Premier Surgical Associates - Connect - Blog

Weight Loss Surgery is for Men, Too

Mark A. Colquitt, MD, FACS, FASMBS — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:52:00 +0000

In our society, women tend to worry more about weight than their male counterparts. As demonstrated by the success of our patient Milton Cooper, weight management is equally important for men. And, as we often say, the health benefits of weight loss are much more important than a change in appearance.

When Milton Cooper of Maryville first came to our office, he was 39 years old and weighed 378 pounds. He first tipped the scales at over 300 pounds when he was only 18 and was diagnosed with diabetes about a year later. Cooper’s struggles with diabetes led his doctor to recommend weight loss surgery and ultimately brought him to us.

To read more of this post, visit Foothills Weight Loss Specialists’ “Weighing In” blog.

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Bariatric Surgery Brings Economic Benefits

Mark A. Colquitt, MD, FACS, FASMBS — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:56:56 +0000

In prior posts, have discussed the fact that, for those who lose weight and maintain that weight loss, bariatric surgery can alleviate diabetes.

Despite the high cost of treating diabetes, some may wonder – health and lifestyle benefits of alleviating the disease aside – if the cost of bariatric surgery can be recouped. According to research by the Analysis Group, a firm with more than 500 professionals and offices throughout the country, the answer is, “Yes.”

To read more of this post, visit Foothills Weight Loss Specialists’ “Weighing In” blog.

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STAMPEDE Study Compares Bariatric Surgery to Medical Management for Type 2 Diabetes

Mark A. Colquitt, MD, FACS, FASMBS — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:01:01 +0000

As reported on March 26, 2012, in the New England Journal of Medicine, STAMPEDE, a recently released study, concluded that bariatric surgery resulted in better glucose control than medical therapy in severely obese patients with Type 2 diabetes.

To read more of this post, visit Foothills Weight Loss Specialists’ “Weighing In” blog.

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Success, One Step at a Time

Mark A. Colquitt, MD, FACS, FASMBS — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:35:58 +0000

At Foothills Weight Loss Specialists, we advise all of our patients that incorporating regular exercise into their routines is a critical component of weight loss success. Our patient Kim Chambers, who had a gastric banding procedure in August 2009, took our advice and “ran” with it.

Chambers, 36, was a long distance runner while a student at William Blount High School. She says she doesn’t remember when or why she stopped running, but by her mid-30s, she had stopped running and put on more than 100 extra pounds.

To read more of this post, visit Foothills Weight Loss Specialists’ “Weighing In” blog.

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Is Gastric Banding Right for You?

Mark A. Colquitt, MD, FACS, FASMBS — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:03:14 +0000

Gastric banding is less invasive than bypass surgery and is reversible at any time. Because of these advantages, the procedure is in great demand. While banding may be perfect for some personalities, it is not for everyone.

Simply speaking, banding is a nudge in the right direction for weight loss, while gastric bypass is a push in that direction.

To read more of this post, visit Foothills Weight Loss Specialists’ “Weighing In” blog.

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Exercise and Travel: Can the Two Really Co-exist?

Rebecca Johnson, Exercise Physiologist, BS, CPT — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:09:20 +0000

Spring is upon us and that means spring break travel for lots of people and the ever-looming summer vacations. Friends, family and patients ask me all the time, “How can I exercise when I travel?” For some, travel is not just something that happens seasonally or a few times a year but every month or every week if the job demands it. So, how can we be successful at planning for and actually following through with exercise when we travel?

To read more, visit New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery’s blog.

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Better Bariatric Surgery through Robotics

Mark A. Colquitt, MD, FACS, FASMBS — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:08:53 +0000

The da Vinci® Surgical System is a sophisticated robotic platform that uses very small surgical instruments and a high-definition 3D camera. It enhances the surgeon’s ability to operate and offers a minimally invasive option for major surgeries.

I’ve been performing robotic bariatric surgery for a little over two years now. In that time, I’ve performed approximately 75 robotic gastric bypasses and have been very impressed with the results.

Based on my positive experience I was happy to accept the invitation when Intuitive Surgical, creator of the da Vinci® Surgical System, contacted me about being certified as a proctor.

To read more of this post, visit Foothills Weight Loss Specialists’ “Weighing In” blog.

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Avoid Vacation Weight Gain

Krystal Cameron, RD, LDN — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:46:26 +0000

When you’re on vacation, it may be very easy to abandon the lifestyle changes you have been developing. The downside is, when you return home you often have feelings of guilt and remorse about the choices you made while on vacation. Then, as you follow-up with the office to weigh, the consequences show up on the scales.

It isn’t necessary to make weight loss the main goal of your vacation; however, maintaining your weight is a realistic target.

To read more, visit New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery’s blog.

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Antioxidants: A Good Defense for Bariatric Patients

Mark A. Colquitt, MD, FACS, FASMBS — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:37:12 +0000

At Foothills Weight Loss Specialists, we’re always on the lookout for new technology that will benefit our patients. When we came across the Pharmanex biophotonic scanner, we knew it was a tool that could help our patients achieve good health. We’re proud to be the first in the country to use this technology for bariatic patients.

The scanner is a cutting-edge tool that measures your Skin Cartenoid Score (SCS). Cartenoids are pigments found primarily in fruits and vegetables. They help protect your body from free radicals – unstable molecules that steal or “scavenge” electrons from other molecules.

To read more of this post, visit Foothills Weight Loss Specialists’ “Weighing In” blog.

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‘Treat’ Yourself to Treatment of Spider Veins

Willard B. Campbell, MD, FACS — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:22:51 +0000

Wrinkles, age spots and spider veins are all unwelcome reminders of the aging process. If you’re looking for ways to “turn back the clock” and are considering treatment of your spider veins, you’ll be pleased to know that the treatment process is relatively quick and painless.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins but are smaller and closer to the surface of the skin. They are typically red or blue and have short, jagged lines that look like tree branches or spider webs. Generally, spider veins are more of a cosmetic than medical issue, but they can be indicators of other serious vascular issues, so it’s always a good idea to have them evaluated by a physician.

An effective treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive, relatively painless procedure in which affected veins are injected with a solution that irritates the inside lining of the veins and causes them to seal shut. After a few weeks, the spider veins turn into scar tissue and fade from view. Laser therapy is another treatment option.

Sclerotherapy is an in-office procedure that can be performed in under an hour. It allows you to resume normal activities immediately following treatment. The number of treatments needed varies depending on the individual and severity of the problem.

Finally, because sclerotherapy is considered a cosmetic treatment, it generally is not covered by insurance. Our staff will work with you to determine your insurance eligibility.

If you are ready to get rid of spider veins, request an appointment with the vascular specialists at Premier Vein Clinics today.