Bariatric Surgery

Join us for an educational seminar to speak with our surgeons, nutritionists and past patients to learn how weight loss surgery can help you gain control of your weight, regain health and start a new life.

At the seminar you can learn about bariatric surgery costs, Indianapolis weight loss surgery options and hear from Indiana Bariatric Surgeons about the ins and outs of surgery. Please feel free to bring as many support people with you as you like.

WHEN:  Thursday, September 3 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:  Clarian Bariatrics (6625 Network Way, Suite 100 - Indianapolis)

Please click here to RSVP or call 317-275-7010 with questions.

Below is text from a recent article I found on the American Diabetes Association Web site that I thought was interesting. Now there is scientific proof that exercise can make you happier!

People who engage in moderate physical activity in the months after bariatric surgery report fewer mental health issues than those who exercise less, according to research reported at the Annual Scientific Meeting of NAASO, The Obesity Society, held October 20–24 in Boston.

Kathryn E. Henderson, PhD, and colleagues at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., conducted a study of 134 patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery. The patients—140 females and 14 males—were extremely obese, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 51.7.

The participants completed a battery of self-reported measures before surgery, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The evaluations sought detailed information about physical activity, depression, self-image, and a range of mental and physical health issues.

Responses were divided into three groups: No exercise, physical activity one to three times per week, and physical activity four or more times per week.

In general, patients with lower BMI tended to exercise more. While exercise levels rose overall postoperatively, <50% of participants reported moderate physical activity at 6 and 12 months.

According to the researchers, the most physically active group of patients reported the lowest psychosocial stress. Those who engaged in moderate physical activity at least four times per week reported superior physical and mental health, had fewer depressive symptoms, and reported higher self-esteem than nonexercisers.

Benefits of weight loss surgery are lower blood pressure, remission of diabetes, decreased risk of heart disease, lower blood cholesterol level, etc. as we all know, every benefit has a potential risk. A recent article in the Journal of Urology looked at the risk of kidney stones and gastric bypass surgery.

4,639 patients who underwent bypass surgery and 4,369 obese patients in a control group who didn’t have bariatric surgery were followed for four years. Of those, 4.6 percent of the control group developed kidney stones versus 7.7 percent of the bypass surgery group developed stones. This is a slight increase risk of developing kidney stones after bariatric weight loss surgery.

Prevention of kidney stones requires staying hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of fluid each day. This will prevent concentrating your urine which will decrease risk of kidney stones. If possible learn what type of kidney stones that you may be at risk of developing –calcium based kidney stone may require you to watch your intake of dairy products or if it is oxalate based may require you to limit your intake of dark green vegetables (spinach, kale,) and herbal teas. Consult with your primary care doctor if you suspect you are at risk of kidney stones.

I found this great article/video on the Empowered Doctor Web site and wanted to share it with you all. Click on the link above to view the video, while I have shared text from the article below.

Patients who incorporated regular physical activity into their lives after bariatric surgery lost more weight and had better general health and vitality and less depression and anxiety than those who were inactive, a recent study shows.

"Bariatric surgery is quickly emerging as a standard treatment for severe obesity, although weight loss outcomes vary. These results suggest that patient behavior, particularly physical activity, may promote both enhanced weight loss and greater improvements in health-related quality of life following bariatric surgery," said lead author Dale Bond, of the Miriam Hospital's Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine.

The study was performed on about 190 patients who underwent gastric bypass operations at Virginia Commonwealth University. They filled out a questionnaire to provide an assessment of their physical activity levels both before surgery and one year afterward.

To categorize which patients were "active," the researchers decided on a minimum of 200 minutes of weekly physical activity (which included walking, as well as sports or exercise of a moderate or vigorous intensity). Participants also completed questionnaires that measured aspects of their health-related quality of life, such as physical or emotional problems, bodily pain, general health, energy levels, social functioning and mental health.

Researchers noted that exercise boosted progress toward all of the goals of bariatric surgery. Those patients who went from almost no weekly activity to 200 minutes or more lost 13.2 pounds more than their inactive counterparts.

They also lowered their body-mass index by two units more and reduced their overall weight by 8 percent more than those who didn't increase their exercise levels. The active group also experienced more improvements in general health, vitality, depression and anxiety symptoms compared with those who stayed inactive.

This is part two of several on the questions that should be considered when looking into a weight loss program. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney lists the following questions they feel you should ask as you search for a weight loss program.

