be introduced at Brazil... at our extravaganza coming in December. This line was developed locally in Brazil in conjunction with our corporate R&D team in a strategically priced to compete in the marketplace.
Herbalife for life is our underlying platform for our product strategy. Balanced nutrition, personalized for a healthy active lifestyle. Historically, the product platform for our company was weight loss. What is above is that our distributors have broadened the message from weight loss to weight management and with that shift comes the communication and coaching for good nutrition and are living a healthy active lifestyle. This is evident in the emergence of DMO such as Nutrition Club DMO, Wellness Coach and others.
"Unquote"
There are more interesting statements made in this report. Seems they increasing their performance through addressing a worldwide obesity epidemic.
Source
"Quote"
Over the past few years, we have been customizing delivery of these products to strategically support various distributor DMOs. For example, in July, at the North American extravaganza, we launched our new kids line in H3O, our hydration product. Our kid's line addresses both the children's health and childhood obesity epidemic by offering the nutrient filled snacks and supplements and it opens up a product and business opportunity for stay at home moms. H3O is a key product addition that supports our brand alignment with healthy active lifestyle as well as supporting the emerging DMO such as wellness coaching and sampling.
At our European extravaganza in Cologne, we introduced single serve formula one packets to support the emerging sample and wellness DMOs as well as the second shake per day opportunity for Nutrition Clubs. In Brazil, we launched the first part of our strategic outer care product line in a world team school in August. This line is called Soft Green and all products contain green tea. The phase one launch included a hand moisturizer and liquid soap with three additional products to be introduced at Brazil... at our extravaganza coming in December. This line was developed locally in Brazil in conjunction with our corporate R&D team in a strategically priced to compete in the marketplace.
Herbalife for life is our underlying platform for our product strategy. Balanced nutrition, personalized for a healthy active lifestyle. Historically, the product platform for our company was weight loss. What is above is that our distributors have broadened the message from weight loss to weight management and with that shift comes the communication and coaching for good nutrition and are living a healthy active lifestyle. This is evident in the emergence of DMO such as Nutrition Club DMO, Wellness Coach and others.
"Unquote"
There are more interesting statements made in this report. Seems they increasing their performance through addressing a worldwide obesity epidemic.
Source
Injections To Melt Fat - Do They Deliver?
Can a series of injections help dissolve away your extra fat? That's what some medical clinics claim.
CBS went to two medical clinics in Southern California to check out their promises to melt inches off your body with a series of injections. But they discovered hidden dangers (source).
LipoZap is just one of several companies touting weight loss with a series of injections. The chemical is known as PCDC. A mixture of ingredients including lecithin and sodium. In Germany, it's marketed as lipostabil. It's become very controversial around the world and we found some companies aren't telling patients the whole story.
Lipostabil is banned in Brazil because it hasn't been approved for use. Doctors in Canada have been ordered to stop using it for fat removal. In California there's no prohibition against it. But it's not approved by the FDA.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is doing a study but the study hasn't been completed--but for now the group has warned patients to steer clear of lipo injections
CBS went to two medical clinics in Southern California to check out their promises to melt inches off your body with a series of injections. But they discovered hidden dangers (source).
LipoZap is just one of several companies touting weight loss with a series of injections. The chemical is known as PCDC. A mixture of ingredients including lecithin and sodium. In Germany, it's marketed as lipostabil. It's become very controversial around the world and we found some companies aren't telling patients the whole story.
Lipostabil is banned in Brazil because it hasn't been approved for use. Doctors in Canada have been ordered to stop using it for fat removal. In California there's no prohibition against it. But it's not approved by the FDA.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is doing a study but the study hasn't been completed--but for now the group has warned patients to steer clear of lipo injections
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Low Carb versus Lapband struggle
For most Obese people the low carb diet is the most successful diet. This seems to be confirmed by the story below. However the success rate is still very low, much lower then the lapband (with all the possible problems described before) or the most used and proven successful procedure the gastric bypass. Hanging skin is a problem related to weight loss, not how weight was lost.
The following is a reprint from the blog "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb":
Hi Jimmy,
Here's my story and when you read it I know you will understand why I love your website. Congrats on the weight loss - I know I can do it too and reading your website encourages me.
