The Dangers of Diet Pills

At University Bariatrics we’ve long warned of the dangers of “quick fixes” when it comes to weight loss. No matter what the new fad you hear about, the truth is that weight loss only occurs as the result of hard work and effort. Particularly for those suffering with severe obesity, weight loss is particularly challenging because traditional methods like diet and exercise are ineffective 99% of the time. Nevertheless, alternative “tricks” and “hacks” continue to dominate headlines, perhaps none more so than diet pills. 

First and foremost, what everyone should understand about diet pills is that they just don’t work. Medical science consistently backs up the fact that weight loss pills will not result in any actual weight loss on their own. To make matters worse, recent reports indicate that many common weight loss pills can actual result in serious side effects. Some pills contain fenfluramine which has been banned in many places due to its association with negative effects on the heart and lung. Sibutramine is another common ingredient which has been linked to heart attack and stroke. Considering the reality that weight loss pills don’t work anyway, we feel it’s clearly not worth these risks. For patients suffering from severe obesity, a sleeve gastrectomy performed by an experienced professional is a much better choice. As a popular center for bariatric surgery in Thousand Oaks our team is proud to provide the outstanding treatments our patients need. 

 

Use it or Lose It!

The phrase "use it or lose it" is one that is usually associated with physical exercise. However, here at University Bariatrics, we have found a new meaning when it comes to patients who have the Lap Band or one of the other banding procedures. We recommend against these procedures because they have a lower rate of success than other procedures, can result in a number of unpleasant complications, and typically require in follow-up operations. At the same time, however, we also acknowledge that a significant minority of patients do respond well to banding procedures. Hence, our "Use it Or Lose It' campaign.

Basically, our goal is to remind patients who are having success with their bands to "use it," i.e., keep on taking the steps that will be necessary for success. These include carefully following all of their doctor's instructions and receiving all of the needed adjustments for their band.  However, for those who are experiencing a marked lack of success of complications, then our advise it to "lose it" and, ideally, replace it with either a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, depending on which is called for.

The important thing for weight loss patients is to make sure they are taking the steps needed to ensure their long term health. Whether you are interested in obtaining an initial bariatric surgery in Thousand Oaks or would like to discuss whether it's time to "use" or "lose" your banding procedure, we're here to help. For details, check out the video below.

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Weight-Surgery Can Improve Symptoms of Asthma

Here at University Bariatrics, our highly trained surgical team is dedicated to providing the very best weight loss solutions like sleeve gastrectomy in Westlake Village for patients struggling with severe obesity. Because traditional methods such as diet and exercise are rarely effective for producing the necessary results for severely obese individuals to ward off the serious associated health consequences such as heart attack, stroke, and obesity, our techniques are proven to be safe and able to consistently yield positive results. Many of these positive results include benefits that are continuing to be unveiled by new studies. One such benefit is the possible reduction in asthma symptoms. 

According to new research, asthma flare-ups can decrease due to the reduction of chemicals called interleukins that are released from excess fat cells. As severely obese individuals are able to lose weight through weight loss surgery their asthma symptoms may also improve. Such benefits may be surprising, however they pale in comparison toward improving the quality of life and avoiding deadly health conditions. If you or someone you know is ready to take a step toward a healthier lifestyle, contract our team today to find out if the bariatric surgery in Thousand Oaks is right for you. 

 

No Quick Fixes for Severe Obesity

The bariatric procedures we perform at University Bariatrics like the sleeve gastrectomy are important procedures because they allow an individual suffering from severe obesity to have a clear path forward toward a healthy weight. While diet and exercise often work for someone who needs to lose a few pounds, for a severe obesity individual, losing 50, 100, or more pounds is more than a matter of willpower. Nevertheless, there is a common misconception that weight loss surgery is the “easy way you”

At University Bariatrics, our highly experienced team is here to tell you that that’s simply not true. Bariatric surgery has risen out of a need to improve a patient’s quality of life. For patents, suffering from severe obesity, weight loss surgery is the best way to do it. Still, bariatric surgery in Thousand Oaks or anywhere, is still surgery, and will involve a lengthy recovery period. In addition, a patient will have to change their diet and stick to a healthier lifestyle.  Weight loss surgery is definitely safe and effective, but, to put it simply: it’s far from easy. It’s simply the best.