As the demand for bariatric surgery continues to surge across the United Kingdom, selecting the right clinic has never been more crucial. Bariatric procedures, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric banding, are highly effective but require specialized expertise for optimal results. Your choice of clinic could directly influence your surgical experience, post-operative recovery, and ultimately, your quality of life thereafter. This article aims to help guide your decision by featuring the top 5 bariatric surgery clinics in the UK based on surgeon expertise, accreditation, patient testimonials, and aftercare services.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bariatric Surgery Clinic

When evaluating a bariatric clinic, it’s essential to consider a handful of key elements. These include:

• Surgeon’s Expertise and Experience: A knowledgeable surgeon can significantly impact your surgical outcome.
• Accreditation and Awards: The clinic’s certifications provide assurance regarding safety and clinical standards.
• Patient Reviews and Testimonials: Previous patients’ experiences offer an invaluable insight into what you can expect.
• Aftercare Services and Support: Comprehensive aftercare can make the difference between a successful long-term outcome and relapse.

Top 5 Bariatric Surgery Clinics in the UK

1. Spire Healthcare

Location(s): Multiple locations across the UK
Highlights:

• Staffed by highly experienced bariatric surgeons, Spire Healthcare offers a comprehensive range of services from the initial consultation to aftercare programs.
• The hospital network is highly accredited and garners consistently positive patient testimonials.

spirehealthcare.com

2. Circle Health Group

Location(s): Various locations in England
Highlights:

• As one of the leading private hospital groups in the UK, Circle Health Group boasts advanced surgical facilities.
• The clinic also shines in terms of patient outcomes, a factor backed by numerous positive reviews.

circlehealthgroup.co.uk

3. The London Obesity Group

Location(s): London
Highlights:

• Specializing solely in bariatric surgeries, this clinic offers a uniquely focused and multidisciplinary approach to weight loss surgery.
• Personalized treatment plans ensure that each patient’s unique needs are addressed.

thelondonobesitygroup.co.uk

4. Nuffield Health

Location(s): Multiple locations across the UK
Highlights:

• With a long-standing reputation for high-quality healthcare, Nuffield Health offers a patient-centered approach.
• Pre- and post-operative support is extensive, making it easier for patients to maintain the benefits of their surgery in the long term.

nuffieldhealth.com

5. Streamline Clinics

Location(s): Locations in London and other areas
Highlights:

• Founded by some of the UK’s most renowned bariatric surgeons, Streamline Clinics stands out for its range of weight loss surgery options.
• With a strong focus on patient well-being and aftercare support, this clinic ensures a holistic treatment experience.

streamlineweightlosssurgery.com

The Role of Aftercare in Bariatric Surgery Success

In the world of bariatric surgery, the procedure itself is just the first step. The importance of post-operative support cannot be understated, as the first few months following surgery are crucial for setting the stage for lifelong health improvements. Clinics like those listed above offer robust aftercare services that include nutritional counseling, exercise plans, and ongoing medical assessments, contributing to higher patient satisfaction and better long-term outcomes.

Conclusion

Selecting a clinic for your bariatric surgery is a decision that will impact your health and well-being for years to come. The five clinics profiled here stand out for their commitment to surgical excellence, patient-centered care, and comprehensive aftercare programs. However, it is advisable to consult multiple sources and medical professionals before making a final decision. Your path to a healthier future begins with the first step, so make it count.

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The Anatomy of Hunger: Physical Vs. Head Hunger

Physical Hunger

• Physical hunger is your body’s way of telling you it needs fuel and nutrients.
• Typical signs include an empty, growling stomach and may escalate to weakness, fatigue, and irritability.
• A well-balanced meal can sustain your energy for 4-5 hours.

Head Hunger

• Head hunger is emotionally triggered, often resulting from boredom, habit, or various emotional states such as stress or loneliness.
• The desire is generally for a trigger or comfort food rather than a nutritionally balanced option.

Proven Strategies to Combat Head Hunger

1. Be Mindfully Aware

Importance of Awareness

• The first step to combating head hunger is being aware of it. A food journal can help you identify triggers and patterns in your eating behavior.

Mindfulness Techniques

• Being present and fully aware can help you pause and distinguish between emotional and actual hunger. Mindful eating can also promote healthier eating habits.

2. Master the Art of Refusal

Just Say NO

• When you recognize the symptoms of head hunger, engage in positive self-talk to reinforce your commitment to healthier choices.

Strategic Distractions

• Engage in activities to distract yourself for at least 10 minutes, which is often enough time for the craving to pass. For example, go for a walk or work on a project.

3. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Eliminate Trigger Foods

• The environment can be a huge influence. Remove trigger foods from accessible places like your pantry, desk, or car.

Healthy Substitutions

• Keep a list of healthy snack alternatives handy for those times when head hunger strikes.

4. Plan B is Your Best Friend

Preparation is Key

• Create a Plan B for situations where head hunger becomes overwhelming. This could include breathing exercises, talking to someone, or engaging in physical activity.

Community Support

• Join support or exercise groups to surround yourself with people who can relate to your journey. A strong support system can provide you with the emotional backup you need.

Real-world Examples and Success Stories

Several patients, like Sarah and Mike, have found great success by implementing these techniques. Sarah focused on mindfulness, while Mike found a structured eating schedule to be most effective.

