Obesity Help Blog

Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 12:25 PM
Scientists have been perplexed for decades with the question of why men have belly fat and women have hip and butt fat. Men store fat in their midsection while women generally get wider in the hips when they gain weight. Recent study at UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals the answer. The fat tissue in women and men is almost completely different. The male genes are programmed to store fat on their bellies while female genes tell woman’s body to store fat on their hips, butt and thighs.

The study was done on genetic makeup of mice because mice store fat in patterns similar to humans. The study showed that out of about 40,000 mouse genes only 138 fat genes are common in both male and female. This came as a complete surprise to the researchers – they expected the exact opposite.

The researchers also found that male mice that were put on a fat filled diet gained more weight, especially in their bellies, than the female mice. Female mice had a higher weight gain when their ovaries were removed and additional weight gain resulted in belly fat. This is consistent with the fact that women who have reached menopause tend to store fat on their bellies too. However, the study does not explain why women start storing fat in their midsection after menopause.

Belly fat is dangerous and can cause major health problems, such as diabetes and cardio-vascular health issues. Excess belly fat could cause respiratory problems during general anesthesia and increasing complications from surgery. Considering this fact, women are at a clear advantage over men. The risk factors for heart disease and other diseases increase for men with a waist size greater than 40 inches. You can compare your height and weight ( body mass index ) for a more precise measurement.

The full study appears in the current issue of the International Journal of Obesity.

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Monday, May 17, 2010, 01:49 PM
Excess body weight interferes with hormone production in women. Massively obese women have a major problem with ovulation and it is more difficult to get pregnant. Bariatric surgery may result in regular cycles and a positive change in fertility. Risk of pregnancy complications drops due to reduction in high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Women tend to become much healthier, and if they do get pregnant, they have a much healthier pregnancy.

The first year after surgery is a time of rapid weight loss and it is not safe to get pregnant. Women should wait at least 12 months before trying to conceive. Until your weight stabilizes and intended weight loss goal is reached pregnancy should be avoided.

Nutrition is extremely important for women planning to conceive after the weight loss surgery . Certain nutrients such as B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D and folic acid may not be absorbed as well after weight loss procedures. Make sure you and your baby are getting enough nutrients by consulting your weight loss surgeon and a nutritionist. Blood tests can determine if there are nutrient deficiencies.

Mexico Weight Loss Surgery / ALighterMe is a US based medical tourism weight loss surgery firm.

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Friday, May 7, 2010, 12:11 PM
While bariatric weight loss surgery is very successful for most patients to achieve significant weight loss, there are occasions where patients may experience problems with the surgery or not to lose the expected amount of weight. A bariatric surgery revision is a follow-up bariatric procedure to correct inadequate weight loss / weight regain, unresolved co-morbidities, or medical complications. Revision Weight Loss Surgery for major bariatric surgical procedures include Lap Band, Gastric Bypass, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and Duodenal Switch.

Obesity is a chronic disease and most weight loss programs fail to cure it. Weight Loss Bariatric Surgery limits the amount of food you can take in and help patients lose weight permanently. Bariatric surgery failure may be a setback for patients; however the only failure is in giving up.

The two most prevalent weight loss surgery procedures, gastric bypass surgery and LAP-BAND surgery, are very successful and produce favorable results. However, the surgeon may recommend additional revision if there are either insufficient weight loss or surgical complications.

The revision rate for the LAP BAND weight loss surgery is approximately 10% caused by either insufficient weight loss or device malfunction. Revision surgery includes a follow-up procedure to fix the problem, the band replacement or revise to another procedure.

Gastric Bypass Surgery revision rate is approximately 5 to 10% caused by complications, lack of weight loss / weight regain. Revisional surgery can correct Gastric Bypass complications, such as ulcers, chronic vomiting, hernia, staple line failure. Changing eating habits, exercise program and nutritional counseling may also improve the weight loss.

Revisional bariatric surgery is usually successful to resolve the problems and improve weight loss. aLighterMe / MexicoWeightLossSurgery bariatric surgeon thoroughly examine the patient before a revisional bariatric procedure is performed. Great care is given by surgeon and aLighterMe / MexicoWeightLossSurgery staff to ensure weight loss success with minimal complications.

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 11:02 PM
As America's Health Care Reform bill promises access to affordable health insurance for more Americans, they have yet to see lower medical expenses. Americans take a vacation from increasing medical costs by seeking overseas surgeries. Medical tourism is a growing industry because procedures are performed abroad at a fraction of the price with world-class surgeons, procedures and technologies. Major health firms also offer doctor networks at lower rates in foreign countries.

Many retired people are left with the choice of using up all of their savings or die. American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons have encouraged patients to seek out the treatment that best suits their needs. However, both organizations warned patients to select board-certified doctors and accredited health care institutions when seeking procedures and medical care across borders.

Medical tourism in Mexico with its popular tourist destinations offers advanced obesity and weight loss treatments and procedures. ALighterMe / Mexico Weight Loss Surgery has successfully sent several hundred patients to Mexico for obesity surgery at a discount. They offer bariatric surgery specialists at full service surgery center. Read more Medical Tourism Weight Loss Surgery ...

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Friday, April 16, 2010, 12:38 PM
Body mass index, calculated by dividing weight by square of height, is a comparison between your height and weight. Traditionally, a person is considered overweight with a BMI of 25 to 29.9, and obese with a BMI of 30 or higher ( Free BMI ). On the other hand, the Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is a direct measure of the total body composition and body fat. DEXA uses two X-ray beams with different energy levels to measure the body bone density.

New study shows that using Body Mass Index (BMI) is not an accurate measure of body fat and under determines obesity. The study suggests a surprising trend that obesity epidemic could be much more significant than previously believed. Analysis was done on 1,234 patients from 2003 to 2009 - their BMI was compared to DEXA scan. There has been no previously large-scale comparison made between BMI and DEXA to determine percentage of body fat. The analysis results show a substantial under diagnosis of obesity.

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