Consider causes when tackling weight-loss plateaus

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Administrator

Early after surgery, you may loose inches and pounds quite rapidly. Sooner or later, however, your rate of weight loss will slow down, or seem to stop. This is almost never a cause of concern, just a normal physical process. Your body has had a major change in its function. There is no reason to expect it to adjust to this change immediately!

Anyone who has attended support groups will tell you that plateaus are inevitable and should be taken in stride. Plateaus are not a sign that all your weight loss has stopped or that you will now begin to gain weight.

If a plateau continues more than a few weeks, it might be wise to look at the following:

What are you eating? Check your nutritional program. Are you following your plan carefully? Have you maintained your caloric intake at a weight loss level? Are you careful to eat a nutritionally balanced diet?
How much are you moving? Check your exercise program and activity level. Are you being consistent with your increased activity and the exercise you are doing? If you have decreased your exercise, your body may be slowing its fat-burning function.
How much is new muscle? Have you added muscle-building exercises to your program? You may have built enough heavier muscle to offset some of your loss of the lighter fat.
Do you need to change your intake/output balance? You may temporarily need to decrease your caloric intake and/or increase your exercise output to start losing again. Check with your physician or dietitian for recommendations about using this method to halt your plateau.

Most people, even competitive athletes, think about factors affecting their weight on a regular basis. This is normal and OK.

If you’ve reached your goal weight, these considerations will then keep you on the plateau. If you are still on the weight loss phase of your program, and have hit a plateau, it may be wise to consult with your physician or support team members about how to implement some of these strategies. Most of the time you will be surprised at how easy it is to overcome your plateau.

Whole foods, lean proteins give maximum benefits

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Dr. Brian Quebbemann

Most diet and nutrition plans are full of foods to avoid or eliminate. What’s good to eat, then?

High-protein foods are the cornerstone of any healthy eating strategy. Eggs, for example, contain one of the most complete and digestible proteins available. The biological value of egg whites is so high that egg protein is the reference protein against which all other forms of protein are measured. Eggs are also a source of B vitamins, including B12. Fish is also a great source of protein and offers many other benefits: wild salmon is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids; tuna provides B12 and thiamine, and many other types of fish are rich in nutrition.

Broiled, baked, seared, poached, or steamed, fish should not be overcooked to retain most of the vitamins. Fried fish is usually high in grease that makes you feel stuffed; for healthy weight people the feeling of being stuffed is uncomfortable and this is a key point to be aware of if you wish to control your weight.

Another fact to remember for healthy eating is that whole protein foods have the advantage of being digested slowly, resulting in a feeling of fullness and satisfaction that lasts for hours. Whole protein, natural foods are also packed with flavor.

We encourage clients of The N.E.W. Program to make these foods a substantial part of their N.E.W. nutrition strategy, not as weight loss tools, but as great tasting sources of nutrition with maximum health benefits that make them satisfied and happy after a meal.

Heart Failure Risk Increasing

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Dr. Brian Quebbemann

Four Pounds Can Make a Difference

The numbers are startling.

Nearly four out of 10 Americans will be obese within five years if people keep packing on pounds at the current rate.

Currently, about 31%, or about 59 million people, are obese, which is defined as roughly 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Almost 65% are either obese or overweight, according to government statistics.

The average American has gained eight pounds in the past 10 years, in spite of research proving that people could live longer and healthier at an ideal body weight. And, half this “average American” weight gain, or a mere four pounds, could be enough to significantly increase the risk of heart failure.

Cardiologists will be first to acknowledge that obesity increases the risk of death from heart disease. Doctors have long known that obesity contributes to heart failure — specifically an enlargement and thickening of the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber. But we were never sure how much of the added risk stems from obesity, or its impact on blood pressure and other risk factors.

Now, a new study shows that being slightly overweight — as little as a few pounds over — can increase that risk. It’s the first major study to probe the progressive relationship between weight gain and heart failure.

In the New England Journal of Medicine1, a study involving nearly 6,000 people followed for over 14 years by the Boston University School of Medicine, demonstrated that being even moderately overweight is a causative factor of congestive heart failure in women. In other words, many cases of heart failure can be attributed to obesity alone.

People in this study were not extremely obese. Even a little excess weight, the study found, can raise the risk of congestive heart failure.

In fact, “after adjustment for established risk factors, the risk of heart failure is increased by 5% for men and 7% for women for each increase of 1 in Body Mass Index (BMI),” says the journal report.

Because patients who qualify for bariatric surgery have a BMI that is at least 15 points above a “healthy weight,” their risk for heart failure is increased by at least 100%.

We are very good at treating all consequences of obesity — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes. But, when it comes to treating obesity itself, we often throw up our hands. That just doesn’t make sense.

Minimally invasive weight-loss surgery has proven to be successful with thousands of obese patients. At The N.E.W Program, when we get patient’s weight down, we discover their diabetes improves, their cholesterol is lower, their blood pressure looks better.

Heart failure is yet another bad medical condition to have. And, for people with severe obesity or worse, we know that bariatric surgery is certainly a successful method to eliminate this grim prognosis.

