Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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Category: Healthy eating

There’s Still Time to Slim Down for the Holidays: A Review of Medical Weight Loss Options

Most of us have been led to believe that it’s always possible to lose weight quickly; we just have to adhere to the latest fad diet or take up a punishing exercise regime. In reality, however, each of us has a very different body with its own unique physiology. As such, there is no “one size fits all” weight loss solution.

For some people, the weight loss journey is a long, challenging one. Hormonal imbalances, metabolic factors, and medication use can all conspire to work against us while we try to shed excess pounds. Likewise, some people are genetically predisposed to storing fat in certain areas (such as around the midsection or on the flanks). These people often have deposits of stubborn fat that simply will not budge, even when they’ve reached a healthy weight.

If you’re struggling with the issues described above and feeling desperate to get in shape in time for the holidays, we have good news for you: There are medical interventions available. Depending on your medical needs, bariatric and/or plastic surgery can help you both lose weight and reshape your body.

Bariatric Surgery and Nonsurgical Alternatives: Offering Hope to Obesity Sufferers

If you’ve decided to pursue surgical weight loss treatment, it’s important to first differentiate between true weight loss procedures and spot fat reduction procedures. Weight loss surgery generally refers to bariatric surgery, either the placement of a gastric band or the use of sutures to close off a portion of the stomach. Both of these options dramatically reduce the capacity of the stomach, allowing the patient to feel full after eating just a small meal or snack. This helps him or her dramatically cut down on the number of calories he or she is consuming and usually results in rapid weight loss. However, because these procedures also carry risks, they are generally only performed on people struggling with chronic obesity.

For those who don’t wish to have surgery, there are nonsurgical alternatives available. Gastric balloons, such as the Orbera balloon, can be inserted into the stomach without any incisions being made. These balloons, which must be removed after six months, occupy much of the stomach’s capacity, thereby reducing appetite.

Plastic Surgery: Putting the Finishing Touches on Your Body

For many people, getting to a healthy weight is only the first part of the battle. Those who have struggled with obesity often have significant loose skin that needs to be removed once their excess fat has been lost. Additionally, there may still be pockets of stubborn fat that have not responded to diet, exercise, and medical weight loss surgery. This is especially likely if the patient suffers from Metabolic Syndrome, a condition wherein the body is prone to storing fat around the midsection.

To tackle these issues, you’ll need to see a plastic surgeon. He or she will generally recommend that you have liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, or a combination of both of these procedures.

During liposuction, a minimally invasive tube-like instrument is inserted below the skin in areas where fat needs to be removed. The fat cells are loosened with a lubricant and then literally sucked out; this creates a sleek, toned appearance in the treated areas. Liposuction has been performed for decades, so this procedure is well-understood and generally very low-risk. Better still, because it’s not particularly invasive, most patients recover in just a couple of weeks.

Tummy tuck surgery, on the other hand, is a major operation—but it’s an important one. In addition to removing the folds of loose skin that result in a “flabby looking” stomach following weight loss or pregnancy, a tummy tuck addresses deeper structural issues. During a tummy tuck, damaged abdominal muscles are repaired so that they can support the abdominal tissue properly again. This both creates a taut, flat stomach and gives the patient back his or her ability to exercise effectively. (It’s impossible to tone damaged abdominal muscles via exercise alone.) Tummy tuck surgery usually takes about two months to completely recover from (though most of the initial healing is done within the first two to three weeks).

While not a lot of fat is technically removed by either liposuction or tummy tuck surgery (about 5-8 pounds are lost on average), these surgeries make a profound difference in the patient’s appearance. Tummy tuck surgery, in particular, often makes the patient look as though he or she has lost 15-20 pounds. The muscles repaired by this procedure compress the abdominal tissue so effectively that a stomach that stuck out noticeably before the operation will often be completely flat after it.

Tummy tuck surgery and liposuction have an important role to play in the fight against obesity. Not only do they complement weight loss surgery in a physical sense, they’ve been proven to have psychological advantages, too. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, previously obese women who undergo tummy tuck surgery are more likely to continue losing weight than women who do not have plastic surgery. This is an important consideration given the fact that many formerly obese patients are at risk of gaining back the weight they have lost. If you have lost a great deal of weight but still find you’re unhappy with your body, plastic surgery may, therefore, be the right choice for you.

 

Top 3 Reasons Exercise and Diet Are Important for Anti-Aging

 

The fountain of youth may be something that we only hear in the movies. However, advancement in medicine has led us to expand our life span and battle the visible signs of aging.

If you want to slow down the aging process and age gracefully, it pays to give your body an extra helping hand. Aside from getting anti-aging treatments, make some changes in your lifestyle. They don’t have to be drastic or dramatic, as what other people suggest, because even simple changes can make you feel and look younger.

The simple changes we’re referring to are diet and exercise. Changes may not be apparent immediately once you start diet and exercise, but the effects are long-term. Here are the top three reasons you should include these three important lifestyle changes in your quest to look and feel younger.

  1. Healthy foods fight wrinkles inside out.

Just like good fuel that will keep your car engine functioning optimally, nourishing food will keep your body functioning optimally as well. When you eat nutritious food, your body will function properly. It’ll be able to produce anti-oxidants to defend itself from harmful free radicals that contribute to a speedy aging process. It’ll also help balance your hormones so the rest of your organs will function at their best.

  1. Exercise reduces inflammation.

Aside from strengthening your bones and muscles, as well as stabilizing your weight, exercise also helps in keeping inflammation at bay. Age-related inflammation often leads to medical diseases and conditions, such as heart disease. A 10-year study has found that people who are generally active have lower levels of inflammation. Ultimately, this leads to the body being healthy and strong.

  1. Healthy diet and regular exercise slow down the natural aging process.

With bones and muscles stronger, and the internal organs fully nourished, your body will have a functional immune system that will minimize the onset of any age-related diseases. By boosting your immunity with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, you will be better able to take on viruses floating around in the winter months. Additionally, the state of your body inside will reflect on the outside. Therefore, if you’re eating right, exercising regularly and hydrating your body often, your skin will glow and it will retain its moisture. This will slow down the formation of wrinkles.

Fighting the natural aging process needs a holistic approach. While advances in cosmetic medicine allow us to temporarily “freeze” the formation of wrinkles and other signs of aging in the body, you can do so much more when you add diet and exercise in your efforts.

For more information about anti-aging treatments, consult Dr. Florence Mussat. Schedule a consultation today.