Tag Archive for: bariatric surgeon

dreamstime_xxl_7134854To continue the theme of our last few posts, we’ll continue exploring different diets. Previously in our last few posts, we discussed The Mediterranean Diet, Three Diets You’ve Probably Never Heard Of, and Meal Plans For Changing Your Diet After Surgery. Luckily, there is no shortage of diets in our society, so if you didn’t find one for your there are always more to try. The diets discussed in this post are geared specifically toward losing weight, weight control, and are also helpful even after you’ve had bariatric surgery. Weight Zen is a facility for bariatric surgery and weight loss surgery located in New York; if you have any questions, please, don’t hesitate to reach out. After going through weight loss surgery, your bariatric surgeon gave you a list of do’s and don’ts, but what about for the rest of your life? Now, that you’ve changed your life, keep it that way. Take advantage of having your weight under control, and make sure you can continue on this new path of life. Read about three great weight loss diets below.

Three Weight Loss Diets To Try

HMR Program

The HMR program stands for health management resources. The main goal of this diet is to keep off the weight or lose weight by reducing your caloric intake. You reduce your caloric intake by replacing what you would generally eat with more fruits and vegetables. This diet encourages healthy lifestyle changes and physical activity. One of the things that you should take into consideration is that everything you put into your body and the physical activity you do is all on you; it’s personal accountability for how much weight you want to lose. The HMR program encourages meal replacement with lower calorie items. For instance, instead of pancakes and french toast for breakfast, you could try eating low-calorie shakes, nutrition bars, or oatmeal that are HMR approved. By eating healthier and adding more fruits and vegetables, your caloric intake is lower. Combining eating healthy with physical activity means you are going to be able to control and lose weight. Even the smallest physical activity will help you to achieve your weight loss goal.

Volumetrics Diet

Similarly to the HMR program, this diet is also not as well known. The focus for this diet is specifically losing weight, unlike the HMR program that focuses on a better, healthier lifestyle. What you should know about food is that some food has less energy dense than other types of food. By directing your palette toward eating food with less energy, you’re eating less calories without actually eating less. Let’s break it down: by eating low-density food you will lose more weight. Low-density food has less calories but is higher in volume, so you don’t have that never-ending hunger while dieting. Focus your food intake on vegetables and fruits to fill you up and understand this diet is about getting more volume out of what you eat instead of eating more.

dreamstime_xxl_27254680Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet is pretty much what it sounds like. This diet doesn’t just focus on controlling your weight, it also focuses on improving your health and making the environment better. If you want to help the world and your body, this diet is for you. Here’s a tidbit about raw food: it is filled with nutrients and natural enzymes to help your body and assist it in losing weight. This diet has been around for several hundred years, stemming from when a doctor was able to cure jaundice by eating raw apples. Raw food is not cooked, microwaved, genetically engineered, processed, irradiated, or exposed to chemicals. The food you would focus on are fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and herbs all in their natural state. When you follow this diet, you are able to cut down on half of your caloric intake, in comparison to when you follow a cooked diet. However, it’s important to note that this diet is not usually rich in the all-important protein!

If you are looking to get weight loss surgery or want to talk to a bariatric surgeon, contact us today.

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Not only can you have sex after bariatric surgery, many patients report an increased sex drive!

How Soon After Bariatric Surgery Can You Have Sex?

However, few of our patients are as excited about the short-term limitations bariatric surgery may place on their lives. One question many weight loss surgery candidates ask is: How soon after bariatric surgery can I have sex?

At Weight Zen, we advise our patients to wait at least 10-14 days, and up to a full month, before they engage in sexual intercourse. This is simply to allow your body the time it needs to heal. After most surgeries, bariatric or otherwise, patients are typically supposed to wait a similar amount of time before having intercourse. The exact number of days that you should wait is a decision made between you and Dr. Rosen.

Weight Zen Is New York’s Trusted Source For Bariatric Surgery

After bariatric surgery, your libido will likely increase dramatically, and as you start to experience weight loss in the days following your procedure, you’ll feel more confident with your partner as well.

Interested in making a change? Contact the bariatric surgery experts at Weight Zen in New York today using the below form:

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If you’ve been reading our blog for a while, then you likely know that we spend a lot of time and dedication to helping patients before and after bariatric surgery in our New York office. We put a focus on helping you know your body and its needs. While this can be difficult to do at the beginning, with organization and discipline, it becomes easier.

