In Touch Weekly

Melissa McCarthy Looks Thinner Than Ever in New 'Saturday Night Live' Promo! In Touch Weekly The actress, 46, has been a pretty significant weight loss journey in recent years, with many reports estimating that she lost more than 75 pounds. Last year, celebrity nutrionist and trainer Charlenne Ciardiello who never worked with the Spy star ... and more »

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Melissa McCarthy Looks Thinner Than Ever in New 'Saturday Night Live' Promo! - In Touch Weekly

May 9, 2017 -- A nonsurgical weight loss treatment for obesity could offer an alternative to surgery.

The procedure, called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, or ESG, cinches a patients stomach to make it smaller. Doctors use an endoscope -- a tube with a light and camera attached to it -- to perform the treatment.

In a study presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference, researchers looked at how the emerging treatment compared with two types of weight loss surgery.

The sleeve procedure "cinches [the stomach] to one-third of the original size, and it sort of looks like a sleeve," says Reem Z. Sharaiha, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, who led the study.

She says the procedure makes the stomach shorter and narrower. As a result, patients eat much less food. And because the stomach's smaller, the food stays in it longer, and it takes longer to go down.

As with surgery, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is only for someone who is obese -- with a body mass index (BMI) over 30. Although bariatric surgery has helped many people lose weight, a 2013 study found that only about 1% of eligible patients have the procedure due to risks, limited access, costs, or their preference.

Experts say the new treatment could give some people an alternative.

Sharaiha is a consultant for Apollo, which makes the suturing device used in the treatment.

She followed 278 obese men and women for a year after they had one of three procedures. Of those:

The patients who tried the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty had the lowest BMI of the three groups. Theirs was 39, compared with an average BMI of 46 and 47 for the sleeve gastrectomy and lap band surgery groups. On average, the patients were in their 40s for all groups. At one year, the weight loss was:

Although the treatment didnt bring the most weight loss, Sharaiha says it has a much lower complication rate and cost than standard bariatric procedures for weight loss.

Patients using the endoscopic treatment had complication rates of 1%, compared with 10% for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and 11% for laparoscopic banding. "The main side effect [of ESG] is nausea and vomiting and cramping that lasts 24 to 48 hours,'' she says.

One patient had food leak outside the stomach. Infection is a risk, she says, as are stomach ruptures and bleeding. Patients are advised take it easy for a few days, usually returning to work after that. They are on a liquid diet for 2 weeks, then they eat soft food and gradually introduce a regular diet.

Sharaiha says about one of five procedures are reimbursed by insurance. The average cost in the study was $12,000 for the endoscopic procedure, compared with $15,000 for lap band surgery and $22,000 for laparoscopic sleeve surgery.

About 500 of the endoscopic procedures have been done in the U.S., she estimates. The FDA approved the device used in the treatment in 2008.

The new procedure won't replace other weight loss approaches but is an option for those who can't have surgery or who would prefer not to, she says. It takes about 45 minutes and requires general anesthesia. It's an outpatient procedure.

"This is for someone with a BMI of 30 to 40 who is motivated enough, who knows it is not the magic pill to lose weight," she says. The procedure is done with the understanding that the patient will also exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

Ken Fujioka, MD, an endocrinologist and director of the Center for Weight Management, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, agrees the new treatment is not meant to replace other procedures, but will widen choices for obese patients. He called the amount of weight loss it achieved ''exciting'' and said it appears to have lower risk.

"I think the findings are important," says Richard Lindquist, MD, an obesity medicine specialist at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle. Cost effectiveness and results both look good, he says.

Lindquist and Fujioka say they would like to know whether the new procedure affects hunger-related hormones the way some other procedures do. Gastrectomy, for instance, removes many of the stomach cells that produce the ''hunger hormone," ghrelin.

Sharaiha says one study of the new treatment did show that it reduced ghrelin levels, but only four patients were involved. More study is needed, she says.