Strategy Examples

Practicing these techniques will make differentiating between physical and head hunger second nature over time. For instance, if you identify stress as a trigger, your new strategy could involve taking a five-minute walk or engaging in deep-breathing exercises.

The post Four Ways to Overcome Head Hunger appeared first on Health Travel Guide.

1. Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, Arkansas
   This clinic is recognized as one of the top institutions for bariatric surgery in the US. The Baptist Health Medical Center has a high volume of surgeries, indicating a wealth of experience and expertise in this area. Their commitment to patient safety and appropriateness of care is reflected in their ‘A’ safety grade.
2. Saline Memorial Hospital, Benton, Arkansas
   Saline Memorial Hospital stands out for its comprehensive bariatric surgery program. While their surgical volume is slightly lower than Baptist Health Medical Center, their commitment to patient safety and care appropriateness remains commendable, earning them a ‘B’ safety grade.
3. Enloe Medical Center, Chico, California
   Enloe Medical Center offers a robust bariatric surgery program and is known for its high standards of care. This center has a high surgical volume and an ‘A’ safety grade, indicating their expertise and dedication to patient safety.
4. Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Palmdale, California
   This center is lauded for its quality bariatric surgery program. Palmdale Regional Medical Center may have a lower surgical volume compared to others on this list, but their commitment to safety and appropriateness of care is evidenced by their ‘B’ safety grade.
5. Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California
   Sharp Memorial Hospital is a top-ranking institution for bariatric surgery, boasting a high surgical volume and an ‘A’ safety grade. They have demonstrated commitment to patient safety and the appropriateness of care, making them a top choice for those considering bariatric surgery.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. There are numerous other high-quality bariatric surgery clinics across the United States, many of which have been recognized for their excellence in this area. It’s important to conduct thorough research and consider individual needs and circumstances when choosing a bariatric surgery clinic.

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When still back in 2011, gastric bypass was performed almost two times more often than the sleeve gastrectomy, then already in 2016, the tables were turned. The numbers of sleeve gastrectomy cases were three times higher than RYGB.

In addition to “two giants” in the bariatric surgery field, a third standard procedure in the big game is worth naming – gastric band procedure. Its share of the pie of the gastric procedures has reduced during the last decade, but it has remained one of the pioneers of weight-loss surgeries.

To give you a better overview of what each of these three most popular weight-loss surgeries serves, we compared them and brought out some of their best qualities and potential risk factors every patient should be aware of.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Also known as gastric sleeve, sleeve gastrectomy has become the most common bariatric surgery in recent years. There are a few solid reasons for that, i.e., sleeve gastrectomy involves only partial removal of the stomach, leaving the gastrointestinal tract intact. Compared to more complex gastric procedures (like RYGB), it’s less technically demanding with few postoperative complications and long-term nutritional problems.

The term “sleeve” comes from the new shape patient’s stomach will take, which is far more narrow, almost looking like a tube.

Advantages

• Reduces the amount of food you can or want to eat
• Doesn’t require foreign objects (GB), and bypass or re-routing of the digestive tract (like in RYGB)
• Doesn’t cause digestive problems
• Doesn’t cause mineral or vitamin deficiencies
• Rarely leads to dumping syndrome
• Requires a relatively short hospital stay (approx. 2 days)
• Causes beneficial changes in gut hormones that suppress hunger, reduce appetite, better satiety, and controls blood sugar
• A more straightforward procedure with fewer risks and complications
• Expected weight-loss within 2 years – 60-70%
• Low initial mortality rate – 0.08%

Disadvantages

• It’s a non-reversible procedure
• Has a higher early complication rate than the gastric band procedure
• May not lead to as significant and fast weight loss as with the gastric bypass
• The use of staples can lead to later injuries
• Increased chance of acid reflux

Gastric Bypass

The former most popular weight-loss operation occupied the first place for years because of its ability to bring the most rapid weight loss (10-17% more over four years than with other surgeries). It’s primarily meant for patients with morbid obesity or obesity paired with comorbid conditions. 

Gastric-Bypass is rapid and most extensive weight loss compared to other weight-loss surgeries

Gastric Bypass can be done both in a traditional way, open surgery, as well as laparoscopically. During the procedure, a small stomach pouch, with a capacity of about 30 ml, is formed by dividing the top of the stomach from the rest. A small intestine, which regularly comes after the stomach itself, is attached to the new, formed stomach pouch. As a result, the digestive enzymes and stomach acids from the bypassed stomach and first portion of the small intestine will eventually mix with the food.

Advantages

• Rapid and most extensive weight loss compared to other weight-loss surgeries
• Restricts the amount of food that can be consumed
• May lead to increased energy expenditure, which means faster weight loss
• Can alleviate several comorbid diseases, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, type II diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnoea, chronic headaches, and muscle pain
• Also produces favorable changes in gut hormones that enhance satiety and reduce appetite
• Expected excess weight loss within 2 years – 70-80%
• It’s a reversible procedure
• Low initial mortality rate – 0.14%

Disadvantages

• It’s technically a more complex procedure than the gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy, which could potentially result in more significant complication rates
• Dumping syndrome – certain types and amounts of food may trigger discomfort, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness
• Nutrient and vitamin deficiencies – patients must supplement their diet with minerals and vitamins (particularly, B12, iron, calcium, and folate)
• Generally, more extended hospital stay and recovery time compared to sleeve gastrectomy and gastric band
• Post-operative bleeding and ulcers may occur

Gastric Band

Also known as an adjustable gastric band, it’s one of the safest bariatric procedures out there because it enables you to control your food intake more effectively by placing a band around the stomach’s upper part. 