With that in mind, we want to take a look at food diaries today, which can be a great tool after your bariatric surgery.

What Is A Food Journal?

Simply put, a food journaling is a way to keep track of what you eat. Food journals are recommended by many nutritionists for people who are struggling to lose weight. This helps you assess the amount of food you consume as well as when you’re consuming it and perhaps how you feel when eating. It’s a great way to count calories and take note of habits in your diet and lifestyle.

Understanding Eating Habits

As you begin to adjust to life after your weight loss surgery, it’s highly likely that you’ll take notice of many changes to your lifestyle and diet. Keeping a food journal is a great way to keep tabs on those pesky cravings, what you’ve eaten during the day, how often you’re eating and how you feel throughout the day.

When you keep a food journal, make sure you’re keeping track of the following:

  • What did you eat?
  • How much did you eat? (This is why measuring is so important.)
  • When did you eat?
  • Where did you eat?
  • How did you feel while you were eating?

While this may appear trivial on the surface, having a food journal that keeps track of the above information on a daily basis is very beneficial in the long run.

Track Your Nutritional Needs

People often notice in their food journals that they’re eating too much of one food group and neglecting others. As you accumulate to food logs, you’ll be able to see trends and take note of any nutritional needs you should be meeting but aren’t. By working with our nutritionist Megan Wolf, you’ll be able to alter your diet as needed and tailor a plan that fits your exact needs.

Monitoring Your Health On A Daily Basis

We understand that your life can be different for a little while after your bariatric surgery. Being able to monitor your health on a daily basis is not only important to you, but to your doctor and nutritionist, too. If you notice issues with constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain, or indigestion, make sure you take note of it. Patterns of these types of issues may indicate certain foods that do not agree with you, or it could be a sign of a something that needs to be addressed further.

Contact Weight Zen Today For More Information

If you’re interested in bariatric surgery in New York and want to make sure that you get great, long lasting results, make sure you contact Dr. Rosen at Weight Zen to schedule a consultation and discuss your options. Our entire team looks forward to connecting with you and helping you meet your weight loss and health goals.

In our last blog, we began to cover some of our favorite tips we love giving patients who struggle with staying motivated with their weight loss efforts after undergoing bariatric surgery at Weight Zen in New York. Today, we’re back with a few more helpful tips to help you kick those bad habits once and for all.

More Tips To Kick Bad Habits After Weight Loss Surgery

Plan your meals

Plan all of your meals around a solid source of lean protein, such as salmon, tuna or chicken. Then, pair your protein with low-starch veggies such as asparagus or green beans. Don’t hesitate to utilize seasonings, such as dry rubs and spices, to keep your meals exciting and to add some variety.

Trash the triggers

Kick your food triggers out of the house for good. If it’s hard for you, ask your family members or a close friend to help you by keeping tempting foods in another cabinet or even putting them in another fridge out in the garage.

Create a support system

Call a family or friend meeting where you have an honest conversation with everyone about which foods you need to stay away from and which ones are okay for you. When you cut back on refined starchy foods and sweets, it will be hard at first, but stay the course and drink plenty of water. You’ll notice positive results and begin feeling better day by day. You’ll be so happy you stuck it out!

If you’re struggling to stay the course with your weight loss efforts, contact Weight Zen today, and let us help you kick those bad habits with our support groups and multidisciplinary approaches.

It’s easy for old habits to creep back in.  Whether you’ve already undergone bariatric surgery in New York at Weight Zen, or you’re simply considering it, it’s important to understand this concept. Life after weight loss surgery still required hard work and determination to lead a healthy life.  You’ll need to stay motivated in order to keep up with healthy habits.

Today, we’re going to give you some tips to finding a balance within your family, work, and health so that bad habits don’t creep back in and ruin all your hard work.

Tips To Get Rid Of Bad Habits For Good After Bariatric Surgery

Want to let go of those bad habits? Not sure how? Follow these tips to move forward with healthy habits!

Re-ignite your motivation.

What is the catalyst that keeps you moving forward? What drives you? If you have a beautiful vacation coming up, you’re more likely to stick to your guns for those upcoming beach days, right? Perhaps the motivation that brought you success for things like vacations and jobs in the past is what can still drive you forward now. However, it may be possible that the catalyst has changed or doesn’t motivate you in the same way. That means it’s time to find a new motivator to spur you into action! Ask your post-bariatric friends on Facebook how they stay focused, speak to Dr. Rosen or Nutritionist Megan Wolf, or join one of our support groups here at Weight Zen.

