Do You Have Questions about Your Nutrition?

If you have nutrition questions, we have the answers.

All of our pre-and post-operative patients are invited to attend a weekly Nutrition Q&A in our office lobby each Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. During this time, registered dietitians from the Blount Memorial Weight Management Center are available to provide nutrition advice. Participation is free.

Proper nutrition is essential for bariatric surgery patients, both before and after surgery. Prior to surgery, patients must focus on attaining the best possible health, and that includes both exercise and good diet. Because bariatric surgery limits the amount of food that can be taken in or the amount of nutrients absorbed, post-surgery patients must ensure the food they eat is nutritious.

These weekly, interactive nutrition sessions are yet another service we provide to ensure positive outcomes and good health for our patients. For more information about Nutrition Q&A, contact us or visit our office during session hours.

Success, One Step at a Time

At Foothills Weight Loss Specialists, we advise all of our patients that incorporating regular exercise into their routines is a critical component of weight loss success. Our patient Kim Chambers, who had a gastric banding procedure in August 2009, took our advice and “ran” with it. (more…)

Preparing for Bariatric Surgery

You’ve weighed your options and decided that weight loss surgery is best for you. So, what now? (more…)

Coach Sheds 130 Pounds through Gastric Banding

As the Sequoyah High School football coach, patient Bill Satterfield has seen a lot of wins and losses in his career. When it comes to weight loss, his post-surgery success definitely puts him in the “win” column. (more…)

Is Gastric Banding Right for You?

Gastric banding is less invasive than bypass surgery and is reversible at any time. Because of these advantages, the procedure is in great demand. While banding may be perfect for some personalities, it is not for everyone. (more…)

Antioxidants: A Good Defense for Bariatric Patients

At Foothills Weight Loss Specialists, we’re always on the lookout for new technology that will benefit our patients. When we came across the Pharmanex biophotonic scanner, we knew it was a tool that could help our patients achieve good health. We’re proud to be the first in the country to use this technology for bariatic patients. (more…)

Bariatric Surgery: Are You Ready?

If you’re looking for a “silver bullet” that will magically make your extra pounds effortlessly disappear, bariatric surgery is not for you. Successful weight loss through bariatric surgery requires significant lifestyle changes and a lifelong commitment to maintain those changes. (more…)

State-of-the-art bariatric surgery

In January, I was honored to be the first surgeon in East Tennessee to perform robotically assisted, laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Robotically assisted surgery offers fewer complications, shorter recovery times, less post-operative pain and a quicker return to normal activities than with the traditional laparoscopic method. (more…)

Obesity and Depression

Studies indicate that obesity and depression are closely linked. People who are obese are more likely to be depressed, and people who are depressed are more likely to be obese. (more…)

The Causes of Morbid Obesity are Complex

For those who are morbidly obese, the question of, “Why me?” can often enter the thought process. Others assume, as conventional wisdom tells them, that the problem is simply caused by overeating. (more…)