This operation involves minimal incisions because the band is inserted into your stomach laparoscopically. Depending on your weight-loss journey, the band can be adjusted to reduce your potential discomfort and better the results. It’s generally done by filling the band with sterile saline, injected through a port placed right under the skin.

Advantages

• Reduces the amount of food you can or want to eat
• It’s a reversible and adjustable procedure
• Has the lowest risk for vitamin or mineral deficiencies
• The shortest recovery time and hospital stay compared to gastric sleeve and gastric bypass
• Has the lowest rate of early postoperative complications among other bariatric procedures
• Doesn’t interfere with the digestive system
• Expected excess weight loss within 2 years – 40-50%
• Low initial mortality rate – 0.03%

Disadvantages

• Slower and less extensive weight loss compared to other procedures
• Requires a foreign object to stay in the body
• Requires regular follow-up visits and band adjustments
• A small percentage of patients experience: 1) dilation of the esophagus if the patient overeats, 2) mechanical problems with the band, tube, or port, 3) band slippage or band erosion into the stomach

Conclusion

the landscape of weight-loss surgeries has been rapidly changing, with the sleeve gastrectomy rising to prominence as the most common bariatric procedure today. However, each surgery, be it the sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, or gastric band, presents its unique advantages and potential drawbacks.

While the sleeve gastrectomy is praised for its simplicity and low risk of postoperative complications, the gastric bypass still holds its place due to its rapid and extensive weight loss results. The gastric band procedure, on the other hand, stands out for its adjustability, safety, and the least interference with the digestive system.

Nevertheless, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to choosing the best weight-loss surgery. Each individual has unique health conditions, needs, and goals. Therefore, a thorough discussion with a healthcare professional is crucial before deciding on the procedure that will serve you best.

Remember, the goal is not just weight loss, but a healthier, happier life. So, let’s start the conversation, understand your current situation, and work together to design the best action plan and weight-loss surgery for you.

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Risks Associated With The Surgical Procedure Itself

As mentioned before, the most common bariatric surgeries are all very safe, so only a few things can go wrong in rare cases. Some of the few risks related to the surgical procedure are:

• Adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Infection
• Excessive bleeding
• Blood clots
• Lung or breathing problems
• Death

Understandably, the risk of death sounds terrifying. Fortunately, the experience has shown that the initial procedure-related mortality rate for all common weight-loss surgeries is only 0.14% or less.

Post-Operative Short-Term Risks

After the gastric surgery is completed, the patient starts with a post-operative treatment and recovery plan. Even if the patient follows all the guidelines, there are a few risks and complications independent of them. These post-operative short-term complications include:

• Leaks – patients who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than > 50 kg/m2, have a dysmetabolic syndrome X, or those undergoing revisional bariatric operations are most at risk for experiencing leaks.

One of the main symptoms and most worrisome signs that should be addressed quickly are tachycardia (an abnormally rapid heart rate, >120 beats per minute (bpm)), fever, dyspnea, and abdominal pain. The symptoms usually emerge within three days after the operation.

• Stenosis – a condition, also known as a stricture, where the stomach pouch and the small intestine may narrow. Stenosis causes patients to report the sensation of stuck food and the urge to regurgitate.
• Bleeding – post-operative bleeding that requires intervention occurs in up to 11% of cases in both the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.
• Venous thromboembolism – one of the leading causes of mortality after gastric procedures. Typically occurs three weeks after the procedure. The most prone to this condition are patients undergoing a revisional operation, those whose BMI is greater than >50 kg/m2, and those whose surgery lasted more than 4 hours.
• Vomiting – food intolerance and vomiting are relatively common early on after gastric surgeries due to the gastrojejunostomy becoming too narrow while it tries to heal. Until the upper join remodels back to normal after around six months, it may be necessary to rewind to a liquid diet and soft foods during that time.

Post-Operative Long-Term Risks

Now, let’s dive a bit deeper into the longer-term risks and complications. Still, it’s essential to keep in mind that they don’t apply to every gastric surgery out there, and some risks and complications are not included in the list because they apply to only one specific procedure. You can read more specifically about every procedure here. 

Long-term risks may include:

• Dumping syndrome – certain types of foods (mostly sweet or high-fat foods, especially when eating and drinking at the same time) can rush through the small intestine too fast, drawing fluid with it. This may trigger discomfort, weakness, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea. Fortunately, only 1 in 10 people experience it.
• Ulcers – approximately 15% of gastric bypass patients experience gastric ulcers. It’s diagnosed by endoscopy, and the treatment lasts for three months.
• Gallstones – a common problem among obese people, mainly because of high cholesterol levels or high fatty deposits. Around 25% of all obese people suffer from gallstones.
• Hernia – this defect, obstruction, or hole in the stomach or groin lining usually develops in up to 4.5% of gastric surgery patients.
• Malnutrition – since most gastric surgeries restrict the food amounts you can eat, some patients may experience malnutrition because their bodies don’t get enough micro- (vitamins, minerals) or macroelements (fat, carbohydrates, protein) anymore.

Due to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, supplements and vitamins must be taken daily (especially vitamins B12 and D, iron, calcium, and other trace elements).

