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!

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.

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.


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.

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.

Kick Your Old Habits

Friday, July 3, 2009 by Traci Baker
Do you underhandedly believe you will always gain your weight back regardless of what type of food plan you are trying to follow?  Your old habits/beliefs may hinder your current behavior and eliminate your continual success of weight loss.  Even if this was true for you in the past it does not mean you can not change your future! 

I have no will power!  Does that statement sound familiar?  Do you continually make that comment therefore use it as an excuse to overeat?  Instead of assuming that you don’t have willpower revisit the thought of making choices.  Sometimes we eat because we miss a particular taste or texture.  Ask yourself why am I truly eating?  What is missing?  How do I feel?  What do I need?

Have an additional question about causes of obesity and weight loss surgery? Then leave a comment below or send a confidential email to bariatric@clarian.org and I will be happy to respond!

News article: PE requirement isn't enough to fight obesity

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 by Andy Pollen
Interesting article about how physical education is being decreased at schools across the country and how it is one of the many factors that are contributing to the growing obesity rates among children. Click the link to read full text on this cause of obesity from the Washington Post.

The gym at Eberhart Elementary School is bright and spacious - with high ceilings, several basketball hoops, even a large, colorful climbing wall.

But for much of the day, the gym doubles as a cafeteria where the school's 1,800-plus students are offered breakfast and lunch.

There's another gym on the fourth floor, but it's so old it has basketball hoops attached to ladders. Time and space limitations mean each class gets physical education just once a week for 40 minutes.

In the fight against childhood obesity, getting kids moving is one of the most effective ways to combat the problem. But only Illinois and Massachusetts require P.E. classes for all kids in kindergarten through 12th grade. And, as Eberhart's example shows, even those requirements sometimes are not enough.


News article: Races Differ in Rates of Sleep-Related Obesity

Monday, June 29, 2009 by Sara Donlan
We have received a lot of questions about how obesity can affect different races. I did some research and found that all human bodies, regardless of race/ethnicity, respond to surgery basically the same way.  There are some perceptions that African-Americans have less desirable outcomes, but that may be more a matter of culture than race. 

Regardless, there are some health issues related to obesity that do affect ethnic groups in different ways. The following article from Weight Loss Surgery magazine highlights one such issue related to sleep disorders.

People who get too little sleep are at risk for obesity, and for blacks the risk is greater than for whites, New York researchers have found.  Studying the connection between short sleep duration and obesity, researchers analyzed national data from 29,818 adults aged 18 to 85. The study found that 52 percent of blacks and 38 percent of whites were obese (body-mass index of 30 or higher). Rates of short sleep duration (five hours or less per night) were 12 percent for blacks and 8 percent for whites.

The adjusted obesity/short sleep duration odds ratio was 1.78 for blacks and 1.43 for whites, which shows that blacks have a 35 percent greater risk of obesity associated with short sleep duration, the researchers said. 

"Compared to white Americans, black Americans had a greater prevalence of short sleep and a greater prevalence of obesity. Both black and white Americans who were obese tended to have short sleep duration," study author Girardin Jean-Louis, an associate professor at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center at the Brooklyn Health Disparities Research Center, said in a news release.


The findings suggest that short sleep time may be a contributor to the obesity crisis in the United States, Jean-Louis said. Previous research has found that people who sleep for less than seven hours a night are at increased risk for obesity. The study was to be presented Monday at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies annual meeting, in Chicago.

Do you have a question about causes of obesity, Indiana bariatric surgeons or the different types of weight loss surgery? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. Information can be found by clicking on the image at the right of this page or by visiting this Web site.

News article: Does health insurance affect weight loss?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 by Andy Pollen
While I think this article raises some interesting points, it only skims the surface of what really constitutes a successful weight loss surgery outcome. Can the type of insurance a patient has be a pre-cursor to how successful they will be in a bariatric weight loss program? Maybe.

I think more telling is how willing they are to make a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. That is, how many support groups will they attend? Can they give up the unhealthy eating habits and focus on intake? Are they committed to a regular exercise routine? In my opinion, it doesn't matter if you have commercial insurance, a government funded plan or a self-pay option, if you have the will...there will be a way! Click here to read the quick article.

If you are interested in learning more about causes of obesity and how you can have a successful surgery outcome, then join us at a FREE informational seminar. At the seminar you can hear from past patients and listen to Indianapolis Weight Loss Surgery Doctors talk about the process. Click on the image at the right of this page to view dates.