Lindquist consults for Novo Nordisk and Orexigen, which makes the weight loss drug Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion).

Digestive Disease Week presentation, May 6, 2017, Chicago.

Reem Z. Sharaiha, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; attending physician, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York.

Ken Fujioka, MD, director, Center for Weight Management, Scripps Clinic, Department of Endocrinology, San Diego.

Richard Lindquist, MD, obesity medicine specialist, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle; former member, board of directors, Obesity Medicine Association.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: "Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Significantly Reduces Body Mass Index and Metabolic Complications in Obese Patients."

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Emerging Treatment Could be a Weight Loss Surgery Alternative - WebMD

SSM Health Medical Minute: New option to jump start weight loss fox2now.com In the first few months, the goal is to help people achieve their weight loss goals than just using diet and exercise alone. The procedure poses very little risk, although most insurance companies will not cover the cost of the procedure. SSM Health ... and more »

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SSM Health Medical Minute: New option to jump start weight loss - fox2now.com

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Three people - three different lives - are connected by a common thread. They're members of the Century Club, meaning they've all lost 100 pounds and are keeping it off.

As senior director of food services at metropolitan ministries, Chef Cliff Barsi's plate at work is always full. But six years ago, at 310 pounds, his passion for serving others became his motivation to lose weight.

"I was prediabetic, high blood pressure, acid reflux, so I was probably taking 10 to 12 pills a day," Barsi says.

He chose a doctor-supervised "ideal" plan and started dropping a pound a day.

"Within 30 days I was off all my meds," he explains.

Barsi's perseverance is fueled by his faith.

"Its a total life change. It's not just, lose the weight and go back to where you were. You don't want to go back there," he said.

Barsi got down to 195 pounds.

-----------------------

A failed relationship launched Michael Tamez into a comfort food frenzy.

I was drinking about two 2-liters a day and I was eating fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner," he explains.

He weighed 250 pounds.

It got so bad, Michael fell asleep while driving.

"I had sleep apnea so bad and I got into a car accident and that like literally woke me up," he says.

Tamezused addition to lose his weight over 10 months. He added exercise and instead of subtracting foods he craved, he "crowded" them out with healthy options.

"You don't have to restrict anything because eventually the more good you add, the bad can't survive in that environment," he explained.

It's a mind- body equation that's helped him keep the excess 105 pounds off for 16 years. Michael is now guiding others as a health coach.

"I can relate to people because I know the struggle and what it takes," Tamez said.

For more information onTamezs services go to http://www.Michaeltamez.Com/

-----------------------

Ten years ago, Heather Shrouds' doctor told her she was headed for a heart attack at age 31. She weighed 230 pounds.

"He told me I had to do something. I was like a 60-year-old inside," she says.

Shrouds now competes in world athletic events, but her initial weight loss began with the help of a personal trainer and took a year and a half. She got down to 130 pounds.

A decade later, she's paying it forward as a masters swim coach at New Tampa Family YMCA.

"I love inspiring and motivating people, just bringing brightness to other peoples' days," she said.

In August, Shroudswill be competing for Team USA in the Duathlon World Championships in Canada. To support her trip, visit https://www.Gofundme.Com/230lbs-to-duathlon-team-usa

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Century Club members share stories of inspiring weight loss - FOX 13 News, Tampa Bay

"While everyone is unique, there are some commonalities that lead to long-term successful weight loss and maintenance," Dr. Hill said. "We will explore why some people are more successful with weight loss than others and what you can do to lose weight."

Dr. Hill is co-founder of the National Weight Registry, a professor of Pediatrics & Medicine and the director of the Colorado Nutrition Obesity Research Center at the University of Colorado. He also is a scientific advisory board member for Retrofit, a leading provider of weight-management and disease-prevention solutions. Scott Brunning is a team lead and exercise physiologist for Retrofit.

