Transfer addiction, also called cross addiction or substitute addiction, is trading one addiction for another. As a dietitian who works with a variety of weight loss patients, this topic is one that I frequently discuss with my patients.

Experiments show that for some people the same pleasure centers in the brain that are triggered by drugs such as cocaine can also be triggered by food. When eating, pleasure chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins get released in the brain. The pleasure derived from these chemicals can override the body's feeling of fullness, causing people to continue seeking that pleasure, which leads to eating frequently and to excess.

When patients start the process of undergoing bariatric surgery here at St. Luke's, they are educated and provided with information about the potential risk for transfer addiction. Bariatric surgery is weight loss surgery, where the stomach is reduced or removed. Studies show patients who undergo any type of bariatric weight loss surgery are at increased risk for developing a transfer addiction. Patients who undergo weight loss surgery are likely to have had a history of turning to food during emotional times. After bariatric surgery, their body is physically unable to consume large amounts of food, and they may look elsewhere for the satisfaction that they used to get from food.

While bariatric patients are at high risk for developing a transfer addiction, it can affect anyone who is trying to restrict their food intake or make any lifestyle changes. Those most at risk for developing transfer addiction are those with a personal or family history of addiction, those with existing mental health conditions, and those who do not recognize their compulsive use of food.

When restricting food, a common transfer addiction is to begin to use drugs or alcohol. However, other common transfer addictions in weight loss patients are exercising and shopping addictions. Exercise and shopping addictions are easy to hide because both are habits that are socially acceptable and even praised, especially during times of weight loss. People around you may be encouraging you on your new gym routine or complimenting your new fashion choices.

There are warning signs that may alert to the potential of addiction. Especially in individuals who have been successful with weight loss, the period of time immediately after the initial weight loss can be difficult. Be mindful of your emotions, develop coping strategies that do not lead to excess, stay connected to a support group of family and friends, and if necessary, seek professional help.

Be aware, habits are very different than an addiction. Just because you have a new regimented gym routine does not mean that you have developed an exercise addiction. Remember, an addiction is compulsive seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Has your new gym routine had negative effects on your relationships, employment or health? Much of my job is counseling patients to be mindful toward food; being mindful regarding food choices, food consumption and emotional eating. Taking time to be mindful is one of the best steps you can take toward developing overall healthful habits.

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Watch for transfer addiction after weight loss surgery - Bemidji Pioneer

(Reuters Health) - Quality varies widely at U.S. centers of excellence for bariatric surgery, with serious complication rates of less than 1 percent at some places and more than 10 percent at others, a recent study suggests.

Researchers examined rates of serious complications within 30 days of weight loss operations for 145,527 patients at 165 bariatric centers of excellence in 12 U.S. states.

Wisconsin had the least amount of variation among facilities in complication rates, which ranged from 1.5 percent to 3.3 percent, researchers report in JAMA Surgery. Nebraska had the most variety, with complication rates ranging from 1 percent to 10.3 percent.

Often, surgery centers with higher complication rates were close to other centers with lower complication rates, the study also found.

Patients are likely unaware of the variation, said lead study author Dr. Andrew Ibrahim of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

In fact, many surgeons may be surprised by the findings, Ibrahim said by email.

Before there were any centers of excellence, or even basic accreditation programs for bariatric surgery, death rates were as high as 9 percent in some centers that didnt do a huge number of these operations each year, researchers note.

In a push to improve quality and curb death and complication rates, the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery combined their two separate accreditation programs into a single nationwide program in 2012.

This set out uniform criteria for so-called centers of excellence for bariatric surgery. Among other things, qualifying hospitals have to do a certain number of these operations each year and use special operating tables and equipment for bariatric patients.

For the current study, researchers analyzed complication rates from 2010 to 2013 at bariatric centers of excellence in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Washington and Wisconsin.

They focused on serious complications like bleeding, heart and lung problems, organ injury, wound infections and repeat operations.

Patients in the study were around 47 years old on average and most of them were white and female. In addition to obesity, many of them had other health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and lung disease.

