A Beginner's Guide to Bariatric Surgery (Part One)

Now that we have a new and improved website, it seems like a perfect time to talk about the different bariatric procedures that we offer at Blossom Bariatrics. We specialize in 5 different restrictive bariatric surgeries, and we take careful consideration in matching each patient to the procedure that is best suited for them. Here is an easy break down of  3 of the 5 different procedures that we offer here at Blossom:

 

1. Gastric Sleeve - Also known as sleeve gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, it permanently reduces the size of the stomach by about 80 percent. The larger curvature of the stomach is removed and only a long tube (or “sleeve”) is left as the new stomach.

 

2. Gastric Banding - The Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure is purely restrictive and done by placing a band around the top portion of the stomach. This divides the stomach into one smaller and one larger portion. The procedure makes patients feel full faster, and the band can also be adjusted if the rate of weight loss is not acceptable.

 

3. Gastric Plication - This relatively new procedure does not require stapling or cutting the stomach and reduces the stomach volume by up to 70 percent. Dr. Umbach folds the stomach wall inward and sutures it into place using small, thin instruments. This procedure is reversible, since none of the stomach is removed from the body, but no long-term data currently exists. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery is currently investigating the safety and efficacy of gastric plication.

Next time around, we will talk about the more well known Gastric Bypass surgery and Gastric Revision surgery. If you would like more information on any of the procedures listed above, please go to our website: www.blossombariatrics.com Feel free to call our office or set up a consultation to talk to one of our experts and find out if bariatric surgery is right for you.

Our Favorite Tasty Healthy Recipes this Week!

This week's Blossom Blogpost is all about delicious food that is healthy! We looked around the internet for great healthy recipes. Here are a few that we LOVED:

Waffle PBJ-Wich:

This quick "sandwich" will be a great way to start your day! The fiber and protein in the peanut butter will leave you feeling full for longer.

Directions:

• Prepare 1 whole-grain toaster waffle and slice in half.

• Spread with 2 tablespoons nut butter and layer 2-3 sliced strawberries on top in place of the traditional jelly (to cut down on sugar).

Grapefruite Sorbet:

We thought this would be a perfect low calorie summer treat now that the weather is getting warmer! Use your

Directions:

• Note: Requires ice cream maker and 5 1/2 cups of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (about 6 large grapefruits)
• Combine 1 cup of grapefruit juice and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Whisk until sugar dissolves, cooking for about 5-6 minutes.
• Remove from heat and pour in a large bowl, mixing it with the remaining grapefruit juice. Refrigerate for 25 minutes, or until chilled.
• Once chilled, pour the mixture in your ice cream and churn according to the directions.
• After churning, pour in a container and freeze for 6-8 hours until frozen.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait:

Parfaits are an easy, healthy and tasty snack for the morning, afternoon or for dessert! It's so easy that you don't even need a recipe. Just put your favorite non-fat yogurt in a cup then top it with your favorite seasonal fruit with some low-fat granola. Delicious and nutricious!

Sunny Summer "Fruit" Salad with Sunny Citrus Dressing:

Who doesn't like a nice big salad? We looked at a bunch of different sandwiches and decided on this one because of the brivant colors from the fruits in it!

Directions:

Makes one big bowl - serves four salad lovers

• Leafy Green Base:
• 5 cups baby romaine
• Fruit Mixture:
• 1 pint fresh raspberries
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 1/2 cups fresh chopped pineapple
• 1 cup fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 1 cup chopped radicchio
• 2-3 Tbsp sunflower seeds
• 2 Tbsp capers (optional)
• Sunny Citrus Dressing:
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed OJ
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp coriander
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 4 Tbsp olive oil
• To finish:
• Prep Fruit Mixture - Mix Dressing - Toss dressing with Fruit Mixture - pour fruit mixture over top salad base - serve!
  
  
  Many summer fruits are coming into season, so these recipes will be perfect to try!
  Let us know in the comments which ones you test out and how you like them.
  