What are the staff qualifications?
Because Clarian Bariatrics is a surgical weight loss program, this is not as big an issue as it would be in a weight loss clinic.  You can be sure here that you are followed by qualified, board certified medical doctors and nurses who are well trained and have a great deal of experience in surgical weigh loss.   

Who supervises the program?
Terri Hohlt, MSN, RN, is the Program Administrator. Terri has 30 years of nursing experience with Clarian Health.  Her role is to keep an overview of the whole program.  She hires the staff, keeps the program on budget, makes sure the physicians and staff have what they need provide top of the line care to our Indiana bariatric patients.  Terri continually monitors all aspects of the program to assure we provide the quality care each person deserves.

The medical director of the program is Samer Mattar, MD, who is board certified surgeon.  Dr. Mattar has received special training in advanced laparoscopy surgery at Emory University Hospital.  He is also a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, and several other professional organizations.  The medical director's role is to ensure that all patients receive the highest quality medical care available.

In addition to the above, the Clarian Bariatrics surgery program provides a “complete package” program with weight loss support provided by a full staff of highly trained, licensed, board certified Dietitians who specialize in weight loss and the health problems caused by obesity.  We also have a Bariatrics Behavioral Medicine department headed up by Clinical Psychologist William Hilgendorf, PhD, HSPP.  His staff helps to support your surgical weight loss effort with a variety of group sessions geared specifically to bariatric patients.

What type of weight-management training, experience, education, and certifications does the staff have?
You can see from the list above that this program is serious about providing you top of the line quality care.  In addition to the above highly trained staff, other members of the team are patients of this bariatric surgery center with the deepest understanding of the program, and patients concerns, and struggles.  They have insights that only someone who has been there can provide, that adds to their qualifications for the position they have at this Indianapolis Weight loss clinic.

Want to learn more? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. Dates can be found by clicking on the image at the right of this post.

The entire staff at staff would like to take a moment to thank you for choosing Clarian Bariatrics to provide your care.  As a weight loss surgery patient do you know someone who has an interest in learning more about bariatric surgery and the lifestyle changes it brings? 

We would like to invite you and your interested guest to visit our booth at the Indiana State Fair on August 14 and 15 located in the Clarian Healthy Lifestyles pavilion.  If you bring a copy of this blog post, along with an interested guest to our booth between the hours of 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., you will both receive a free gift!

Our staff will be there to answer any questions and provide assistance to anyone interested in our program.  When you stop by don’t forget to try a bariatric friendly food sample made with Red Gold products! 

We would also like to share that Clarian Bariatrics is forming a walking team for First Lady Cherie Daniels' Heartland Walk for Health on August 15. If you are interested in joining our team leave your name, phone number and your t-Shirt size with Paula at 317-275-7014 before July 27, 2009.  Your information will be related to our team captain who will contact you regarding registration.

See you at the Great Indiana State Fair!

The following post was written by one of my students, Eric Lester, a doctoral student from Ball State University.

I was watching an annual cycling race in the past few weeks and noticed some similarities between the cycling teams in the Tour de France and the teams behind patients at Clarian Bariatrics.  The similarity that is most apparent to me is that every member of the team plays a particular role.  When the riders play their individual roles well the team benefits.

The cycling teams are composed of nine riders one of which is the team leader.  Each rider has a role to play during the course of the race to ensure that their team leader will be as successful as possible, hopefully leading the race.  As commentators have said many times it is the job of the team to take care of and protect the team leader. 

As a bariatric surgery patient, it is helpful to surround yourself with family, friends, and your treatment team who are all committed to helping you achieve your goals.  Once your team is established and everyone knows the role you need them to fill, be a team leader and ask for help when help is needed.  That is what social support is all about, right?  You do not have to make the entire journey by yourself.

Previously, I wrote about how patients feel that they have an abundance of energy post operatively and part of that is of course due to their weight loss; however, another reason for such a dramatic change in energy may be in part that they are sleeping better. 

A more restful, sound sleep will definitely allow you to awaken feeling more refreshed, and energized.  Many patients tell me they are sleeping better once they have lost weight and are surprised that their obesity affected their sleep. 

Then there are patients who are on C-PAP at night to sleep and as they loose weight, they are able to come off the C-PAP.  This group is aware that their sleeping issues are a result of obesity related problems and are so relieved to watch their health improve as a benefit of their weight loss surgery.

Want to learn more about how weight loss surgery can change your life? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. Click here for more information.