• Supplements and vitamins must be taken daily for acid reflux – a condition when stomach acids leak into the esophagus, causing an unpleasant burning feeling known as acid reflux or heartburn (typically after gastric sleeve procedure).
• Bowel obstruction – operations in the abdomen area create a possibility for forming scar tissue that may cause a blockage of the intestine. Occurs in about 3% of gastric bypass patients.
• Low blood sugar – also known as hypoglycemia, doesn’t usually begin until more than one year after the surgery. It happens due to metabolic changes that cause excess insulin production.
• Revision surgery – about 10-20% of the patients, opt for second revision surgery. Reasons for this may vary: 

1. in the case of gastric sleeve, the sleeve created to take the place of the stomach may be simply too big;
2. in the case of gastric band procedure, the band may sometimes slip;
3. the surgeon’s technique might not suit the patient.

However, typically the gastric surgery failure comes back to the patient. Whether they didn’t strictly follow the diet and exercise guidelines they were assigned to, or the necessary lifestyle changes lasted only for a while.

The post Main Risks and Complications of Gastric Surgeries appeared first on Health Travel Guide.

Even though food and fitness industries are booming due to the increase of overweight people, healthcare systems are under tremendous stress and burden because more overweight and obese people mean more health issues and complicated operations to save people’s lives.

Here you can find the 14 most common health risks and consequences that are unfortunately inseparable parts of overweight and obesity. You’ll also get a better understanding of how each of these diseases and consequences is linked to overweight.

Type 2 Diabetes

87% of adults with diabetes are also overweight.

A whopping 87% of adults with diabetes are also overweight or obese. There isn’t a clear connection of why overweight people are more likely to develop this disease. However, it seems that being overweight induces cells to change, making them resistant to the hormone insulin, which carries sugar from the blood to the cells, where it is used for energy.

So when an individual is insulin resistant, blood sugar can’t be soaked up by the cells, which leads to high blood sugar. Also, the cells responsible for producing the insulin hormone need to operate on a very intense level to keep blood sugar normal. Unfortunately, this may lead these cells to fail slowly.

High Blood Pressure

There are two main ways of how high blood pressure is linked to being overweight or obese. Excess fat may harm your kidneys, which help to regulate blood pressure. Also, when a person has a larger body size, the heart needs to pump harder to supply blood to all of your cells, leading to increased blood pressure.

Heart Disease

Overweight and obesity-related health problems like high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol may increase heart disease risk.

Stroke

As mentioned before, overweight and obesity often lead to increases in blood pressure and, in turn, high blood pressure is the number-one cause of strokes.

Cancer

Even if the weight gain doesn’t result in overweight or obesity, gaining excess weight as an adult still increases cancer risk. But similarly to type 2 diabetes, it isn’t precisely known how being overweight and cancer risk are linked. However, one explanation could be that fat cells release hormones that affect healthy cell growth, leading to cancer. Also, poor nutrition and physical activity habits may facilitate cancer risk.

Weaker Immune System

Especially during recent times when the world is battling the coronavirus, more and more data emerges about the primary victims who suffer the worst every day. One of the most significant risks for severe illness from COVID-19 is overweight and obesity, usually associated with concurrent diseases like type 2 diabetes.

Breathing Problems (Sleep Apnea)

One of the leading causes of sleep apnea is overweight, since excess fat may be stored around the person’s neck, making the airway smaller. This can make breathing troublesome or loud (e.g., snoring), or in some cases, breathing may entirely stop for short periods.

Losing weight is generally recommended for better sleep.

Also, the excess fat around the neck and throughout the body may excrete substances that cause inflammation. If the inflammation happens to develop in the neck area, sleep apnea can easily be the next up on the line.

Other than sleep apnea, overweight people are often suffering from not taking as much air since the lungs aren’t working in their full capacity. This may get you quickly winded when doing simple activities like climbing stairs or tying shoelaces.

Pregnancy Problems

Pregnant women who are overweight are more inclined to develop high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance (which leads to type 2 diabetes). This can also increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery, including heavier bleeding, blood clots, premature birth, needing a cesarean delivery (C-section), and even worse issues.

Besides, gaining too much weight during pregnancy may have long-term effects for both mother and child. For example, whether the mother will have overweight or obese after the child is born, or whether the baby may gain too much weight later as a child or adult.

Osteoarthritis

Along with older age, genetic factors, and joint injuries, being overweight is one of the main risk factors for osteoarthritis. Extra weight that your body isn’t originally used to may place additional pressure on joints and cartilage (the solid but slippery tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint), making them wear away.

Overweight people may also have higher blood levels of substances that cause inflammation, which, in turn, may increase the risk for osteoarthritis.

Fatty Liver Disease

Eating excess calories can lead the fat to build up in the liver. When the liver doesn’t process fats as it usually should, too much fat will accumulate, leading to fatty liver disease. However, eating excess calories isn’t the only root of all evil – health conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, may also contribute to the development of the fatty liver.

Kidney Disease

As you’ve already understood, for now, many of these health issues and complications are linked to each other. The same principle applies to kidney disease, which main preconditions are diabetes and high blood pressure. But even in the absence of these diseases, obesity may contribute to chronic kidney disease and accelerate its progress.

High Cholesterol Levels

Sometimes, high cholesterol is an inherited condition, but other diseases, such as diabetes, can also play their role. However, most cases of high cholesterol levels are due to two general lifestyle choices:

• Low physical activity and getting consistently little to no exercise
• Eating food that is high in saturated fats and cholesterol

Also, high cholesterol may lead to gallstones.