More than half of them had whats known as laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, which reduces the stomach to a small pouch about the size of an egg.

Nearly all of the bariatric centers of excellence in the study were in urban areas, and about 71 percent were based at teaching hospitals.

When researchers grouped hospitals with similar complication rates, they found 28 percent of the centers had at least one nearby facility with lower complication rates.

Volume, or the number of surgeries done at each center, didnt appear to influence complication rates at the low end of the spectrum. The lowest complications rates seen were about 0.6 percent at high-, medium- and low-volume facilities.

But the highest complication rates seen, 10.3 percent, were at medium-volume centers, compared to 6.4 percent at low-volume centers and under 5 percent at high-volume centers.

One limitation of the study is that researchers lacked data on individual surgeons, Ibrahim said.

We think a large part of the variation may be explained by the skill of the surgeon and care they receive after surgery, Ibrahim said.

The findings suggest that while bariatric surgery is much safer now than it was a decade ago, just accrediting centers of excellence may not be enough on its own to guarantee high quality care, said Dr. Rajesh Aggarwal, author of an accompanying editorial and researcher at McGill University in Canada.

There is still more improvement work to be done, and we cannot sit on our laurels, Aggarwal said by email.

SOURCE: bit.ly/2po6koT and bit.ly/2oUSs71 JAMA Surgery, online April 26, 2017.

WASHINGTON Top aides to President Donald Trump on Monday predicted the House of Representatives would move this week to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system, though Republicans remained divided on how to protect sick Americans from insurance price hikes.

U.S. regulators have approved AstraZeneca's key immunotherapy drug durvalumab as a treatment for bladder cancer, marking the first commercial green light for a product the company hopes will go on to sell billions of dollars.

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Wide variation in quality at US weight loss surgery centers - Reuters

Body positivity blogger Jessica Weber (follow her at @jessica_vsg44 ) has worked hard to get in shape. The 23-year-old Illinois native has lost 180 pounds, and she's candidly updated her followers on social media about how challenging the weight loss process can be.

Recently, Weber uploaded an Instagram post that highlights a hidden reality of weight loss: When you lose weight, your skin doesn't always shrink to adjust to your new size. Instead, you might end up with excess, loose skin in places where you've lost weight. While this is a normal part of losing a significant amount of weight, people don't often discuss it. And Weber hoped her honest Instagram would open up the conversation for followers experiencing the same thing.

Weber's post shows side-by-side photos. In the image on the left, Weber is smiling softly and has her shirt pulled over her stomach. In the image on the right, her shirt is lifted, the skin on her stomach is visible, and she's making a surprised-looking face. "This is my reality!" Weber wrote in her caption . "This is my life! When you lose 180 pounds, the skin doesn't just suck back up! I have been learning to deal with it, even with wanting to lose a bit more weight and have surgery! This is my life until then and I will not hate my body anymore!"

Weber told ATTN she wanted to highlight "how much she put her body though" and show how obesity has impacted her over the years. "But I also wanted to show that I still loved [my body], because I worked hard to get to this point."

Weber's post resonated with social media usersracking up nearly 26,500 likes and countless comments. Many of her followers thanked her for "sharing real life struggles" and told her the post was "the bravest thing they've ever seen."

See some of Jessica Weber's Instagrams below.

Related:

You might also like: 5 Shocking Things No One Tells You About Your Body After You Have a Baby

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This Instagram Highlights a Hidden Side of Weight Loss - SELF

BBC News

Fitness and weight loss trial to target breast cancer BBC News A 1m pilot scheme hopes to reduce the risk of women developing breast cancer by helping them lose weight and become more active. Women over 50 attending screening will be asked to take part in the trial ActWell in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and ... Regular and low-dose aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and prospective risk of HER2-defined ...Breast Cancer Research - BioMed Central all 60 news articles »

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Fitness and weight loss trial to target breast cancer - BBC News

New Book on Sugar Addiction and Losing Weight is Released Today by Kathy Heshelow. The Book Reveals Shocking Facts About Sugar Addiction, and How to Tackle the Issue.