I too had asthma from 6 months old until I was 28. My mom thought I looked unhealthy because I was skinny at 8 so the doctor gave her liquid vitamins with something in it to cause me to eat. Boy did I because I was a plump little gal and went through a real ugly stage. In 4th, 5th and 6th grades I was called names like Godzilla from boys. It made me feel terrible. I had a mom who was a constant dieter with weight watchers and every week I watched her start a diet on Monday only to break it by Friday with the talk of promising to start back on Monday to stick with it again. Week end and week out she was a consistent diet breaker. HMMMM...wonder where I learned this??
At the end of 6th grade they took me to an asthma specialist who ran tests. He then took me off all dairy products - no more chocolate milk, ice cream every night or cheese on everything. Over that summer I lost 30 lbs which is a lot for a 12 year old. I started junior high as a new person and people didn't recognize me. My height stopped growing and every person out grew me so I was no longer the tallest, largest Godzilla that I was called. I kept this weight off until I was 20 and was pregnant. Even after that I was only 20 lbs overweight and I eventually lost that down to 117 - my high school weight.
Then at age 28 I was prayed for healing of asthma at church and went off all my asthma meds - cold turkey!! The first week was the toughest but I kept praying and kept getting better. The asthma meds had always given me a fast heartbeat. Within the first year I gained about 30 lbs. The next year another 30 lbs. - it was like my metabolism was totally messed up and I couldn't stick to any kind of diet. It didn't help that I had a crummy marriage and was stressed out all the time. I started a business, became successful at time and owned it for 9 years. I got divorced in 1991. I had lost 50 lbs right before the divorce but then slowly gained it back over the next 2 years. It seemed like I could never get past this threshold of weight.
I bought Dr. Atkins book back in 1995 (heard it was revolutionary) but couldn't follow it because I had gone to a weight loss doctor and loss 50 lbs doing low-fat. With low carb I couldn't imagine a life without bread or pasta, smart ones or lean cuisine!! I closed my business in 1996 due to burn out. Then I loss the same 50 lbs 5 years later (in 1997) after a job related injury that changed my life. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel, Thoracic outlet pain syndrome and Fibromyalgia. What this meant was constant chronic pain. I have been on disability ever since. In 1998 I got married to an wonderful man (moved from Dallas to Sacramento and yes we met on the internet) but he weighed 365+ which didn't help me stick to losing my last 35 lbs to reach goal. Unfortunately I packed it back on rather quickly and ballooned to 302 at my max.
Then in 2003 I discovered Atkins low carb from some friends and with the Internet's help I stuck to it. I did great and lost about 35 lbs. Then we went on a road trip vacation the low carbs flew out the window. So I have yo-yo'd from low carb to all carb ever since losing the same 35 lbs over and over again. I would have support from my husband and he would be the first to bail ship. It seemed like this man with a strong will power had none when it came to healthy eating. I became convinced that I couldn't do it alone although in my 20's to late 20's I weighed less than 135 and with every weight loss no one could rival my will power.
Since I am on Medicare (since I was 45) I read where they approved gastric bypass but I just didn't want my stomach detached. Granted I did want to get rid of the weight but when I found out about low carb and removed the sugar and carbs from my diet I found I had no hypoglycemia attacks and my energy level increased a great deal. Get off the low carb way I seem to fall into what I call a "death spiral abyss of no return" unable to get back on low carb for months ultimately gaining the weight back.
The first 4 months of 2007 started off bad - From Nov to March 1st I had two severe bladder infections, one resulting in a kidney infection. Then I had to have 3 molars surgically removed because of decay from Vicodin and other pain meds over the years. The pain from the dental work lasted 4 weeks. Then I got bronchitis that turned into pneumonia which took 6 weeks to completely get well. By this time I was sick of being sick - having every incident put me in bed with exhaustion translated from the Fibro. So I decided to check out lap band surgery and found that Medicare covered it. Knowing I didn't have the money for the co-pay and also knowing that I could qualify for Medi-Cal I decided to plan out my journey to weight loss heaven.