As one can conclude, these two factors also often lead people to obesity. Also, high cholesterol may lead to gallstones.

Low Quality of Life

Let’s face it – life isn’t easy when you are bearing a lot of extra weight with you wherever you go. Most activities make you quickly break out the sweat or get you winded. You can’t have fun with your friends or children because everything requires a lot of effort from you and the enjoyment gradually fades with it.

Mental Illness

Most people think that overweight and obesity are only troublesome and challenging for a person’s body and physical activity, but sometimes the most significant burden falls on their mentality.

You may also like our article about How Fixing Psychological Factors Can Help You Overcome Obesity.

Things like poor body image, neglect, abuse, and bullying often lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and other mental disorders that, in most cases, are even harder to deal with because they drag you internally in a deeper hole.

As this long list of different health risks and consequences stated, there are plenty of issues to be aware of when being overweight or obese. Contact our team to roadmap the best possible action plan for your current situation, and let’s save you from the worst.

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If that hypothesis isn’t terrifying enough, then take a look at the last four decades. From 1975 to 2016, obese children and adolescents’ tally rose from 11 million to 124 million – bigger than a tenfold increase. Not to mention – an additional 213 million children were overweight in 2016.

It’s fair to say that the predictions and also the recorded numbers are beyond absurd, but it’s not the time to just shrug your shoulders and think, “well, there’s nothing I can do about it.” If health organizations and governments can’t fix every children’s lifestyle, then definitely you as an adult can do it.

In this article, you’ll find the five most common childhood and adolescent obesity causes, which are avoidable or reparable. Hopefully, you’ll find here something that you could do already today to help your kids avoid obesity and obesity-related diseases – all in all, save their lives.

#1 – Too Strict Rules Regarding Food

As we mentioned in our latest article regarding the psychological factors of obesity, one of the main drivers for overeating and, therefore, obesity is strict rules and discipline. It may sound counterintuitive at first, but actually, it makes a lot of sense.

If the house rules are tight and inflexible, e.g., parents are aggressively forcing their child to eat their veggies and other green foods, the child develops subconsciously an understanding that healthy equals disgusting or something that makes them feel framed or imposed.

When this kind of mental block forms, children tend to start eating fast food and sweets as a sign of protest and to soothe their emotions. This habit can stick with them for a lifetime.

#2 – Or The Opposite – Too Lenient Rules

Even though excessive strictness can be harmful, as harmful is the other side of the spectrum, which is no rules or discipline at all when it comes to food.

Letting your child eat whatever they want, how much they want, and how frequently they want is especially dangerous. Even most adults don’t think about it, but children particularly don’t know what they actually are eating – they label it all from snacks and sweets to sugary beverages as “food.” But whether it’s healthy for their body, does it fit their nutritional needs, or how much of something is healthy, and where are the borders – no clue.

It’s your responsibility as a parent to guide your kids from the early ages to the right and healthy foods and choices and observe your children’s eating habits and how their bodies react to the food. If you see some suspicious changes in their mood or body, don’t hesitate to contact a nutrition specialist to put out the fire before the flames could affect their lives.

#3 – Unsupportive Environment

Children and adolescents incline to take up behavioral patterns, habits, and more from their parents, friends, and family members. The types of food available at home, family mealtimes, and family members’ overall food preferences can impact the foods that kids eat. The same applies to physical activity.

It doesn’t really matter if a parent tells them to eat healthily, be more active, and move around – if the parents themselves are still eating junk food and sitting on the couch all day, the kids pick it up. Rather than obeying your words, they are mirroring your behavior.

You are one of the biggest influencers and role models to your children. Give your best to act like it. You will be surprised how quickly your youngster picks up the new, positive habits from you.

Also, keep your eye on the circle your child spends the most time with. If you see any negative behavior against your child or are their friends setting a bad standard, step in and take charge. Bullying or name-calling in school is one of the most harmful things that can mess up a child’s self-esteem and confidence, leading to searching for comfort and consolation from food.

#4 – Lack of Love and Attention

If the parents are always busy with work, they lack sufficient parenting skills, or they’re economically struggling to feed a large family, it all has a tremendous effect on the development of a child. The children who feel neglected learn to fill the void of love, attention, and recognition with food because they aren’t aware of other alleviating solutions than eating.

Children and adolescents are also very open to take everything said to them as the absolute truth; it becomes part of their nature and often sticks with them for the rest of their lives. That’s why it’s crucial to control as a parent what you are saying to your children, whether you’re labeling them or how your behavior makes them feel.

Also, talking to your kid eye to eye, listening to their daily thoughts and problems, and providing them a shoulder to lean and cry on is something that every child needs. This moment between you and them means a world to your youngster and can help them henceforth find consolation and relief from you, rather than from unhealthy food.

#5 – Low Activity Levels

I guess this doesn’t come as a surprise for you. One of the fundamental factors that is linked to obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. In fact, each additional hour of watching TV, or nowadays sitting on the phone, per day increases the potentiality of obesity by 2%.

To be precise, the act of watching television itself isn’t the only problem. The other part of the equation is the consumption of advertisements of sweets, beverages, fast food, cereals, etc. It brainwashes children to only crave these foods, and as an obedient parent, you buy for your child whatever they want, right?

