July 24, 2007 WISTV
NATIONAL – Flat abs are often considered a sign of youth, and last year, almost two hundred thousand people had tummy tucks in the United States alone.

But it might not be too late to bring back a more youthful tummy without major surgery.

Nancy Bunt is a vivacious 40-something who wishes her abs matched her youthful outlook.

“To wear something more fitted, I just wasn’t, I wasn’t comfortable. So I decided to do something about it,” said Bunt.

She’s enlisted reconstructive surgeon Gerald H. Pitman to revive her abs using a procedure called lower abdominoplasty, or a mini tummy tuck.

Dr. Pitman says, “Only the skin and the attached fat are removed, there’s no muscle tightening. It’s much less painful. It can be done under a local anesthesia and the recovery is five days.”

This procedure focuses only on stretched-out skin in the lower abdomen, closer to the bikini line.

“It’s just simply a removal of this area of skin and fat, and then the skin from here is brought to there and you have a single line closure,” said Dr. Pitman.

Liposuction also figures into this tummy trimming equation.

Dr Pitman says “99 percent of women who have this operation also have liposuction, usually to remove fat from the upper tummy and to remove fat from around the waist and give them a better waistline.”

And while this is less extensive than a full abdominoplasty, the mini tummy tuck packs a punch.

“The operation rejuvenates the abdomen, it ‘youthifies’ it, so indeed you end up with a more youthful abdomen,” Dr. pitman said.

Nancy’s ready to see the results in her mirror.

Dr. Pitman says exercise is an important aspect of keeping a trim physique, but it can’t un-sag stretched-out skin.

That’s where a procedure like the mini tummy tuck fits in.
From  http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6832705

Whether a person loses weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery, there are a few problems that arise as a result of the weight loss. One that will be most noticeable is the loose skin that remains after the weight is gone. When someone is overweight, the skin stretches to accommodate the increased volume of weight. After weight loss, the skin often fails to tighten, and so it sags. In many cases, it hangs (especially in the arms, stomach, thighs, breasts, and buttocks). It acts as a constant reminder of the weight you once carried around. Exercise WILL NOT tighten skin (exercise never tightens skin – only muscles). The only way to tighten loose skin is through cosmetic plastic surgery.

Bariatric patients desiring such reshaping after surgery should use a specialist with experience dealing with this type of situation. A variety of surgical procedures are often necessary and performed at different times. Depending on which area bothers you the most, the surgery can be tailored to fit your needs, starting with the area of greatest concern. Often an abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is done first, though a circumferential lower body lift may be needed instead. Breast lifting surgery, arm lifts, face lifts and neck lifts are all additional procedures that can be done at separate times. A body lift is the combination of tummy tuck and a lower body lift (inner thigh lift, and outer thigh/buttock lift).

NB. All COSMETIC BLISS Weight Loss Patients are Entitled to a 10% Discount on future Cosmetic Surgery Procedures.  These include: Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, Breast Uplift, Breast Reduction, Arm Lift, Thigh Lift, Facelift Chin & Neck Surgery etc.

You and your doctor have agreed: surgery could be the answer to your weight-loss problems.

But what are the disadvantages – and the possible risks – of bariatric surgery? And how will this operation change your life?

Risks of bariatric surgery
Any operation that requires an anaesthetic, which takes between 1 and 3,5 hours to complete, is potentially dangerous.

If one also keeps in mind that patients who undergo these operations are morbidly obese and often suffer from a variety of associated complications such as respiratory disorders, diabetes and heart disease, the risks may be even more.

According to scientific literature, the following risks are associated with bariatric surgery:

a) During or shortly after the operation:

Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs), which accounts for up to 70% of deaths that occur during or immediately after surgery
Major wound infections
Peritonitis (inflammation of the membrane of the abdominal cavity)
Narrowing of the entrance to the stomach
Abscesses
Slippage of the gastric band or staples which then require re-operation
b) After surgery

Vomiting
Dysphagia (inability to eat)
Hernia
Heartburn
Diarrhoea
Dumping syndrome (see below)
Malnutrition
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (see below)
Regain of weight that has been lost
(Msika (2003), Sugermann (2001), Sugermann et al (2003)).

Dumping syndrome
According to Krause (2000), dumping syndrome is “a complex physiological response to larger than normal amounts of food and liquid in the upper parts of the small intestine” due to changes in the rate at which the stomach is emptied.

The symptoms associated with dumping syndrome usually start off with mild effects that include a feeling of fullness and nausea 10 to 20 minutes after eating. Patients may also experience flushing, heart palpitations, fainting, sweating and the urge to sit or lie down.