My plan was perfectly planned. I was approved with Medi-Cal and found a PCP. Before I went to the doctor I checked out the Medicare website for approved lap band physicians. I called every one of them. I chose a hospital bariatric clinic that I know is a great one. They told me their process to get an appointment. So with the referral I got a packet to fill out and mailed it back the next day. One requirement for the first time appointment was to have a chest x-ray and EKG from my primary. I also learned that they require 10% weight loss prior to surgery. So I went back to my PCP, had the tests done and was referred to another doctor for a weight loss management class. I went to the bariatric orientation and started the class about the same time. By the time I had my first appointment with the lap band doctor I had lost 18 lbs in just two weeks - ALL ON LOW CARB. So they counted this loss towards my 10%. I started out at 298. The doctor put my surgery date at March 10th for lap band.
When we attended the gastric bypass orientation night a plastic surgeon showed a scary slideshow of massive weight loss resulting in hanging skin. They said it didn't matter whether you exercise or not, you would have skin like that. He said insurance will only cover two of the surgeries. The gastric bypass doctor presented the surgery pro's and con's. After much thought for 2-3 days I came to a decision. I was also starting the weight management class. I didn't like some of the things I heard with the surgery but I am serious of getting the weight off. So I proposed to my husband that I will start a lifestyle change with low carb AGAIN using this class for accountability for a least 4 classes (then I was on my own). If I could go through all the holidays - Thanksgiving through January 1st sticking to low carb, exercising and LOSING weight - come January I think I will NOT have surgery. I set a weight loss goal of 60 lbs by March 1st. Now I needed a back-up plan. So I said I would go through the entire process at the lap band clinic - meaning appt.,classes, reviews, tests, etc. leading up to the surgery date. I am so serious about this time being the last time that I will go through with surgery if that is what it takes to get the weight off.
So I went through all the weight management classes and I started walking and then going to 24 hour fitness. It was slow at the beginning. It's been 7 weeks and I have lost 28 lbs. Likewise the doctor said I needed very few tests because I was so efficient with my preparation of test prior to my first visit. So I went through with the EGD and colonoscopy (yikes!) but sooner or later they would make me do that. It came out excellent and I knew it was a matter of time that the clinic would want to move the surgery date up. If they did, I knew for sure that I was completely covered with the insurance. It was cost me nothing out of pocket. Post weight loss I could probably get approval for the skin removal as well.
Then I signed up on the Yahoo groups lap band for my area and lapbandtalk.com and have been reading post after post of problems each person has and how they are learning to live with their lap band even 3 years post-surgery. Almost every person has this vomit type reflux and acid reflux - hate it! I would rather be sick than vomit! I heard of lap band's slipping from several people and they had to re-do the surgery. All this is the northern California area. I really didn't hear a lot of positive - only problems.
So after weeks of this I posted a questionairre survey for the lap banders. I got about 10 responses to all my questions. Then I shared that I was on the fence about having surgery. I was doing so well with low carb - 28lbs and increasing my exercising stamina was great. My 60 lb goal should be reached by January 1st which is only 4 months from the start. I searched for hours to find out weight loss results on the lap band surgery and the average for the one year mark was 50 lbs and the greatest weight loss in 6 months was 70 lbs with some weight gain the following 6 months. I keep remembering - surgery is only a tool - you will only lose if you exercise and change your eating habits. Duh! If I have to go through all that changing of habits anyway - why have the surgery?
Then on Thursday of this week the call came that I knew would come. The lap band clinic called to say they wanted to move my surgery date up. My tests were all in. I hadn't even had my appointment with the dietician but they were willing to look beyond that and move the surgery date up to November 8th. Pre-op would be Oct 31st and my dietician's appointment would be Nov. 2nd. WOW! Of course, when I hesitated to the office she told me they don't know how much longer he will be doing the lap band's and he may just decided to not do them anymore so I better get in while I can. Plus I would be well by Thanksgiving and losing weight through the holidays. Boy, the pressure was on. They did "pencil" me in for surgery and I don't know what I just didn't say no. So after talking it over with my husband, who by the way has lost 27 lbs!!!! - we decided to stick to the low carb way and wait to schedule the surgery after January 1st and then maybe not at all.
So here I am - I am fresh, energetic and will be reading all I can get my hands on. I don't have money to buy the books or CD's or cookbooks but I do have 3 low carb books and I have the internet. My true plan is that this time will be different and permanent. Each and every day I commit to God and myself to make the most of each day, to eat healthy and low carb and exercise in some way. My goal each week is to push my exercise to another level. With Fibro I had to start off slow and gradual - that's still the case but I can push it a little faster now.