The webinar, "A summary of success factors for long-term weight maintenance from the National Weight Registry and The Colorado Weigh," will take place at 10 a.m. CT on Tuesday, May 16. To register, click here.

About RetrofitRetrofit transforms lives, workplaces and communities by offering weight-management and disease-prevention solutions that help all populations live a happier, healthier life. What sets Retrofit apart from others is the level of personalization we bring to our suite of solutions that tackle obesity, prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. This personalization delivers real-time interventions that evolve as individual needs evolve producing proven outcomes and lasting results. To learn more, visit retrofitme.com.

Media Contact:Nora Dudley 773-330-5540 nora@retrofitme.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/why-some-people-are-more-successful-at-weight-loss-than-others-300456503.html

SOURCE Retrofit

http://www.retrofitme.com

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Why some people are more successful at weight loss than others - PR Newswire (press release)

CHICAGO A new, nonsurgical weight-loss procedure which involves inserting a tube down a patient's throat and suturing the stomach is safe and effective, a new study finds.

During the procedure, which is called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, doctors insert a long tube down a patient's esophagus to the stomach. Then, they sew "pleats" into the stomach, which makes it resemble an accordion.

The procedure reduces the volume of the stomach, so that patients feel fuller faster and therefore eat less, said lead study author Dr. Reem Sharaiha, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Sharaiha presented her findings here today (May 6) at Digestive Disease Week, a scientific meeting focused on digestive diseases.

Because the procedure is "endoscopic," and thus does not involve cutting through the abdomen, the procedure is not considered surgical.

The new procedure could be a good option for people who are obese, meaning they have a BMI of 30 or higher, who either cannot undergo weight-loss surgery due to medical conditions or do not want to have surgery, Sharaiha said during a news conference in advance of her presentation. The procedure is not intended to replace other weight-loss surgery options, but rather to offer an additional, "safe and reliable, cost-effective" option, she said.

In the study, which has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, Sharaiha and her co-authors compared the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty to two options for weight loss that do involve surgery: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic banding.

Both of those operations involve making small incisions in a person's abdomen to allow surgeons to reach the stomach. During a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, surgeons cut away a large portion of the stomach, making the organ smaller and sleeve-shaped. During a laparoscopic banding operation, surgeons wrap a band around the upper portion of the stomach (rather than cutting the organ), so that only a smaller section of the stomach is left to carry out its functions.

The new study examined 91 patients who underwent the endoscopic procedure, 120 patients who had laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and 67 patients who had a laparoscopic banding operation, Sharaiha said during the press conference.

One year later, the researchers found that the patients who had the endoscopic procedure had lost, on average, nearly 18 percent of their body weight, while laparoscopic sleeve patients lost an average of nearly 30 percent of their body weight and laparoscopic banding patients lost an average of more than 14 percent of their body weight.

The endoscopic sleeve patients lost less weight than the laparoscopic sleeve patients but had a much lower rate of complications : 1 percent compared with 10 percent, Sharaiha said. In addition, endoscopic sleeve patients were able to leave the hospital the same day of the procedure, she said. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients in the hospital for about three days, on average, after the operation, and laparoscopic banding patients stayed in the hospital for a day and half, on average, after the operation.

The endoscopic procedure also cost less than the laparoscopic sleeve procedure, according to the study. The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty cost, on average, $12,000, while the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy cost $22,000 on average. The laparoscopic banding operation cost $15,000 on average.

Sharaiha noted that most the patients who underwent the endoscopic procedure had to pay out of pocket, while insurance usually covered the other operations. It's possible that this affected the results, as previous studies have shown that people are more adherent to weight-loss guidelines if the individuals need to pay for the procedures themselves, Sharaiha added.

Originally published on Live Science .

