Winner of the Best Diet Plan: DASH

DASH diet took the first place spot in U.S. News’  2^nd ever ranking of the best weight loss plan for the second year in a row. The undefeated DASH, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, actually wasn’t developed to supplement Rancho Cucamonga weight loss surgery patients or Ventura bariatric surgery patients; instead, it aims to lower blood pressure. But it earned high marks from a panel of experts for its safety, nutritional merit and usefulness for chronic disease sufferers.

DASH diet was developed to help prevent and treat hypertension, but it was meant to work in conjunction with other healthful behaviors, such as getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day and drinking alcohol in moderation. There’s no secret trick to the DASH eating plan — just an emphasis on low-salt, high-fiber fare, like eight to 10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables for a standard 2,000 calorie-per-day diet. It limits high-calorie sweets and meats that are high in saturated fat. Instead, in addition to fresh produce, the diet calls for fat-free or low-fat dairy, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. DASH diet prescribes a lower sodium intake — either the recommended 2,300 mg in the standard version or 1,500 mg for people who are more susceptible to, or already diagnosed with, hypertension, according to The Mayo Clinic.

DASH diet won best-overall and also ranked first in “best diets for healthy eating” and “best diabetes diets.” Its lowest score was a ninth rank for “best weight-loss diet.” Studies show that the diet can lead to weight loss, though research has focused on overweight and obese individuals who already suffer from high blood pressure (between 130 and 159 mm Hg). One study found that overweight and obese hypertension patients who followed the DASH diet in conjunction with exercise and weight loss classes lost more weight over four months (an average 9.5 pounds) than counterparts who simply followed DASH eating plans (8 pounds) — and both did better than a control group of participants who continued their typical diet and received basic weight loss advice (an average of 3 pounds).

Ultimately for those who cannot loss weight on this or any other diet plan, a weight loss surgery such as Los Angeles Lap Band, Los Angeles Gastric Sleeve (also knows as sleeve gastrectomy) maybe a good alternative plan.

Beverly Hills Physicians Bariatric Program Commands FDA Action Against Misleading Lap Band Advertising

Beverly Hills Physicians Bariatric Surgery Gropu supports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to investigate and take action against misleading advertising for the Lap Band Surgery, an FDA-approved medical implant used for weight loss. The FDA issued warning letters to several southern California entities that have allegedly misled the public regarding the possible risks of the LAP BAND procedure.

The LAP BAND is an adjustable gastric restrictive device that has been proven to be an effective tool in aiding weight loss. However, the LAP BAND should be viewed as one of many components that comprise a broader, complete weight loss prgram like the one offered by Beverly Hills Physicians. A safe and successful treatment plan for morbid obesity requires meticulous patient selection (since not all surgical procedures are suitable for all patients), as well as life-long follow-up of the patients health and success.

Los Angeles Weight Loss Surgeons have an obligation to consult with patients and inform them about possible side-effects and contraindications associated with LAP BAND surgery. Moreover, it is the duty of the program to inform patients not just about the risks and benefits of the LAP BAND, but also about all possible treatments. These include non-surgical and behavioral treatments, as well as surgical treatments such as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy  and laparoscopic gastric bypass , in addition to the LAP BAND. This is in keeping with the fundamental guiding philosophy of surgeons at Beverly Hills Physicians & Associates. Without a thorough education about all the various options, a patient cannot possibly make an informed decision on the safest and healthiest course of action.  

The FDA’s commendable decision to take action underscores the need for patients to seek LAP BAND surgery and other treatment options only with well trained and qualified surgeons who are Fellowship trained in the field of Bariatric Surgery and accredited by the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The simple truth is this: LAP BAND surgery can be a safe procedure, but only when performed by qualified and responsible medical professionals.

About Beverly Hills Physicians Bariatric Program:

With 10 locations and a huge network of physicians, BHP  is one of the safest and most consistently successful multidisciplinary bariatric surgical programs for the treatment of obesity and associated diseases. All surgeons at BHP  are Fellowship Trained Surgeons who are certified in the field of Bariatric Surgery.  The doctors at this medical center place a priority on pre-operative medical and cardiological assessment and clearance, in addition to pre- and post-operative behavioral modification. BHP has a sterling record of consistent safety and consistent success. Their doctors have performed thousands of these procedures without a single mortality, and maintain a complication rate of less than 1%, substantially lower than the national average of 3-4%.

Weight Loss and Lap Band Surgery Reduces Mortality in Obese Patients

Photo of a Lap Band

Patients undergoing Lap Band or Weight Loss Surgery had a significantly reduced rate of subsequent myocardial infarctions and strokes and significantly increased survival, compared with similar, morbidly obese patients who had other types of surgery, in a retrospective cohort study of more than 9,000 U.S. patients. In his study of bariatric surgery patients in South Carolina during 1996-2008, the combined rate of MIs, strokes, and deaths was 52% below the rate in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, and 28% below the rate of those who had orthopedic surgery – both statistically significant differences. The results also showed significant drops in each component of the combined end point (MIs, strokes, and deaths).