Thanks for reading my book of a story. If your website and YOUR story had not inspired me you would have never heard from me. I will somehow make it through your entire site absorbing everything and enjoying the journey.
I'm just speechless. This is too incredible to put into words. Let's just say it makes me happy and proud to do what I do. I sent this dear reader a FREE copy of my book for putting a smile on my face with her story. Utterly amazing!
Share your comments, questions, and success stories with me anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.
The following is a reprint from the blog "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb":
Hi Jimmy,
Here's my story and when you read it I know you will understand why I love your website. Congrats on the weight loss - I know I can do it too and reading your website encourages me.
I too had asthma from 6 months old until I was 28. My mom thought I looked unhealthy because I was skinny at 8 so the doctor gave her liquid vitamins with something in it to cause me to eat. Boy did I because I was a plump little gal and went through a real ugly stage. In 4th, 5th and 6th grades I was called names like Godzilla from boys. It made me feel terrible. I had a mom who was a constant dieter with weight watchers and every week I watched her start a diet on Monday only to break it by Friday with the talk of promising to start back on Monday to stick with it again. Week end and week out she was a consistent diet breaker. HMMMM...wonder where I learned this??
At the end of 6th grade they took me to an asthma specialist who ran tests. He then took me off all dairy products - no more chocolate milk, ice cream every night or cheese on everything. Over that summer I lost 30 lbs which is a lot for a 12 year old. I started junior high as a new person and people didn't recognize me. My height stopped growing and every person out grew me so I was no longer the tallest, largest Godzilla that I was called. I kept this weight off until I was 20 and was pregnant. Even after that I was only 20 lbs overweight and I eventually lost that down to 117 - my high school weight.
Then at age 28 I was prayed for healing of asthma at church and went off all my asthma meds - cold turkey!! The first week was the toughest but I kept praying and kept getting better. The asthma meds had always given me a fast heartbeat. Within the first year I gained about 30 lbs. The next year another 30 lbs. - it was like my metabolism was totally messed up and I couldn't stick to any kind of diet. It didn't help that I had a crummy marriage and was stressed out all the time. I started a business, became successful at time and owned it for 9 years. I got divorced in 1991. I had lost 50 lbs right before the divorce but then slowly gained it back over the next 2 years. It seemed like I could never get past this threshold of weight.
I bought Dr. Atkins book back in 1995 (heard it was revolutionary) but couldn't follow it because I had gone to a weight loss doctor and loss 50 lbs doing low-fat. With low carb I couldn't imagine a life without bread or pasta, smart ones or lean cuisine!! I closed my business in 1996 due to burn out. Then I loss the same 50 lbs 5 years later (in 1997) after a job related injury that changed my life. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel, Thoracic outlet pain syndrome and Fibromyalgia. What this meant was constant chronic pain. I have been on disability ever since. In 1998 I got married to an wonderful man (moved from Dallas to Sacramento and yes we met on the internet) but he weighed 365+ which didn't help me stick to losing my last 35 lbs to reach goal. Unfortunately I packed it back on rather quickly and ballooned to 302 at my max.
Then in 2003 I discovered Atkins low carb from some friends and with the Internet's help I stuck to it. I did great and lost about 35 lbs. Then we went on a road trip vacation the low carbs flew out the window. So I have yo-yo'd from low carb to all carb ever since losing the same 35 lbs over and over again. I would have support from my husband and he would be the first to bail ship. It seemed like this man with a strong will power had none when it came to healthy eating. I became convinced that I couldn't do it alone although in my 20's to late 20's I weighed less than 135 and with every weight loss no one could rival my will power.
Since I am on Medicare (since I was 45) I read where they approved gastric bypass but I just didn't want my stomach detached. Granted I did want to get rid of the weight but when I found out about low carb and removed the sugar and carbs from my diet I found I had no hypoglycemia attacks and my energy level increased a great deal. Get off the low carb way I seem to fall into what I call a "death spiral abyss of no return" unable to get back on low carb for months ultimately gaining the weight back.