Set a realistic plan for yourself.

Most people don’t follow through with their New Year’s Resolution plans because they aren’t realistic. It works the same way with weight loss goals after bariatric surgery! Your realistic weight loss plan should absolutely include meal planning so that you can plan ahead for busy days and stressful events. This will ensure that you’re eating the best foods for your body and that you’ll be able to keep your blinders up when temptations arise. We’ve all forgotten to pack a lunch for work and felt ravenous throughout the afternoon. Stay one step ahead of the game and your hunger by meal planning and setting realistic goals.  Nutritionist Megan Wolf can help you set a great meal plan.

Focus on your four key areas.

When we see patients who have fallen off the weight loss bandwagon after bariatric surgery, we always encourage them to focus on the following four key areas:

Water

While water is certainly easier to drink for some more than others, we encourage our patients to take small dips all day long.  Water is cheapest but so valuable.  Drink water more often, and you’ll find that you aren’t as hungry as you may have thought you were.  Additionally, it’s important to remember that we can confuse the feelings hunger and thirst.  Because of this, Nutritionist Megan Wolf always suggests that our patients drink water if they aren’t sure if they are hungry or not.  We want you to drink when thirsty, and eat when hungry – not eat when thirsty.

Meal structure

The second area we suggest focusing on is establishing a routine meal structure. While we know life happens and it’s not always possible to hold to your routine, you should still make every attempt to do so. Have you become relaxed about breakfast? Put your car keys in the fridge next to your cheese stick so you don’t forget to eat it. Make sure you’re consuming breakfast within the first 90 minutes of waking each day to keep your metabolism going and help control blood sugar and hunger.

Food choices and protein

Never underestimate how beneficial it is for you to make the best possible food choices. We recommend protein at every meal and snack.  While we hate the word fail – and would never use it when describing our patients – the old saying, “failure to plan is planning to fail” is very true in regards to any type of weight loss plan. If you want to see serious results, you have to make changes. Set days to make your meal plans, cook, and stick to them.

Exercise

Once you’re able to exercise after your bariatric surgery, start doing so. We see all patients 10 days after surgery and Dr. Rosen will clear you for exercise when you are ready.  Exercise schedules are also extremely important when it comes to weight loss plans because it’s not going to happen by accident. If you want to get back on track with your weight loss, set an exercise schedule, and stick to it. Having a hard time finding motivation? Hire a personal trainer – an incredibly worthwhile investment.

Consult With Your Bariatric Surgeon or Nutritonist If You’re Struggling With Bad Habits

If you’re struggling with bad habits after your bariatric surgery, we encourage you to contact us. We have a commitment to helping you with your weight loss needs, and that’s why we offer multidisciplinary therapies and support groups to leave no stone unturned when it comes to giving you the weight loss help you deserve.

dreamstime_xxl_39116267Here at Weight Zen, Dr. Rosen has helped hundreds of patients who suffer from obesity and weight control issues achieve a healthier life. We receive many calls from potential weight loss surgery candidates who are simply unsure about whether they are a candidate for bariatric surgery in New York. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the basic standards of the ideal bariatric surgery candidate.

Are You A Candidate For Bariatric Surgery?

If you’re significantly overweight and you’re looking to make a lifestyle change, you may be the perfect candidate for bariatric surgery at Weight Zen. Research supports the advantages of bariatric surgery for people who have a BMI between 35 and 39.9 with obesity-related health issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and other obesity-related health conditions. You could be a candidate for bariatric surgery if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • You weigh more than 100 pounds of your ideal body weight.
  • You have a BMI of more than 40.
  • Your BMI is more than 35, and you experience severe negative health effects, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, due to being severely overweight.
  • You’re unable to achieve your weight goals for any sustained period of time even though you’re on a medically-supervised diet.

Are you interested in how to proceed from here? Do you want to schedule a consultation with Megan Wolf, our New York nutritionist or Dr. Rosen, our New York bariatric surgeon? Contact us today to get started. We look forward to connecting with you and helping you achieve better health.

Exploring the Myths & Misconceptions of Gastric Bypass, Lap Band & Gastric Sleeve Surgery

weight loss surgery in New York City Though the number of bariatric surgeries performed in the United States grew in in recent years to almost 180,000 procedures a year, the number of qualifying patients that actually undergo these life-changing surgeries remains at less than one percent, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). With weight loss surgeries proving themselves to be viable, delivering consistently improved long-term results, they remain vastly under-utilized. With a large portion of our population experiencing the symptoms of obesity, why are so few of us choosing to undergo this type of treatment for obesity? Why would so few patients avoid the prospect of surgery when it means a healthier future? The misconceptions that continue to plague the procedures could reveal that answer.

