Nicholson Clinic Blog

Losing significant weight can rejuvenate the heart physically, and it makes no difference as to whether it is by surgery or through dieting and exercise, according to a new study. This is good news, especially since people who are considered obese have a much higher risk of heart attacks or sudden death than people of average weight.

A University of Oxford study published in the Aug. 18 issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicates that heart muscles of obese individuals who started with a body mass index averaging 40 became thinner and more efficient when the BMI was brought down to an average level of 32.2 in a single year. The study followed 37 individuals who had weight loss averaging about 45 pounds.

To document the affects of the heart from weight loss, the British researchers used a cardiac MRI. Findings showed that the walls of the left and right ventricles, which are considered the blood-pumping chambers of the heart, were significant thicker in the hearts of people who are obese. In addition, researchers found an impaired ability of the heart in extremely overweight individuals to hold blood at the resting point of the heartbeat, called diastole.

When test subjects had cardiac MRIs performed a year later after losing significant weight, the heart muscles were less overgrown and hearts could hold more blood at diastole. Another plus was that the thickening of the aorta was also greatly reduced.

Researchers wrote in their report that “these findings provide a potential mechanism in mortality seen with weight loss.” Further, since the improved heart health was not lessened due to weight loss surgery vs. diet and exercise, it is another positive reason to consider weight loss surgery for obese individuals who have not achieved their weight loss goals.

What should I expect after I have Lap-Band surgery?

After you get home from the hospital, you need to allow yourself enough time to recover properly. Get plenty of rest, but do try to walk as much as you can comfortably, to prevent blood clots. Do not lift anything heavy. You can expect some soreness the first few days after surgery, but your surgeon will prescribe medications to treat any pain.

You can most likely return to light work in a few days to a week, but if you have a physically demanding job, you may have to wait two to three weeks. You should also be able to return to normal activity and regular exercise within four to six weeks. We will provide you with specific instructions to help guide you after the procedure.

Here’s an example of some basic guidelines:

• For the first 24 hours after surgery, you can have an occasional sip of water or suck on an ice cube.
• For the first couple of weeks, you will be on a liquid diet as you gradually move toward pureed and soft foods.
• About six weeks after surgery, you should be able to eat solid food again.
• During recovery, it is important to drink plenty of water, although never with your meals.
• Remember that eating the wrong foods or eating too much can cause vomiting and interfere with your healing process.
• You also need to start engaging in physical activity and exercise within a few weeks after surgery. At first, it may be hard for you to exercise as much as you should, but it’s important both physically and emotionally to get started.
• Taking it slow at first, try to walk as much as you comfortably can. It’s a great way to regain strength and prevent blood clots.

Nutrition:
After your surgery, you’ll need a new nutrition and exercise plan. Since you will only be able to eat a small amount at any meal, you need to make good food choices. It is recommended that you eat only when you are hungry and no more than three small meals a day. Make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. You will also need to learn to eat slowly and chew your food very thoroughly. Drinking high-calorie liquids (like milkshakes or soda), or drinking liquids during or immediately after meals can drastically reduce the effectiveness of the Lap-Band system. However, it is important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water throughout the day.

Exercise:
You will also need an exercise program to help you lose weight. You can start with walking. The more weight you lose, the easier it should get. Gradually, you will be able to expand your program to include more active forms of exercise such as bicycling, jogging, and aerobics.

For those who have decided to undergo weight loss surgery and have started to see some drastic changes in their body might notice a rather unpleasant side effect, extra skin. While there are many options to help curb the effect of excess skin after weight loss, like plastic surgery, there are less invasive ways.

For example, you can incorporate more anti-aging foods into your diet to help boost your skin tone. Here’s a few examples of some helpful food choices.

1. Folate
   Young cells make your skin look younger and folate helps to speed up your cell renewal. In other words, it acts like an internal exfoliant. Spinach has lots of folate.
2. Vitamin C
   To help smooth out wrinkles and increase your collagen production try adding more oranges, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, kiwi, lemon and limes to your diet.
3. Selenium
   Elastin is a protein that can help keep your skin smooth and tight. Canned tuna is full of selenium.
4. Omega-3 fatty acids
   Don’t let the word “fatty” throw you off, omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory and can help reduce puffiness. Try adding walnuts, salmon, and flax seed to your diet to get more Omega-3 fatty acids.