About one hour after eating, patients may develop abdominal bloating, winds, cramps and abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Finally, the most extreme stage of dumping syndrome can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Patients may perspire, feel anxiety, weakness, shakiness, or hunger, and may be unable to concentrate.

Ironically, the fact that these symptoms can be so severe, can act as a strong motivation to patients to stick to the post-operative dietary rules that they will need to follow for the rest of their lives.

To avoid dumping syndrome, the following guidelines should be applied:

Eat only small meals, which should be spread throughout the entire day (6-8 meals per day).
Eat mainly high-protein, low-fat foods.
Include some dietary fibre if you find that you can tolerate this (e.g. brown bread, oats, brown rice).
Try to rest or lie down one hour after your meals to slow down stomach emptying.
Avoid drinking liquids with your meals, but make sure that you have small quantities of liquid (no more than 100ml), all day long between meals to prevent dehydration.
Avoid cold drinks, juices, pies, cakes, biscuits and frozen desserts or any very sweet foods.
If you find that milk and dairy products don’t agree with you or worsen the symptoms of dumping syndrome, then you may have to avoid them. In such cases, it is essential to take a calcium supplement. Cheese and yoghurt can usually be eaten without discomfort.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Post-operative vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, namely:

Iron deficiency which can cause anaemia (this is particularly common in female patients who menstruate)
Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can also lead to megaloblastic anaemia
Calcium deficiency, which may cause osteoporosis later in life
Folic acid deficiency
Most bariatric surgery patients need to take vitamin and minerals supplements for the rest of their lives and your surgeon or dietician will advise you which products to use. Regular monitoring of vitamin and mineral levels in the blood is a recommended precautionary measure to pinpoint potential deficiencies.

Advantages of bariatric surgery
The greatest advantage of bariatric surgery is, of course, the significant weight loss that morbidly obese patients achieve. Losses of up to 120kg have been reported.

As these patients lose weight, many of their so-called co-morbidities either disappear or improve dramatically, for example type 2 diabetics may find that they no longer have to take medication and can control their condition with diet alone.

Improvements are also seen in: hypertension, sleep apnoea, obesity hyperventilation syndrome, gastro-oesophageal reflux, venous stasis, urinary incontinence, female sexual hormone dysfunction (e.g. polycystic ovarian disease), degenerative joint disease, and most other obesity-related diseases.

Any patient who has lost a third to half of his/her body weight will naturally be more mobile and active.

In addition, patients experience a great increase in self-esteem, less depression and anxiety, and feel much more self-confident. Patients also find it easier to get jobs and find romantic partners.

by CLAIRE COLEMAN – The DAILY MAIL
Practitioners with no medical training,drugs bought over the internet and disfiguring results. Worse still, it’s all legal. When Bonnie Kaplan wanted to hide a few wrinkles, she thought nothing of visiting a private clinic for a couple of shots of Botox.                                                          “I’m 53, I’ve got wrinkles. I wanted to get rid of them,” she says. “All my friends were doing it.”                                                                                    She had no idea that the doctor treating her would be an osteopath who had been struck off, nor that rather than using Botox, he would inject her with a diluted form of botulinum toxin, the highly poisonous substance from which Botox is derived, that was intended for lab research rather than use on humans.

The consequences were horrific. Thirty-six hours after the injections, Bonnie started to have problems breathing and was so weak she couldn’t walk.  She was rushed to hospital and, as botulism set in, her nerves were damaged. Within hours, her whole body was paralysed.                 Doctors think she may have received up to 2,500 times the amount of toxin believed to be lethal if injected into the bloodstream.

After spending months in hospital, breathing with the help of a ventilator and unable to speak, Bonnie was eventually able to move around in a wheelchair, but doctors warned that the possibility of a full recovery was slim and could take years.                                                                        She wasn’t the only one affected. Her husband, Eric, 52, was injected with the same deadly toxin, and, bizarrely, the doctor, Bach McComb, 47, had also injected himself and his girlfriend, Alma Hall, 34. All three ended up being hospitalised like Bonnie. While this shocking incident took place in Florida, Lifestyle has discovered that the terrifying lack of regulation in the injectables industry in Britain means it could easily happen here.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Every year, thousands of people are seduced by the prospect of a beauty boost and don’t think twice about popping out for a quick shot. The most popular procedures are: Botox, injected into the face to relax muscles and so prevent wrinkles forming; and fillers, substances based on hyaluronic acid or collagen, which occur naturally in the body and help plump up sagging skin, making it appear firmer and less wrinkled.

