Las Vegas Woman Magazine: Doctors of the Desert Issue

Healthy for Life Recipes: Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
2 bell peppers
½ pound lean ground beef
1 small white onion, diced fine
Pinch of oregano, seasoned pepper and fennel seed
[optional] to taste
1 tomato
2 teaspoons of crushed garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 ounces of fresh Feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions:
1. Spray casserole dish with PAM®.
2. Cook ground beef at low to medium heat, stirring often.
3. Once meat is cooked through, drain thoroughly.
4. Add all onions, garlic, oregano, seasoned pepper,
fennel seed and tomatoes.
5. Simmer over low heat approximately 20 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F.
7. Cut off tops of all peppers, remove inner seeds and
membranes and wash thoroughly.
8. Fill all peppers with meat mixture, alternating with a layer
of feta and parmesan cheeses.
9. Place peppers into a casserole dish, side by side. Alternatively, you
can cut peppers in half vertically and stuff each half, making serving easier
and speeding bake-time.
10. Add any remaining mixture around the peppers and sprinkle all remaining
feta and parmesan cheeses on top. Add shredded mozzarella cheese if
desired for a hint of extra flavor.
11. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly as desired.

Makes 2 stuffed peppers or 4 half-peppers.
32grams of protein. 2 servings

Support and Encouragement: Mary Ryan’s Story

Having fought the battle of morbid obesity for over thirty six years and at a time in my life where I was on cholesterol medication and on the verge of high blood pressure meds, I needed to make a change, a drastic change. After attending the seminar and learning about the gastric sleeve and its potential possibilities, I knew this would be a turning point to the rest of my life. It was and still is a journey that I never thought possible for myself. For the first time in my life, I feel “normal” in the way I eat and relate to food. Surgical Weight Control Center has great options that helped me transition into the “new” me.

I attended the Gastric Sleeve/Bypass support group about four times this past year. I found the group experience beneficial in that initially, after my surgery, it offered me a place to go where I could be with others who had the sleeve operation or were thinking about it. At the time, this was important for me because as a newly “sleeved” person I needed reassurance that I was doing what I was supposed to. Psychologically, I needed to be able to share and hear other people’s stories, hear how much weight they had lost, their process, the ups and downs and much more.

Following bariatric surgery, I feel it’s critical for people to be able to face and deal with the changes within themselves: physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Some people have a great support system at home or work while others are isolated and feel alone in the process. Many are not encouraged by those around them or are criticized and misunderstood for their surgical decision. Others felt insecure or guilty in that they might have taken the “easy” way out! However, nothing could be farther from the truth. These group meetings are a vehicle for mutual support as well as a place where the healing process of the “whole” person can be set in motion.

My advice to anyone seeking an interest in bariatric surgery is this: Make sure you’re truly “ready” to take the next step. The surgery is like a tool but the rest is truly up to you. Success will be yours if you follow the doctor’s orders and establish a firmly changed relationship with all things “food” in your life, especially your social life.

New Guidelines for Weight Loss Surgery

 

 

 

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the Obesity Society recently issued updated weight loss surgery guidelines. These guidelines were published in the latest editions of the journals Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Endocrine Practice and Obesity.

Perhaps the most notable of the guidelines is the recommendation that eligibility for weight-loss (bariatric) surgery be expanded to include mildly to moderately obese people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions that put individuals at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Under the new rules, eligible patients would have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 34.9. Previously, eligibility began in patients with a BMI of 35 and above. Another significant recommendation in the guidelines is that Sleeve Gastrectomy is reclassified as a proven method of weight-loss surgery, rather than an experimental one. 

Dr. Atkinson, bariatric medial director and surgeon at Surgical Weight Control Center, agrees that overall, it’s up to the insurance companies when it comes to how the practice is affected. “Insurance companies still have their own rules in terms of what they’re willing to accept and approve for surgery,” said Dr. Atkinson. “Most still only allow the procedure for patients with a BMI of 35 and above.” The guidelines also included recommendations focusing on a team approach to perioperative care. Just as we put into practice here at SWCC, this team approach would pay special attention to providing nutritional, metabolic and nonsurgical support to bariatric surgery patients.

News from the Practice: New Look…Same Results!

 

Surgical Weight Control Center is pleased to announce the launch of their new website design. The site is designed to showcase the practice for existing patients, new patients and individuals considering weight loss surgery in the United States. Dr. James D. Atkinson and Dr. Darren W. Soong perform weight loss surgeries for patients in Nevada and across the United States at Desert Springs Hospital, a designated Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

Surgical Weight Control Center launched the new website to showcase the practice in a new responsive and informative format. The new site is designed to inform existing, new and potential patients interested about the procedures and support classes offered at the Nevada bariatric surgery practice. In addition, the new site offers potential patients the ability to quickly determine their BMI based on gender, weight and height. Potential patients can also register to attend a seminar, request a return phone call from the center and preview a list of insurance providers.

