Are you ready for bariatric surgery? Before you dive in, there are certain things that you should know. For example, did you know that bariatric surgery is not for everyone? There are tests that your doctors will use to determine if you qualify (general overall health, blood work, medical history, etc.), in addition to the following qualifications. What are the basic qualifications for bariatric s…Read More
Anchorage Bariatrics and our staff want to encourage healthy lifestyle choices when it comes to diet and exercise for people of all ages. You're never too young or too old to start making healthy changes, so don't let your past determine your present and future! The choices you make as a family — especially as a parent — will affect the next generation. In this CNN article, Childhood obesity:…Read More
Ninety percent of adults with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. If a person is obese, does that person automatically have diabetes? No, but obesity greatly increases the risk of a person developing Type 2 diabetes. Studies suggest that abdominal fat causes fat cells to release ‘pro-inflammatory’ chemicals, which can make the body less sensitive to the insulin it produces by disrupting t…Read More
TV shows are getting better and better each season and so are the writers - they sure know how to get you hooked! So, how can you use your down time to get your heart rate up? Introducing "Streaming September!" The idea is to choose a TV series you can stream (binge watch) but only while exercising. That's it - the only rule is if you're watching this particular show, you've got to be moving your …Read More
Does drinking diet soda make you fat? If yes, why bother getting a "diet" soda when the effects are pretty much the same as a regular soda? Let's get into the facts first. Diet sodas are so called "diet" because of the low (to no) calorie and sugar content compared to regular soda. Lower calorie and sugar content means it does not directly add to your weight. However, diet sodas use artificial swe…Read More
Managing diabetes is not easy because it comes with different comorbidities, but did you know that weight management and physical fitness can do a lot to help with managing it? Simple exercises actually help you use insulin better and lower your blood sugar. Here's how: There are a few ways that exercise lowers blood glucose (sugar): Insulin sensitivity is increased, so your muscle cells are bette…Read More
Being a parent is not easy, but it is rewarding. That is why parents give their best to care for their child. One great example of this is Tim and Megan's Success Story. Their children's welfare is one of the biggest motivating factors for these parents who pursued bariatric surgery together. "I’ve been heavy my entire life. Our older son was picking up really bad habits from us and I didn't wan…Read More
Did you know that gallbladder surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the world, and that Drs. Lee and Clark regularly perform these procedures? Many gallbladder complications are caused by diet, but there are other risk factors as well. Those at highest risk for gallbladder issues or gallstones are women over the age of 40; those who consume a high-fat, high-cholesterol and lo…Read More
Sharing is caring. When it comes to bariatric surgery, the better person (next to the doctor) to answer your questions is someone who has been through it. The answers that you may get will not be medical advice, but as we all know, experience is a good teacher. People who have been through the experience can genuinely describe what it's like - the fears, the pain, the relief, the joy, and the ben…Read More
You want change; you're ready for it. You have questions, but you're afraid to ask. Why? Could it be because the other times you've asked, you've been judged and denied the help you're requesting? Maybe you just weren't in the right place. “From the moment I first arrived at the Anchorage Bariatrics office, I felt like I had entered a giant, welcoming support facility. The entire office staff …Read More
The media tells us a lot about bariatric surgery. Yes, it is for weight loss, but some say it's just an easy "way out" of obesity and that is incorrect. Read the truths behind the top three myths about bariatric surgery. Myth 1: Bariatric surgery is for everyone who is overweight. Truth: Bariatric surgery is not for everybody who wants to lose weight. There are things that doctors look at to se…Read More
The human body is both amazing and complicated. Multiple different brain chemicals and hormones affect the body's performance, including how excess weight is stored and where. Specifically, these hormones are cortisol, insulin, estrogen, progesterone and the thyroid hormone. Do you have more mass around your tummy area? You may be able to blame it on cortisol and insulin imbalance. Cortisol is a …Read More
