Causes Of Obesity

Walk the Talk Event this Saturday!

Thursday, November 19, 2009 by Erin Light

Are you looking for a way to get some exercise in this weekend?

Walk the Talk will be getting together for the last charity walk of the season. Come join us as we participate in the St. Jude Children’s Research 5K on Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. The walk will be held at Northwestway Park located at 5253 W 62nd St, Indianapolis 43268. This walk will be a paved path that is 1.6 miles long. It is a beautiful park that will make a great location during this time of year!

By walking in this 5K event, we can help the doctors and researchers at St. Jude find lifesaving cures for desperately ill children in communities everywhere. By walking, we can bring hope to the patients and families that walk through the doors of St. Jude everyday in search of a cure.

If you would like to join us in this cause, please sign up on our team page, and click on Sign up to Walk. During your registration, it will ask you to “Join a Team”---look for our Clarian Bariatrics Walk the Talk team! Everyone who joins the team will receive a free Walk the Talk t-Shirt! We hope to see you there! Feel free to call me at 317-275-7017 if you have questions

Think the Bite Through

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 by Traci Baker

Last week at support group we discussed “Planning a Healthy Holiday” and how to stay focused during this time of year. I’d like to share a Daily Inspiration by Katie Jay that relates to that topic!

Think the Bite Through…

If you are a WLS patient who wants to avoid unhealthy snacking, change your focus and think the snack through. Before you take that first unhealthy bite, think about how will create guilt and anxiety-how it will cause you to lose some of the self respect you’ve gained since having WLS. Consider how it will feel to lose your newfound freedom, your ability to move, the pleasure of having enough energy to be productive.

It’s hard sometimes to make yourself think about the consequences of your actions, but if you are going to have long-term success you might want to start thinking the bite through.

Action for the day: Today, if you find yourself reaching for an unhealthy bite, think it through. What will be the short and long-term consequences?

Join us for seminar on Saturday!

Thursday, November 5, 2009 by Andy Pollen

If you have been anxious to learn more about how bariatric weight loss surgery can change your life, then join Clarian Bariatrics' Indianapolis surgeons and staff on Saturday, November 7 for a FREE informational seminar.

You, and your family and friends, are invited to learn more about the different types of weight loss surgery procedures (Gastric Bypass and Lap Band), learn about the insurance process and ask questions about the health risks caused by obesity.

The seminar is from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and we cannot wait to meet you! Learn more and RSVP, by clicking here!

"Walk the Talk" for St. Jude!

Saturday, October 31, 2009 by Erin Light

Walk the Talk will be getting together for the last charity walk of the season. Come join us as we participate in the St. Jude Children’s Research 5K on Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. The walk will be held at Northwestway Park located at 5253 W 62nd St, Indianapolis. This walk will be a paved path that is 1.6 miles long. It is a beautiful park that will make a great location during this time of year!

By walking in this 5K event, we can help the doctors and researchers at St. Jude find lifesaving cures for desperately ill children in communities everywhere. By walking, we can bring hope to the patients and families that walk through the doors of St. Jude everyday in search of a cure. If you would like to join us in this cause, please sign up on our team page.

Everyone who joins the team will receive a free Walk the Talk T-Shirt! We hope to see you there!

Fast Facts

Monday, October 26, 2009 by Trish Seidel

If the entire morbidly obese population of the United States lived in one state, it would be the 12th hightest-populated state, with more people than the state of Virginia.

Just in case you're wondering, the state of Virginia has 7,769,089 folks living there.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery: Lap Band

Saturday, October 24, 2009 by Lisa Buckalew

Restrictive operations serve only to restrict food intake and do not interfere with the normal digestive process. To perform the surgery, doctors create a small pouch at the top of the stomach where food enters from the esophagus. Initially, the pouch holds about one ounce of food and later expands to hold more. The lower outlet of the pouch has a small opening to delay the emptying of food from the pouch and cause a feeling of fullness.

Restrictive operations for obesity include the Adjustable Gastric Ban (LAP-BAND), which restricts the size of the stomach using a band.

Although restrictive operations lead to weight loss in almost all patients, they are less successful than malabsorptive operations in achieving substantial, long-term weight loss. Some patients regain weight. Others are unable to adjust their eating habits and fail to lose the desired weight. Successful results depend on the patient's willingness to adopt a long-term plan of healthy eating and regular physical activity.

Join us at a FREE informational seminar tomorrow!

Friday, October 16, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

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.

This Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. you are invited to visit our outpatient clinic on the northwest side of Indianapolis and have your questions answered about bariatric surgery costs, causes of obesity and sustainable weight loss options at the hands of our skilled Indianapolis staff.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out our online registration form or call 317-275-7010 or 877-275-2555 (toll free) to reserve your spot.

Who is a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

The following factors will be considered in determining if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery:

You have tried to lose weight by changing your eating habits and exercise and are still severely obese.
You are unable to perform routine daily activities without being seriously affected.
You understand the procedure and the lifestyle changes you will need to make after bariatric surgery.
You are motivated to make a lifelong behavioral commitment that includes well-balanced meals and physical exercise.
You understand that this surgery won't solve all your problems, but can make you healthier -- and probably much happier.

Before patients undergo surgery for morbid obesity, they must qualify for our bariatrics program. Our basic program guidelines are:

Being 100 pounds or more over your "ideal body weight," according to the established weight charts.
Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 with no co-morbidities or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities.
Being able and willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes.

BMI Categories:

Underweight: less than18.5
Normal: 18.5-24.9
Overweight: 25.0-29.9
Obesity (Class 1): 30-34.9
Severe obesity (Class 2): 35-39.9
Severe obesity (Class 3): 40-49.9
Super-obesity: over 50

Learn more by joining us at a FREE informational seminar this week! Learn more at ACallToChange.org.

What is the cost of weight loss surgery?

Thursday, October 8, 2009 by Lisa Buckalew

We recently received a blog comment asking about the cost of a typical procedure. While there are many variables as each patient is different, I thought I would re-run the posting as a way to answer some additional questions.

I am often asked by prospective patients the price of Bariatric surgery. I try to give a ball park figure, but it is a price that I cannot quote exactly. Prior to surgery we verify the benefits available to each patient with their insurance plan. If insurance is not an option, I offer the patient the cash pay rate. This is not one fee for all; you will receive a balance of approximately $26,000

A portion of this will be due before surgery (two weeks) the remaining balance will be in different bills. Pre-operative testing, anesthesia, surgeon fees, etc…I cannot give an exact figure as each patient has different mitigating factors affecting their procedures. Different co-morbidities require different tests for example.

If you have any additional questions about bariatric surgery financing, gastric bypass costs and other fees related to weight loss surgyer, please do not hesitate to call us at 317-275-7010 or attend a FREE seminar.

News article: Obesity will be biggest cancer cause within 10 years

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 by Andy Pollen

Another article from the OAC's e-newsletter. It is rather shocking that obesity has so quickly become such a serious health issue. You can read full text of the article by clicking here.

Already up to one in twelve new cases of the disease are attributed to being overweight or obese and this proportion is set to increase as more quit smoking and stop hormone replacement therapy.

Dr Andrew Renehan, a cancer expert at the University of Manchester, told a medical conference: "Obesity is catching up at a rate that makes it possible it could become the biggest attributable cause of cancer in women within the next decade."

Last year, the number of cancer cases in Europe linked to weight jumped to at least 124,050, almost double the number in 2002.

News article: Fighting obesity can't be done sitting down

Thursday, October 1, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

I saw this editorial in the Pensacola News Journal and thought it was full of excellent information. The first few paragraphs are below and full text can be found by clicking on the link.

Obesity causes all sorts of health-related problems ranging from high-blood pressure to diabetes to heart disease. New research now shows that being fat is quickly becoming the second-leading cause of cancer behind smoking.
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The news is especially bad for women in Western countries in coming years as the obesity epidemic continues to put them at higher risk. Colorectal cancer, breast cancer in menopausal women and endometrial cancer accounted for 65 percent of all cancers linked to being fat.

Scientists still aren't sure why being fat boosts cancer risks, but suspect it is connected to hormones. As people become fatter, they produce more hormones like estrogen that help tumors grow. People with big bellies also have more acid in their stomachs, which can lead to stomach, intestinal or esophageal cancer.

Did you know?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 by Andy Pollen

Bariatric surgery is recognized as the most effective and durable method for persons who are morbidly obese to lose their excess weight and keep it off for many years. It is NOT a quick fix. It is NOT taking the "easy way out."

The benefits of bariatric surgery are numerous:

Longer Life – Studies show that gastric bypass surgery can improve your life expectancy by as much as 89%.

Reduced Health Problems – Severe obesity is associated with at least 50 diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, fatty liver, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, gout and various skeletal and joint problems. Bariatric surgery has been proven extremely successful in eliminating or dramatically reducing most of these health problems. For example, 80% of non-insulin dependent diabetics are cured as a result of gastric bypass. Sleep apnea patients enjoy uninterrupted sleep within a year of surgery, and half of the patients with high blood pressure come of their medications within a few months of surgery.

