5K Run/Walk Opportunity

Monday, September 28, 2009 by Andy Pollen
Carve out some time for fun at the Pumpkin Patch Festival on Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., in the north parking lot and Atrium of Clarian North Medical Center. This fun-filled, FREE family event is perfect for people of all ages! Click here for a flyer promoting the event.

Highlights include:
  • Bounce house
  • Police and fire emergency vehicles
  • Petting zoo
  • Family photos
  • Face painting
  • Caricatures
  • Crafts
  • LifeLine helicopter and ambulance
  • Train rides
  • Clowns
  • Educational and interactive booths
  • Live music and more!

New this year is a 5K run/walk through a partnership with the Carmel Lions Club. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. on the south side of the hospital. Please note that there will be a fee for the 5K. Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit the organization's Web site to learn more. Registration information and event details are also available on http://www.clariannorth.com/.

Please consider getting some friends together and joining us for this fun-filled day!
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News article: New Research Shows Direct Link Between Soda and Obesity

Thursday, September 24, 2009 by Andy Pollen
If you have been a loyal visitor to this blog, then you are aware that our excellent dietiticans are often advocating ditching soda pop. Here is just one of the many reasons why:

While health officials have long suspected the link between obesity and soda
consumption, research released today provides the first scientific evidence of
the potent role soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages play in fueling
California`s expanding girth.

In their landmark study: Bubbling Over: Soda Consumption and Its Link to Obesity
in California, researchers from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
(CHPR) and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA) discovered a
strong correlation between soda consumption and weight. Based upon data from
more than 40,000 interviews conducted by the California Health Interview Surveys
(CHIS), researchers found that adults who drink a soda or more per day are 27
percent more likely to be overweight than those who do not drink sodas,
regardless of income or ethnicity.

If you want to learn more about the study, please click here for a Reuters article.


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News article: Risk Of Prostate Cancer Recurrence For Both Blacks And Whites Increased By Obesity

Monday, September 21, 2009 by Andy Pollen
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, so I thought it was a great time to share this news article discussing the links between obesity and prostate cancer. When detected early, prostate cancer is very curable. If you are a man over 40 have you had your yearly PSA? If not, visit ACallToChange.org to learn about FREE upcoming screenings in your area.

Below are a few paragraphs from the article. Please click the link to view full text.

A new look at a large database of prostate cancer patients shows that obesity plays no favorites when it comes to increasing the risk of recurrence after surgery: Being way overweight is equally bad for blacks and whites, say researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

Studies have shown that obesity is linked to generally worse outcomes in many cancers, including prostate cancer. Because blacks are more likely than whites to develop and die from prostate cancer - and because there is a higher prevalence of obesity among black men with prostate cancer, compared to whites - some studies have suggested that obesity might be a more ominous risk factor for blacks than whites.

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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
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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.

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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.

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Clarian Bariatrics in the News!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 by Andy Pollen
Click the link to read part two of Erin Light's Indianapolis Star series on chair exercises. These informative pieces feature Carla Belle, one of our recent success stories.

Are you our friend on Facebook? If you were, then you would have seen this posting right when it was published last Thursday! Our Facebook page is incredibly active, and it's a great forum for former and current patients to stay connected. We are constantly updating events, reminders, photos and news articles that could help you on your journey.

Click below to add us as a "friend."

Clarian Bariatrics on Facebook
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News article: Aging boomers, obesity make heart disease appear on rise

Monday, September 7, 2009 by Andy Pollen
This headline immediately popped out at me, because I have often wondered how our aging population will fully tax our health care system in the not-too-distant future (I know some will argue that we are already there). This was taken from the Denver Post and you can read the full post by clicking here.

Q: Why is heart disease still on the rise despite the incredible increase in the number of people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs and the more than 30 years of "low- fat propaganda"?

A: The situation you describe — the ever-growing number of people with heart disease despite major advances in cardiovascular medicine and a growing emphasis on prevention — sounds like a paradox. But it can be explained by several trends. These include the aging of the population and the linked epidemics of obesity and diabetes.