Nicholson Clinic is a weight loss surgery center in Plano, Texas. Visit nicholsonclinic.com to learn more.

An interesting article over at Discover Magazine may have the answer to a question many of us have asked for years, “Why do some people never get fat?”

The enzyme MGAT2 is found in the intestines and determines the fate of our food by regulating how it is metabolized: It either makes fat go straight to your waistline, or converts it into energy… When mice are missing the gene for MGAT2, they can eat whatever they want and never have to worry about getting fat.

That’s an interesting bit of information, but there’s no substitute to a healthy lifestyle. I don’t think there will ever be a magic skinny pill, we’ll leave stuff like that to the science fiction writers.

read more at Discover Magazine

Was Kelly Clarkson, the former American Idol winner from Texas and successful performing artist, put on a so-called digital diet? Apparently so, as she flaunts a much slimmer body on the current cover of SELF magazine. The altered image has raised questions over why it was done when Clarkson has always openly maintained that she is happy with her looks as is.

The magazine’s editor defended the post-production corrections, saying that airbrushing is an industry standard and that the magazine stands behind its decision. Editor-in-Chief Lucy Danziger was quoted as having said, “Kelly Clarkson exudes confidence, and is a great role model for women of all sizes and stages of their life. She works out and is strong and healthy, and our picture shows her confidence and beauty.”

So, what does Clarkson say about her weight? In the article that accompanies the cover story in SELF, she says: “My happy weight changes. Sometimes I eat more; sometimes I play more. I'll be different sizes all the time. When people talk about my weight, I'm like, 'You seem to have a problem with it;' I don't. I’m fine! I've never felt uncomfortable on the red carpet or anything.”

This isn’t the first time Clarkson’s image has apparently been slimmed down for print. Clarkson had joked about her fourth album cover, All I Ever Wanted that was released in March in the U.S. She blogged about seeing it: "It's very colorful, and they have definitely Photoshopped the crap out of me, but I don’t care! Whoever she is, she looks great."

Other celebrities have had harder times with public scrutiny. Reports have indicated that actresses Mischa Barton and Jennifer Love Hewitt took it personally and hard when unflattering photos of them showing cellulite and untoned bodies surfaces–experiences that they have had to work through. Hewitt has made numerous public statements since that people should learn to love their bodies and to be more accepting that people come in all sizes and shapes.

While far from perfect, the U.S. is a nation that continues to emphasize acceptance of differences. Encouraging mutual respect of others and not judging people on the color of their skin, size, gender, sexual preference, and religious affiliation, among other things, is nothing new. It’s just a constant challenge to encourage people to accept others as they are.

With all that said, there is new controversy over body size resulting from a newly released PS3 game called “Fat Princess.” The game is set in medieval times where two kingdoms are engaged in a brutal war thanks to some magically delicious cake. Players are encouraged to feed slender fairytale princesses the cake–lots of cake–to bulk them up into overly plus-sized shapes to prevent their escape. The damsel-in-distress concept almost overshadows the part where there is also a lot of brutality–and yes, blood–in this video game.

Creators think it is no big deal to show portly princesses, saying it is simply entertainment and not a statement about obesity. Some supporters even say that it is actually a positive depiction of a woman in power because it doesn’t fall into the stereotypical beautiful yet scantily-clad female. Critics say more video games need to be created that showcase women who don’t need saving at all, and whose characters use their brain-power, rather than their body, for strategic planning.

This game is just one example of how obesity can be negatively depicted. You’ve undoubtedly seen negative stereotypes presented in other ways in the media as well. If you are overweight yourself, you may either laugh off or ignore the depictions of “inflated princesses” or publicly complain. On the positive side, there are new video games that do promote physical fitness, a healthier lifestyle, and nutrition. Consider the new Nintendo DS release, Personal Trainer: Walking, with two activity meters to track the steps you take each day or the growing selection of fitness games on the Wii.