Unfortunately, many of those who could benefit from gastric bypass surgery or another form of bariatric surgery never get past the first stage because of these myths. In an effort to eradicate these misconceptions, we’d like to offer the real facts on weight loss surgery.

The most commonly-held myths about gastric surgery include:

MYTH: Bariatric surgery is just another quick fix with short-lasting results

– FACT: Weight loss surgery should never be entered lightly as it is not a cosmetic procedure that promises out-of-the-world results. It is a serious medical procedure that, when treated properly with aftercare and a change in lifestyle, can deliver life-changing (and life-long) results that benefit the patient by providing relief from a variety of symptoms linked to obesity.

MYTH: Weight loss surgeries are extremely dangerous

– FACT: No invasive surgery or medical procedure is without its risks. Complications can arise with gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or Lap-Band surgery, but they don’t occur at any higher rates than other types of surgeries. With the technological innovations made within the last few years, the occurrence of these complications have dropped significantly and healing time, recovery and pain levels have all been minimized.  Additionally, Dr. Rosen is an expert in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.  This means we use very small incisions: smaller cuts, faster healing.

MYTH: Those who undergo these surgeries become malnourished afterward

 – FACT: Patients who follow Dr. Rosen’s and Megan’s advice regarding nutrition and meal planning experience little to no issues with nutritional values. Where there is a decrease in the natural absorption of vitamins and minerals, today’s nutritional guidance helps patients lead healthy, balanced and robust lives.

MYTH: Insurance won’t pay for weight loss surgery

 – FACT: Though the amount of coverage does change between providers and states, many plans do cover weight loss surgeries now. Before scheduling surgery it is important to know exactly what is covered and what is not. Some insurance providers only pay for surgery for those who meet certain health risk requirements. Others will cover bariatric surgery for those who are medically considered obese. Insurance verification is an important step in your care and we are here to help you.

Before you undergo any serious procedure, educate yourself by doing research and asking your doctor and nutritionist any questions you have. Protect yourself by finding out all the information you can, and hopefully using only reliable and trustworthy sources. As a highly respected bariatric clinic in New York City, we strive to ensure our patient’s complete confidence by fully educating them throughout the process, working to remain as transparent and patient-focused as possible. If you believe you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery, call us now for a confidential and comprehensive consultation. We’d be happy to help you start your own personal path to optimal health and wellness.

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dreamstime_xxl_15116074Food is one of the best parts of life. There are so many options no matter what you like. After your surgery, your bariatric surgeon and nutritionist probably told you what you could and could not eat. You likely went over a plan for food, but what about when you are finally back to eating a “normal” diet? Below are a few diets you may not have heard of, but may be just the diet you need in your life. Even if you haven’t gone through bariatric surgery, consider these three diets.

The DASH Diet

The DASH diet was originally designed to help lower blood pressure. If you are overweight and suffering from high blood, you may consider trying the DASH diet for weight control. This plant based diet has a heavy emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and is balanced with the appropriate amount of protein. . If you have high blood pressure, consider taking advantage of this diet. The DASH diet is one you can follow for the rest of your life.

The TLC Diet

Does cardiovascular disease run in your family? Do you have heart problems? This diet was created by the American Heart Association to help decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This diet is based on reducing saturated fat in your diet. Saturated fat, is found in whole-milk dairy, butter, cheeses and fried foods. When you eat too much saturated fat, your cholesterol increases too, which can lead to cardiovascular issues.  The TLC diet helps to limit your saturated fat intake which can help to control cholesterol.

dreamstime_xxl_38437127The MIND Diet

If you’re worried about developing Alzheimer’s, want to prevent Alzheimer’s from happening to you and your family, or simply to enhance your brain function with certain healthy foods, this diet may be for you! The MIND diet may lower your risk for cognitive decline.  This diet focuses on the ten brain healthy food groups: leafy vegetables, vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and wine. If you want to work on strengthening your mind and your heart, this diet might just be perfect for you.