Dr. Atkinson and Dr. Soong proudly perform the Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Band and Gastric Bypass procedures and have trained over 100 fellow surgeons across the U.S. to perform these operations. Both surgeons envision a time when obesity is no longer a public health epidemic. Their vision is a surgical center where every patient achieves permanent and successful personal weight management

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Fighting Pounds at the Office

Americans love to complain about their waistline, attributing the challenge to everything except our own appetites.

This year, the office is emerging as a top contributor, allowing many to fall into its trap. According to a 2012 study from The Workbuzz, 44 percent of office workers have gained weight on the job. Factors include a lower level of physical activity and high stress affected by those around them. Imagine, then, what could happen if your office decided to make you thin.

In today’s working environment, many co-workers around the country are helping each other stay healthy: replacing the office candy bowl for walks at lunch, bringing in healthy meals to share and encouraging each other when the 3 p.m. chocolate craving strikes.

There are many new tools to help you continue to keep those pounds off for good. There are in-office weight-loss competitions modeled after the highly rated television show

“The Biggest Loser”, Weight Watchers® is now offering to come to you, holding meetings during lunch at your workplace. Some companies are customizing healthy, ready-to-eat meals available at the office, utilizing services such as FixtFoods.com, MyHealthyMeal.com and ChefKas.com.

You can also take control of your tools by creating your own support system. Whether it be an office buddy, friend, spouse or family member. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, doctors at Brown Medical School and Dartmouth University found that individuals who had an exercise buddy or support group successfully lost more weight than individuals who work out alone.

Is your office working together to lose weight? How do you keep those pounds off at work? Share your stories with us on our Facebook page. If you don’t have a support group, visit SurgicalWeightControlCenter.com and check out what support group is available for you today.

Healthy For Life Recipes: Egg Bake

Egg Bake

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 ounces light cream cheese, cubed
6 eggs, beaten
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup skim milk
1 cup cubed 2% sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup flour
1 cup cottage cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with vegetable
spray and set aside.
3. In large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy.
4. Whisk in flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, seasoning,
milk and cottage cheese.
5. Stir in cubed cheese.
6. Pour into greased 9 x 9 pan.
7. Bake 30-35 minutes or until puffed, golden and set.

Yields 8 servings

Chia Seeds: The “It” Food of 2013

2013 is undoubtedly the year of the chia seed and has created a buzz amongst the health conscious. An ancient seed, experts say the super food is growing increasingly popular.

Chia seeds have blossomed in markets across the nation, incorporated as an ingredient of many varying products and forms. You can find chia seeds, ground chia seeds, chia bars, chia snacks and chia drinks.

So what makes this super food so special? Here are some benefits of adding chia seeds to your everyday diet:

• Balances blood sugar

• Cuts food cravings

• Adds age-defying antioxidants

• Feel more energized all day long

• Adds healthy omega-3 oil

Unlike flax, Chia seeds do not have to be ground, nor do they go rancid as flax does. Be cautious as nutritionists recommend eating a maximum of one ounce a day as chia is high in fiber, which in large quantities can cause an upset stomach. A little chia goes a long way!

For more products and information, visit your local Whole Foods Market or www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Lifestyle Tips for Real Living

At Surgical Weight Control Center, we encourage you to make a pledge for a healthier you. Whether exercising at home or squeezing in a small workout at the office, here are some fitness tips to help maintain the best you possible wherever you are.

Home: Push-ups, squats and planking assist with upper and lower body strength as well as core stability. Check your form to make sure you’re maximizing your repetitions of each and you’re well on your way to a firm physique.

Office: You may be pent up in an office, but there are exercises you can do to keep the blood flowing. Tricep desk dips, lunges and a series of arm and leg stretches are essential, even when you’re task list is never ending. It’s important to get up from your desk every 30 minutes and partake in some sort of movement or walk across the office.

Gym: Resolve to try something new at the gym, don’t go alone, recruit a friend. Whether it be a different machine or that newly-listed group exercise class, keep it fresh and fulfilling with new challenges. You’re bound to notice the benefits on your bod too!

Outdoors: The weather is cool and it’s the perfect time to bundle up and embark on a jog, bike ride or a hike to Red Rock Canyon or Mt. Charleston. Enjoy these few months outdoors before the sweltering heat takes its toll on the valley.

Have a suggestion or fitness tip you’d like to share? Share it with your community on our Facebook page!

Support and Encouragement

A strong support group is a crucial part of a successful weight loss experience. Regular meetings provide education, support, counsel, friendship, friendship, positive reinforcement and remain focused on their weight loss goals.

At Surgical Weight Control Center patients have the opportunity and are encouraged to attend support groups tailored to their specific procedure, nutrition, emotional support and even a relaxing stretch classes.

The encouragement and support you receive from our staff and others who have undergone surgery is one important key to helping you reach your goals and is one important let to a healthier lifestyle.

We also encourage our patients to develop lifelong relationships beyond support group meetings, and to contact each other whenever needed.

For a complete listing of our up and coming support groups, visit SurgicalWeightControlCenter.com/Seminars