Weight Loss Surgery is for Men, Too

In our society, women tend to worry more about weight than their male counterparts. As demonstrated by the success of our patient Milton Cooper, weight management is equally important for men. And, as we often say, the health benefits of weight loss are much more important than a change in appearance.

When Milton Cooper of Maryville first came to our office, he was 39 years old and weighed 378 pounds. He first tipped the scales at over 300 pounds when he was only 18 and was diagnosed with diabetes about a year later. Cooper’s struggles with diabetes led his doctor to recommend weight loss surgery and ultimately brought him to us. (more…)

Foothills Patients Enjoy New Lives after Bariatric Surgery

In this video four Foothills Weight Loss Specialists patients – Ron Martin, Melody Helms, Jill Mayfield and Barton Baskette — discuss their reasons for pursuing bariatric surgery and the new lives they’ve achieved following surgery. (more…)

Looking to Lose Weight? There’s an App for That.

In today’s society, most people are interested in losing weight and most own smartphones. What do the two have in common? As I’ve recently learned, quite a bit.

I’ve been hearing about apps that purportedly do a very good job at helping people lose weight, so I decided to do a little research. In only a few minutes, I found apps that will provide yoga instruction, help you count calories, allow you to keep a food diary, prepare your own personal workout plan, calculate your heart rate, and much more. These apps can be helpful tools for keeping bariatric surgery patients motivated and focused on their success. (more…)

American Heart Association Recognizes Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Every day at Foothills Weight Loss Specialists we see the dramatic health benefits bariatric surgery can bring to the formerly morbidly obese. It’s gratifying to see that leading medical associations also recognize the benefits of this potentially life-saving surgery. (more…)

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Produces Results for Patients

Sara Trombley, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patient

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, also known as the gastric sleeve, was first introduced in 2005, and we’ve been performing the procedure since 2008. As of March 2011, we’ve performed 65 gastric sleeve procedures and are pleased with the results.

Melody Helms, who is both a Foothills patient and employee, lost 200 pounds following her gastric sleeve in March 2009. She’s maintaining her weight loss through exercise and making good food choices.

Sara Trombley lost 146 pounds following her gastric sleeve surgery in February 2008. About Foothills Weight Loss Specialists, she says, “They not only gave me back my life but gave me a life I didn’t think possible.” (more…)

The Goals of Weight Loss Surgery

The vast majority of morbidly obese adults have struggled with weight most of their lives. The memories of childhood taunts are still fresh on their minds. As adults, they may face disapproval from family and friends, sneers and negative remarks from strangers, and discrimination at work. (more…)

The Steps to Surgery

This is the time of year when many people resolve to lose weight. If you’ve spent many years making – and failing to fulfill – that resolution, you may be considering bariatric surgery. You may also be wondering what steps are required to get you there. (more…)

Cause for Celebration

One of the highlights of the year for us at Foothills Weight Loss Specialists is the Annual Bariatric Fashion Show, where post-surgery patients show off their new physiques and share their success stories.

This year’s show celebrated eight years of bariatric surgery and featured 38 post-surgery patients who had a combined weight loss of 4,585 pounds. To put it in perspective, mid-size cars and sedans have a weight range of 4,500 to 5,500 pounds. (more…)

Bariatric Surgery Brings Economic Benefits

Prior posts have discussed the fact that, for those who lose weight and maintain that weight loss, bariatric surgery can alleviate diabetes. Our previous post looked specifically at the significant costs associated with the disease.

Despite the high cost of treating diabetes, some may wonder – health and lifestyle benefits of alleviating the disease aside – if the cost of bariatric surgery can be recouped. According to research by the Analysis Group, a firm with more than 500 professionals and offices throughout the country, the answer is, “Yes.” (more…)

Diabetes: A Costly Disease

The American Diabetes Association estimates that diabetes costs this country more than $174 billion per year. Breaking that figure down to an individual level brings home how financially straining the disease can be to diabetics. (more…)