The first 4 months of 2007 started off bad - From Nov to March 1st I had two severe bladder infections, one resulting in a kidney infection. Then I had to have 3 molars surgically removed because of decay from Vicodin and other pain meds over the years. The pain from the dental work lasted 4 weeks. Then I got bronchitis that turned into pneumonia which took 6 weeks to completely get well. By this time I was sick of being sick - having every incident put me in bed with exhaustion translated from the Fibro. So I decided to check out lap band surgery and found that Medicare covered it. Knowing I didn't have the money for the co-pay and also knowing that I could qualify for Medi-Cal I decided to plan out my journey to weight loss heaven.
My plan was perfectly planned. I was approved with Medi-Cal and found a PCP. Before I went to the doctor I checked out the Medicare website for approved lap band physicians. I called every one of them. I chose a hospital bariatric clinic that I know is a great one. They told me their process to get an appointment. So with the referral I got a packet to fill out and mailed it back the next day. One requirement for the first time appointment was to have a chest x-ray and EKG from my primary. I also learned that they require 10% weight loss prior to surgery. So I went back to my PCP, had the tests done and was referred to another doctor for a weight loss management class. I went to the bariatric orientation and started the class about the same time. By the time I had my first appointment with the lap band doctor I had lost 18 lbs in just two weeks - ALL ON LOW CARB. So they counted this loss towards my 10%. I started out at 298. The doctor put my surgery date at March 10th for lap band.
When we attended the gastric bypass orientation night a plastic surgeon showed a scary slideshow of massive weight loss resulting in hanging skin. They said it didn't matter whether you exercise or not, you would have skin like that. He said insurance will only cover two of the surgeries. The gastric bypass doctor presented the surgery pro's and con's. After much thought for 2-3 days I came to a decision. I was also starting the weight management class. I didn't like some of the things I heard with the surgery but I am serious of getting the weight off. So I proposed to my husband that I will start a lifestyle change with low carb AGAIN using this class for accountability for a least 4 classes (then I was on my own). If I could go through all the holidays - Thanksgiving through January 1st sticking to low carb, exercising and LOSING weight - come January I think I will NOT have surgery. I set a weight loss goal of 60 lbs by March 1st. Now I needed a back-up plan. So I said I would go through the entire process at the lap band clinic - meaning appt.,classes, reviews, tests, etc. leading up to the surgery date. I am so serious about this time being the last time that I will go through with surgery if that is what it takes to get the weight off.
So I went through all the weight management classes and I started walking and then going to 24 hour fitness. It was slow at the beginning. It's been 7 weeks and I have lost 28 lbs. Likewise the doctor said I needed very few tests because I was so efficient with my preparation of test prior to my first visit. So I went through with the EGD and colonoscopy (yikes!) but sooner or later they would make me do that. It came out excellent and I knew it was a matter of time that the clinic would want to move the surgery date up. If they did, I knew for sure that I was completely covered with the insurance. It was cost me nothing out of pocket. Post weight loss I could probably get approval for the skin removal as well.
Then I signed up on the Yahoo groups lap band for my area and lapbandtalk.com and have been reading post after post of problems each person has and how they are learning to live with their lap band even 3 years post-surgery. Almost every person has this vomit type reflux and acid reflux - hate it! I would rather be sick than vomit! I heard of lap band's slipping from several people and they had to re-do the surgery. All this is the northern California area. I really didn't hear a lot of positive - only problems.
So after weeks of this I posted a questionairre survey for the lap banders. I got about 10 responses to all my questions. Then I shared that I was on the fence about having surgery. I was doing so well with low carb - 28lbs and increasing my exercising stamina was great. My 60 lb goal should be reached by January 1st which is only 4 months from the start. I searched for hours to find out weight loss results on the lap band surgery and the average for the one year mark was 50 lbs and the greatest weight loss in 6 months was 70 lbs with some weight gain the following 6 months. I keep remembering - surgery is only a tool - you will only lose if you exercise and change your eating habits. Duh! If I have to go through all that changing of habits anyway - why have the surgery?