Article by Dr. B. Quebbemann.

(Brian Quebbemann, MD, FACS is the Surgical Director of The N.E.W. Program, Inc.)

Controlling stress a factor in controlling weight

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Administrator

The journey to wellness involves the mind, body and soul. While the previous statement sounds cliché, it reveals the hard truth that many factors – other than food and exercise – can play prominent roles in our health and wellness. External stress can trigger a series of events that may come back to haunt you on the scale.

Stress contributes to weight gain in several ways. Cortisol is a stress hormone. When we’re under stress, the fight or flight response is triggered in our bodies, leading to the release of various hormones. Whether we’re stressed because of constant demands at work or we’re really in danger, our bodies respond like we’re about to be harmed and need to fight for our lives. To answer this need, we experience a burst of energy, shifts in metabolism and blood flow, and other changes.

A recent study done at the University of Rochester looked at workplace stress levels and how they can have an effect on weight. For complete article, visit the Pittsburg Post Gazette.

The N.E.W. Program’s Lifestyle Management Program is designed to provide the coaching and insight needed to make the key changes needed to succeed. The N.E.W. Program offers dedicated assistance with lifestyle modification and many other programs such as structured support groups, exercise groups, and private consultations with a dietitian and physicians, all at the center, on a daily basis.

‘Tune-Up’ can put weight loss back on all cylinders

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Dr. Justin Braverman

Successful weight loss clients, whether they use surgery for leverage or not, identify new habits and a new lifestyle that results in a healthier stable weight and a better ability to live the life that they’ve wanted. Of course, finding the habits that work requires some up-front practice. Even though everyone enjoys healthier living, staying healthy requires maintenance.

Dr. Justin Braverman

Sometimes a person will be doing well and then either hit a plateau or, for some reason, begin to regain weight. If this has happened to you, it’s important to recognize it and then get back on track. The need to get back on track is something everyone experiences now and then in life and to make the process easier we have developed a simple program to assist our clients. The N.E.W. Tune-Up Program is designed specifically to help you get back on track quickly and to regain your success.

This program is short and focused. It is not for people that need to establish a completely new lifestyle from scratch, but instead it helps people who already know what lifestyle they want get back there quickly. The program focuses on maximizing weight loss, permanently.

Through The N.E.W. Tune-Up Program we will help you reset your goals and re-establish the lifestyle patterns you need to maintain permanent success.

The Tune-Up Program is a structured eight-week nutrition and exercise coaching program. It includes an initial comprehensive primary client assessment that consists of an executive medical evaluation, an evaluation of eating patterns and baseline activity level, and a comprehensive nutritional assessment.

It begins with a one-week metabolic re-adjustment followed by a structured nutritional progression over the next three weeks. The meal replacements used for the nutritional progression, the vitamins and all nutritional supplements needed to complete the entire program are included. Regularly scheduled nutrition re-assessment and dietary coaching will help clients develop the eating patterns and choices necessary for weight loss success.

Weekly Lifestyle Management workshops, exercise group meetings, and support group sessions are also provided to help clients develop the necessary tools to maintain permanent weight control. Finally, at the end of the eight-week program a thorough medical re-assessment will be completed.

If you have hit a plateau, or even regained some weight, remember that this happens to almost everyone in our society now and then. Realize that the important thing is to not be too hard on yourself, and consider using our Tune-Up Program to help you get back on track. The first step towards better health and a return to a healthier lifestyle is to recognize that it is something you want. Once you know this, give us a call, we’ll be glad to help.

Healthy balance yields weight loss, wellness

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Administrator

Successful long-term weight control is only possible by living a lifestyle that results in a healthy balance between the average amount of calories eaten and the average amount of calories “burned” through activity. Considering all the possible foods that are available, and all the possible activities to do, it is certain that there are many lifestyle combinations to choose from.

To improve your quality of life you must change your lifestyle. Clients of The N.E.W. Program have decided to change their lifestyle and control their weight, whether through the non-surgical or the surgical weight loss program, and our Lifestyle Management Program is designed to give them the coaching and insight needed to make the key changes they need to succeed.

The Structured Lifestyle Management Program includes a combination of:

Medical, psychological, nutrition and exercise evaluations
Weekly lifestyle management workshops
Weekly support group meetings
Weekly exercise group meetings
One-to-one nutritional consultations
One-to-one exercise consultations
One-to-one nutritional consultations
Special presentations and events

The N.E.W. Program’s weekly workshop series continues Tuesday when John Jolliffe, MFT, presents “Speed Up Weight Loss by Slowing Down.” The workshop will be presented at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 27 at our Newport Beach location.

Five healthy eating principles road map to success

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Administrator

1. Eat Chewable Food—Not “Mush”

Chewing food provides more satisfaction when eating. Also, adequate chewing is important to avoid discomfort after surgery. Eating soft mushy foods that don’t require chewing will decrease your satisfaction after a meal, result in less satiety and limit your post-surgical success. (Mac and Cheese is high-calorie mush)

2. Eat 2-3 meals per day and 2-3 snacks per day. (Eat 5-6 times/day)

Eating regularly during the day will maintain a higher metabolism. Skipping meals will also result in fluctuations of your blood sugar and energy level and may cause cravings and headaches. Always eat breakfast.