Do you really know what to expect from a Lap Band surgery? Don’t let misinformed friends or family confuse you about how a Lap Band surgery is supposed to function.

Let’s get a few items of commonly misunderstood facts about Lap Band surgery out of the way.

#1 – Lap Band surgery is not supposed to induce bulemia. In other words, patients do not need to throw up to lose weight. Weight loss surgery is a gradual change over time. It is designed to help you lose weight slowly. A bariatric patient should not have to throw up, ever. It does happen, but it is never designed as a part of your weight loss process.

#2 – The typical weight loss per week is around 1-2 pounds. Don’t believe it when you hear stories about patients losing weight in excess of 5 pounds. It perfectly natural for you to lose weight about the same speed in which you gained it. A good reason to try and lose weight slowly is because it’s ideal for you skin’s elasticity that you lose the weight slowly. Rapid weight loss does not give your skin enough time to recover from the change in the shape of your body.

If you have more questions or comments about the facts about Lap Band surgery or any other weight loss surgery procedure, contact us at NicholsonClinic.com.

From the Weight Loss Surgery Channel comes a very informative video about eating properly after weight loss surgery. Margaret Furtado shares her healthy eating tips for bariatric patients.

This coming Tuesday (August 11th) we will be hosting a weight loss surgery seminar at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano. It’s a chance for you to come meet Dr. Nick and learn what weight loss surgery can do for you straight from the source. In this free consultation you will not only get the facts about the most popular weight loss surgery solutions, including gastric bypass, LAP-BAND/REALIZE BAND surgery and sleeve gastrectomy, but also learn what makes the Nicholson Clinic different from other facilities.

Our free weight loss surgery seminars were recently featured on examiner.com as part of their Dallas info 101. Jennifer Jones wrote a short article explaining how DFW residents can learn about weight loss surgery.

The seminars will be held on August 11 & 26 and September 2 & 29 at 6:30pm in the Education Center 1 on the Garden Level. Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano is located at 4716 Alliance Blvd., Suite 100, Plano, TX 75093.

So be sure and sign up at nicholsonclinic.com/seminars or if you can’t attend the seminars in August we also have the dates of our upcoming seminars through October listed.

As if anyone needs another reason to lose weight, consider this: the ultra-skinny jeans from the 1980s have returned! While fashion should never truly be a key reason for losing weight, it’s true that those who do have weight loss surgery or lose weight on their own become more enthusiastic about fashion and showing off their healthier and slimmer self. But is fashion for both men and women really taking a flashback to the 1980s? Yes, really!

In addition to ultra-bright colors, wide belts, vests and bangles, form fitting clothes and shorter skirts–often paired with boots–are being promoted as “must buys” for the fall. Just can’t go back? How about feathers and leather, which are also on this season’s list of fashion fun–including such accessories as a feathered headband or leather looks for men.

Truthfully, most of us tend to be middle-of-the-road and fairly conservative when it comes to fashion trends, although colorful accessories and an item or two to keep you up with the season isn’t a bad way to look like you’re keeping up (or back) with the times. In addition, fashion experts say that individuals who are obese or are in the throes of losing weight shouldn’t be afraid of bright colors or bold accessories. Having a single piece of “flare” to draw attention to that body area is recommended for guys as well as girls. It can be an accessory such as a necklace, a bright fabric accent or texture of a jacket, for example, or even a hair clip or earrings. Just remember that a little goes a long way, and having something bold or beautiful can keep attention where the wearer wants it and away from areas of your body you’d rather not draw attention too.

Keep in mind that many of the fashions are designed for showmanship only, and not for comfort or even proper body ergonomics. Women should carefully consider their foot health when choosing high heels; both men and women need to be careful that pointed-style shoes have enough width and toe room to avoid discomfort or health problems later.

There’s good news with women in that figure-slimming sheath dresses are in vogue and are extremely comfortable to boot. This style works well with women who are losing weight, and the loose cut means the dress will be able to be worn successfully through several style changes.

Regardless of what your shape is today or your desired weight for the future, dress to please yourself–above any current trend that may come and go, and then come again!