Psychological Benefits – Bariatric surgery can also help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with obesity. With a new self-image, issues like depression and fear of social situations can be overcome. A new desire and ability to interact with family and friends is also a common benefit following bariatric treatment.

Want to learn more about how Indiana weight loss surgery can help you? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar where Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff will discuss treatment options. Learn more by clicking here.

What To Expect at Seminar

Saturday, September 19, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

Are you considering bariatric weight loss surgery, but are not sure what to expect at one of our FREE seminars? Below is just a brief overview of how the process works.

From their very first visit at Clarian Bariatrics, all patients receive extensive education about the health problems with obesity, the presumed causes of the epidemic rise in obesity in Indiana and the U.S., the medical, psychological, social and economic consequences of obesity, and the keys to maintained successful weight loss.

These educational sessions are conducted by Indianapolis weight loss surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists and other experts. The sessions are also attended by former patients who provide a personal perspective of their experience and describe the challenges they faced after weight loss. Attendees are also provided with a tour of the facility and are given numerous references for further research.

From there, individuals can decide whether or not the time is right for Indianapolis area bariatric surgery and will schedule a consultation. In future posts, I will discuss what happens after the initial consultation. In the meantime, if you have questions, please call us toll free at 877-275-2555.

News article: Obese People Are At Greater Risk For Developing Alzheimer's

Friday, September 11, 2009 by Andy Pollen

This story is very personal as my grandmother has been battling this disease for the past two years. Although she was never obese during her lifetime, it shows that Alzheimer's is indiscriminate in whom it can affect. I simply want to share this article in the hopes that it can raise awareness of this horrible disease. The first few paragraphs are below, and the full text can be found here.

Obesity is on a rampage, with the World Health Organization pegging the numbers at more than 300 million worldwide, with a billion more overweight. With obesity comes the increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and hypertension.

Now comes more discouraging news. In the current online edition of the journal Human Brain Mapping, Paul Thompson, senior author and a UCLA professor of neurology, and lead author Cyrus A. Raji, a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and colleagues compared the brains of people who were obese, overweight, and of normal weight, to see if they had differences in brain structure; that is, did their brains look equally healthy.

If you would like to learn more about Indiana weight loss surgery, causes of obesity and how bariatric surgery can change your life, please join us at a FREE informational seminar. Click on the image at the right of this post to learn more.

Walk - A Lot!

Saturday, August 22, 2009 by Erin Light

The weather has been great for refreshing and energizing walks! If walking has been one of your favorite activities or if you are just getting started, this entry will provide you with some resources to keep you moving forward.

Wondering how well your walks are fitting into your daily physical activity? I always suggest using a pedometer to see how far you are walking every time. You can convert your pedometer steps to miles by using this simple calculator in the link below. This will give you a good idea of how far you are traveling each day, and you can use this number to set goals for future distances. Use this Web site for additional help.

Interested in seeing how “walkable” your community is compared to others? Check to see if your community supports your efforts to travel by foot. Share your walkability score with your local community (www.healthbydesignonline.org) and maybe you can help make a

difference. Check it out here!

There are plenty of walk/run charity events still happening the rest of this year in Indianapolis and surrounding communities. Two local organizations host many of them and already have them planned and ready to go. Check out Ken Long and Associates or Tuxedo Brothers for information on upcoming events that will help you burn calories, visit with friends and fight for a cause that’s important to you.

If you haven’t already visited our new support group “Walk the Talk” on Fridays at 11:30am—we’d love to see you there! We spend 30 minutes walking the local trails (about 1 mile in distance) and the other 30 minutes eating lunch and having discussions. There is no need to sign up—just show up with your lunch packed and tennis shoes on!

Staff qualifications when searching for a bariatric surgery clinic, Part II

Monday, August 17, 2009 by Tina Carmichael

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.

Are you sleeping well?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 by Tina Carmichael

Did you know that lack of sleep can be related to weight gain? According to the July/August 2009 issue of WebMD magazine, women sleeping five or fewer hours per night are 32 percent more likely to gain weight. One study showed as much as 33 pounds over 16 years. They are also 15 percent more likely to become obese than women who sleep at least seven hour per night.

Although a study published by Columbia University and cited in "Sleeping off the Pounds" by

Holly F. Lofton, MD, in the Obesity Action Coalition’s quarterly magazine, shows those numbers as 73 percent more likely to become obese with five hours of sleep then those getting seven to nine hours a night. They found that even increasing to six hours there is still a 27 percent chance of becoming obese over the adults who receive seven or more hours of sleep a night.