Coming back to the initial point, a sedentary lifestyle leads children to spend fewer calories than they’re consuming every day and this drives them closer to overweight and obesity. Start working out or moving more with your kids so that they won’t develop any obesity-related diseases, such as:

• type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance,
• high blood pressure and high cholesterol,
• joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort, 
• breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and asthma, 
• fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn).

As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do to save your children’s health and possibly their whole life if you step in and take action now. In case you need any assistance with setting up the right action plan or want to visit the nutritionist with your kid, shoot us a message and let’s take the right steps before it’s too late!

The post Top 5 Childhood And Adolescent Obesity Causes That You Can Control appeared first on Health Travel Guide.

Whether you like to admit it or not, everything starts from the head, and if the mindset is out of tune or not strong enough, it’s relatively easy to fall into the traps of unhealthy choices and habits.

In this article, we’ll look at psychological aspects that have possibly played their part in leading you to obesity and how fixing these factors can help you fight the overweight and, who knows, maybe win the battle without opting for weight-loss surgery.

Make Peace With Your Past

You may be thinking, “what has the past to do with my current obese situation?” but instead of trying to put out the fire and deal with consequences, it’s wiser to start fixing the situation by targeting the roots.

As a child, we tend to take up the habits, behavioral patterns, and more from our parents and family members. We are very open to taking everything that is said to us as the absolute truth, and that can stick with us for the rest of our lives.

Here are some of the psychological factors from childhood that can affect developing obesity:

• Strict rules and discipline – to support the child’s healthy development, a balance of guidance, nurturing, and discipline is optimal. However, if the control and discipline are getting overwhelming, such as aggressively forcing your child to eat their veggies and other green foods, this can lead to a mental block and rebellion against the rules, and therefore, against the foods.

No wonder children start eating junk food and sweets as a sign of protest, and in an environment where they feel suffocated by eternal rules, their rebellion and emotional soothing come from food. These childhood methods of “escaping from reality” stick with us for a lifetime. That’s why even as an adult, we are inclined to reach for food to soothe the pain, as we’ve learned to as a child.

• Poor body image – as mentioned before, our earliest experiences stay with us and become the foundation of how we see ourselves in the world. Bullying by cruel kids at school, name-calling by parents, and other humiliating moments can all feed into forming an unhealthy, unlovable, and destructive body image.

If these imposed core beliefs about being ugly, fat, and unattractive rule how you see yourself, obesity can become a label that defines and certifies self-identity. In this case, once again, you start to search for consolation from food.

• Trauma – unfortunately, terrible things can happen, and the initial shock and a wave of chaotic emotions are something one just can’t prevent. Often during the most challenging times, people tend to alleviate their feelings and pain with food that has already been proven, since we were children, to make us feel better.

• Neglect – the feel of neglect can come quite quickly to a child whose parents are always busy with work, lack adequate parenting skills, or struggle to feed a large family with little to no money. These children learn to fill the void of recognition, love, and attention with food. 

• Abuse – whether it’s emotional, physical, psychological, or sexual abuse, it’s difficult for a child, or for anybody, to cope with it. And as a child, you’re not aware of other soothing solutions than eating –– it is seen as a treat, it makes you feel good, and it tastes fantastic too.

This list can go on and on. As you can see, the roots of obesity can go back to your early childhood or teenage years. 

Take a minute right now before moving on to the next chapter, and travel back to your earliest memories. Think about whether a specific event –– kids bullying you at school, friends calling you names, or parents forcing you to eat something –– and try to remember how did that make you feel.

Go back to the roots and try to understand the circumstances. Of course, it’s 100 times easier to say it than actually do it, but forgiving these moments and these people, and forgiving yourself for suppressing those emotions could be the first step of you crawling out of that hole and starting to see life from a better, more positive perspective.

“Spring-Clean” Your Present

After you’ve finished making peace with your past, or at least made the first steps towards it, it’s time to look at your present self.

First of all, think about all the people you are surrounded with. How are they like? What are they doing? What are their habits? How is their attitude towards life? What are they eating? 

As the motivational speaker Jim Rohn has said so aptly, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” So if your closest friends and family members are also struggling to eat healthily, don’t exercise much, whine, think negatively, rather binge eat and sit on the couch most of their days, this is 100% affecting your life.

Another thing to take a closer look at is your overall environment. If you have a secret sweet stash box full of candies and some of the fast-food chains are under your Uber Eats app’s favorite sections, then this environment does not support you to make healthier picks in your everyday activities either.

So here’s a harsh but necessary truth –– if you are serious about changing your life and getting rid of the overweight, spring-clean your home of all the unhealthy things, and have a serious, eye to eye talk with your closest people. If you’re taking on the challenge of changing your lives together, it’s much easier to stick to it successfully.

Keep Your Head Up For the Better Future

As you have healed your past and made necessary adjustments in your current environment, you have cleared the ground for take-off for a better and healthier future.

Remember that without making peace with your childhood memories, with triggers that caused you to search for comfort and consolation from food, it’s impossible to have a better present, especially a better future.

Just know that the people who may have hurt you in the past, who said evil things to you, who called you names, who made you feel even a little less important or significant than you are, just know that they were wrong. Most critics don’t hate you. In fact, they hate themselves because you’re a reflection of what they wish to be, or they just want to put other people down so they could feel better themselves.

Keep your head up, know that you are essential and worthy of the best, and keep pushing to pivot your life for the better. If you happen to need any help with finding the right diet or exercise plan, or just need moral support that helps you put on the right track mentally to overcome your obstacles, leave us a message. We’ll shortly get back to you with the best possible action plan and a team of experts!

