Nicholson Clinic Blog

We’ve all heard of fair-weather friends - the ones who seem to come around for the fun and when your life is going well, but if a problem develops, the relationship sours. If you’ve recently had a weight loss surgery and starting to lose weight and look and feel better, you may discover you have some fat-weather friends as well.

What are fat-weather friends? These are the individuals who may not exactly be supportive of your new lifestyle goals or want you to lose weight - in fact, they may undermine your attempts to have a healthier approach altogether. They’re the ones who bake your favorite pie as a gift, encourage you to have seconds at a meal, or beg you to have just a glass or two of wine with dinner.

The reasons fat-weather friends may have for attempting to sabotage your weight loss can vary. Often, they are simply envious of how you are looking and feeling. If you’ve elected to tell others about your weight-loss surgery, telling them what you’ve done and why and how you are committed to losing weight and becoming more active and how you’d like their support may be all it takes. You can always tell them about us and encourage them to have a free consultation with us to learn more about weight loss surgery as well. Even if they aren’t a candidate for a weight loss surgery, you can invite them to join you on walks, to split a healthy meal with you when dining out, or just encouraging you along the way.

Some acquaintances may have liked you better “fat” because it makes them feel better about themselves. As your self-esteem soars and positive attention is deflected to you, they may somehow feel left out. Again, you can turn that negative energy into a positive point by inviting them to be a part of the ìnew youî and tell them how important it is to you for them to support you.

In the end, it will be up to you to surround yourself with loving, supportive and upbeat people to help you not just lose weight initially, but to increase your activity level and truly change your lifestyle for the better over the long term.

Last Friday we posted an article about Why Alcohol and Weight Loss Don’t Go Together and I found a great example over at the That’s Fit blog. They have an interesting article about the amount of calories in a Long Island Iced Tea.

A Long Island iced tea is a great drink to wind down the end of the summer work week with. It’s cold, sweet and sure to get you buzzing before you reach the ice cubes. An added bonus? Made basically from a selection of spirits, plus some lemon and a dash of soda, it’s fat-free — but what about the calorie count? - That's Fit

So what do you think?

89 Calories?

226 Calories?

390 Calories?

520 Calories?

Click MORE to find out.

520 CALORIES!

A 12-ounce Long Island Iced Tea from TGIFriday’s is a shocking 520 calories. So remember, even if something is fat-free, that doesn’t mean it is calorie free. Stay informed about you are eating AND drinking.

Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy non-profit just released their 2009 Xtreme Eating Award winners.

The Cheesecake Factory’s Fried Macaroni and Cheese — The king of cheesecake’s appetizer has 1,570 calories and 69 grams of fat. So you’re supposed to order this before the entree, then finish off with a slice of cheesecake?

Red Lobster’s Ultimate Fondue — This sourdough, cheesy bread bowl has 1,490 calories, 40 grams of fat and a whopping 3,580 grams of sodium.

Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger — A quesadilla is fat-filled enough. Then add in a burger, bacon, mexi-ranch sauce and a pile of fries — 1,820 calories, 46 grams of fat and 4,410 grams of sodium!

Xtreme Eating Awards 2009 at cspinet.org
Xtreme Eating PDF

Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for more eating tips and information about weight loss surgery.

Following your weight loss surgery, you’ll most likely be thrilled with the amount of weight you will immediately start losing. While not common, some patients may find that after months of steady weight loss, they find themselves at a plateau where the scale seems to be remaining at its present level - and above the final weight target. If this describes you, relax! By no means does this mean this is your final weight or where you need to be. It simply means some additional tweaking to your regiment is in order.

If you’ve had the lap-band procedure, this is a good indicator that your band needs to be tightened. Later, after you’ve reached your weight loss goal or you feel you are losing too much weight or not able to eat enough to feel at your best, your band can be adjusted again.

If you’ve had any of our weight-loss surgeries, including gastric bypass, lap-band, or sleeve gastrectomy, this plateau may also mean that you need to increase your exercise program and also revisit how much food and calories you are consuming. Ignoring the dietary guidelines can slow weight loss and can also cause you not to feel your best - and even become fatigued or nauseous, or even to develop seating and diarrhea. Those symptoms are often referred to as a “dumping syndrome,” which is something you sure will want to avoid. Alcohol is typically very high in calories and can slow weight loss, so we recommend you refrain from drinking alcohol completely for the first year, and then only moderately thereafter.

Exercise is also critical for weight loss and to avoid having your body consume your unused muscle as you lose weight.

