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Good Health FOOD CLUES
WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
Weighing options
Use protein to power through the stress By Leslie Schilling Special to The Commercial Appeal
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. FRANCIS CENTER FOR SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS
St. Francis Center for SurgicalWeight Loss patients model during a fashion show celebrating the center’s 10th anniversary.
In struggle with obesity, many choose weight-loss surgery as best option By Erinn Figg Special to The Commercial Appeal
In the gym, on the streets or at the salad bar, it’s common to meet people on a mission to lose those 10 to 15 extra pounds. But for more than one-third of Americans, ighting the battle of the bulge can equate to ighting the battle of a lifetime. When that war against the epidemic of obesity begins, many Americans choose bariatric surgery as their weapon of choice. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 78 million or 34.9 percent of U.S. adults sufer from obesity, which is categorized as having a Body Mass Index of 30 or more. Closer to home, a 2013 Gallup-Healthways report showed that Tennessee had the seventh highest obesity rate in the nation last year, with 29.6 percent of the state’s residents weighing in as obese. When most people hear the word “obese,” they immediately think “large,” or worse, “fat,” but the issue extends far beyond appearance. More than 40 diseases, known as comorbidities, are linked to obesity, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and several kinds of cancer. In 2006, Julia Mills of Cordova, then 51, learned about comorbidities irsthand when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes related to excess weight. “Over the years, I had tried all sorts of diferent things to lose weight, but diabetes was the kicker for me in the decision to have surgery,” she said. While 99 percent of weight-loss surgery patients choose one of three American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeryapproved surgeries — an adjustable gastric band, a sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass — the remaining one percent, including Mills, opt for an alternative method. After much research, Mills chose to have a patented procedure called a mini gastric bypass at an out-of-state clinic and was extremely satisied with the results. “Two weeks after surgery, my blood sugar was normal and it’s been normal ever since,” said Mills, who lost 75 pounds and has kept it of after having the surgery in 2008. In March, new results from a threeyear study spearheaded by the Cleveland
Clinic’s Bariatric and Metabolic Institute showed that either gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy did more to improve the symptoms of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol in overweight and obese participants than intensive treatment with drugs alone. In addition, study participants who had one of the two surgeries lost more weight, had better kidney function and saw greater improvements in quality of life than those who did not have surgery. Dr. George Woodman of Baptist Weight Loss Center at Baptist Memorial Health Care is on a mission to educate area primary care physicians on the importance of recognizing and referring weight loss surgery candidates before comorbid conditions occur. According to the most recent statistics from ASMBS, in 2010 there were 150,000 to 160,000 bariatric surgeries, which relected just one percent of the population eligible for them. In most areas, to qualify for bariatric surgery, patients must either have a BMI of 40 or greater or have a BMI of 35 and at least two obesity-related comorbidities. (A BMI calculator is available online at asmbs.org/calculate-your-bmi.) Many insurance plans cover at least some bariatric surgery costs. “About half the people primary care doctors see every day are candidates for surgery,” Woodman said. “We would much rather see somebody when they’re younger and before they’ve developed the comorbid conditions that come with obesity. Why wait to develop diabetes? Why wait to develop high blood pressure? Why wait until you need a knee replacement? Let’s start seeing these patients earlier.” Bronwyn Morgan, 43, a principal scientist at Merck Consumer Care in Memphis, is one such patient who saw comorbid complications on her horizon and decided to prevent them. “I had gotten to where I was considered morbidly obese,” she said. “I couldn’t do some of the things I wanted to do with my kids. I was lucky I didn’t have any serious comorbidities like high blood pressure or diabetes, but they were a real possibility in my future.” Morgan had weight-loss surgery at St. Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss
FITNESS EVENTS Memphis in May 10K: 6
p.m. Friday at Harrah’s Resort Tunica, 13615 Old Highway 61 N., Robinsonville, Miss. Part of Memphis in May Triathlon Sports and Fitness Expo Weekend. 615-567-6671. mim10K.racesonline.com Running of the Rams 5K: 6 p.m. Friday at Oak Elementary School, 3573 Oak Road, Bartlett. $25 ($20 for ages 17 and under). Hosted by Oak Elementary PTA, proceeds will go toward the purchase 40 or more new computers for students. Visit runningoftherams.racesonline. com. Rylee’s Run 5K: 7 p.m. Friday through the Mike Rose Soccer complex, finishing in the stadium. 5K commemorates the life of Rylee Rae Vinson, who died due to complications of premature birth. $25 ($15 age 14-under). memphissoccer. com/league/ribs. 205-531-1851. Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon: 8 a.m. Saturday at Harrah’s Resort Tunica, 13615 Old Highway 61 N., Robinsonville, Miss. A ¼-Mile Swim, 12-Mile Road Bike, and
Good Health Memphis
There are three primary types of bariatric surgery procedures approved by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Adjustable Gastric Band: An inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a small stomach pouch above the band, reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold and creating a feeling of fullness. Induces excess weight loss of 40 to 50 percent. Sleeve Gastrectomy: More than 80 percent of the stomach is removed, leaving a tubular pouch that holds a smaller volume of food. Causes favorable changes in gut hormones that suppress hunger and improve satiety. Induces excess weight loss of 50 percent or greater. Gastric Bypass: Stomach is reduced to the size of a walnut and attached to the middle of the small intestine. Restricts the amount of food that can be consumed; produces favorable changes in gut hormones that reduce appetite. Induces excess weight loss of 60 to 80 percent. Source: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (asmbs.org/ obesity-and-surgery-learning-center)
last June. She had planned on getting an adjustable gastric band, but after attending one of the center’s free educational seminars, she decided to get gastric bypass surgery instead. “In our seminars, we teach that in order to see long-term success with any weightloss surgery, you have to change your mind and your whole life,” said Leslie Albers, the center’s bariatric program manager. “What we do is not a magic bullet. Some people think this surgery is all they’re going to need, but that’s not the case. What our doctors say is the surgery is a tool to get you where you need to be. Our patients are required to go through two education classes about nutrition and post-operation lifestyle changes.” Since her surgery, Morgan has lost 120 pounds. She pays attention to what she eats and exercises, something she couldn’t do comfortably before her surgery. “There are so many things I can do now,” she said. “Little things you never think of, like having the seatbelt in my car it me better. Or I can pop down on the loor and play a game with my kids without being uncomfortable. It makes all the difference in the world.”
Leslie Schilling is a Memphis-based, nationally recognized nutrition expert. She owns Schilling Nutrition Therapy, LLC, a nutrition counseling practice in East Memphis.
ARTHRITIS
Health & Fitness calendar HEALTH EVENTS Lifeblood Blood Drives: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2949 Davies Road, Lakeland; 9:30 a.m. to noon at New Direction, 114 U.S. 72 S., Collierville. Healthy Living Expo: 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday at the YMCA at Schilling Farms, 1185 Schilling Blvd. E., Collierville. Over 30 vendors, door prizes, and more. Free health screenings: blood pressure check, spinal screening, mini-massages, heel scans, blood sugar checks, and more. B-12 shots $10. 901-8509622. Free Safer Sex Kit Day: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region, 2430 PoplarSuite 100. Free safer sex kits for first 50 female clients. 901725-1717. Family Caregiver Class: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 21. Baptist Memorial HospitalMemphis (Seminar Room 2), 6027 Walnut Grove Road.
TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERY PROCEDURES
Stress impacts all of us. How you deal with that stress can ultimately make or break your health. You may be experiencing a physical stress such as a muscle or bone injury or even getting ready for a surgical procedure. Even if you’re not feeling physical stress, that doesn’t mean you’re immune. You may be facing emotional stressors like job issues, inancial worries or depression. The bottom line is that regardless of its origin, stress is cumulative, and it can manifest itself physically. No matter where your stress comes from, fueling your body in healthful way can help. So often we allow our busy (stressful) lives to trump getting to the grocery store, cooking, exercising or spending our hard-earned cash on high-quality foods. By taking the time and efort to feed your body well, you can improve your overall well-being and your ability to ight physical and emotional stress. Let’s focus on adding proteinrich foods to your diet. When you have times of physical stress like injury or a surgery, your overall protein needs to increase due to muscle tissue damage, the need for muscle tissue repair and recovery. During the acute stages of injury, our protein needs can increase dramatically. Depending on the amount of damage sustained and healing that may need to occur, your protein needs can almost double. So, if you’re in an acute stage of injury, surgery, or healing it’s important to focus on this key ingredient. Believe it or not, your protein intake can impact your emotional stress as well. Studies suggest that increased protein at meals leads to increased satiety. When we’re more satisied physically, we’re less likely to use food for comfort or emotional reasons. I don’t know about you, but most everyone I encounter (including myself from time to time) uses food for things other than fuel. Planning a satisfying diet with protein-rich meals may be your next step in stress management. Try protein-rich foods like eggs, cheese or Greek yogurt to pump up your breakfast. Add leftover meats to salads or sandwiches for a satisfying lunch. Throw a couple cheese sticks or almonds into your afternoon snack for staying power until dinner. And, last but not least, plan your meals ahead so you’ll have time to prepare a tasty evening meal. Some of our favorite dinner-time protein sources include lat-iron steak, grilled chicken, baked salmon and pork tenderloin. What are your favorite protein sources? Write them down now and include them in your plan for a lower-stress week.
3-Mile Run. A salute to Panama. 901-274-2202. mimsprint. racesonline.com and mimtri. racesonline.com. Lupus Foundation of America, Memphis area chapter, “Walk to End Lupus Now 5K”: 9 a.m. Saturday at the Overton Park Pavilion. Preregistration: $35 ($20 children ages 11-under), $5 higher on day of walk. Call 901-458-5302 or e-mail: lupusmemphiswalk@gmail. com Cure Me Colorful Relay for Life Color Run: Noon Saturday at Aycock Park in Millington, Tenn. $20. All proceeds raised go to the American Cancer Society. 901355-9903. cathy.pike@aol.com BSA Run for Scouting 5K: 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Chickasaw Trail, Shelby Farms Park. $20 ($10 youth) in advance; $25 ($15 youth) race day. 901327-4193. scoutbasebsa.org/ event/1500446. Send health and fitness calendar items to fason@commercial appeal.com.
Millington 4-year-old to be honored during 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis By Sara P. Shirley patterson@commercialappeal.com 901-529-6513
Bradyn Lorimer, 4, is the face of arthritis. Last February, while the Lorimer family was at church, Bradyn’s mother, Michelle, noticed her daughter limping. Some six weeks later, after multiple visits to diferent hospitals and specialists, the Millington family received an oicial diagnosis. Bradyn, who was 3 at the time, had juvenile idiopathic arthritis. “There have been many mornings where (Bradyn) has been unable to stand, let alone walk,” the Lorimer family shared in a media
statement. “Long baths and medicine each day provide some relief.” Bradyn’s story is one Bradyn of many Lorimer that will be shared during the Memphis Walk to Cure Arthritis on June 7. Bradyn has been named the 2014 Junior Honoree. Arthritis is a crippling disease that impacts more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children — or approximately 22 percent of the U.S. population. In Tennessee, 1.5 million adults and nearly 6,000 children have some form
of arthritis. The disease costs the U.S. economy $128 billion dollars a year, and is a more frequent cause of activity limitation than heart disease, cancer or diabetes. Funds raised through the Memphis Walk to Cure Arthritis will go toward programs, research and advocacy initiatives to help people today while inding a cure for tomorrow. To register for the Memphis Walk to Cure Arthritis, visit memphiswalktocurearthritis.kintera.org or call Michelle Dooner at 901-322-1517. To learn more about the ight to cure arthritis, visit arthritiswalk. org.
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