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Weight-loss procedure makes stomach into 'accordion' without surgery - Fox News

Weight Loss Surgeon in Dallas Explains the Necessity of Thorough ... Marketwired (press release) Dr. Manuel Castro, Medical Director of the DFW Bariatric Institute and Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Destiny Surgery Center, discusses the importance ... and more »

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Weight Loss Surgeon in Dallas Explains the Necessity of Thorough ... - Marketwired (press release)

A young woman who ended up on heart medication for four years after buying a pack of diet pills online is warning others about the dangers of quick-fix weight loss.

Natalie Jade Magill, from Hyde , was just 18, when she bought the pills online.

The now 26-year-old explained that at the time she had been holding down two jobs - working full-time in accounts but also doing promotion work for bars on weekends on the side - and felt under pressure to look a certain way.

I was really self conscious, she said, constantly comparing myself to other girls that I saw out. I wanted to lose weight quickly so I went online and started searching for fast weight loss tips and diet pills there were loads.

I came across this one website that was selling them really cheap, 20 for 60 pills which was enough for two months.

The reviews looked good, people saying how amazing they were and how well theyd worked, so I took that as meaning they were okay.

I never once questioned what was in them.

Just a week after she started taking them, Natalie started suffering heart palpitations as well as shaking and feeling constantly thirsty.

She added: At times it felt like I was running around at 100mph, it was so surreal, my heart was beating out of my chest.

I lost the weight I wanted to quite quickly in around three or four weeks and decided to stop taking the pills.

People did notice the weight loss, but I didnt tell them what Id done, I just told them I had been eating better.

I think part of the reason for that is because I knew it wasnt the best idea and I didnt want people to judge, I think also I knew deep down I didnt need to lose weight, and people would tell me that.

Despite stopping taking the pills after just a few weeks, Natalie continued to experience the side affects long-term.

Two years later, when she was 20, Natalie collapsed while home alone and woke up to find her self on the floor of the landing.

She was taken to hospital by ambulance, where she was hooked up to machines and drips as doctors tried to figure out what was causing her dangerously high heart beat.

They kept asking me questions like did I drink a lot of coffee, or drink a lot of alcohol, or take recreational drugs, the answer was no to all of them, and then they eventually asked me if Id ever tried extreme dieting.

Thats when it hit me, I put two and two together and realised it was the diet pills. When I first started having the side effects, I just thought it was because of the weight loss, I never thought more of it.

For the next four years, Natalie was on medication and underwent regular heart monitoring, but even now eight years on she still suffers as a result.

I still get anxious now and then, but I take care of myself, I eat well and Im very conscious of my health.

There is so much pressure nowadays to look a certain way like whats portrayed in the media, but the reality is a lot of that isnt real.

My advice to people is to love yourself and be confident in who you are. If youve not got your health youve not got anything.

Youre not invincible. I thought I was and I found out too late. Looking back I never needed to lose weight, I just wish Id realised at the time.

If you do want to lose weight, do it the safe way, and dont be embarrassed to see your GP either.

Pills such as the ones Natalie bought, along with other fake medicines, are becoming increasingly available online.

Last year, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which regulates medicines in the UK shut down more than 4,000 websites offering such products.

A total of 13.6m worth of fake medicines and devices were also seized by Interpol.

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I experimented with 20 diet pills...but it left me on heart medication for FOUR years - Manchester Evening News

LAURA BAKER

Last updated13:35, May 12 2017

ALDEN WILLIAMS/Stuff.co.nz

Christchurch man Noel Ofa has lost 115kg.

A Christchurch man has shedmore than 100 kilogramsin just eight months after making dramatic changes to his lifestyle all on his own.

At his heaviest Noel Ofa weighed 220kg. "When Iwent to the doctor a year back I maxed out the scale, so I had to stand on two [scales] and even then Imaxedthem both."

Ofais unrecognisable after losing a mammoth 115kg.

An incredible weight loss transformation has seen Noel Ofa lose 115kg. He is now unrecognisable.

Friends and family who haven'tseen himin several months "get a shock", he says.

"They are shocked at how quickly Idropped the weight.I'm even shocked."