Then on Thursday of this week the call came that I knew would come. The lap band clinic called to say they wanted to move my surgery date up. My tests were all in. I hadn't even had my appointment with the dietician but they were willing to look beyond that and move the surgery date up to November 8th. Pre-op would be Oct 31st and my dietician's appointment would be Nov. 2nd. WOW! Of course, when I hesitated to the office she told me they don't know how much longer he will be doing the lap band's and he may just decided to not do them anymore so I better get in while I can. Plus I would be well by Thanksgiving and losing weight through the holidays. Boy, the pressure was on. They did "pencil" me in for surgery and I don't know what I just didn't say no. So after talking it over with my husband, who by the way has lost 27 lbs!!!! - we decided to stick to the low carb way and wait to schedule the surgery after January 1st and then maybe not at all.
So here I am - I am fresh, energetic and will be reading all I can get my hands on. I don't have money to buy the books or CD's or cookbooks but I do have 3 low carb books and I have the internet. My true plan is that this time will be different and permanent. Each and every day I commit to God and myself to make the most of each day, to eat healthy and low carb and exercise in some way. My goal each week is to push my exercise to another level. With Fibro I had to start off slow and gradual - that's still the case but I can push it a little faster now.
Thanks for reading my book of a story. If your website and YOUR story had not inspired me you would have never heard from me. I will somehow make it through your entire site absorbing everything and enjoying the journey.
I'm just speechless. This is too incredible to put into words. Let's just say it makes me happy and proud to do what I do. I sent this dear reader a FREE copy of my book for putting a smile on my face with her story. Utterly amazing!
Share your comments, questions, and success stories with me anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.
Friday, September 28, 2007
New Weight Loss Solution? Implant device Realize!
Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., an operating company of Johnson & Johnson, receivedthe FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval for marketing its surgical implant device Realize to obtain weight loss in morbidly obese adults.
The Realize Band is a circular device filled with saline. Through a circular procedure, a surgeon wraps the circular devise (like a band) around the patient's stomach so that it can only hold about 4 ounces of food.
This should reduce food intake as long it is not abused by high calorie fluid intake or other fattening fluids. This is why the gastric band, promoted outside the USA, often fails to deliver the expected results. The Realize Band, is marketed as Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band outside the United States and has been commercially available outside the U.S. since 1996.
Gastric Bypass Weight Loss surgery remains the most common bariatric procedure. The Gastric Bypass has been proven in numerous studies to result in durable weight loss and improvement in weight-related medical illnesses.
The Realize Band is a circular device filled with saline. Through a circular procedure, a surgeon wraps the circular devise (like a band) around the patient's stomach so that it can only hold about 4 ounces of food.
This should reduce food intake as long it is not abused by high calorie fluid intake or other fattening fluids. This is why the gastric band, promoted outside the USA, often fails to deliver the expected results. The Realize Band, is marketed as Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band outside the United States and has been commercially available outside the U.S. since 1996.
Gastric Bypass Weight Loss surgery remains the most common bariatric procedure. The Gastric Bypass has been proven in numerous studies to result in durable weight loss and improvement in weight-related medical illnesses.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
9 diet plans quick review
Atkins Diet
Dr. Richard Atkins’ diet started the low-carb rage. The basics: lots of protein, don't worry about the fat, and avoid carbohydrates at all costs. While carbs are greatly limited -- including breads, beans, fruits and grains -- eggs, meat, butter and cream are acceptable.
South Beach
The South Beach Diet promises to help you lose weight by helping you choose foods that contain the "right carbs" and lean sources of protein. Along the same lines as Atkins, South Beach focuses on limiting carbs and keeping protein high. While it does focus on reducing carb intake, after the first phase it lightens up on that restriction, working in whole grains and fruits and vegetables.
The Zone
The Zone diet promises to help you lose weight by focusing on the hormonal effects of food. The diet lets you eat five times a day (three meals and two snacks) food that is mostly low-fat and protein-rich, and allows monounsaturated fats and "favorable” carbs. The diet is much more permissive about carbs than the Atkins diet and recommends a carb-to-protein ratio of 4-to-3. The goal is to get into "the zone," or your body’s state of peak physical performance.
Raw foods diet
No, it doesn't mean eating sushi every day. In fact, some versions of the raw diet restrict eating seafood, while others encourage it. The raw food diet is based on the principal that cooking food destroys much of its nutritional value and that eating fresh (off the vine being the best) fruits and vegetables is the healthiest way to eat.