Getting Family On Board, Part II

Saturday, June 13, 2009 by Traci Baker
Be prepared for your family to ask questions about bariatric weight loss and be ready/willing to answer them.  Know that you may not receive the reaction you thought might occur.  Make sure you are ready for negative and positive comments.

Prepare yourself mentally for what may happen and have a plan of how you will handle those situations.  The more prepared you are, the less anxiety you will feel which will help give you a sense of calmness.  Understand that your family may need some time to let the information soak in.   Remember that you didn’t make the decision to have surgery overnight.  Give your family the opportunity to absorb the information, think about it and come back to you with questions.

Clarian Bariatrics is here to help you.  Encourage a family member to attend a FREE informational weight loss seminar or support group with you.  At the seminar they can learn about Indianapolis Bariatric Physicians, causes of obesity and the lifestyle changes that this life-altering procedure can bring. Visit our Web site at www.ACallToChange.org for all upcoming event dates times and locations or click on the "Free Surgical Weight Loss Seminar" photo on the right side of this page.

News article: Obesity caused by greed not laziness

Monday, May 18, 2009 by Andy Pollen
The inflammatory headline is what initally caught my attention, but after reading the article posted in the United Kingdom's version of Marie Claire magazine, I definitely see the point they are trying to make. Below are the first few paragraphs:

Greed, rather than laziness, is the major cause of the obesity epidemic across the developed world, research has shown.

A study comparing data from the US from the 1970s and the early 2000s found that over the past 30 years average calorific intake has increased by at least 500 calories a day, while exercise levels have changed little.


While we at Clarian Bariatrics understand that obesity is caused by more than just diet and exercise, this article does paint a pretty accurate picture of how "a few extra pounds" can turn into a serious issue. Click here to read full text.

News article: Obese children more likely to have allergies

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 by Andy Pollen
An interesting article from Reuters that you may or may not find surprising. The first two paragraphs are below and you can click here for the full text.

Obese children and adolescents are 26 percent more likely to have some kind of allergy, especially to food, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

They said it is not clear from the study if obesity causes allergies, but it suggests controlling obesity in young people may be important for lowering rates of childhood allergies and asthma.


Are you struggling with weight loss and health problems associated with obesity? Then please join us at a FREE informational seminar where Indianapolis Bariatric Surgeons will discuss treatment methods and costs related to bariatric surgery. There is hope to break the cycle and achieve sustainable weight loss. Click here for more information.

From Morbid Obesity to Runner

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 by Sara Donlan
One of Clarian Bariatrics' success stories is about a lovely lady who entered her first 5K run recently.  She was in the office the other day and we could feel her exuberance.  She sent this detail in an email:

“I ran about ½ mile total of the 3.1 miles and I ran on every street we were on. I am very proud of myself to have even entered, let alone finish.  To think that just one year ago I weighed almost 400 lbs and smoked 1-2 packs of cigarettes a day!  We are all truly blessed.”

This is a TYPICAL scenario for many people who have undergone weight loss surgery.  They regain their lives…and then some!  This woman would never have dreamed of accomplishing what she did the other day.  I invite you to share your stories or dreams of a healthier, better life.

Are you ready to do something you never thought possible? Then join us at a FREE informational session to learn about bariatric surgery costs, problems caused by obesity and how weight loss surgery can save your life. Click on the image at the top right of this page to see upcoming dates!

Did you know?

Friday, April 24, 2009 by Samer Mattar

Obese patients are about six times more likely to develop heart disease than those of normal weight. Increased levels of blood fats and the metabolic effects of obesity affect coronary disease.

An increased load on the heart leads to early development of congestive heart failure. Severely obese people are 40 times more likely to suffer sudden death, in many cases due to cardiac rhythm disturbances.

However, weight loss surgery can help elminate - or drastically improve - this health problem caused by obesity. If you would like to learn more then consider joining us at a FREE informational seminar.

At the seminar you can ask questions of Indiana Weight Loss Surgeons and find out more information about bariatric surgery costs and Indiana Bariatric Centers. Click on the image at the top right of this page to learn about upcoming dates.

Big News To Share!!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 by Terri Hohlt
I am so excited to make an upcoming announcement to our patients. You should all be receiving a letter in the mail in the next few days inviting you to an extra special event on May 15.

I don't want to give too much away right now, but mark you calendars now for May 15...you won't want to miss out!