Whether you are a current/former patient or someone who is interested in learning more about Indiana weight loss surgery, there are tons of events happening at Clarian Bariatrics this week!

Support Groups
We will be having the following support groups this week!

•  Clarian Health Cicero located at 1160 South Peru St., SR 19 in Cicero. Support group is held on the second Thursday of the month from 6 - 7 p.m.
•   Pre-Surgery Coping Skills Group held each Thursday at the Clarian Bariatrics clinic from 4 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. This group is designed to explore changing family and friend relationships and social situations, including how to survive eating in social situations, how to respond to people who "push" food on you, and how to cope with people's reactions to your new weight loss and lifestyle. This group is free, but we ask that you please call 317-275-7010 or 877-275-2555 prior to attending.

Exercise Classes
We will be holding the following exercise classes this week!

"Walk the Talk" Walking Group - Join us weekly for a walking program and support group that will help you burn calories, make friends and keep you on track with your goals.  We meet every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic.  At these group we will walk, talk and get fit together!  Feel free to bring a sack lunch and chat with us during a support group meeting after the walk.  Make sure you bring a water bottle and wear your good tennis shoes!  In addition to our weekly walks, we participate as a team in charity walks related to disease prevention and research.  There is a small cost for to sign-up for the walks, but the experience is priceless. If you cannot make it to Clarian Bariatrics every week to walk with us, feel free to keep up with a walking program and join us for the charity walks as often as you can!

FREE Informational Seminars
Individuals will have two opportunities to learn about bariatric surgery this week. On Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13 you are invited to hear Indianapolis bariatric surgeons discuss the benefits of weight loss surgery procedures including gastric bypass and the Lap Band. Learn more by clicking here!

A patient should be concerned of a nutritional problem after bariatric surgery if any of the following occurred:

• Hair loss continued more than one year after surgery
• Hair loss started more than six months after surgery
• Patient has had difficulty eating and/or has not complied with supplementation
• Patient has shown low values of ferritin, zinc or protein on lab results
• Patient has had more rapid then expected weight loss

Iron:  Iron is the sing nutrient most highly correlated with hair loss.  While new research is conflicted as to the significance of ferritin as a diagnostic tool in hair loss, it has still been found that a significant number of people with hair loss respond to iron therapy.  Optimal iron levels for hair health have not been established. 

Zinc:  Zinc deficiency has been tied to hair loss in both animal studies and human cases.  Based on studies done and their results, it can not be definitely said that zinc would prevent hair loss after weight loss surgery and further studies would be needed to make this connection.  A note on zinc:  The tolerable upper intake level for zinc is 40 mg in adults.  These levels can cause gastrointestinal distress.  Chronic toxicity can start at intakes of 60 mg/day.  Some patients have heard on chat rooms and list serv forums that “high dose zinc will prevent hair loss after weight loss surgery.” Patients should be advised that high dose zinc therapy is unproven and should only be done under supervision due to the risks associated with toxicity.  A lab test to check for zinc deficiency would be best before giving a high dose such as this.

Protein:  Low protein intake is associated with hair loss.  Limited studies suggest that patients with the most rapid or greatest amounts of weight loss are at greatest risk.  Pancreatic enzymes that would help aid in protein digestion are redirected to a lower part of the small intestine.  Based on this, it is likely that maldigestion, rather than malabsorption, is responsible for many hair loss cases. 

Biotin:  To date, there is no science that would support supplementing with, or topically applying biotin will prevent hair loss or improve hair regrowth.  While biotin deficiency can cause dermatitis, hair loss is only known to occur in experimentally induced states in animal models or in extreme cases of prolonged diets composed exclusively of egg whites. 

Hair loss can be distressing to bariatric surgery patients and many will try to nutrition themselves to see if they can prevent it.  Unfortunately, there is little evidence that early hair loss is preventable because it is most likely caused by surgery and rapid weight loss.  However, later hair loss can be indicative of a nutritional problem. 

Reference:  Bariatric Times.  “The Latest on Nutrition and Hair Loss in the Bariatric Patient” by Jacqueline Jacques, ND.  9/08

The following article brief came across on the Obesity Action Coalition's August e-newsletter. Highlights are below with a link to full text of the article: 

Short-term complications and death rates were low following bariatric surgery to limit the amount of food that can enter the stomach, decrease absorption of food or both, according to the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS-1).