At Weight Zen, located in New York, we want you to have the body and mind you’ve always imagined. If you are looking for weight loss surgery, weight loss or  general health and wellness, Weight Zen can help you. Contact us today to begin changing your life.

dreamstime_xxl_60747427You may or may not have heard about the Mediterranean Diet. This diet has recently become more and more popular. After you’ve had your bariatric surgery at Weight Zen, located in the heart of New York City, you probably talked to your bariatric surgeon and nutritionist about what foods you can consume and what you can’t. As you acclimate back to eating a normal diet, or if you want to try dieting before you turn to weight loss surgery, you may consider this diet.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

This diet is seen as one of the healthiest diets because of what it focuses on. The Mediterranean diet is the diet that is consumed in the Mediterranean in countries such as Greece, Turkey, Albania, Croatia, Israel, Syria, Tunisia, Slovenia, Monaco, Morocco, Libya, and other countries are located.

What Foods Are Involved in the Mediterranean Diet?

The foods that are involved in this diet are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and legumes. For protein, lean protein is chosen such as fish and poultry versus the red meat that the American diet is heavily focused on. Red meat also has saturated fat, which is what leads to heart problems. Red wine is included in moderate amounts. When you shop for this diet – and other healthy diets like it –  make sure to stay on the perimeter of the grocery store. You may have noticed when you go to the grocery store, most of the healthiest foods are on the edge of the store versus the inside. If you find yourself with lots of junk food in your cart, try to stay away from the aisles and only shop on the edge of the store where the vegetables, poultry, and fruits are offered.

dreamstime_l_14561359Why Should I Consider This?

Research shows the benefits of eating a Mediterranean diet. Weight loss, decrease in depression, and control of blood glucose levels, are all positive outcomes when following a Mediterranean diet. In addition, there have cases of reduction in heart and Alzheimer’s disease.

If you need to control your weight or have just went through bariatric surgery, then you may want to consider this diet. If you are in need of weight loss surgery or want more information, reach out today to schedule a consultation.

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Dr. Rosen has helped countless patients reach their weight loss goals while also improving their overall health and wellness through bariatric surgery in New York at Weight Zen. This is all possible due to his focus on state-of-the-art bariatric surgical treatment coupled with exceptional guidance and advice after the weight loss surgery is performed. With this in mind, we’re going to take a look at the importance of portion control after bariatric surgery.

Portion Control Is Key To Wellness And Weight Loss

After undergoing any kind of weight loss surgery, it’s imperative that you eat your meals in small portions.  Our Nutritionist Megan Wolf suggests “small, frequent meals.” This will help ensure that you’re eating until you’re full but not eating more than what your stomach can handle. It’s important to find a balance, and small portions are a great way to find and maintain this balance.

Don’t Overeat

Overeating is a serious and legitimate concern after bariatric surgery. If you overeat after your weight loss surgery, you may be slowly stretching your stomach back out over time, which means you’re undoing the work of your surgeon. This is just one of the ways in which patients can actually regain unwanted weight after their bariatric surgeries.

In addition to stretching out your stomach and undoing your bariatric surgeon’s work, an immediate concern is suffering from stomach pain and indigestion. If you overeat after your weight loss surgery, you might end up feeling nauseous and could possible vomit. Avoid the pain by eating small portions of food throughout the day.

Savor Your Food

A great way to avoid overeating is to really savor your small portions. Eat them slowly, and chew everything thoroughly. There’s no rush in eating, right? Savoring your food will help prevent indigestion issues, and by taking your time, you’ll be able to know precisely when you’re full and it’s time to stop eating.

Consider The Size Of Your Plate

While it may seem farfetched, you can actually mentally trick your brain and appetite by utilizing smaller plates and bowls. Eating your small portions slowly helps you feel full, and it’s obviously a great way to help with any problems associated with controlling your portions.

Don’t Drink When Eating

Another important thing to remember after you’ve undergone bariatric surgery is that you should not drink liquids at the same time you’re eating. Drinking while eating will only make you feel full without actually ingesting a meal, which means you won’t be getting the nutrients your body needs. Weight loss is great, but you want to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need each and every day, which means you must eat full meals.

Pay Attention To Your Body

Obviously, every body is different. The most important thing is that you must pay attention to your body and its needs. If you notice hunger, pain, or any other issues as you adjust after your bariatric surgery, be mindful and try to pinpoint what is causing these things to occur. Paying attention and making needed adjustments will help you lose weight while feeling great the entire time.

Contact Weight Zen

If you’re struggling with portion control or any other factors after your bariatric surgery in New York, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Rosen and nutritionist Megan Wolf at Weight Zen for assistance.