The post How Fixing These Main Psychological Factors Helps You Overcome Obesity appeared first on Health Travel Guide.

“What if I get a serious complication from the surgery? In that case, the possible weight-loss wouldn’t be worth it all…”

“I have heard so many horror stories from patients who have gone through gastric surgery. The process and pain after surgery sound unbearable…”

Do these thoughts sound familiar? If yes, then don’t look further because, in this article, we’ve covered some of the main questions and numbers regarding this topic to give you a better understanding of the risk levels of weight-loss surgeries.

Spoiler Alert – They Are All Safe

Yes, that’s true. If you were to ask this question 20+ years ago, then we wouldn’t be so sure about this statement. But time flies, and surgeries’ quality and experiences increase with it, so all the risks and complications regarding weight-loss surgeries have shrunk to a bare minimum.

Some of our top picks for gastric surgery are:

Gastric balloon – one of the safest yet effective forms of the procedure because a balloon is inserted endoscopically into your stomach without requiring surgery. This procedure is entirely reversible, and the gastric balloon that helps you cut down the portion sizes will remain in your stomach for 6-12 months, depending on the type — often used to help you lose some weight before going for another, more invasive surgery.

• • Expected excess weight loss within 2 years – 30-47%
  • Reversible – Yes
  • Affects the digestive tract – No
  • Recovery time – Up to 2 weeks
  • Initial mortality rate – less than 0.01%

Gastric band – enables you to control your food intake more effectively by placing a band around the stomach’s upper part. This operation involves minimal incisions because the band is inserted into your stomach laparoscopically. Also, depending on the weight-loss journey, the band can be adjusted to reduce your potential discomfort and better the results.

• • Expected excess weight loss within 2 years – 40-50%
  • Reversible – Yes
  • Affects the digestive tract – No
  • Recovery time – 3-4 weeks
  • Initial mortality rate – 0.03%

Gastric bypass – the most popular weight-loss operation because of its ability to bring the most rapid weight loss (10-17% more over four years than with other surgeries). It is primarily meant for patients with morbid obesity or obesity paired with comorbid conditions. It can be done both in a traditional way, open surgery, as well as laparoscopically.

• • Expected excess weight loss within 2 years – 70-80%
  • Reversible – Yes
  • Affects the digestive tract – Yes
  • Recovery time – 4-8 weeks
  • Initial mortality rate – 0.14%

Gastric plication – one of the newest members of the gastric surgery family, meaning the research is still ongoing, but current results and experiences are promising. One of the most significant benefits of this procedure is that gastric plication is performed without removing any parts of the stomach, significantly restructuring it, or adding any foreign objects.

• • Expected excess weight loss within 2 years – 30-55%
  • Reversible – Yes (for 1 year after the procedure)
  • Affects the digestive tract – No
  • Recovery time – Up to 4 weeks
  • Initial mortality rate – 0%

Gastric sleeve – this second most popular procedure after gastric bypass involves the reduction of the stomach (up to 80% of its size), leaving the gastrointestinal tract intact. The gastric sleeve doesn’t cause any digestive problems or mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Also, no foreign objects are placed into the stomach.

• • Expected excess weight loss within 2 years – 60-70%
  • Reversible – No
  • Affects the digestive tract – No
  • Recovery time – 4-6 weeks
  • Initial mortality rate – 0.08%

As you can see, these gastric surgeries are safe, and mortality rates are meager. However, it is vital to be aware of all the possible complications and risks because some are quite common for patients, especially during the first days after the operation.

Most Common Complications of Gastric Surgeries

Even though the complications mostly depend on the specific surgery, there are still some similarities between operations’ complications that you need to be aware of. Some of the most common risks and complications may include:

• Nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting,
• Dumping syndrome (i.e., nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, cramping pain,
• Nutrient and vitamin deficiencies,
• Postoperative bleeding and ulcers,
• Acid reflux,
• Hernias,
• Wound site infection,
• Bowel obstruction,
• Stricture,
• Blood clots,
• Anesthesia-related risks,
• Gastric perforation,
• Dehydration,
• Balloon leakage and deflation (only common to the gastric balloon).

Complications like nausea and abdominal pain are quite usual for patients, and they are something not to be very worried about since they usually disappear after the first days. However, if you encounter other, more severe complications, it’s best to contact your surgeon immediately.

At the same time, you can lower some of the risks and possible side-effects by stopping smoking, reducing your BMI (Body Mass Index), and increasing the volume and frequency of exercise.

What Are the Biggest Benefits of Gastric Surgeries?

In addition to a huge helping hand for the weight-loss, gastric surgeries also bring multiple other perks and benefits along. One of the main things that weight-loss surgery and the weight-loss journey itself can kickstart is getting rid of different diseases that obesity had brought with it. 

Some of the most common diseases you can tackle with the weight-loss procedure, and journey include:

• Type II diabetes,
• Joint diseases,
• Ischemic heart disease,
• Hypertension (high blood pressure),
• High cholesterol,
• Sleep apnoea (temporary suspension of breathing occurring during sleep),
• A condition following a heart attack or stroke,
• Polycystic ovary syndrome.

All in all, each type of gastric surgery has its benefits and drawbacks. Even though all procedures carry some risk level, those that don’t affect your digestive systems are safer as they don’t significantly restruct your body. To determine the safest and best possible surgery for you, get in touch with our team of experts who will help you pick the right one according to your body, wants, and needs.