  
  
  
  Sources:
  http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/02/grapefruit-sorbet/
  http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2011/05/dole-salad-summit-inspired-recipe-and.html

Swimming: the Best Exercise

Finally! The weather is getting warmer, and we're finally going to be able to go out to the beach, the lake, or the pool. Not only will jumping in the water and moving around be refreshing on your hot skin, it is a great way to exercise your whole entire body. 

In fact, swimming has benefits that no other form of exercise has. Here are a few reasons why you should get in the pool as soon as possible:

• Gentle on your Body: swimming gives you the ability to work out your body without harsh impact to your skeletal system. This makes the pool a great place to work out for those with stiff muscles and sore joints.
• Increases Muscle Tone and Strength: swimming requires one to propel your whole body through water, which is why swimming is a better workout than other aerobic activities. Every movement in the water takes more energy than it would normally on dry land.
• Good for the Heart: The deep breathing and exercise that swimming evokes helps strengthen the most important muscle in your body. Swimming will help enlarge the heart and make it more efficient when pumping blood throughout the body.
• Weight Control: Swimming is now recognized as one of the biggest calorie burning exercises. For 10 minutes of swimming breast stroke, you burn 60 calories; backstroke burns 80; freestyle burns 100; and the butterfly stroke burns 150 calories!
• Lowers Stress: Exercising in general releases feel-good chemicals into your body called endorphins. Swimming also induces a natural relaxation response similar to yoga. This is swimming requires you to breath rhythmically while simultaneously stretching out your body.

The final reason is that swimming is just so much fun!If it's still a little cold out there for your liking, try to find a nice, heated indoor pool near you.

Peanut Butter for all Ages!

Peanut butter is one of those foods that are packed with memories. We had packed lunches with PB&J sandwiches (crusts optional), and sometimes we'd get to eat it straight out of the jar. Now, as adults, we know the health benefits of peanut butter. 

Though peanut butter is 180 to 210 calories per serving, it can be really helpful in losing weight. The combination of fiber and protein in peanut butter will fill you up and leaving you feeling full longer.  

Peanut butter is also filled with a bunch of nutrients, including: 

- Vitamin E, 

- Magnesium: good for the bones

- Potassium: good for muscles

- Vitamin B6: boosts immune system

Here are some tips and recipes you can:

1. Stir a tablespoon of peanut butter into oatmeal for a flavor and protein boost.

2. Mix the protein powder and instead add peanut butter into your smoothie to add protein and other vitamins and minerals.

3. Swap out butter and syrup on your whole grain waffles or pancakes for peanut butter with just a tiny drizzle of honey for a breakfast with healthier fats and less sugar.

4. Top your toast with peanut butter and any type of fresh fruit. Banana slices are always a favorite, but if you've seen my breakfast posts, you know that I often top my peanut butter toast with fresh berries.

5. Spread peanut butter evenly over a whole banana length-wise and then roll in your favorite granola or whole grain cereal. Serve with a nonfat latte or glass of skim milk.

6. Stir a tablespoon of peanut butter into your favorite low-fat yogurt. Then use as a dip for apple slices and graham crackers.

Oh and don't think we forgot about all of you guys that are allergic to peanuts. There are many other tasty alternatives to peanut butter that can be found at supermarkets, such as almond butter, cashew nut butter, soy nut butter, and many more! Look at their labels for nutritional value and try different ones to see which one you like best.

Sources:

http://www.prevention.com/food/smart-shopping/healthy-eating-why-peanut-butter-good-you

http://www.self.com/blogs/flash/2012/03/creative-breakfast-ideas-peanut-butter.html

The Power of Positive Thinking

“Everyone is their own worst critic.” 

We think that this is good for us, that we need to be hard on ourselves to make ourselves better. People often forget that it is possible to be your very own bully, though, and the self-induced negativity causes extra stress and can be a huge obstacle on your road to a healthy lifestyle.

Researchers continue to see the benefits of positive thinking, including:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

Here are some tips to help you BE POSITIVE and adopt a healthy mental lifestyle.