Results are reported in the July 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Less than 1 percent (0.3 percent) of patients died within 30 days of surgery, further supporting the short-term safety of bariatric surgery as a treatment for patients with extreme obesity.

Bariatric surgery can have dramatic health benefits--such as improved blood sugar control or even reversal of type 2 diabetes. But it also carries serious risks, including death. The LABS-1 study aimed to evaluate the short-term safety of bariatric surgery to help doctors and patients understand the risks.

To view this article, please click here.

A common fear for patient’s who have undergone bariatric surgery is hair loss. For most of us, our hair is important as part of our self-image but is not very important to our bodies.  After surgery, the body is forced to make a choice on where to send the nutrition that is going into the body.  After surgery, the body will shift nutritional stores to vital organs like the brain and heart and away from hair thus resulting in hair loss. 

Hair loss has many causes.  The most common type of hair loss after weight loss surgery is a loss known medically as telogen effluvium, which can have both nutritional and non-nutritional causes. 

For most of our life, we are always in the process of growing and losing hair.  Human hair follicles have two states:  a growth state and a dormant state.  All hairs begin in the growth state and then shift to the dormant state, which lasts 100-120 days.  After this many days, the hair will fall out.  At any given time, about 90 percent of hairs are in growth state and 10 percent are in a dormant state. 

Specific types of stress can result in a shift of a higher percentage to the dormant state.  These stresses include:  high fever, severe infection, major surgery, acute physical trauma, chronic debilitating illness (such as cancer or end stage liver disease), acute weight loss, crash dieting, hormonal disruption, anorexia, low protein intake, iron or zinc deficiency, heavy metal toxicity and some medications. 

Bariatric surgery patients have two major risks for hair loss:  major surgery and rapid weight loss.  These two are likely to account for much of the hair loss after surgery.  In the absence of a nutritional issue, hair loss will continue until all hairs that shifted into the dormant phase have fallen out.  Hair loss will rarely last for more than 6 months in the absence of a dietary cause.  Patients can be reassured that with time, patience and keeping up good nutritional intake, hair will grow back. 

July was National Parks and Recreation Month. Even though I have written before about how lucky we are in Indiana to have some of the most beautiful parks, now add to that we are having some of the most amazing weather (minus the recent rain storm), and you have no excuse not to visit!

Maintaining your weight loss after bariatric surgery is about watching what you eat and moving!  Take advantage of what we have here.  Get to Turkey Run in western Indiana
(straight out US 36), take a hike then go for a canoe trip, watch for the Bald Eagle to swoop down and fish while you are in the canoe...believe me, I saw it! You will not regret the trip, and you mix up your activities this way. 

Not ready for that much of a trip? Then right down SR 135 is Brown County State Park, which features paved trails called “Friends of Brown County Trail." When you are there be sure to stop at the scenic overlooks, a picnic and Frisbee, and it will be a great way to spend a day with your family.

So even though July has passed, August is still a great month to GO TO A PARK – HAVE FUN AND GET YOUR EXERCISE!

Have a great last few weeks of summer!

Another great article from the Advisory board regarding common questions/concerns individuals have prior to undergoing weight loss surgery. I have put the highlights below, but would welcome anyone interested in bariatric surgery to visit us at an upcoming FREE seminar to ask even more questions. Dates can be found at ACallToChange.org.

Addressing earlier concerns about the safety of bariatric surgery, a study published yesterday in New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) finds that the overall risk of death and other adverse outcomes among patients who have the procedures is low, although the risks vary considerably depending on patient characteristics.

For the study, a researcher from the University of Washington in Seattle and colleagues conducted a prospective multicenter observational study involving 4,776 first-time bariatric surgery patients who had procedures at 10 U.S. hospitals.

...The researchers found that among the patients who had gastric-bypass or gastric-banding procedures, the 30-day mortality rate was 0.3% and a composite outcome consisting of mortality, deep vein thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, reintervention, or failure to be discharged within 30 days after surgery occurred in 4.1% of patients. None of the patients who underwent gastric banding procedures died, while 0.2% of patients who had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass died and 2.1% of the patients who had open Roux-en-Y died.

