Peachtree

How Does Alcohol Affect Weight Loss?

cjpeters — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:12:08 +0000

Alcohol consumption is something that many of us enjoy on an occasional basis in social settings. While alcohol consumption is often part of a patient’s social routine before surgery, many bariatric surgery patients must be aware of alcohol consumption after their procedure. There are many reasons for this including:

Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining causing discomfort in post bariatric surgery patients. While this discomfort is temporary, it can lead to digestive issues and longer-term discomfort.

Alcohol is a sugar itself and is then often mixed with high sugar additives. This means that a typical mixed drink may add hundreds of calories and dozens of grams of sugar to our daily intake. If we were to consume too many of these drinks over time, we would be setting ourselves up for significant weight gain. Remember, every 3500 extra calories results in an extra pound of fat.

Carbonated alcoholic beverages can also be detrimental to a post bariatric patient. Carbonation, much like the alcohol itself can irritate the gastric pouch, but it can also start to stretch the stomach, especially if consumed in large quantity. The stretching can, over time, allow the patient to regain weight.

Finally, patients should be aware that their new smaller stomach pouch will allow for less dilution and metabolism of the alcohol in their stomach. This means that the alcohol will pass into the small intestine in greater concentration. Some patients will become inebriated more quickly than they would have before surgery. Not only can this lead to impairment when operating machinery, but it can also lead to a higher blood alcohol level sooner, possibly leading to legal consequences.

We do not wish to completely limit your alcohol consumption after surgery. If alcohol is part of the enjoyment you derive at a meal once in a while, it may continue being appropriate in small doses. We ask that you consume it in moderation. If you do begin to consume alcohol, we suggest you do so in very small quantity to understand how your body reacts to it. As a rule of thumb however, the less alcohol you consume after bariatric surgery the better.

Disney Eliminates Junk Food Advertising

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:31:38 +0000

In mid-2012, Disney announced its plan to eliminate the promotion of junk foods on its TV channels, radio stations and online properties geared toward children. In a move that enforces the company’s internal nutritional standards for advertisers, children will be exposed to fewer images of unhealthy foods. Disney will begin encouraging healthier lifestyles through this program when it goes into effect in 2015.

See more: Junk Food Will No Longer Sponsor Disney Programs

Our Take: As we’ve learned in previous news items, there is definitely a correlation between eating and seeing high fat, high calorie foods on TV. Combined with the staggering rise of childhood and adolescent obesity, the decision to remove junk food advertising on this and any TV network is a welcomed one. We hope that as the effects of visual stimulation on eating become more and more clear, other networks begin to follow suit.

Christian Nordqvist. “Junk Food Will No Longer Sponsor Disney Programs.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 5 Jun. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2013. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246209.php

Special Surgery Pricing

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:28:11 +0000

As of January 2012, Georgia State Employees will no longer have the benefit for Weight Loss Surgery. Unfortunately, this move affects a significant number of patients who suffer from obesity related problems such as sleep apnea, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. For a limited time Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics is offering a very competitive discount to all patients (including Georgia State Employees) who qualify for bariatric weight loss surgery.

$8888 Laparoscopic Gastric Banding Surgery (does not include aftercare appointments, pre-operative testing, and anesthesia costs).

$9999 Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (does not include pre-operative testing, anesthesia costs or aftercare and follow-up visits).

This offer is only available for patients who qualify. Each patient will require evaluation by our providers to be considered for this special pricing.

Unfortunately, we can only offer this prices for a limited time only. Learn more about this limited offer by attending an upcoming seminar or completing the online seminar by registering on our website.

Disclaimer: Weight loss surgery is not for everyone and carries certain risks and complications. Discuss these risks with your bariatric surgery before consenting to weight loss surgery.

A Vegan Diet – Is It OK after Weight Loss Surgery?

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:03:31 +0000

Vegan diets have increased in popularity over the years. They differ from a vegetarian diet in that all animal products – such as dairy and eggs – are eliminated from the diet. The draws of a vegan diet are compelling, especially for those who wish to lose weight. For those conscious of and concerned about animal welfare, it may be an appealing dietary option.

The vegan diet however, is not always a sustainable option. For one, it must be continued in a very precise and controlled manner. Because of the lack of animal products, there is a serious risk of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. The concern here is an amino acid known as homocysteine. Increased levels of homocysteine are a byproduct of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Elevated levels of this compound have been linked to heart disease and increased risk of stroke.

The potential for nutritional deficiencies does not end at Vitamin B12 however. Other essential vitamins and minerals may not be consumed in appropriate quantities without supplementation. These deficiencies will vary between patients and their lifestyles.

Finally, a serious concern is the sustainability of a vegan diet. With relatively limited dietary options, many patients lose their willingness to continue and begin to consume animal products. This can lead to rapid weight gain in some people. The added stress of significant weight loss and regain on the body can alter its delicate balance, causing short and longer term problems.

While we wouldn’t necessarily consider the vegan lifestyle and diet to be extreme, it is not for everyone and should be followed with caution. If you do decide to pursue a vegan diet be sure to be tested for vitamin and mineral deficiencies regularly. Please notify your primary care physician and our office of your choice.

Healthy Eating and Work Life Stress

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:31:18 +0000

A Temple University study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and published online in Social Science and Medicine, focused on the eating habits of the children when their parents are dealing with work and life stresses. The first part of the study showed that families with mothers who work full time had fewer family meals, ate fast food more often, and had a lower fruit and vegetable intake than part-time or unemployed mothers. Fully employed fathers spent less time in food preparation than those working part-time or not at all. Similarly, mothers and fathers who were experiencing significant work or life stress translated into one and a half fewer family meals every week.

