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For many bariatric patients the thought of going out to eat after surgery is intimidating and frightening. Thoughts of  “I can't eat anything on here", "nothing on the menu is healthy" or "what if the way this is prepared makes me get sick" are all common concerns. Going out to dinner does not have to be something you dread, there just has to be a change in your mindset. Many…

  Society tends to blame the failure to lose weight on lack of willpower, but the truth is much more complicated than that. In New York Times article, “Why Weight Loss Surgery Works When Diets Don’t”, Dr. Twells, a clinical epidemiologist, explains that “the overwhelming majority of patients who undergo bariatric surgery have spent many years trying – and failing – to lose weight and keep it off.  And the…

Successful weight loss and weight management is dependent on the choices you make day-by-day. From the moment you get up you are faced with choices that shape the day; exercise, food, activities, communications, etc. The first, most important choice of the day is breakfast. Although many skip this meal, dieters will find it easier to manage their weight loss and stay on track with a nutritious first meal. Weight loss…

Good nutrition is vital to a healthy lifestyle, especially after bariatric surgery. It is important that individuals who have had weight loss surgery consume a diet that is rich in protein and low in simple carbs and sugars. Lately, the staff at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City have been discussing the merits of various diets and one in particular has created a rather interesting dialogue – can a vegetarian…

After gastric bypass surgery food can be a huge challenge. We find that many people bury their feelings in food. Food is used as a source of comfort. Gastric bypass surgery provides a tool to control portion size but does not automatically change the reason you eat. For successful post-surgery results, one must change old food habits, like emotional eating, and engage in healthier life choices. At the Bariatric Center…

During the weight loss journey, reaching goals is key. Maintaining a healthy self-image can be a difficult but powerful goal. Being comfortable in your skin when facing the world in a body with excess weight can make staying positive an overwhelming struggle. Society does not accept being overweight. Fat shaming is real. Staying positive about yourself in public and ignoring the subtle and not so subtle message that overweight is…

For years we have heard that America’s obesity is higher than any other country on planet Earth. It is estimated that two-thirds of the United States is either obese or overweight. This has lead researchers to study the reasons and results of this epidemic. Studies have focused on causes (trauma, genetics, self-esteem, stress, availability, coping, etc.) and effects (health, depression, relationships, etc.). A recent study has found that this epidemic…

Childhood obesity has been a topic for some years now in the United States. Doctors and researchers have spent hours collecting and reviewing data on the effects of obesity in children. Despite efforts to get kids more active and to make healthier dietary choices, childhood obesity is on the rise. Also on the rise is cancer in young adults.  Some types of cancers, generally seen in people over 50, are…

Ever feel like your own worst enemy?  We certainly can be when it comes to working a successful weight loss program, whether related to having had gastric bypass or gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, or for anyone simply trying to lose a few pounds or maintain their weight.  Weight loss is a complicated matter with so many factors playing into our potential success.  Consider the following ways we work against…

In working with our gastric bypass patients, The Bariatric Center of Kansas City has learned a few things about the weight loss journey. We know that obesity is not just a struggle with food. Those who struggle with obesity also struggle with physical activity. Exercise is difficult because most people today lead very sedentary lifestyles.  Lack of exercise and movement counts as a major risk factor for chronic illnesses such…