Reuters Health - Doctors are doing fewer weight-loss procedures to implant adjustable bands around the stomach and more operations to remove the devices or alter them, a U.S. study suggests.

Researchers focused on a type of weight-loss surgery known as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing an inflatable belt around the upper portion of the stomach that reduces the amount of food it can hold. People are advised to eat portions about the size of a shot glass post-surgery.

Nationwide, a total of 28,202 patients underwent procedures to implant laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands (LAGB) from 2007 to 2015, the study found. Over that same period, 12,157 people had gastric bands removed, or explanted.

Starting in 2013, though, surgeons did more procedures to take bands out than to put them in, the study team reports in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

A newer alternative in weight-loss surgery known as a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy that appears to be safer and more effective may be driving this trend, said senior study author Dr. Ninh Nguyen, chief of the division of gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine.

Compared to the adjustable gastric banding, the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is associated with improved weight loss and lower incidence of late complications, Nguyen said by email. The late complication rate requiring revision (procedures) after sleeve gastrectomy is one-fourth that of gastric banding.

More than half of weight-loss procedures done today use the sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the stomach to the size of a banana, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Procedures to remove or adjust gastric bands were associated with longer hospital stays, a greater number ofserious complications and more admissions to intensive care units compared withoperations to implant the devices, the study found.

Researchers didnt find any difference in death rates or costs between implantation procedures and operations to remove or fix the bands, with both types of surgery costing an average of $11,600 to $12,000.

One limitation of the study is that researchers only examined procedures done at academic medical centers, although the authors suggest that trends might be similar at community hospitals.

Another drawback is the lack of data explaining why bands were removed. That makes it impossible to say if the removal happened after complications or because patients elected to switch to a different, newer alternative such as the sleeve gastrectomy to see if they could achieve more weight loss.

Most often, when the gastric bands are removed its either because patients couldnt tolerate the devices being tightened or because they didnt lose enough weight, said Dr. Anita Courcoulas, chief of minimally invasive bariatric and general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Because the sleeve is still relatively new, however, its too soon to say whether it will achieve better weight loss or fewer complications over the long term, Courcoulas, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

Enthusiasm for the sleeve as a replacement for the band should be tempered with the knowledge that longer-term outcomes are still sorely lacking, Courcoulas added. It will take time, patience, and a dynamic evaluation of the evidence as it evolves to draw more final conclusions about the longer-term comparative effectiveness of bariatric procedures.

SOURCE: bit.ly/2vL18Pf Journal of the American College of Surgeons, online July 25, 2017.

Link:
Surgeries to remove weight-loss devices on the rise - Reuters

Weighing 310 pounds at her heaviest, it wasn't until Jordaan Spark was looking through holiday photos in January 2015 (Jan. 6, to be exact) that it hit her. "I just was in shock of what I saw. I knew I was bigger, but I didn't know I was THAT big," she told POPSUGAR. That was the day her weight-loss journey began. Jordaan has dropped an impressive 160 pounds since and has gone from a tightly fitting size 26 in jeans to a size six.

To lose the weight, Jordaan focused on changing her eating habits, exercising here and there. By playing around with a lot of different dieting concepts, Jordaan was able to figure out what worked best for her: low-carb. She also cut out junk food like chips, sweets, soda, and fast food.

Jordaan also had lap band surgery six months after starting her journey, but she says that it didn't affect anything. She could still eat as much as she used to and was still hungry constantly. "The nurse said there was two percent of people that the lap band doesn't work for," Jordaan said. "She thinks I am one of those two percent."

As far as working out went, Jordaan says, "I started by doing little exercises around the house that I found on Pinterest that had minimal impact on my joints," such as wall sits, planks, and crunches. "From there, I started doing at-home workout DVDs, and then felt comfortable enough to go outside and walk/run." Surprisingly, she says, "I don't work out anymore. I have two jobs and two kids that keep me plenty busy."

Aside from the number on the scale, one of Jordaan's favorite nonscale victories is people being able to pick her kids up. "I love it, it's an absolute confidence boost," she said. Jordaan also loves the freedom of being able to "go into any store and find my size, being able to do things such as jump on a trampoline without fear of breaking it." But more than anything, Jordaan credits her children for her success and motivation, citing them as the reason she decided to lose weight in the first place.

Jordaan says, "I love the crockpot, so I find recipes that fit my low-carb diet and make them, and sometimes I'll have the leftovers for lunch the next day. I try not to snack, but when I do, it's usually on some nuts."

Jordaan shares that she got discouraged for a month, worried about her loose skin, but she says, "Do NOT let that fear stand in the way of your journey. I kept telling myself I can hide my loose skin really well. I couldn't hide being fat."

Since Jordaan has definitely been through the ups and downs of a weight-loss journey, we appreciate any advice she can share. She says, "When you get discouraged, don't quit, then you'll be back to where you were, wishing you were at where you're at now."