In addition to being the cause of weight gain, a consistent lack of sleep raises the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, heart attack, and stroke. Michael Breus, PhD, WebMD Sleep Expert, has the following recommendations to help increase your nightly hours of sleep:

Avoid any caffeine after 2:30 in the afternoon.
Balance your life especially between career and family.
Be sure family time includes quality time with them and some for yourself as well, you time should include physical activity and maybe some pampering as well. Avoid the computer and TV for at least an hour before bed, dim the lights, and relax.
Avoid napping during the day, maintain a regular bedtime routine, and stick with the same waking and sleeping times seven days a week.
Avoid nicotine, alcohol, and stimulant medications close to bedtime, along with the above-mentioned caffeine.
Do your more vigorous exercise in the morning or late afternoon and more relaxing exercises at night.
Avoid large meals at bedtime; keep evening snacks in the 100-200 calorie range.
Try not to read, eat or watch television in bed, also keep your sleep environment comfortable, pleasant, and climate-controlled.
For those on the night shift and the elderly be sure to get good light exposure during the “daytime” from indoor lighting, also close the blinds at least 1-2 hours before bedtime to help set the Circadian rhythm.

If you would like to learn more, a copy of this magazine is available at Clarian Bariatrics clinic. Getting a good nights sleep should help you on your weight loss journey in keeping the pounds off and maybe even assist in losing a few.

Kids Dart. Drive Smart.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 by Andy Pollen

Although this does not relate directly to weight loss surgery, as a Clarian Health entity, we wanted to take a minute to let everyone know about our annual Kids Dart. Drive Smart campaign led by Riley Hospital for Children.

Pedestrian injury remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages five to 14. According to the National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control, approximately 42,000 children were injured as pedestrians in 2007, and from 1999-2006, there were 4,789 pedestrian fatalities among children 17 and younger in the United States. Indiana children accounted for 87 of these deaths. Additionally, more than 36 percent of these injuries occurred during the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Because any child hurt is one too many Riley Hospital for Children and Riley Hospital for Children at Clarian North initiated Kids Dart. Drive Smart., a grassroots, child safety campaign designed to reduce driving speeds during the summer and back-to-school months - a time of year when traffic patterns change and more children are injured while playing and bicycling.

During the inaugural campaign in 2007, more than 5,000 yard signs were distributed throughout the Indianapolis area, with demand exceeding supply. Due to the success of the 2007 campaign, Riley engaged hospital partners in eight Indiana cities, neighborhood coalitions and physician offices to expand the 2008 Kids Dart. Drive Smart. campaign across the state. In 2008, almost 19,000 yard signs were distributed statewide. The dedication of the local community to support pedestrian safety was unparalleled.

According to AAA, every two seconds a driver’s eyes are off the road, a motorist is twice as likely to be involved in a crash. To date, more than 20 states have banned, or partially banned texting while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 78 percent of crashes involved a driver distracted within three seconds before an accident.

This year’s campaign will officially launch at Family Day at the Indiana State Fair on Monday, August 10. After that date, more than 5,000 signs will be distributed by Riley Hospital for Children at Clarian North, and thousands more will be made available to Hoosiers throughout the state at various Clarian hospitals and affiliates and area AAA locations. Information on the Kids Dart campaign will be available at www.kidsdart.org. This Web site will indicate locations to obtain a yard sign and numerous safety tips for kids and adults.

The Importance of Blueberries

Saturday, August 8, 2009 by Alvin Furiya

Did you know that blueberries contain phytochemical’s anthocyanin, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and tannins, which inhibit mechanisms of cancer cell development and inflammation? Other studies have found that blueberry consumption lowered blood cholesterol and total

blood lipid levels, which may decrease risk of heart disease.

Half a cup or 3 ½ ounces of blueberries contain 60 calories, a very small amount of fat and protein, 2.4 grams dietary fiber, and 10 mg vitamin C. Choose fresh blueberries over blueberry juice – juice is a concentrated sweet that may cause dumping in Roux-en-Y patients. Also, avoid the snack foods that contain blueberries (muffins, pie, etc) since those foods are high in calories.

Blueberries may not be a part of your meal plan depending on where you are at in the process of weight management. If you decide to incorporate fruit into your meal plan limit to ½ cup a day and discuss any questions or concerns with a dietitian.

Hair Loss in the Bariatric Patient, Part II

Saturday, August 8, 2009 by Jennifer Gregoline

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