READ MORE: *Shoe size drops as 86kg lost *Still running at 73 *88 years, 88 lengths

ALDEN WILLIAMS/FAIRFAX NZ

Noel Ofa has lost a mammoth 115kg in just eight months.

In September last yearthe 37-year-old quithis old, "lazy" lifestyle fuelled byfast food to change his lifefor good. Today, he's educating friends and work colleagues about health and fitness.

"I was addicted to food," Ofa says. "I lovedfast food takeaways. I'd eat them three times a day.The yummierthe food, the more I'd eat. That's the problem with our culture,Tongansjust love food."

ALDEN WILLIAMS/FAIRFAX NZ

Ofa holds the pants that he wore when he tipped the scale at 220kg.

In a normal day before hislifestyle change, Ofa would eat 20 chicken bites for breakfast, drink a 1.5-litre bottle of fizzyat lunch and have afast food family feast for dinner.

With the weight came numerous health problems. He had diabetes,gout,kidney stones, high blood pressure,headaches and insomnia.

He took six pills a day to treat his conditions, but now all of those problems are gone. "I feel totally different."

At 17yearsold hewas awarded a rugby scholarship and movedfrom Tonga to New Zealand to play first XV rugby.

Shortly after the move he suffered aspinal cord injury while playing,bringing a halt to his active lifestyle. He stopped working out and "started eating".

In recent years he has tried several times to "get motivated", but after a few weeks of eating healthy he would return to his old ways. "But this time was different.I wanted to change my life."

ALDEN WILLIAMS/FAIRFAX NZ

He spends more than three hours in the gym every day, often visiting twice.

Throughout his journey a lot of factorshave given himthe strength and willpower to make alasting change.

From his family who help to cook healthy food, to his work mates who compliment him and hisidolDwayne Johnsonwho he aspires to.

"The one motivation that Idon't talk much about is the power of prayer. Ibelieve in God . . .I prayed for the strength to resist the temptation offast food andfor the the energy to go back to the gym after Ifinishwork.

ALDEN WILLIAMS/FAIRFAX NZ

Ofa has beat his fast food addict thanks to his strong mindset.

"But at the end of the dayit camedown to me, whether I wanted to change or not. That was the main thing, Iwanted to change.

"Now someone can eat KFC right next to meand it doesn't bother me. I'll eat an orange instead."

A typical workday routine sees him wake at 7am, and eat oats and fruit for breakfast. After dropping his children off at schoolhe hits the gym for three hours before starting work at midday.Most nights he'll head back to the gym after work at 10pm.

ALDEN WILLIAMS/FAIRFAX NZ

He is now inspiring friends to join the gym and gets a kick out of showing them the ropes.

During the day he'll eat up to 16 boiled eggs, a roast chicken and plenty of fresh fruit.

"Ifind it hard when people ask me what my goal weight is. Idon't have one, it was never about the weight on the scale. Iexercise because it'swhat Ilove.

"Many people ask me when my cheat day is and Isay to them 'Idon't have a cheat day or a cheat meal'. This is a lifestyle change, Idon't want to eat bad.

"I think weight loss is just a good side effect of having a good lifestyle."

A lot of people ask Ofa for the secret to his rapid weight loss. In return, he asks them to join him at hisgym, Anytime Fitness,so he can show them his workout routine.He's now motivated a number of work colleaguesto join the gym.

But in total honesty he says the gym isn't his secret, it'shis mindset.

"I think the mostimportant thing is to be your own inspiration. People wait for something else or someone else to inspire them to take that first step.

"Iam my own inspiration. I did it. I am my own hero. Once you become your own inspirationit comes from within you."

Throughout his lifestyle journey Ofa hasdone a lot of reading and research to learn about "theright food to eat to keepfull andwhat exercise to do to loseweight faster".

-Stuff

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Fast-food addict lost 115kg in 8 months - Stuff.co.nz