Sugar Busters
As the name implies, this diet demonizes sugar – saying that if you eliminate it, the fat will fall away. However, critics say that the diet goes too far, lumping potatoes, corn and carrots in with the refined sugars found in desserts, and that just cutting out the sugar is not enough.
Weight Watchers
The name brings up images of meetings and being weighed in front of a group. The core of the program is a points system in which different foods have different points values, and dieters have a certain number of points to spend. No food is off limits; it simply has a higher point value. Exercise is factored in to the number of points a person has to spend each week.
NutriSystem/Jenny Craig
NutriSystem and the Jenny Craig system both rely on prepackaged food. NutriSystem uses the glycemic index to choose foods that are full of “good carbohydrates” and low in fat.
Ornish Diet
The Ornish Diet is a strict vegetarian diet that was created to fight the effects of heart disease. The diet focuses on reducing fat intake – with only 10 percent of calories coming from fat. (Government guidelines recommend 20 to 35 percent.) The diet excludes all cooking oils and all animal products except nonfat milk and nonfat yogurt. The diet is fairly simple and straightforward. The basis of the diet is that a high-fiber, low-fat diet will help you lose weight.
Sonoma Diet
Proponents of the Sonoma Diet claim that it’s about celebration rather than deprivation and that the plan enables you to lose weight while enjoying food. The diet consists of three phases: an initial phase that lasts for 10 days, then another to get you to your target weight, and a maintenance phase. One of the hooks of this diet is that it’s one of the few that allows for wine (a small serving per day).
Dr. Richard Atkins’ diet started the low-carb rage. The basics: lots of protein, don't worry about the fat, and avoid carbohydrates at all costs. While carbs are greatly limited -- including breads, beans, fruits and grains -- eggs, meat, butter and cream are acceptable.
South Beach
The South Beach Diet promises to help you lose weight by helping you choose foods that contain the "right carbs" and lean sources of protein. Along the same lines as Atkins, South Beach focuses on limiting carbs and keeping protein high. While it does focus on reducing carb intake, after the first phase it lightens up on that restriction, working in whole grains and fruits and vegetables.
The Zone
The Zone diet promises to help you lose weight by focusing on the hormonal effects of food. The diet lets you eat five times a day (three meals and two snacks) food that is mostly low-fat and protein-rich, and allows monounsaturated fats and "favorable” carbs. The diet is much more permissive about carbs than the Atkins diet and recommends a carb-to-protein ratio of 4-to-3. The goal is to get into "the zone," or your body’s state of peak physical performance.
Raw foods diet
No, it doesn't mean eating sushi every day. In fact, some versions of the raw diet restrict eating seafood, while others encourage it. The raw food diet is based on the principal that cooking food destroys much of its nutritional value and that eating fresh (off the vine being the best) fruits and vegetables is the healthiest way to eat.
Sugar Busters
As the name implies, this diet demonizes sugar – saying that if you eliminate it, the fat will fall away. However, critics say that the diet goes too far, lumping potatoes, corn and carrots in with the refined sugars found in desserts, and that just cutting out the sugar is not enough.
Weight Watchers
The name brings up images of meetings and being weighed in front of a group. The core of the program is a points system in which different foods have different points values, and dieters have a certain number of points to spend. No food is off limits; it simply has a higher point value. Exercise is factored in to the number of points a person has to spend each week.
NutriSystem/Jenny Craig
NutriSystem and the Jenny Craig system both rely on prepackaged food. NutriSystem uses the glycemic index to choose foods that are full of “good carbohydrates” and low in fat.
Ornish Diet
The Ornish Diet is a strict vegetarian diet that was created to fight the effects of heart disease. The diet focuses on reducing fat intake – with only 10 percent of calories coming from fat. (Government guidelines recommend 20 to 35 percent.) The diet excludes all cooking oils and all animal products except nonfat milk and nonfat yogurt. The diet is fairly simple and straightforward. The basis of the diet is that a high-fiber, low-fat diet will help you lose weight.
Sonoma Diet
Proponents of the Sonoma Diet claim that it’s about celebration rather than deprivation and that the plan enables you to lose weight while enjoying food. The diet consists of three phases: an initial phase that lasts for 10 days, then another to get you to your target weight, and a maintenance phase. One of the hooks of this diet is that it’s one of the few that allows for wine (a small serving per day).
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