3. At least three of the meals should be high protein meals

Remember, “protein first.” Protein causes more satiety than carbohydrates. When eating smaller portions, following a pattern of starting with protein-based foods (meat, fish, eggs, etc…) will also ensure better nutrition.

4. Get adequate hydration, but don’t drink with meals

Drink at least 2 quarts of calorie-free beverage per day, and drink 1 glass (8oz) of water, 30 minutes prior to regular meals. Do not drink during meals. Dehydration will often be mistaken as hunger, resulting in a need to eat more. Drinking a thirst-quenching liquid prior to meals will also eliminate the feeling of a need to drink during the meal. Drinking during a meal will “wash” food through the pouch and leave you hungry.

5. Eat good tasting, flavorful food; chew well and eat slowly

This is very important. There is no rule that patients cannot eat spicy, hot or tangy foods after surgery. You will be eating slowly and chewing for a longer time, and therefore you need to make sure that you have good tasting food that you enjoy. This is an important part of feeling satisfied after a meal. Eat well.

Phenomenal results linked to follow-up, N.E.W. plan

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Administrator

Gastric Bypass patients at The N.E.W. Program were found to enjoy an average weight loss of 83 percent (of their excess weight) after two years. The ongoing success of these patients is directly attributable to The N.E.W. Program’s medical follow-up as well as our comprehensive lifestyle management program led by our surgeons, dietitians, and psychologists, therapists and exercise trainers.

During the first six months following surgery, our lifestyle management program assists patients in developing a lifestyle that maximizes their success. Lifestyle modifications are paramount to maintaining weight loss over time. All of the professionals working with The N.E.W. Program’s lifestyle management program work with our patients on a daily basis right in our main center, and all participate in our lifestyle management program.

Many surgeons claim to work with a comprehensive lifestyle program but generally the specialists they claim to work with actually work out of different offices and are not directly involved with their program on a regular basis, other than assisting with pre-operative clearance for surgery.

Not only does The N.E.W. Program offer dedicated assistance with lifestyle modification, but we provide many other programs such as structured support groups, exercise groups, and private consultations with our dietitian and physicians, all at our center, on a daily basis.

Mind, body work together to combat binge behavior

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Administrator

A binge is defined as an uncontrollable behavior indulged to access and it can involve drinking, drug use or eating. Binge-eating is not merely a question of volume; it also involves the lack of control while consuming. This problem may affect many areas of the body, but the root of the issue lies in the brain.

The clinicians at the Mayo Clinic advise that binging may or may not be linked to binge-eating disorder and this could have negative effects on weight-loss attempts and create a dangerous and uncomfortable situation for patients who have had restrictive procedures. Binge-eating disorder is characterized by numerous behavioral and emotional signs and symptoms, such as:

Eating large amounts of food
Eating even when you’re full
Eating rapidly during binge episodes
Feeling that eating behavior is out of control
Eating a lot when not hungry
Depression
Anxiety
Frequent dieting, possibly without weight loss
Frequently eating alone
Feeling depressed, disgusted or upset about your eating

The N.E.W. Program’s weekly workshop series continues Tuesday when Karla Campbell, registered dietician with The N.E.W. Program, looks at “Recognizing and Avoiding Binging.” Ms. Campbell’s workshop will be presented at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 6 at our Newport Beach location.

SMART goals get you there, keep you there

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Administrator

Dr. Justin Braverman

Evolution is widely accepted as the gradual change of species over thousands or millions of years. The process of change – radical evolution – is much harder to accept on the individual basis. Reaching and maintaining maintenance in your weight loss journey may involve not just the shedding of weight, but the shedding of the self-imposed limitations that once defined you. The process of lasting change starts with internal factors and then moves to the external factors of weight and appearance.

Goal-setting is the first step in charting a new course in life, but the fear of disappointment keeps many from formal (written, verbalized) goals. Look at goals in two categories: Short-term goals that can be accomplished in the near future and long-term goals that will be reached over an extended period of time. Documenting goals will provide a sense of purpose, direction, and feeling of success. When failures come, we can ‘learn from “failures” so you can make changes for a more successful future.”

Quality goals are documented and they are also SMART:

Specific – “I want an A1C of 6.5” vs. “I want to be healthier”
Measurable – You must be able to evaluate the goal
Attainable – Is the goal something you can reach?
Realistic – How realistic are my goals?
Timed – When will you have it done or re-evaluate?

You can merely ‘think’ about shedding your previous limits, but a state of ‘contracting’ will empower you and add a sense of accountability. Formalize and share your goals in a support setting or with a healthcare professional.

The N.E.W. Program’s weekly workshop series continues Tuesday with a focus on maintenance by Justin Braverman, M.D., natural orifice surgery director of The N.E.W. Program. The presentation will look at reassessing goals, how you value your health and ‘a lifetime of feeling good.” Dr. Braverman’s workshop will be presented at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 30 at our Newport Beach location.

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