Posts Tagged ‘Allergan lap band’
Friday, June 5th, 2009
Have you seen the infomercial for the weight loss product Lipozyme? “Clinically proven at a major university” to help patients lose weight is their claim. Like ALL nonsurgical weight loss commercials there is tiny fine print on the screen. Usually it says “weight loss not typical” or “your individual results may vary” like it does for Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and Dexatrim.
The Lipozyme ad says in fine print that the average weight loss was about 3 lbs. So, if your BMI is 40, or about 100lbs overweight, the average patient could lose about 3% of their excess body weight, hardly enough to have a dramatic improvement in health. After weight loss surgery, the average patient loses 50-75% of their excess body weight and the exceptional patient loses it all. If you are considering these types of products, remember to ALWAYS read the fine print.
If you have any experiences with using Lipozyme, or similar weight loss products, please feel free to share them with us.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Products, lap band |
Monday, June 1st, 2009
Some of our patients have done impressive things like running marathons and jumping out of airplanes. One of our patients, Mr. Keith Bettinger, who has lost 75 lbs. since his surgery about 4-5 months ago, has written a light hearted book titled “Fighting Crime With ‘Some’ Day and Lenny.” I recently enjoyed reading this compilation of Keith’s humorous short stories which draw upon his experiences as a Suffolk County, New York police officer. Now retired from police work and living in Las Vegas, Keith has won awards for his short story writing skills. Personally knowing Keith has made reading his work so much more interesting because I can see in his writing the same wit, humor, and sarcasm he brings with him on his office visits. If you’d like a copy of the book, please contact Keith at keithbett@cox.net.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Gastric bypass, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support |
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Because the Gastric Band Institute has overseen the surgical weight loss of several thousand patients to date, I’ve been able to observe unique patterns common to very successful patients as well as those patterns common to less successful patients. This information may be helpful to potential patients trying to decide if a surgical weight loss procedure is right for them.
Patients struggling with their weight loss tend to look at their gastric band as something which should physically stop them from eating that one extra bite. They tend to “challenge” their operation, sometimes almost to prove that they can eat past their latest adjustment. As a result, they get food stuck more frequently and tend to have their bands tighter and have more problems with reflux.
The successful patients tend to look at their band as a tool which helps them stop themselves from eating more than is necessary to satisfy their hunger. They stop well before the last bite, they have more “eating margin” as described in a previous blog, have less reflux and don’t need to have their bands adjusted as tight. If you have questions about how to utilize the band for weight loss properly, please leave me a comment and I will reply, or contact Brian or Melissa, our physician assistants, at 702-384-8446. Also, if you have any advice or testimonials of how eating with the band correctly has made your weight loss successful, please tell us about it.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, lap band, lap band surgery, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Eating, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, lap band |
Monday, May 11th, 2009
The U.S Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality recently reported a 21% decline in obesity surgery related complications between 2001 and 2006. This was despite the fact that more older and more sick patients were electing to have surgery compared to previous years. Insurance companies also paid less to hospitals, 13%, because of the decrease in the number of complications. Hopefully, this report will lead to more insurance companies offering obesity surgery as a benefit for their patients and increasing the access of patients to these life-changing procedures.
The reasons for the decrease in complications were:
- increased use of laparoscopy and minimally invasive surgical techniques
- increased number of gastric band procedures
- decreased number of gastric bypass procedures
- increased surgeon experience
For more info, go to
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/04/29/hscout626473.html
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Add new tag, Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support |
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
Incredibly, if you do a Google search for Hydroxycut weight loss/fat burning products, lawyers are already advertising for patients who suffered liver failure or complications after taking this weight loss supplement. The FDA recently announced the recall of Hydroxycut products and recommends that if you use these products you immediately terminate use.