Identify and Change It - People often get stuck in a cloud of negativity without knowing it. Stop to identify the source of your problem and evaluate the situation the next time you’re feeling down. Is it work? School? Problems at home? Once you identify the problem, it becomes something that you can change.

Laugh More - Be open to humor and allow yourself to smile and laugh during times that are difficult. If you can laugh about it, you will be able to put a better spin on things and see that the problem is not as big as it seemed.

Be Around Positive People - Are the people around you positive and supportive? It’s important to create an environment around you that reinforces your new positive lifestyle. Having a support system will also help when you’re in a rut that you can’t get out of. Pick up the phone and call someone to talk about it.

Replace Negative Self-Talk with Positive Thinking - Here is a chart with examples of how positive thinking can change what was negative self-talk.

People are often told to exercise and adopt smart eating habits, but being positive is just as important on your road to a better and healthier lifestyle. As with anything, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE makes perfect, so take time to pat yourself on the back every day and soon you’ll be a positive thinking pro!

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/positive-thinking_n_1376124.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Drinking Water is Essential for a Healthy Lifestyle

Four weeks ago, we made a post on tips for a easier and healthy post-surgery recovery and one of the tips was to keep hydrated. We feel drinking water is such an important subject, that it deserves its own blog post!

The human body is made of about 65% water and needs fluids to perform various vital functions from maintaining body temperature to transporting nutrients. Without water, the body won't be able to function and will eventually shut down. Below are some benefits to drinking water that everyone transitioning to a healthier lifestyle should know: 

Hydrates the body - Any other drink in the world does not hydrate your body like water does. Though drinking tea, coffee, or juice is better than not drinking anything at all, the extra sugar and caffeine can be bad for you. Whatever you do, avoid alcohol! Alcohol interferes with communication between the brain and kidney and may lead to rapid dehydration from an excess secretion of fluids.

Helps control your appetite - Drinking water before a meal will help you feel more full before you begin eating. The human body is an amazing thing that notifies whether you are feeling pain, pleasure, etc. Sometimes, though, people can confuse the body's signal for thirst as hunger and will eat a snack when drinking water would suffice. Drinking water regularly will avoid the simple mistakes that lead to over eating.

Water is ZERO calories - It seems like an obvious thing, but many people forget how much better water is for the body compare to other drinks. Water also removes the by-products of fat and keeps you fresh and healthy. If you drink a lot of soft drinks every day, drink water instead and watch the pounds melt away. 

Keeps up appearances - Water helps energize muscles and helps the skin look fresh. Properly hydrating can help reduce muscle and joint soreness while exercising, so water is essential for people who are trying to maintain muscle tone. Also keeping hydrated prevents fluid loss in the skin and prevents wrinkles.

In short, not only is water essential for life in general, it holds many other advantages and is especially beneficial for those that are adopting a healthier lifestyle. 

Sources:

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_water.php

http://www.dirjournal.com/health-journal/why-is-drinking-water-so-important/

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water

http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/13945/11-advantages-of-drinking-water/

Eating in Season is in!

Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, we can eat summer oranges in the winter and chocolate covered strawberries in February. Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.

People today are experiencing an increasing number of food intolerances and allergies, higher levels of obesity, modern chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes and much more caused by modern day food practices.

According to natural health experts, eating seasonally has a variety of benefits and is crucial for a healthy lifestyle.

The nutritional value of eating food that is in season and out of season differs greatly. Researchers in Japan found that spinach harvested in the summer had three times more Vitamin C than those harvested in winter.

Eating seasonally is also easier on the wallet. Food products are less expensive when in season because they are in abundance and do not require as much processing. And they’ll taste better too!

Below is a list of foods and which season they are best in.

http://www.accomacinn.com/restaurant/2011/12/whats-in-season-now/

So eat seasonally! Teach your kids about foods and the seasons. Look forward to plum or peach season, and the wait will make them that much sweeter.

Read these articles for more information:

http://www.naturalnews.com/035575_seasonal_food_diet_health.html

http://ecohabits.net/benefits-eating-seasonal-foods/#sthash.1q0nZ7gZ.dpbs

sources: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=28