St. Petersburg, FL (PRWEB) May 02, 2017

Today, a new book written by author Kathy Heshelow appears on Amazon. Entitled "Break Sugar Cravings or Addiction, Feel Full, Lose Weight: An Astonishing Essential Oil Method", the book offers a solution to a serious problem.

"I reveal some interesting and shocking facts about sugar, and cite research from experts in the field which are evidence-based," says Heshelow.

"1 in 11 of every American has diabetes today, and much of this is tied to sugar consumption," says Heshelow, also founder of Sublime Naturals and Sublime Beauty. "Sugar consumption is up dramatically - even grossly so - over the last hundred year, and much of it is hidden in foods."

The book is especially meant for those who find they have sugar cravings; for those who are overweight and are trying to lose weight; and those who eat even when they are full. It can definitely help those who find they cant stop eating sweets. The natural method discussed is one to help get the situation under control - naturally.

A bonus offer is given in the front of the book as well, offering tools to help tackle the issues.

Find the new book on Amazon here, and see Heshelow's other books on Amazon here.

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A New Book is Released Today, Entitled "Break Sugar Cravings or Addiction, Feel Full, Lose Weight" by Amazon Best ... - PR Web (press...

This interview is part of the Real Talk Real Women interview series, where we bring you the life-changing, heart-warming and inspirational stories behind the most successful women in health and fitness. Make sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest interviews! For this installment, we are joined by Joanne Giannini.

Lets start off with a general introduction. How would you describe yourself, what are you all about and how did you get involved in health and fitness?

By the time I was 39, I was a mess both mentally and physically. My life revolved around taking care of everyone else in my life and putting my own needs and wants last. As a result, I was depressed, severely overweight, and just not at all comfortable in my own skin. I went through the motions everyday, feeling like I was practically invisible.

I was 40 when I finally took back control of my life. Working out in my own living room, I totally reshaped my body while losing 60 pounds. But the changes in my physical appearance were only the very beginning. Taking care of myself changed me, giving me confidence, energy, and focus beyond anything I had ever experienced before.

My goal is to pay it forward and work with people on a one-on-one basis to help them get past the hurdles that have stopped them from becoming their own personal best. In support of this, over the past few years I have obtained numerous nationally recognized fitness certifications, including certification as a nutritionist, and worked for years in area gyms as a personal trainer before opening my own studio in Norwood, Massachusetts.

I have also participated in regional physique competitions and teach an adult continuing education class that I developed on lasting weight loss.

And the physical transformation and losing 60 pounds were only part of the story - what happened on the mental and emotional side of things?

It was a truly amazing transformation. The extra weight and how I felt about myself as a result were holding me back from being who I really was. I just was not confident before and it affected every aspect of my life. Once I lost the weight I felt a sense of freedom that I hadnt felt since my teens.

Before the interview you wrote to me that back then you felt practically invisible - for those out there who can identify with that feeling - what would you say to them when you now look back?

I just wish I had taken care of myself sooner. When you are living in the situation it just seems impossible to really change. There is always SOMETHING that takes precedence over it the job, some family crisis, etc., etc. I think women especially feel almost selfish when they put themselves first. But everything really does start with you.

If you dont feel you are the best version of yourself you can be, then how can you effectively help everyone else? I also suffered from an all or nothing attitude, which prevented me from starting up a weight loss program because I felt if I couldnt be totally immersed I couldnt do it. I wish I had know that if I had just made little changes along the way it would have been much easier things like skipping a dessert, making reasonable choices when I went out to a restaurant, etc.

You also highlighted that your life revolved around taking care of everyone else in your life and putting your own wants and needs last - to a degree I think this is in our caring nature as women - how did you learn to take care of yourself first so that you could take care of others in an even greater way?

Once my marriage fell apart, I realized that he had lost respect for me because in many ways I had lost respect for myself. We all have to set boundaries with everyone around us. It also isnt necessarily a good thing to take care of other people too much because then they dont have an opportunity to grow themselves. I was amazed with the amount of things my ex-husband could actually do for himself once we got divorced and realized in many ways my attempt at caring for him had held him back.