...Commenting on the findings, the researchers suggest that providers discussing bariatric surgery with patients should examine the short-term risks of the procedure “in the context of the long-term health effects of surgically induced weight loss on coexisting health conditions, the long-term risks of the bariatric surgery itself, the competing risk of death from extreme obesity, and the relative benefits of the rate and durability of weight loss.” Meanwhile, in an accompanying editorial, a surgeon from Harvard Medical School notes that the rates of mortality and adverse outcomes seen in the study are “similar to those seen in other major operations,” adding that while the nation should strive to better treat obesity without the use of surgical interventions, “until we get to that point, the weight of the evidence indicates that bariatric surgery is safe, effective, and affordable”

Clarian Bariatrics was in the news several times last week! Click on the links below to view our recent news articles.

Single-incision procedure is easier on the patient
Indianapolis Star - Indianapolis,IN,USA
Dr. Don Selzer is a physician at Clarian Bariatrics and associate professor of surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine. ...

Business Line
Muncie Star Press - Muncie,IN,USA
The Bariatric Center, 2901 W. Jackson St., is now named Clarian Bariatrics at Ball Memorial Hospital. Officials said the goal of the partnership is to ...

The following post was written by one of my students, Eric Lester, a doctoral student from Ball State University.

How do you feel about yourself after surgery? 

Patients who come to Clarian Bariatrics often share with us a common complaint, that they do not feel good about themselves.  They give a variety of reasons for this shared feeling.  Some of these reasons have a strong link to the patient’s weight, difficulty participating in enjoyable activities, and health concerns.  

If you have or have had similar feelings, you may wonder how bariatric surgery can help you feel better about yourself.  While no one can guarantee that you will feel as though you have overcome every obstacle in your life following bariatric surgery, research indicates that individuals who have bariatric surgery are more likely to have more confidence, be more assertive, and have more energy.  Individuals who have experienced improved confidence, assertiveness, and energy levels often report feeling better about themselves. 

We sent out this information earlier in the week, and I wanted to share it with you. We are thrilled at all the changes coming to Clarian Bariatrics, and we realize it would not be possible without your continued support! You guys are the best!

Exciting changes are in store for Clarian Bariatrics this summer as the program announced the addition of two full-time surgeons and a move to a new 30,000 square foot outpatient clinic to better accommodate the rapidly growing program, which has experienced double digit growth the past three years.

Dr. Daniel T. McKenna will join the surgical team of Clarian Bariatrics, a designated Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), on August 10. Dr. McKenna joins the programs five other bariatric surgeons who completed nearly 400 surgeries at Clarian North Medical Center in 2008.

A Wisconsin native, McKenna comes to Clarian Bariatrics from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., where he completed his minimally invasive surgery fellowship. He is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and his Doctor of Medicine. McKenna was a categorical resident in general surgery at the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin.

In April, Dr. Jack Ditslear joined the Clarian Bariatrics staff full-time after working on a part-time basis with the program since its launch in 2004. A Noblesville native, Dr. Ditslear graduated with honors in chemistry at Miami University of Ohio and then graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Dr. Ditslear carries a vast amount of experience in bariatric surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons, and is also accredited as a Bariatric Center of Excellence Surgeon by the Surgical Review Corporation. Additionally, Dr. Ditslear is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is on the teaching staff for the Indiana University General Surgery Residence program. 

“We are thrilled to have Drs. McKenna and Ditslear join the surgery staff at Clarian Bariatrics on a full-time basis,” Jonathan Goble, FACHE, President & CEO of Clarian North Medical Center, said. “The addition of these two skilled surgeons will aid in the successful implementation of many exciting programs.”

Among those initiatives is the launch of a non-surgical division for the weight loss program and an adolescent bariatric program. In addition, an exercise program championed by Erin Light, a certified personal trainer, will begin in August and provide patients an educational approach to personally-tailored exercise programs. Also, William Hilgendorf, PhD, Manager of Bariatric Behavioral Health, has implemented a behavioral program that will increase the coping skills of post-operative patients and improve patient outcomes.

These new patient support opportunities fit with the already established and popular weekly support groups and quarterly cooking classes. Programs like these have led Clarian Bariatrics to be nationally recognized as a robust program that enjoys some of the best weight loss outcomes in effectiveness and durability.

Due to the ongoing program growth, the Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic will move from its current location in building 11 of Intech Park to a 30,000 square foot space in building 10 of Intech Park, located on the northwest side of Indianapolis. This move will provide staff with more exam rooms, dedicated exercise rooms and additional meeting space for support groups and the non-surgical weight loss program.

“The growth our program has experienced over the past five years has been remarkable and humbling,” Samer Mattar, MD, FACS, Medical Director of Clarian Bariatrics, said. “Our staff, surgeons and patients have helped us create a unique program that is only beginning to reach its full potential.”