If you are not currently a patient of Clarian Bariatrics, we'd still like to meet you and help you reach your goals. Do you have a question about weight loss surgery, Indiana Hospitals, bariatric surgery costs or causes of obesity? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. Just click on the photo at the top of this page for more info!

Face the Truth

Monday, April 20, 2009 by Traci Baker

If you are finding that you don’t want to do the things that will keep you healthy, it’s time to re-evaluate where you are at in your journey. Attend a support group and take a loved one along, call another weight loss patient who may need support, ask a friend to walk with you and spend time catching up while getting some exercise.  

Most importantly be honest with yourself.

Are you slipping back into old habits?  Do you recognize what those habits are? Face the truth and don’t deny what you are going through.  Are you truly doing everything you are supposed to do with the new tool you’ve been given?  Do you put your heart and soul into your new life and following the program or do you tell yourself it’s ok to slip every once in a while?

Remember to take baby steps and tell yourself every day I’m going to make good choices today because I’m worth it!

Have an additional question about causes of obesity and weight loss surgery? Then leave a comment below or send a confidential email to bariatric@clarian.org and I will be happy to respond!

Obesity: The primary cause is lack of knowledge

Friday, April 17, 2009 by Andy Pollen
I thought this editorial by Amy McGuire of Burleson, Texas, was both poignant and relatable. It ran in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and offers some insight on how we may be able to prevent obesity. Read the article here.

We know that obesity is more than just about making smart food choices. If you are interested in learning more about the causes of obesity or weight loss surgery in general, please join us at a FREE informational seminar.

To save your space or learn about upcoming dates, please click on the image at the top right of this page or visit us at ACallToChange.org.

The Power of Self-Esteem

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 by Traci Baker
The power of self-esteem is something we tend to forget about. Before weight loss surgery, I can remember times when I would do positive self-talk over and over.  I would get just shy of that point where I started to feel good about myself and - WHAM -  someone knocked me to my knees. 

It could be the way someone looked at me (the elevator look of up and down with a nasty smirk), a small mumble under their breath about my appearance, comments about overweight people and remarks about what I was eating or a mention of obesity in today’s society.

Causes of obesity and self-esteem tend to fuel each other.  When a bad experience devastates your confidence we tend to turn to food to soothe the pain.  Our minds tell us comfort food will help us face the world again.  We eat to cope with low self image, which makes us gain weight and ultimately makes our self-esteem even lower.  Double whammy!

What is self-esteem?  Basically it is feeling good about yourself mentally and physically! People with high self-esteem convey confidence, feel comfortable about their bodies and believe they are valuable. Surgery and weight loss combined can help you regain some of that lost self-esteem. Positive self-talk and changing your vocabulary will also help motivate yourself to continually feel good. 

Try filling in the blank to this question and see how many positive things you come up with.  Don’t stop at one thing try for five and push to get ten.  We are ALL valuable!

When I’m at my best this is how I am __________________.

Do you find yourself struggling with something?  I am here to help! Visit our Web site for any upcoming support groups or feel free to contact me at bariatric@clarian.org or 317-275-7010/877-275-2555.

FREE Informational Session Saturday

Thursday, April 2, 2009 by Terri Hohlt
Join your friends at Clarian Bariatrics on Saturday as we hold a FREE informational seminar for individuals wanting to learn more about bariatric surgery costs, causes of obesity, Indianapolis bariatric centers and surgical weight loss options including gastric bypass and the Lap Band.

This session will be held at our Indianapolis location (6625 Network Way, Suite 100, Indianapolis) at 10 a.m. Support is essential to success, so we encourage you to bring as many individuals along as you wish.

If you have questions, please call us at 317-275-7010 or toll free at 877-275-2555. See you there!

News article: Babies' weight gain can predict later obesity, study shows

Thursday, April 2, 2009 by Andy Pollen
The following article from The Virginia-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, takes another angle at trying to predict individuals that may be at risk for obesity later in life. Below are the first few paragraphs:

Conventional wisdom holds that a fat baby is well-loved, but pediatricians are warning parents not to go overboard.

A study released today in the journal Pediatrics suggests that rapid weight gain during the first months of infancy can predict obesity and high blood pressure later in life.

Want to read more? Then click here for full text of the article. Interesting in learning about how weight loss surgery can help improve health problems caused by obesity? Then join us at a FREE informational session. Click on the image at the top right of this page for more information.