You are 50 years young and I know you believe that it is never too late to be in the best shape of your life - what would you share with women reading this - who feel their age is holding them back or that its simply too late for them?

It is never too late, and in fact, its even more important to be as healthy as we can as we age so we can be independent. I have worked with many women in their 60s and 70s and am truly amazed at what they can do once they have been continually exercising for a few months. Their strength and cardiovascular endurance improve dramatically. Please never let your age hold you back!

Like many of the remarkable women Ive featured on Real Talk Real Women, your goal is to pay it forward and help others get past the hurdles that are holding them back from becoming their personal best - what drives you to do this?

I just know how I felt personally and never want anyone else to feel that way, especially since its so unnecessary! Just stop making excuses and take the steps now to be healthier.

Aside from wanting to motivate and inspire others, where do you find motivation and inspiration yourself to keep pushing forward and to grow as an individual?

My motivation mostly comes from my personal training clients! I am blessed to share in their successes whether it be losing a significant amount of weight or just doing a few more pushups than the week before and work alongside them in their struggles. We are all so much more alike than different and I learn as much from them as they do from me.

Youve also done several competitions - what has that experience been like and if you had to pick 1 thing - what would you say has been the biggest lesson youve learned through that process?

What I learned in the process was absolutely fascinating and, interestingly enough, not common knowledge in the general public. What you do in the kitchen is actually more important than what you do in the gym!

First and foremost, all that crap you hear about calories in and calories out being all that matters is just plain wrong. Calories are important all right but 1,500 calories of Fritos, hot dogs, and pizza just doesnt cut it. To get that body of your dreams your diet needs to be super clean. What this means is no processed food, no diet soda, no artificial sweeteners (or artificial anything for that matter). If you cant pronounce the ingredients you just DO NOT eat it plain and simple.

And second, the specific amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fats you eat, as well as when you eat them, are what makes the difference between having abs of steel or abs of Bud Light.

Over the past years youve worked hard to obtain numerous fitness certifications - how important is educating yourself when it comes to health and fitness and for those just starting out, where do you begin?

I am continually trying to gain new knowledge because there is just SO MUCH to learn! I gained the most knowledge to date from Ben Pakulski and other members of the MI40 Nation. He taught me how to effectively and safely lift weights for maximum growth. For those looking to start out, I would suggest joining the MI40 Nation and getting involved in the community.

Where can people go to learn more about you online?

You can stay up to date by following me on Facebook as well as my website.

Stay tuned for the next interview of Real Talk Real Women!

Originally posted here:
Joanne Giannini: Just Stop Making Excuses And Take The Steps Now To Be Healthier - Huffington Post

(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Ill admit it, in the past, Ive felt pressured to lose weight just because my friends have in whateverway, that my friends have.

I havent been happy with my body for a long time, and recently, Ive started attempting to change that.

Ive started eating better, Ive started drinking more, Ive managed to suppress the urge to binge on an entire family-sized bar of chocolate each night. You catch my drift.

But Im doing all of this in my own time. Im slowly weaning out different foods, Im going to pace myself when it comes to clean-eating, because I know myself.

I know that if I dont, if I restrict myself too quickly, Ill end up craving really sugary foods and Ill think to myself, one night wont hurt, and before I know it its been a week of Ill start my diet again tomorrow.

Its just not worth it to me.

But its incredibly hard to continue this thought process when I have friends who are always telling the world how little theyre eating.

Whether this is over social media, photos of thinspiration, texts to congratulate themselves on eating next to nothing or a phone call to ask how your diets going before comparing it to their own.

Luckily, I know what works for me and what doesnt. While I am sometimes tempted to change my routine to join in the competition, I know that what theyre doing isnt right for me.

Sadly, many people who are new to dieting dont realise this and they follow their friends lead in losing weight, and feel miserable when the weight isnt dropping off in them in the same way it is for their friend.

Which is why I beg of you: Dont fall into the unsustainable, competitive diet trap.

