Many insurance companies are now requiring patients to show proof of participating in a medically supervised diet, before they will authorize surgical weight loss. The amount of time varies with different insurance companies. This frustrates and stalls many patients. If you are considering surgical weight loss in the future, start preparing now by seeing your […]

Bariatric Surgery is a very effective tool to use to help alleviate morbid obesity. Our physcians perform gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric band.These are all very good operations. However, the operation is merely a tool to be used in conjuction with changing your diet, adding activity and exercise into your lifestyle and learning […]

When someone is obese or morbidly obese, that person may face a number of major health issues, including increased chances for heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and other cardiovascular issues. Weight loss surgery options have increased in popularity, helping many people improve their overall health and achieve a trim and more athletic appearance. It should come […]

One of the biggest myths about bariatric surgery within the general public, is that it is “the easy way out” Nothing could be further than the truth! Bariatric surgery requires hard work. You will need to make big changes in your diet and activity level. You will need to attend numerous lectures and classes to […]

If you’ve researched (or are in the process of researching) more than one program or surgeon who performs bariatric surgery, you know that a Center of Excellence designation is vitally important to the care you receive and the outcome you have. Having done your research, you also probably know that most programs now hold this […]

The hospitals we work with, Orange Coast Memorial and Fountain Valley Regional are always looking for interesting stories for their news letters and other media projects. I am aware of many of our patient’s circumstances, but obviously can’t know about everyone. If you have an especially interesting story, or your surgical weight loss has made […]

At this time of year, many people struggle to find the right gift for friends and loved ones. I had a thought! Why not give them the gift of health? Encourage them, or yourself to look into surgical weight loss if you suffer from obesity, type II diabetes or hypertension. There is nothing in this […]

“Because diabetes follows a progressive course, often starting with obesity, and then moving on to prediabetes, there are multiple opportunities to intervene early and prevent this devastating disease before it is too late” Deneen Vojta M.D.of United Health Care. Being overweight or obese is one of the primary risk factors for diabetes Some studies have […]

The advisory committee for the FDA met last week to discuss changing the recommendation for patients desiring adjustable banding ( lap band) Currently the criteria requires that patients have a BMI of 40, or BMI of 35 with a serious co-morbidity to qualify for surgery. The new recommendations are to lower the BMI requirements to […]

The following tips came from Allergan who makes the lap band about enhancing satiety. 1. Eat a diet low in simple sugars and fats 2. Eat foods with fiber 3. Eat foods high in protein 4. Avoid drinks that contain calories 5. Eat fruit rather than drinking fruit juice 6. Avoid grazing!