See more: Healthy Eating Hindered By Parents’ Work-Life Stress

Our Take: It stands to reason that parental work habits affect every part of their lives and that of their children too. Many parents have no choice but to work harder, especially in today’s economy. However it is important to place an emphasis on nutrition – avoiding fast foods and processed foods – to ensure that parents and their kids are eating healthily. There are of course many factors that affect excess weight and obesity. This is just one of them. It must be made clear however that even a few unhealthy meals each week can have a long term detrimental effect on our kids’ weight.

Temple University. “Healthy Eating Hindered By Parents’ Work-Life Stress.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 25 Jun. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2013. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/246989.php

Taking an Online Seminar

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:26:32 +0000

There has been a great deal of interest surrounding online seminars since they first became available several years ago. Online seminars are very useful for patients who are not in the area or cannot make in person seminars because of schedule conflicts. With an online seminar, these patients can get the information that they need straight from our practice. An online seminar is similar to watching church on television; you get the information, just without the chance of fellowship or one on one conversations with the doctors and other previous patients who’ve had the surgery.

While online seminars may seem like advertising tools, they actually serve a much more important purpose. A seminar is the patient’s first glance into the world of bariatric surgery and ideally allows the patient understand the benefits and risks of each procedure. Further, patients can learn more about the surgeon and staff – people they will be working with for months and years to come.

Our online seminar should be taken very seriously and watched in its entirety. By the end of the seminar, the patient should have an idea as to whether or not bariatric surgery is right for them and understand their responsibilities both before and after surgery. Patients should also make it a point to attend a live seminar, or if the dates are truly impossible to work out (and our practice cannot see them at a mutually convenient time), attend a pre-consultation. One-on-one, in person communication with us before a consultation is very important.

Attending a seminar and support group helps develop what will be a long-term relationship. We will be working closely with you to prepare you for surgery and after surgery, support you in your weight loss journey. With that said, we hope you enjoy our online seminar and look forward to meeting you in person to discuss your options for bariatric surgery and a new, healthy you in the future.

Watch our seminar online now!

Choosing a Hospital vs. Surgery Center

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:24:35 +0000

The decision to undergo a surgical procedure at a hospital versus a surgery center ultimately comes down to your perception and preference. Indeed, here at Peachtree Surgical and Bariatrics, we perform surgery at both the Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center – our outpatient surgical facility – and Atlanta Medical Center, a major hospital in downtown Atlanta. Both facilities have the capability and the staff to perform effective and safe procedures. They do however have their differences, which may have varying degrees of importance to you, depending on your priorities.

Hospitals, of course, tend to be much larger than ambulatory surgery centers and as a result do not offer the level of personalized and individual care that can be achieved at a smaller surgery center. Some patients wish to have a greater degree of interaction with their medical team and often times the hospital is not the best place for them. Hospitals and surgery centers also differ in how they can handle recovery. Hospitals are able to accommodate patients’ overnight while ambulatory surgery centers are usually outpatient facilities but may accommodate patients to stay overnight if necessary. This means that for more complex procedures, including open surgeries, the patient will have to spend at least a couple nights in the hospital for observation. Depending on the procedure, you may also find that a surgery center charges less for a procedure, while a hospital has a greater scope of services in one place.

We suggest that patients speak to their surgeon and the team here at Peachtree Surgical and Bariatrics to learn more about the differences and service offerings of our ambulatory surgery center and our hospital facilities. Understanding the difference between the two can help you make the right decision about the care that you want and need during your upcoming surgical visit.

Out of Town Patients

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:17:07 +0000

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics is one of the premier weight loss surgery centers in the nation. As such, our services are in demand from patients throughout the United States and the world. Traveling for weight loss surgery can be difficult, however, due to the number of consultations and evaluations that are needed to qualify a new patient for surgery. Follow-up is also necessary after the procedure has been performed.

With that in mind, Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics, along with Real Results Weight Loss Solutions has created a pre-surgical diagnostic center with the capability of making out-of-town patients as comfortable as possible. All of our diagnostic testing can be performed in a matter of a few days, meaning that multiple trips to our facility before surgery are not necessary. Further, all of our minimally invasive bariatric procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning the patient can be discharged from the hospital or our surgery center on the same day.

While we hope that out of town patient budget ample time to spend in the Atlanta area, we know that is not always possible. If you are interested in weight loss surgery and are making a trip from out of town, we encourage you to speak with us further to understand your options and the important steps that need to be taken to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Images of Food and Impulse Eating

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 15:19:42 +0000

In our next news item, a University of Southern California team assembled a study to track the brain’s response to imagery of fatty or high calorie foods. Thirteen young and obese Hispanic women were tracked for this study. Using MRI technology, they were able to understand the brain’s reaction to various images. The result is that the reward area of the brain was activated most when the study participants viewed images of high calorie foods.

Read the full Medical News Today article at: Seeing Fatty Food Pictures Encourages Impulse Eating

Our Take: We’ve all seen the commercials showing delicious food – fast food, grocery store and restaurant food. The fact is that marketing food products is a multi-billion dollar industry and for good reason, according to this study. Obesity and excess weight is both a psychological and physical disease for many. As a consequence it is important that we fight it from all angles, including developing a plan to eliminate impulse buying and consumption of high fat, high calorie and processed foods.

Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminar

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:20:53 +0000

Join us for an informative bariatric seminar from 1:00pm-3:00pm where you will learn about the various weight loss surgery procedures available to you. You will have an opportunity to meet our staff and learn more about our program. We look forward to seeing you there!

Highland Athletic Club
261 Parkway Drive NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30312