Whether you’re a potential client or have already had weight loss surgery at Nicholson Clinic, we are always eager to answer your questions, provide you with exercise suggestions and food portion information at any time. It is as important to our staff as it is to you that your weight loss surgery is a success - not just in the short term but is a life-changing event - so we will help ensure your success along the way!

If you need yet another reason for considering weight loss surgery to lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle , how about avoiding type 2 diabetes, a potentially-devastating disease?

There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 is a form of diabetes that usually develops in children or young adults but can occur at any age and is insulin-dependent and type 2 usually occurs in people over 40 who are overweight, although it is increasingly occurring in younger people - particularly adolescents - due to a national obesity epidemic. It is non insulin-dependent. While genetics can play a role in getting diabetes, type 2 diabetes is the type that can best be prevented and controlled.

In an article that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a study was conducted on 522 individuals considered prime candidates for developing diabetes because they were overweight, middle-aged and had elevated blood sugar. Of the 522 who reduced their weight by limiting their intake of fat, increasing fiber in their diet and adding physical activity to their routine, 58 percent had a reduction in the development of diabetes. Medically, those percentages are astounding!

These simple lifestyle changes can help you to avoid diabetes and were recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• If you’re overweight, losing weight not only prevents or controls type 2 diabetes, but can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Exercise of any kind helps lower the risk of developing diabetes.
• Eating food such as salads, vegetables, fruits, fish, whole grains, poultry and low fat meats, and beans and avoiding white sugar, honey and molasses. Consider food choices made with whole grains instead of white flour.
• Less than 30 percent of your total calories to come from fat.
• Less than 10 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fat.
• Include at least 20 grams of fiber each day.

A weight loss surgery is one way to achieve the path to improved health. We’ll be glad to talk to you about your overall lifestyle goals and how we can help you to achieve them. Visit NicholsonClinic.com, find us on Facebook, MySpace, or follow us on Twitter.

After undergoing weight loss surgery, you may wonder whether it’s okay to have wine with dinner or enjoy a social drink on occasion. You may be surprised that we actually discourage any consumption of alcohol drinks for the first year. Why? Actually, our reasoning is quite simple.

The first reason has to do with how alcohol can affect you. After having a gastric bypass weight loss surgery, we’ve found that patients can be affected quickly even from just a small amount of alcohol. Since you are eating much less and your body is already undergoing tremendous changes, we strongly encourage you to refrain completely from drinking alcohol for the first year. Just because you could have a few drinks before your surgery and felt just fine, that very well not be the case now. And since you are already needing to monitor what type of food you are eating and how much and how often, the last thing you need following weight loss surgery is trying to monitor how your body may react to alcohol as well.

The second reason is that alcoholic drinks tend to be high in calories and can slow down your weight loss goals. While some alcoholic beverages are much lower in calories than others, a Texas favorite drink like a margarita can typically set dieters back a whopping 500 to 800 calories! And with a restricted diet, not only are the calories a huge hit but the alcohol’s effect on your system can be a double-whammy.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at your next social gathering or party. There are plenty of low-calorie or no-calorie drinks readily available so you don’t feel like you’re missing anything. In addition, keep in mind that as the pounds come off, you’ll be getting positive attention, compliments, and encouragement - which by far more than make up for any drink you may have typically enjoyed in the past.

Once a year has passed and you would like to resume drinking alcohol on occasion, we ask that you consult with us first.

Will my insurance company cover the LAP-BAND/REALIZE Band procedure?

In general, about 50% of insurance companies will cover the LAP-BAND/REALIZE Band procedure if requirements are met warranting a Letter of Medical Necessity (stating why significant weight loss is medically necessary, based on several health criteria).

Many states have laws that require insurance companies to grant benefits for weight loss procedures, providing the patient meets the criteria of the National Institutes of Health. However, comprehensive and detailed attention is usually needed in order to obtain insurance coverage for LAP-BAND/REALIZE Band surgery, which we will work diligently with you to complete.

Which insurance companies cover LAP-BAND/REALIZE Band and other weight loss surgeries?

Insurance companies that provide partial or complete coverage include: Blue Cross (in some states), Humana First Health, Medicare, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Luminos, PHCS.

Check with your employer’s human resource department or fill out one of our applications and our insurance verifier will look into your options.

What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?

It is necessary, before weight loss surgery authorization from an insurance company, to obtain a Letter of Medical Necessity as it pertains to your request for surgery. This letter addresses why weight loss is pertinent to the health of the patient, warranting surgery. Information in the Letter of Medical Necessity includes: diets/programs for weight loss tried in the past; weight of patient; obesity is usually determined to be 100 pounds over one’s ideal weight or a BMI of 40 (at least 35 BMI with additional medical issues). Years patient has been overweight, usually five years or more. Full history of medical problems related to obesity, including hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

If you have more questions about lap-band surgery or any other weight loss surgery procedure, please contact us or consider attending a free seminar. You can also contact us on Facebook or via Twitter.