The post What Is the Safest Form of Weight-Loss Surgery? appeared first on Health Travel Guide.

Even though you’ve lost a remarkable amount of weight and you’re most likely feeling a whole lot better now, there have risen new topics that don’t let you thoroughly enjoy and celebrate the “new you.” One of those topics may be loose skin. But how to get rid of it so you can show your astonishing transformation and weight-loss to the world with confidence?

One of the most popular and effective ways to target this topic is plastic surgery. To give you an understanding of how plastic surgery can help you trim the body, what outcome you can expect, and how to maximize the results, we’ve put together a solid overview so you can decide whether it’s the best option for you too.

Which Plastic Surgery Should I Pick?

The reason why the majority of bariatric clients opt for plastic surgery after their weight-loss journey is simple –– there are very few options out there that can eliminate the saggy skin to this significant extent. Plastic surgery is, by far, the most effective one. 

Some of the best and most popular procedures for post-bariatric surgery body contouring include:

• Breast augmentation – breast implants can help with issues like sagging and overall stretching of the skin;
• Breast lift – won’t significantly change the breast size but helps correct the shape, firmness, and contour;
• Liposuction – helps to eliminate stubborn pieces of fat after the weight-loss;
• Tummy tuck – flattens the loose belly by removing excess skin and fat and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall;
• All kinds of lifts for arms, thighs, face, neck, etc.

As you can see, there are plenty of procedures to choose from, but to pick the right one, analyze which parts of your body have the loose skin you want to get rid of and get in touch with the field experts to determine the best fit for you.

When is the Right Time to Do It?

The best time to consider a tummy tuck, breast lift or any other kind of plastic surgery is when you are as close to your ideal weight as possible. This doesn’t usually happen before 12-18 months have passed from the initial gastric surgery. Why? There are several reasons for that:

1. The results from cosmetic surgery tend to be better if you’re already at a stable and healthy weight. Otherwise, if you go and lose a remarkable amount of weight after the plastic surgery, your skin might start to sag again, and you’re back in the same place you are right now.
2. Also, the more you lose weight before the plastic surgery, the lower is your BMI (Body Mass Index), and the lower is the risk of complications that might arise when completing surgery with a high BMI.
3. Lastly, but even more importantly –– your body has just gone through an immense transformation, and you’ve been in a negative nutritional balance during that rapid weight loss. This means that your body isn’t in the best condition for healing new surgical wounds.

As you’ve probably seen from your own experience, getting close to your goal weight isn’t happening overnight, and the journey is long and needs a tremendous amount of effort, grit, and determination. This strong patience and work are vital in waiting for plastic surgery too.

#1 Key for Satisfying Results – Set Realistic Goals

I should’ve mentioned it already earlier but remember –– having loose skin is nothing to be ashamed of or feel wrong about. You’ve done a tremendous job with transforming your body, and your extraordinary dedication has paid off. 

But let’s face it –– even though the doctors said before gastric surgery that doesn’t set yourself unrealistic expectations, deep down, you were secretly hoping to get the lean and fit body that you’ve seen from fitness and lifestyle magazines and social media. Am I right?

Don’t get me wrong – dreaming and visualizing are normal things to do – but at the same time, you need to keep your feet on the ground. The best premise to be genuinely satisfied with plastic surgery results is to come to terms with your goals and expectations. And one right way for it is to forget about achieving a Baywatch-worthy body.

Another fact that you need to get used to living with is that the surgery scars will not disappear anywhere. Yes, they will gradually fade out a bit over time, but they will remain. Fortunately, in most procedures, the scares are hidden in places where they will be covered by clothes, such as along the bra-line or waistline.

So before going for the plastic surgery, ask yourself whether you are willing to trade the loose skin in this body part for a permanent scar. If you have no doubts about it and the answer is yes, you will likely be pleased with the cosmetic procedure.

Tips to Maximize the Results of Plastic Surgery

In addition to coming to terms with your goals and expectations and preparing yourself mentally, there are several other options to put into practice to deal with loose skin. 

The following steps can also help you prevent saggy skin from spreading to a more considerable extent, decrease the scope of the current situation, or prepare you to get the best maximum results from the plastic surgery that is around the corner:

• Stop smoking – plastic surgery won’t be operated on active smokers;
• Follow a good exercise program – especially, focusing on strength-training exercises tones your skin and muscles, contributes to long-term weight-loss success, and lead to better results after surgery;
• Follow a good diet program – comprehensive nutrition is vital to maintain a stable and healthy weight and to heal properly (protein, especially, boosts the healing process);
• Use firming creams and massage the areas – this helps increase blood flow in the massaging area and is seen as an anti-aging strategy. A study has also shown that regular massage with a hand-operated oscillating massage tool amplifies the positive effects of the cream;
• Take supplements – there are no magical pills to fix saggy skin, but some supplements may be beneficial to soothe the condition;
• Maintain a stable weight – vital before plastic surgery but also after it.

As you can see, there are plenty of approaches to target your loose skin or prepare it well for the upcoming cosmetic surgery. However, to determine what are the “perfect-fit” steps for you to deal with the loose skin, and whether plastic surgery is a reasonable step for you or not, contact our expert team to find it out.

The post Best Way to Get Rid of Loose Skin After Gastric Surgery appeared first on Health Travel Guide.