Indiana Weight Loss Doctors

Grab N Go snack ideas from Obesity Help, Part I

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by Traci Baker

Our schedules are changing from summer’s sun and fun, to fall’s cool and going back to school. Most of us are a little busier and on the go in the fall, so it is important that we are prepared to grab a quick and healthy snack. Here are some ideas for healthy, grab ‘n go weight loss surgery friendly snacks:

Fruits
Dried, fresh or even travel sized containers of fruit in their own juices are a quick and healthy approach to getting in your daily fruit requirement. Berries, chunks of melon and other fruits in a baggy are easy to enjoy as you are on the go. Bananas provide their own container making them an easy take-along snack.
Nutrition Bite: 1 medium banana is 85.1 calories

Raw Vegetables
Vegetables are easy to take along and jam-packed with nutrients, providing a great source of fiber. For some variety, add a little dipping to the mix; try hummus, yogurt, light or fat-free salad dressing. Do your prep work ahead of time and have your veggies sitting in the refrigerator ready to go.
Nutrition Bite: 1 cup of green pepper slices is 18 calories

Protein Bars & Drinks
This is a great grab ’n go to help you get in your protein requirements. When selecting your protein bar - be mindful of the use of high-quality proteins, the sugar and fat grams in bars, and calorically if it is a snack or a meal replacement. For a protein drink, pack your protein powder and bring a bottle of water to mix for a refreshing, healthy snack.
Nutrition Bite: One serving of CLICK Espresso Protein Drink is 120 calories

Cheeses
Lowfat cheeses that are packaged for travel are a time saver! String cheese and soft cheese packaged in circular or triangle shaped single servings pack a punch of protein. Another option is to cube cheese the night before in preparation to take the next day. Enjoy these alone or combine with fresh veggies or fruit for a filling on the go snack.
Nutrition Bite: 1 Sargento Light String Cheese is 50 calories

Look for more ideas on Friday!

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.

Clarian Bariatrics in the news!

Thursday, September 17, 2009 by Andy Pollen

This week we have had two great news stories, which feature Clarian Bariatrics staff members! Below you will find an interview with Dr. Samer Mattar, Indianapolis Bariatric Surgeon and Medical Director of our weight loss surgery program, and Erin Light, Fitness and Health Specialist.

Researchers using pig tissue to help heal human wounds
WNDU-TV - South Bend,IN,USA
"Pigs have been a very popular or common animal to use," says Dr. Samer Mattar, bariatric surgeon at Clarian Bariatrics in Indianapolis. "Believe it or not, ...

Chair squat
Indianapolis Star - Indianapolis,IN,USA
Erin Light, fitness coach for Clarian Bariatrics and a certified personal trainer, ... Light trains people taking part in Clarian Bariatrics' supervised ...

Are you a fan of Clarian Bariatrics on Facebook? If not, what are you waiting for? We post a variety of photos, news articles and event reminders on there weekly. It's your "instant" news spot!

Clarian Bariatrics on Facebook

News article: Bariatric surgery may be only option in weight loss

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 by Andy Pollen

I saw this posting in the Detroit Free Press and thought it was full of wonderful information for those individuals considering weight loss surgery in Indiana or elsewhere in the state. I will post the first few paragraphs below and you can find full text on questions related to bariatric weight loss surgery by clicking the link.

Question: I am 5 feet 6 and weigh 240 pounds. I also have Type 2 diabetes. I know I need to lose weight, but knee problems have kept me from exercising, and weight-loss medications haven't helped. I'm now thinking about weight-loss surgery.

Answer: When diet, exercise and medication have little effect, the best option may be weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery.

An estimated 220,000 people had bariatric surgery in 2008, and nearly 30% of them had diabetes. For most, the surgery cures their diabetes, meaning their blood sugar returns to normal levels and they no longer need diabetes medications.

The two most widely used procedures, gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding, lead to substantial weight loss. Although slightly more risky, the bypass procedure leads to greater and faster weight loss. It's also more effective in resolving diabetes and other health complications than the banding procedure. In fact, diabetes resolves in more than 84% of people who undergo gastric bypass.

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.

Tips for Weight Loss Success...Stop Cravings/Snacking

Monday, September 7, 2009 by Sarah Muntel

My final batch of tips for weight loss success:
Brush your teeth after meals. It will make it harder for you to want to eat between meals.

Try sugar free popsicles or sugar free jello for substitute.

If you are craving a food, wait at least 15 minutes before you eat something. The craving should go away.

Any other pointers to share? Then leave me a comment below!

Have you been to support group lately?