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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.

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News article: Using human nature instead of junk food taxes to fight obesity

Thursday, August 27, 2009 by Andy Pollen
An interesting article on the social sicence aspects of obesity from the Los Angeles Times. A few paragraphs are below and you can find the full text by clicking the link above.

A 2007 study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers some intriguing ideas. It looked for lessons from the field of behavioral economics, which seeks to explain how psychological and emotional factors can influence economic decisions, such as what kinds of food to buy.

For instance, it is well known that people have little self-control when deciding what to eat. Perhaps they are too hungry to think rationally. Or perhaps, staring straight at a tempting dessert case, the desire for instant gratification swamps the inconvenient truth that eating a slice of cake will have long-term consequences for the waistline.

To get around this, researchers suggest that diners pre-order their meals as much as possible. Kids could order their school lunches in advance each month, and shoppers could select their groceries online at set intervals, thus eliminating the temptation to make a fattening impulse purchase they could come to regret later.

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Clarian Bariatrics in the news!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 by Andy Pollen
I just wanted to share with you all some recent news articles featuring Clarian Bariatrics patients and staff members.

Check out this great profile of Carla Belle, one of our recent success stories. The Indianapolis Star will be tracking her progress and fitness routine with Erin Light.

Bypass surgery and work are getting her back in shape | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
Source: www.indystar.com

Click the link below to checkout the first exercise article, where Erin and Carla demonstrate some chair exercises that are great for all patients.

Superwoman | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
Source: www.indystar.com

Finally, Erin Light was recently interviewed by the Indianapolis Recorder about smart water choices. Check it out below!

The Indianapolis Recorder > Health > Tap or bottle it?
Source: www.indianapolisrecorder.com

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Have you been to our Facebook page?

Friday, August 21, 2009 by Andy Pollen
If not, then you are missing out on a wealth of information! Our Facebook page includes photos, event postings and general announcements that are great for current and former patients as well as family and friends who want to show support for their loved ones who have undergone surgery.

Our fan page is updated almost daily and it is a great way to stay connected to your friends at Clarian Bariatrics. Add us by clicking the link below!

Clarian Bariatrics on Facebook
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News article: Obesity Costs U.S. Health System $147 Billion

Thursday, August 20, 2009 by Andy Pollen
Mind-blowing statistics in this article from the Obesity Action Coalition newsletter. Teaser below, with full text by following the link.

Obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of all medical spending in the United States or an estimated $147 billion a year, U.S. researchers said Monday.

They said obese people spend 40 percent more -- or $1,429 more per year -- in healthcare costs than people of normal weight.

"It is critical that we take effective steps to contain and reduce the enormous burden of obesity on our nation," Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a news conference at a CDC obesity meeting where the study was presented.

"Reversing obesity is not going to be done successfully with individual effort," Frieden said. "It will be done successfully as a society."

To view this article, click here.

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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 ...



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See you at the Indiana State Fair!

Friday, August 14, 2009 by Andy Pollen
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!
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Become a "Fan" on Facebook

Thursday, August 13, 2009 by Andy Pollen
If you are a Facebook member, consider becoming our fan! We will regularly update our Facebook page with photos and event announcements, and you do not want to miss out on these opportunities. Click the link below to add us!

Clarian Bariatrics on Facebook
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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.

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What's Coming Up This Week at Clarian Bariatrics?

Monday, August 10, 2009 by Andy Pollen
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!
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News article: Low Short-term Risks after Bariatric Surgery for Extreme Obesity, Study Suggests

Friday, August 7, 2009 by Andy Pollen
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.
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Clarian Bariatrics in the news!

Monday, August 3, 2009 by Andy Pollen
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 ...

Cook Medical product used in bariatric surgery - WTHR | Indianapolis
Source: www.wthr.com
In bariatric surgery, excess skin can be a problem. A skin substitute is being added to the procedure to improve outcomes.

Have a question about any of the information listed above? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. At the seminar you can listen to Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff discuss the many aspects of weight loss surgery. Click the image at the top right of this page to get started!


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