When it comes to losing weight and not just losing weight but learning to love your body youve got to remember that everybody is different.

Some people are top heavy, some people are bottom heavy. Some people are athletic, others are curvy. All body types are different which means all body types require different routines to feel their best.

I mean, a person who is insecure about their arms but has strong legs isnt going to do squats, now are they?

Friendships can very quickly become competitive whether thats wanting to buy the better top, or something more sinister.

Its the absolute worst when you feel youre in competition over body confidence.

There are many reasons for competitive dieting between friends and lets face it, nobody wants to go out with a friend feeling insecure.

But Im writing this to tell you theres no need to be insecure especially because (and you may not think it), its likely your friend is feeling insecure too.

Instead of feeling under pressure yourself, support them. And I dont mean support them in obsessive dieting, I mean let them know how beautiful they are, inside and out. After all, you wouldnt be friends if you didnt love them, right?

Pressured diets can quickly turn into eating disorders, so help them to see that there is nothing more beautiful than being healthy and loving the skin theyre in.

And dont you forget that either. Remember to accept that your body is different to your friends. You shouldnt feel in competition with someone whose body is entirely different to yours.

If you see a Facebook status regarding losing weight that acts as a trigger, hide that persons posts.

If your friend brings up fad dieting and calorie counting when youre attempting to steer away from that sort of pressure, kindly ask them to stop and to talk about something else.

It's time to stop policing what women wank about

Why a friendship threesome isn't for me

The reality of not having a best friend

And if it makes you feel insecure scrolling through Instagram (which lets face it, weve all experienced), just log out.

There is so much more to you than just a body, remember to nourish every bit of it.

MORE: Heres how to get the right nutrients in your diet when youre vegan

MORE: Binge eating disorder: What is it and where can you get help?

Metro Blogs is a place for opinions. These opinions belong to the author and are not necessarily shared by Metro.

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Please stop feeling under pressure to lose weight just because your friends are - Metro

GETTY

The 57-year-old has always been pro self-indulgence, having once suggested taking a doughnut and making french toast with it.

Back in 2015, she criticised obsessive diet culture and clean eating because, for her, life is all about balance.

She told Good Housekeeping Magazine: I wouldnt want a life where I lived on chia seed pudding, just as I wouldnt want to life where I lived on eggs Benedict or steak and chips.

I love kale and Im an avocado obsessive. But life is about balance, its not about being smug. You dont eat things because you think theyre good for you.

GETTY

I have never been on a diet to try to lose weight. I feel like I havent lost weight, but Im possibly in better shape. I am doing a rather slow form of yoga now called lyengar.

Also, you can guarantee that what people think will be good for you this year, they wont next year.

So how did curvy Nigella get in such great shape? Surgery (but not the kind you might expect) apparently.

According to the Telegraph in 2015, Nigella said: I had a very glamorous operation - a double bunionisation. I couldnt walk to the fridge afterwards and, actually, its quite a good diet.

Not because I stopped eating but because you can say to someone, Can you get me a slice of cake? but its kind of embarrassing to say, And now could you get me a second slice?

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Sarah Millican shows off her new hair and new figure

So I havent really eaten any different, but I had fewer opportunities to eat.

The self-taught chef has also attributed keeping in shape over the years to yoga.

She told Good Housekeeping: Its certainly true my weight went up - that happens in life sometimes.

I have never been on a diet to try to lose weight. I feel like I havent lost weight, but Im possibly in better shape. I am doing a rather slow form of yoga now called lyengar.

GETTY

No one should be out on this earth to go on a diet. No one should eat themselves ill either.

Sarah Millican has always been one to joke about her weight and diet in the past, but in her most recent posts on Instagram and Twitter the comedian from South Shields has been flaunting a much slimmer figure, and has revealed the diet to go with it.

The 41-year-old has been posting pictures of her writing snacks, which quite often consist of fruit - thought she admits its a struggle to get them down her.

She posted another picture of her breakfast - porridge with fruit.

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Nigella Lawson weight loss - how the celebrity chef got her svelte figure WITHOUT dieting - Express.co.uk