Saturday, September 5, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

Clarian Bariatrics is pleased to offer free support groups at various locations throughout central Indiana. Attend support group meetings to learn about ways you can build lasting motivation and overcome the biggest challenges to your exercise and nutrition success. Learn strategies, ask questions and the receive support you need during your journey. Participate in activities that help you discover new ways to stay motivated, cope with physical changes and incorporate lifestyle changes into your everyday life. Pick up a calendar or check the events section to see the different topics covered at each class.

Support groups are held at the following locations:

The Clarian Bariatrics clinic located at 6625 Network Way, Suite 100, in the INTECH Park office complex, Indianapolis. Support groups are held on the first Tuesday (large group) and third Tuesday (small groups) from 6 - 7 p.m. and each Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ("Walk the Talk" lunch group)
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.
Ball Memorial Hospital located at 2901 W. Jackson Street in Muncie. Support group is held on the first Wednesday 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.

Please visit A Call to Change Web site for the most updated support group schedule and topics. Teleconferencing is also available to Clarian affiliate hospitals throughout the state.

Tips for Weight Loss Success...Eating Socially

Friday, September 4, 2009 by Sarah Muntel

A few quick tips for eating socially:

At a work pitch in, bring something that you know you can eat.
Eat before you go and just go to socialize.
When eating socially, focus on vegetables, cheese, shrimp and other low calorie meal choices.

Do you have any other great tips to share? If so, please leave a comment below!

News article: Workplace Obesity Interventions Can Save Employee

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 by Andy Pollen

I thought this was an interesting study from the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Do you agree with the report findings?

Businesses can save money by creating obesity intervention programs in the workplace. That's the finding of a new study from North Carolina-based RTI International as well as the Centers for Disease Control.

The savings are modest, about $90-a year per employee across all overweight or obese workers, or up to $160-a year for workers in the highest obesity range. The study suggests the return on investment is higher if workplace environmental changes are considered.

Researchers say behavioral interventions are usually considered successful if they lead to a five percent weight loss over a sustained period of time. Individuals who aren't overweight tend to take fewer sick days and medical costs to the employer are reduced.

Patient Advice for When You Hit an Exercise Plateu, Part I

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 by Erin Light

I will be posting two parts of a great motivational blog from one of our success stories, Bob. He is so great about providing ideas and suggestions to all of us at Clarian Bariatrics, and I think he has some awesome advice to contribute to our blog readers as well. Look for part two on Friday!

Recently, I had a nice chat with a woman during the Heartland Walk for Health at the Indiana State Fair. Although she’s not a bariatric patient, she’s lost over 50 pounds since December through dieting. However, she’s been feeling a little “down” lately since her weight loss has slowed down. She’s hit the dreaded “WALL.”

I shared my post-surgery experience with her. I’m almost 18 months post-surgery and have lost about 155 pounds. And, I’ve seen at least a couple of plateaus in my 18 months. I told her this is common among those of us who have lost a lot of weight. Then I shared my approach for beating the “blues." I hope it’ll help her and maybe it might help someone else, too.

I call it…CELBRATE YOURSELF!

When you feel a little down because the weight loss has slowed, realize that your REAL goal is not to lose weight…it is to GET FIT. Your weight was just one of the things standing in your way of getting fit.

Then, think of some of the things you can do now, that you couldn’t do before your weight loss… and CONGRATULATE YOURSELF FOR IT! You’ve done a pretty good thing here. You should feel good about it. For example:

I congratulate myself every time I mow the lawn now. A year ago I couldn’t mow the lawn!
I built my wife a raised garden bed this spring. 1,800 pounds of stones and mortar, then shoveled in 2000 pounds of dirt. But, I built it as much FOR MYSELF as I did for my wife! Every time I look at it now I marvel at what I did. A year ago that wouldn’t have been even a dream!
I can work around the garden for an entire day now. GOOD JOB! PAT MYSELF ON THE BACK! A year ago… no way I could have done that! (Unfortunately, I’ve discovered the poison ivy in my garden. But, a year ago I didn’t know I had it! WOW!)

Tips for Weight Loss Success...Meal Choices

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 by Sarah Muntel

Even though you’re one year out, always focus on protein first. Make that the center of your meal. It will also fill you up more!

If a food is difficult for you to control… Don’t buy it. Don’t have it in the house. Stay away!

If you eat fast food, go to McDonalds and order a side of chicken. It’s only $1 and is grilled and lean.

If you’re eating out, plan what you are going to get ahead of time. Don’t even look at the menu!

Join us at a FREE informational seminar this week!

Monday, August 31, 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.

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.

Support Group Tomorrow!

Monday, August 31, 2009 by Sarah Muntel

This is a quick reminder that we will be having support group at Clarian Bariatrics' Indianapolis weight loss surgery clinic tomorrow night.