Link:
Jordaan Lost 160 Pounds and She Doesn't Even Exercise Anymore - POPSUGAR

Claire Orridge, 38, at her biggest weighed 18st 7lbs and wore a size 20. S

he realised her health was at risk and she couldn't continue at that weight for long. Speaking about her struggles, she said: "Ever since I can remember my weight has been up and down.

"My turning point was when I reached over 18st and a dress size of 20, my health wasnt good and I was tired all the time.

"I was juggling two jobs taking care of my mum (Im her carer) and support work, both of which can be physically and mentally difficult."

Claire said she knew she had to do something about her unhealthy weight and lifestyle.

She saw an advert for SlimFast on TV and thought she'd give it a try.

Speaking about the diet plan, she said: "The plan looked simple and flexible plus you could eat up to six times a day I remember thinking surely it couldnt be that easy!

"As soon as I began using the SlimFast products the weight started to come off, I was thrilled.

"On a typical day I would have a chocolate shake for breakfast a meal replacement bar for lunch and a healthy 600 calorie meal, plus snacks. Within a year I had shed two stone and I was already feeling better."

With her weight loss going well, everything looked rosy for Claire.

But in November 2015 the unimaginable happened; she tragically lost her brother Darren at the age of 39.

Speaking about the loss, she said: "It was the hardest thing to deal with and I took some time off to deal with it."

After weight weeks, Claire had a new-found determination. She said: "I was going to make Darren proud of me and went back to SlimFast to continue my weight loss.

"I focused and started to track my activity, going to the gym as much as I could. I was enjoying the products, especially the chocolate Vitality shake, thats my lifesaver!

"In the back of my head I knew I was doing it not just for myself but for Darren too."

It comes after Heidi Klum revealed what she ate for breakfast to stay in shape and boost her health.

Over the next few months Claire started to lose weight and gain a more healthy attitude to eating.

She said: "I even had to request a new work uniform and people were noticing and commenting on my weight loss every day.

"To date I have lost 100lbs, going from over 18st and a size 18 to just over 10st and a size 10.

"I feel like a different person, bursting with energy and determined to make each and every day count."

Claire's current weight loss stands at over seven stone.

Continue reading here:
Weight loss: Size 20 Sheffield woman lost a whopping SEVEN stone following this diet plan - Express.co.uk

Like many other commenters, we wanted to know exactly what he did to drop the pounds. In response to one comment, Goldman revealed that his plan has been surprisingly simple: eating clean, riding my bike, lifting weights. Old school, he wrote on Instagram.

You hear about eating clean all the time, but that doesnt mean you have to stop enjoying the foods you loveor strip out every form of dairy and gluten to lose weight. As Goldman has demonstrated on his own Instagram, it just means youre limiting the junk and focusing on real, whole foods.

Take a look at one of his meals below (kudos to him for sticking with his eating plan on July 4th, were not sure we could have shown the same restraint). His plate is full of protein-packed elk and bison burgers and vegetables like grilled zucchini, pickles, and jalapeos. (Here are 13 easy ways to get more protein in your diet.)

As for exercise, it seems like Goldman is sticking with workouts he actually enjoys, like taking long bike rides and lifting weights. Since he even showed off his own Dwayne The Rock Johnson impersonation during an early morning strength training session, we can bet the fitness legend is a main source of Goldmans inspiration.

(No weights? No problem. Melt fat using just your bodyweight with the exercises below.)

Plus, while hes only three months into his journey, Goldman has already hit the I-need-new-clothes milestone. That feeling when you lose so much weight you drop a shirt size so all your friends send you new t-shirts, he wrote in a recent post.

If he keeps it up, were sure this wont be the first time he reaches for a new shirt size.

Ready to get in shape yourself? Check out Metashred Extreme from Mens Healthit will help you burn fat and build muscle at the same time.

Read more:
Ace of Cakes Star Duff Goldman Shows Off His Dramatic Weight Loss Transformation - Men's Health

GETTY

We hate to say it, but summers nearly over.

And with winter just around the corner, there really hasnt been a better time to startlosing weightthan right now.

This research comes from weight loss app Lose It who revealed that the start of the school year is the optimum time to slim down.

Click through our gallery on the best ways to burn calories without exercising

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Chew gum - A super-easy way to burn some extra calories is popping a few pieces of gum now and then. The act of chewing keeps your jaw muscles moving, andnot only will you be burning caloriesyoull stop yourself from consuming more calories.

To come to this conclusion, the company looked at the average monthly weight loss of their users over the course of the year.

They found the most pounds are dropped in the first few months of the year usually due to New Years resolutions.

However, they also found that weight loss picks up again in September so why is that?

Our conclusion is that people who started their weight loss journey in the New Year, or in April before the summer, probably let go of their restrictive diets while on holiday.