If you have already undergone weight loss surgery at the Nicholson Clinic then we’ve shared with you the reality that this weight loss surgery is not the end of your journey. Rather it’s the beginning of a new lifestyle and this new road you are walking is going to lead to overall wellness, because your health is the number one concern.

Continuing this lifestyle change requires a renewing of your mind so that you can step away from you old habits. So to help you establish a healthy lifestyle we want to share a few tips for maintaining your weight loss.

Weigh Yourself Once a Week
Weighing yourself more often than once a week doesn’t serve any useful purpose since our weight naturally fluctuates. Every day weigh-ins are obsessive. Checking your weight less often allows your weight to get out of control.

Keep Exercise Fresh
Develop a routine for regular exercise, but don’t let boredom creep in either. Don’t get out of the habit of exercising. If you miss a couple of days due to illness, injury, or travel make it a point to resume your routine right away. Prevent boredom by exploring new physical activities, new locations for your walks, or including different people.

Another benefit of varying your exercise routine is that by challenging different muscles you will keep your metabolism high and make maintaining a healthy weight easier.

Decide on a Ceiling Weight
To lose it for life decide on your maximum weight and stick to it. Take immediate action if you reach that weight. Don’t put it off. Are your pants getting tight? That’s a sure sign you need to rededicate yourself to a healthy eating plan and regular exercise.

Be Careful During Transitions
Life changes such as a move, a new job, or even a new relationship can mean deviations from your routine. Emotional eating may reappear if you are anxious or stressed.

Above All Stay Positive
Be proud of your healthy lifestyle. Permanent weight loss is a confidence builder. Embrace the environmental benefits of the diet you have adopted. Know that you are making a statement about preventing animal suffering. If asked, share your weight loss “secrets” with others.

These tips are from the lose weight for life blog.

For more information about weight loss surgery visit The Nicholson Clinic website.

One of the most exciting - and frustrating - aspects of weight loss surgery is finding clothes that look fashionable and fit while you’re losing weight. Following your weight loss surgery, you’ll notice how very quickly the pounds and inches seems to almost melt off, and clothes that fit only weeks ago may now begin to seem too big and baggy. What a great problem to have!

The temptation is to go out and get a new wardrobe in a smaller size, but unless you have an endless supply of funds for buying new clothes with each size change, that idea is impractical. You’ve decided to have a weight loss surgery because you have a significant amount of weight to lose, and were most likely either obese or exhibiting significant health issues at the start of your journey. And while your so-called “fat clothes” may no longer fit (don’t celebrate just yet), you want to keep your eye on the prize when you’ve reached your desired weight goal.

Until then, however, you have to wear something. Luckily, summer months are the perfect time to stock up on simple shorts, simple dresses, and fashionable styles that have elastic or are made of a stretchy material that provides you with the flexibility to wear while continuing to lose the weight. Styles with adjustable waist-bands are also ideal. Buy the size that requires you to let out the waist to its fullest and then take it in as you lose weight until the clothing item simply no longer works.

You can also take your clothes to a tailor and have them taken in, but the cost to do so and the continuing need to additional adjustments may make it less feasible. If you have special outfits you want to be able to wear once you reach your desired weight, hold the item until then for adjustment. But don’t be surprised if they say it won’t work, as too much will need to be taken in!

Another idea is finding a quality resale clothing shop. Many of these stores feature name-brand and current-style clothes. Pick out what works now, and then you can trade it back in for smaller sizes as needed. That way, you can look your best and show off your new slimmer shape without having to break the bank on transitional clothing items.

We’re always happy to talk with you about weight loss surgery and lifestyle changes and ideas to help you to meet your overall personal goals! Leave us a comment or drop us a line over on Twitter.

It’s June 3rd, 2009! Did you know today is National Running Day? Honestly, neither did I, but I happen to come across RunningDay.org today and I noticed that they have an events page and there are a lot of events happening in Texas this evening.

So if you don’t like exercising alone this is a great opportunity to get out there and meet some new people that enjoy being active too. There’s also a National Running Day Flickr Group Pool, a Facebook Page, and a Twitter account.

“This is a day to celebrate the most universal of all sports,” said USA Track and Field CEO Doug Logan. “By taking National Running Day into the virtual realm of social networking, we’re doing even more to expand that universe. You might be running toward a goal, running with a purpose, or even just running away from your problems. Any reason is a good reason to run, especially on National Running Day.”

Visit RunningDay.org for more information