I see post bariatric surgery patients several times a week at Clarian Bariatrics as a physician assistant to Dr. Samer Mattar, and Dr. Don Selzer.  During my visits, I have the privilege of hearing how we have changed our patients’ lives.  I wanted to share with you a few of the things I hear from our weight loss patients all the time!

The most frequently made comment is about the increase in energy that almost all of our patients have.  Prior to obesity surgery the majority of our patients’, complain about how fatigued they are.  They have no energy to get through day-to-day life.  Cooking, cleaning, chasing children all of it is more exhausting than their energy allows.

Post surgical patients are amazed, thrilled, and grateful for the change in their energy levels.  Not only are they now able to do all the day-to-day chores of life but since they have had their bariatric surgery they have an abundance of energy for all of the fun and entertaining things they missed out on before. 

Are you ready to reclaim your life with weight loss surgery? Then join us at a FREE informational session where you can learn about Indianapolis bariatric treatment options and meet with Indiana surgeons. Click on the image at the right of this post for more information.

Clarian Bariatrics offers extensive counseling, through our psychology department, our dietitians and our exercise physiologist. This provides individuals with a wide range of group and one-to-one sessions not just for counseling, but to assist you in becoming more physically active, help in making positive choices, and healthy behavior changes. 

Our exercise physiologist (Erin Light, also a blogger) is available to instruct you on how to increase your activities as you move up to a regular fitness program.  She will help you develop a plan and give you specifics on how to achieve your goals.  The Dietitians (Annessa, Alvin, Sarah, Jennifer - all bloggers) will help you make nutritional and healthy choices.  The psychology department (Bill, also a blogger) will help with coping skills that cover eating habits, body image, family dynamics, and various other topics of interest.

Our weight loss program will ask you to keep a food diary, and pre-surgery you will be required to follow a liver reduction diet of specific, widely available, foods, used to reduce the size of your liver, in turn reducing surgical risks.  The wide variety of foods available on this list should have something for everyone regardless of dislikes or allergies and should fit into any lifestyle or cultural needs.

Once you have had bariatric surgery you will be required to take vitamin supplements for the remainder of your life.  Your surgeon, based on blood tests, determines what you need to take.

After your weight loss surgery, Clarian Bariatrics has a full range of support groups to
keep you making positive and healthy behavior changes, to learn ways of dealing with such issues as what to eat at social or holiday gatherings, changes to work schedules, lack of motivation, and injury or illness?  Additionally dietitians are available by phone regularly and we have a great blog that helps keep our patients in touch as well.

As you can see from the above Clarian Bariatrics has a program full of ways to help you succeed in your weight loss goals.  Please give us a call for more information. If you are not in the Indianapolis area, look at similar programs in your area and see if they offer similar program elements as we do. The key is that you want to find a well-rounded program that supports not only your weight loss, but your emotional and exercise needs as well.

Learn more about us at ACallToChange.org.

So you think you want to have Bariatric surgery?  So, you think you can do this alone?  I beg to differ.  You can read all the information posted on any Web site, soak up all the info from Oprah and TLC, but you have no idea what your contemplating until you speak to a patient first hand.  Every story is different every patient is different every situation is different.  The common denominator in all successful Bariatric patients, and in every Bariatric story and situation, is the support system. 

If you have surgery in a weight loss surgery center that does not have an adequate support system in place, and you do not have an abundance of supporting people around you, do not stop looking.  The Indianapolis Clarian Bariatric Center is supportive on more than the level.  The search for a proper fit is so important; do not settle for just any old place to change the rest of your life.

Yes, we stand behind our beliefs, we believe what we say and we walk what we talk.  Those are very important items when considering weight loss surgery. No person can do this alone, the education aspect alone could be overpowering.  Whether your support system is family, friends or loved ones we are always here to lend a hand, loan an ear or offer a word of encouragement. 

The people who work at Clarian Bariatrics believe in our passion.  We want all of you to succeed and the only way to do that is support!  Support does not mean, contribute to lifestyles that will harm a Bariatric patient, and often it is given to our patients in an honest straight forward manner, but it is given in love.  Support groups. walking groups, copings skills classes, cooking classes are all ways to build a stronger foundation for a successful outcome.  Come and visit us at our education seminars (we have one this week) and take the steps to changing the rest of your life.