But as the warm days draw to a close, slimmers think now is the perfect time to pick the diet back up again.

Good news dieters! The 23 foods that contain NO calories because you burn more than you consume as you eat

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APRICOTS - Calorie content: 12 kcals per apricotEating apricots is said to help reduce the risk of strokes, and heart attacks. They're also full of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre, which all promote good heart health

Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet, told Womens Health: After a fun, busy summer, the fall offers that back-to-school feeling, even for adults.

You can use this time to get back on track for things that fell by the wayside during the summer, like your meal prep or your workouts.

Even people who havent stuck to their weight loss goals this year should use autumn as a kick-start to a healthy lifestyle.

By starting now, you will have formed good habits by the time December (read: temptation season) rolls in and wont feel as bad about having a slice of Christmas pudding.

But if you arelooking to lose weight, you should stick to ahealthy diet and exercise regularly forget fad dieting.

Its all about finding wholesome habits that suit you and sticking to them and you dont need to hear the chimes of the new year to kick start a positive change.

See original here:
This is the best time of year to lose weight here's why - Daily Star

Losing unwanted body weight isn't easy. A lot of us have tried and failed many times, subjecting ourselves to the dreaded yet common weight loss/weight gain merry-go-round. This vicious cycle can be demoralising, with many people convincing themselves that something must be wrong with them and they are destined to be overweight forever.

A common 'solution' is the meal or diet plan. After all, you've tried multiple diets and they haven't worked, so all you want now is a nutrition expert to give you a diet plan that will. You believe that if someone tells you exactly what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat it, then you'll lose the weight you want and have the body of your dreams. And why shouldn't you, after all, they're the expert.

However, while this strict diet plan approach may sound like the answer to your prayers, the reality is they very rarely work in the real world. You see, the real world has a habit of getting in the way of our best laid plans:

And whatever you do, don't get sick because the diet plan doesn't care how you're feeling. If you've been told to eat chia-seed pudding for breakfast three times per week, you'd better be prepared to make it no matter how you're feeling.

Think of all the factors in your life that could get in the way of the best laid meal plans, and ask yourself, 'how realistic is it to keep this up for the long run?'

But my friend went on a meal plan and she's kept the weight off for ages now...

There are exceptions to every rule, and if your friend has successfully lost weight and kept it off for several years since going on a diet plan, then I applaud them. However, there's no denying it's difficult to stick to these restrictive diets long-term.

But that's the point, meal plans are not supposed to be followed forever. How boring would life be if we had to eat the same foods in the same amounts at the same times every day for the rest of our lives? If you have a short-term weight loss goals then diet plans can be very effective. Just expect the inevitable weight gain when you're not on the 'plan' anymore.

But what happens when you stop following the diet plan? What happens when life gets in the way? Or you decide that following a meal plan really sucks? Or you actually lose the weight you want?

Diet plans don't address one key factor for successful lifelong fat loss -- habitual and behavioural change. Being told what to eat may provide short term weight loss success, but unless you learn, understand and practice the fundamentals of healthy eating, you'll revert to your eating habits that got you where you were in the first place.

OK, so what do you suggest I do to lose weight?

We live in a fast-paced society, and we all want to lose our excess body weight by the end of the next 12-week challenge. But ask yourself, 'how long did it take to put on this weight that has now become my life?' I'm guessing months at least, but probably years. So why do you think you can get back to your ideal body weight in 12 weeks, and sustain it for the rest of your life?

If eating nutritious foods and having a lean body forever is your goal, most people simply don't need a strict diet plan. After all, we know that lean meats and vegetables is a healthier meal option than hamburgers and fries. But if takeaway food is your usual dinner-time meal, then successfully making the giant leap to eating healthily at every meal without any small steps in between is going to be virtually impossible.

We're already under enough stress with work, family, bills, relationships, and everything else going on in our lives, so don't add to it by trying to turn your eating habits upside down right from the start.

MORE ON THE BLOG:

You Can't Hate Yourself Happy, Or Punish Yourself Skinny

The secret to making lifelong habitual changes to your eating behaviour is to identify positive changes you can make to your diet, and tackle them one at a time. Yes, this will take a while, and you won't lose the 25kg in 12 weeks that your 'fitness expert' has promised you. But small, incremental changes to your diet will add up to extraordinary and lifelong changes in the long run.

I'm sure you already know of changes that you could make to your diet, but here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling:

Notice how many of these suggestions aren't even strictly 'nutrition' tips. We already know we should eat whole foods most of the time. Your goal should be to have a healthy relationship with food, not love-hate.

So slow down, take it one step at a time, and release the pressure you've put on yourself to lose excess weight quickly through restrictive dieting. Small and realistic changes to your eating habits over the long run will deliver extraordinary results to your health, body weight and wellbeing.

Read the original here:
If Weight Loss Is Your Goal, Diet Plans Are Not The Answer - Huffington Post Australia