The new study used hospital in-patient records collected during 1996-2008 through the South Carolina Office of Research and Statistics, and death data collected by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The analysis included morbidly obese patients aged 40-79 years who underwent nonemergency surgery (4,747 patients who had any form of bariatric surgery, 3,066 patients who underwent joint replacement or spinal surgery, and 1,327 patients who had a cholecystectomy, hernia repair, or lysis of gastrointestinal adhesions). Those with a history of prior MI or stroke were excluded.

Patients were followed for an average of 14 months after lap band surgery, 25 after orthopedic surgery, and 26 months after gastrointestinal surgery.

In a multivariate analysis that controlled for age, sex, race, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and a history of transient ischemic attack, patients undergoing bariatric surgery had a significant 41% reduced rate of first MI compared with the orthopedic surgery patients, and a significant 51% lower rate compared with the gastrointestinal surgery patients. Mortality in the weight loss surgery Los Angeles patients dropped by a significant 19% and 55% relative to the orthopedic and gastrointestinal patients, respectively, and the stroke rate was also significantly lower following bariatric surgery compared with the rates in each control group. The magnitude of these event-rate reductions was consistent with prior reports of risk reduction. Notably, bariatric surgery “reduced cardiovascular events, as opposed to obesity-drug treatments that may actually increase the risk for cardiovascular events,” he noted. “Bariatric surgery has been rigorously tested and [proved] over the past 20 years, and it has a dramatic effect on all aspects of patient health. [Most] medical treatments for obesity don’t have 20 years of data, and some medications actually cause heart problems. We don’t know how bariatric surgery reduced myocardial infarctions and strokes, but it’s probably several factors: weight loss and resolution of diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The spectrum of returning patients to a more normal, baseline state probably leads to less morbidity and mortality,” said one the best weight loss surgeon

What is the deal with all the Lap Band billboards?

Obesity is an alarming medical problem and is affecting over 1.5 billion people worldwide. A large portion of the morbidly obese patients are in United States. There are several procedures that fall under general bariatric surgery in Los Angeles area and here are a few :

The Sleeve Gastrectomy  induces weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach. Our Oxnard Gastric Sleeve patients undergo a procedure where 75% to 80% of the stomach is removed surgically laparoscopically. The remaining part of the stomach is roughly the size and shape of a banana and holds a little more than 3 oz. Since this operation does not involve any ‘cutting’ or ‘rerouting’ of the intestines, it is a simpler operation than the Gastric Bypass. Unlike the Adjustable Gastric Band (also knows as Lap Band Thousand Oaks to some of our patients), the Sleeve Gastrectomy does not involve a foreign device. For certain patients, particularly those who are super morbidly obese, the Sleeve Gastrectomy may require a second surgery such as of our Ventura gastric bypass patients who had an BMI of 65; she had to undergo two stage surgery in order to loss massive amount of weight.

Another option for restricting the amount of food that can be taken in is the Adjustable Gastric Band. Using this procedure, surgeons at the Beverly Hills Physicians Bariatric Surgery Oxnard  place an inflatable band around the upper portion of the stomach. This band creates a new, smaller pouch that is about one ounce in size. The small pouch makes you feel full with just a small amount of food.

The rate of loss is controlled by the size of the opening of the band. Doctors can adjust the size of the opening by inflating the band’s bladder with saline. Since we can adjust gastric band in the Thousand Oaks Lap Band patients, your rate of weight loss can be controlled so that it is healthy and doesn’t become disruptive to leading a normal life as you lose weight.

One of the advantages of the Adjustable Gastric Band as it is also known, is that there’s no cutting or stapling required. The band is added laparoscopically by surgeons at the institute, so it is minimally invasive. Instead of one large incision, the band is applied through several small incisions. This greatly reduces the recovery time and allows you to start losing your excess weight more quickly.

The weight loss and weight management experts at the Beverly Hills Physician’s Simi Valley Bariatric Surgery Center are actively involved in addressing the alarming rate of obesity in the world and members of our team participate in global sessions addressing the many health and lifestyle issues caused by obesity, which affects an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide.

Profile: Nancy Kaneshiro tried weight loss and exercise, then lap-band surgery

Profile: Nancy Kaneshiro tried weight loss and exercise, then lap-band surgery.

Drew Carey Weight Loss: How Did He Do It?

Fans of Drew Carey know that the “Price is Right” host lost a lot of weight in recent months, dropping a whopping 80 pounds since January.But some audience members were astounded to see his amazing metamorphosis when the show’s 2010 season kicked off earlier this year.According to People magazine, Carey, 52 went from a size 44 pants to a 33-34. And he did it the old-fashioned way – diet and exercise  although some suspect weight loss surgery or lap band surgery.  He cut back on simple carbs, snacked on fruit, and drank lots of water. He also hit the gym, doing cardio for at least 45 minutes a day, according to the magazine.Not only did he lose weight, he lost his type-2 diabetes. “I’m not diabetic anymore,” he told the magazine. “No medication needed.”"It sucks being fat, you know,” he said  at a party in Beverly Hills. “I like being skinny,” said Carey. “I was sick of being fat on the camera. Really, I just got sick of it. Once I started losing weight, again, like once I started dropping a couple pant sizes, then it was easy ’cause once you see the results, then you don’t wanna stop.”

Weight loss surgery Los Angeles

Beverly Hills Physicians in Los Angeles and California provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to weight loss surgery and lap band surgery, including nutritionist, psychologist, gastroentrology evaluation, and more.