See http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02006.html. Hydroxycut has been attributed to at least one death in a 19-year-old due to liver failure. This just underscores that all chemical dietary aids are and should be used only as temporary weight loss treatment and should be used with caution. I do not advocate for the use of such weight loss products and I teach all my patients that behavior and lifestyle changes are the key factors to long-term weight loss success.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons |
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
The recent appearance of actress Kirstie Alley on Oprah underscores the biggest problem with conventional weight loss programs like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. Even the few who are disciplined enough to strictly adhere to the program and lose a large percentage of their excess body weight, typically gain it back within the first several years. If your BMI is more than 35, the failure rate of nonsurgical weight loss programs is 95%. Ask yourself how many have you failed? ALL of our patients have tried these diet programs multiple times prior to deciding to have a surgical weight loss procedure and our program performed over 1,400 new procedures last year alone.
It’s newsworthy when a paid celebrity weight loss spokesperson like Kirstie Alley or Oprah regain their weight because it emphasizes just how difficult it is in our society to lose weight and keep it off, even if you are being paid to do it. The reason those who undergo surgery experience much more success is because weight loss procedures create literal “restriction” that limit calorie intake and control hunger. It’s a lifestyle change that one makes for the long haul, not a temporary change in eating habits. Such temporary changes only lead to temporary results, if at all.
To learn more, call our office at 702-384-8446 and reserve a spot at one of our free educational seminars.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Friday, April 24th, 2009
We are happy to announce that we have resumed the psychological support group and the first meeting was last night at 6:30 p.m. This is open to both new and veteran patients who have had gastric band, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve. Rachael Handley our new psychologist is moderating the groups and our first meeting was quite successful. Patients struggling with emotional and stress eating are most likely to benefit from this support group. Look for updated info about Rachael and our new nutritionist, Prudence, as we continue to update our website. The addition of Rachael and Prudence to our program team will be beneficial to all our patients in their weight loss and weight maintenance phases. Welcome Rachael and Prudence!
If you are interested in attending a support group, call the office at 313-8446 for meeting dates and times.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band, Weight Loss Support |
Monday, April 20th, 2009
The recent news about United Airlines charging obese travelers for an extra seat reminds me of some of the “milestones” our patients reach on their weight loss journeys. Here are some that frequently come up in support group:
- Not needing to use the seat belt extension on the airplane
- Being able to sit in a booth at a restaurant instead of waiting for a table
- Being able to go on a ride at Disneyland that you couldn’t before
- Crossing your legs when sitting on the couch
- Seeing your shoes when standing up
- Weighing what it says on your driver’s license
What’s your favorite “milestone?” Send some in for others to enjoy.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
A lot of what I learn about the gastric band comes from listening to patients at the support group meetings. The patients who have been successful all seem to have made losing weight and getting healthier one of the top priorities in their life. They put as much effort and energy into their weight loss as they do their job and family. The patients who are not successful complain their jobs, school, family, and relationships cause them to lose their weight loss focus. Integrating your weight loss and band adjustments with the rest of your life is a challenge. Having a supportive spouse, co-workers, and friends is definitely an advantage. However, those who do not already have this type of support can find it at our weight loss support groups. Patients who regularly attend support groups find that it helps them maintain their weight loss as a top priority in their lives. In addition to the support groups, professional psychological services are also available to our patients on an individual basis. For more information on support groups and psychological services, please call us at 384-8446.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Add new tag, Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Band Institute Events, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
Hey everyone, check out our YouTube videos under the patient success stories section of the website and also at our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LVGBIpatients. These videos highlight a few of our many patients sharing their inspirational stories. Follow the link and click on the yellow subscribe button to become a member and you will receive automatic alerts when we upload a new video and instant connection with other Gastric Band Institute patients. If you’re interested in being featured in an upcoming YouTube video, please contact Melissa at: Melissa@bandandbypass.com.
– Dr. Darren Soong
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Tags: Allergan lap band, Bariatric Surgeons, Ethicon Realize band, Gastric Band, Gastric bypass, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Weight Loss Surgeons, Weight Loss Surgery
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve, Las Vegas Weight Loss Surgeons, Realize Band |
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