Topic:               “The Motivational Mindset to Exercise”
Speaker:           Erin Light
Date:                September 1
Time:                6 p.m.
Location:          Clarian Bariatrics (6625 Network Way, Suite 100 - Indianapolis)

Also, don't forget about these other support opportunities in September:

Total Body Fitness classes are held every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m -6:00 p.m. in Indianapolis.
“On Track” Support Groups for patients greater than one year post-op are held the second, third, fourth and fifth Tuesday from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
“Walk the Talk” group meets Fridays from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Meet with staff member and walk for thirty minutes and then bring your lunch and eat for the last half of the meeting.

See you all soon!

Kidney Stones and Gastric Bypass Surgery

Saturday, August 29, 2009 by Jack Ditslear

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.

Tips for Weight Loss Success...Plan Ahead

Friday, August 28, 2009 by Sarah Muntel

Plan meals ahead. Write meals ahead of time on a dry erase board on your refrigerator. Go by the schedule each day.

Make “mini meals” and freeze. Try mini meat loaves, mini egg casseroles, etc. Freeze them. When you’re busy, have them available for a quick meal.

Prepare your breakfasts and lunches for the week ahead of time. Prepare them in advance and then grab them on your way out the door to work.

Clean out your junk food drawer at work. If you have snack food at work, you’ll want to snack. Also, don’t have money for the vending machine.

Use a small plate or saucer. Don’t go back to the large ones. You’ll will eat more if you do.
Find a time to exercise every day! Fit it in just like you would brushing your teeth!

Exercise Improves Outcome of Bariatric Surgery

Friday, August 28, 2009 by Erin Light

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.

Gastric Band Support Group Recap - August

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 by Alvin Furiya

The Clarian Bariatrics' support group meeting for gastric band patients was held on Tuesday, August 18. Did you know that Clarian Bariatrics offers monthly support group for gastric lap band weight loss surgery patients on the third Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7p.m.? Please consider joining us at the next session.

The topic this month was "Why We Overeat?"

A few of the reasons we overeat are steeped misinformation and myth, but there are many with theories with scientific data to back it up. Some of the myths and truths include:

Emotional eating, which could include feeling like there is no hope or giving up.
Foods affecting neurotransmitters in the brain including sensory cues like vision, smell and taste.
Personal and family history and traditions.
The ability to get food 24/7.
Making our life "chaotic" through various commitments.
Even the theory that the food and restaurant industry are manipulating fat, sugar, and salt content.

However, this is a very small list of reasons. Solutions to combat why we over eat include:

Learning fact from myth.
Creating structure in your life.
Practice eating right by picking foods that satisfy not stimulate.
Anticipate events in your life and seize control.
Stop destructive thoughts as they happen not afterwards.
Listen to yourself!

The group concluded that there is not one problem or solution to overeating. Ultimately, it is about making choices and understanding the benefits and consequence of those choices.

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.

Clarian Bariatrics in the News!

Monday, August 17, 2009 by Andy Pollen

We were recently in the news regarding our outpatient expansion and the addition of two surgeons. Click the link below to view the brieif in the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Clarian Bariatrics Moving Locations
Inside INdiana Business (press release) - Indianapolis,IN,USA
Clarian Bariatrics says it is moving its outpatient clinic to better accommodate the rapidly growing weight loss program, which has experienced a double ...

Pound for Pound

Saturday, August 15, 2009 by Erin Light

I always educate people that weight loss is about changing your body composition rather than just losing pounds in body weight. To improve your health, fitness, appearance, and physical abilities—strength training and cardiovascular exercise are keys to success. Since our bodies use both fat and muscle for energy, it is possible to lose weight but still have a high body fat percentage if muscle mass is lost and not being replaced. Increasing your muscle mass through exercise will help you get rid of fat mass by boosting your calorie-burning power and avoid losing strength.

I recently met with a patient who has become a faithful exerciser after surgery, and at this appointment she proved the power of this significant point. About one month ago, we analyzed her body composition and discovered some areas on her body that needed special focus. After following her program the best she could for one month, we analyze her body composition again. The scale showed she had only lost 3lbs since our last visit. She was a regular exerciser and didn’t understand why the weight was coming off so slow. However, the analysis uncovered what was truly happening and what the scale wasn’t able to show. In one month, she had lost almost 20 lbs in body fat and gained almost 15 lbs in muscle mass! Her body fat percentage went from 36 percent down to 29 percent!

So while her total body weight didn’t seem to be decreasing…her body composition was changing dramatically for the better. She saw that even though her scale at home showed slow progress, her exercise routine had taken her strength, fitness, and overall body make-up to the next level. She left confident about how much exercise can ultimately help create a leaner (and not just simply lighter) body. So I encourage you to start exercising or keep exercising even if the scale doesn’t seem to show the immediate results you are looking for—because you might be building the muscle you need to truly help your body. Contact the Clarian Bariatrics if you need more help making exercise a part of your life.