Little thought seems to be given to what might happen if something goes wrong.

After all, in recent years Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Sculptra, fillers and injectables have become as much a part of our beauty vocabulary as foundation, lipstick and mascara.

If you want an example of quite how accessible, and acceptable, this sort of non-invasive cosmetic enhancement has become, look no further than the latest Grattan catalogue.

It has started selling appointments for Botox injections and lip enhancement alongside lacy lingerie and Le Creuset kitchenware.

more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=470193&in_page_id=1879

by Tony Chen 
July 26, 2007 

The politics and science around obesity continues to become more complicated and more urgent. Just about everyone sees it as a problem, but no one seems to be addressing it in a meaningful way. Maybe it’s because obesity has emotional, social, psychological, physiological, socioeconomic, racial/cultural, and genetic dynamics all entangled together. As an example, just take a look at the obesity-related news from the last few week:

- HealthAffairs: This is why a fat tax doesn’t make sense – if done the wrong way, it could actually increase the cardiovascular-related death rate. If fatty foods are too expensive, people will just end up buying and eating more salty foods.

- NYT: Apparently, Obesity is socially “contagious�. Do you have an obese friend? Even if the friend lives hundreds of miles away, you are 3x more likely to also be obese.

Obesity can spread from person to person, much like a virus, researchers are reporting today. When a person gains weight, close friends tend to gain weight, too.

The author of the study explains why in this BBC article:

“Rather, there is a direct, causal relationship. What appears to be happening is that a person becoming obese most likely causes a change of norms about what counts as an appropriate body size.

“People come to think that it is OK to be bigger since those around them are bigger, and this sensibility spreads.�

- FOXNews: A Missouri man claims that he was denied adoption because of his weight.

- SanDiego Union Tribune: Maybe this will all be irrelevant if we can all just pop anti-obesity pills. Another potential obesity drug just announced great results – 620 people lost an average of 10% of their body weight in 6 months. Interestingly enough, this new drug candidate is actually a combination of an anti-convulsant and an anti-depressant.

Nonetheless, the word “epidemic� is increasingly being used for obesity (and diabesity). And for an epidemic, it’s not getting enough press. I think the million (or trillion) dollar question is this: How do you get 300 million people to take more walks and eat less?
Story c/o http://www.worldhealthcareblog.org

       Written by Amy Nutt    
Thursday, 19 July 2007 
Cosmetic surgery has changed a great deal since doctors began using such procedures to repair birth defects and repair facial wounds caused by war or service. The procedures that were once a necessity became popular among rich people striving for perfection and eventually became an accessible option for anyone wanting to reshape part of their face or body.

Moulding the Body

The idea of reshaping or molding the body is not a new practice. Cosmetic surgeries have been done for roughly 4,000 years. It wasn’t until the 18th century, however, that surgeons began using anesthesia during this reconstruction. Furthermore, it wasn’t done in America until 1891 when John Roe reduced the risks associated with it.

Repairing the Body from War

World War II brought on a surge of cosmetic surgeries as men returned from the war with facial wounds. Cosmetic surgery was used to reconstruct and reshape the faces of men who were missing parts or had abnormal shapes due to wartime fighting. Though doctors couldn’t remove the agony from the soldier’s minds, they could fix the soldier’s appearance.

The Changing Purpose of Cosmetic Surgery

The purpose of cosmetic surgery has changed over time. While it once served a valuable service to people who needed facial and body reconstruction, it has become a way for people to change features they simply don’t like.

Some surgeries, such as rhinosplasty, are necessary for proper breathing, but more often than not, cosmetic surgery is done for purely aesthetic reasons.

Cosmetic surgery is an operation performed on many people in the general population to make themselves look and feel better. Our society is obsessed with beauty and perfection, making cosmetic surgery an option for anyone interested in changing the way they look.

Surgery for the Rich

Celebrities used to try and hide it if they did have cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance or reduce aging and it would turn into a huge media frenzy if someone was “outted”. These days, however, celebrities are not as afraid to talk about having cosmetic surgery and they certainly aren’t the only ones having it done.

Though cosmetic surgery was once considered only for rich people, it has grown in popularity and has become more widely accepted in recent years.

Risks and Side Effects of Cosmetic Surgery

The goal of cosmetic surgery is to improve your look or reshape deformities, but there are also risks associated with the procedure. You may experience nerve damage, blood loss, infection, tissue damage or scarring. The other risk is that the end result of the surgery may not be what you desire. Changes from cosmetic surgery are permanent and additional surgeries might be required to correct size, shape or functionality.
 

Extract from: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 118(1):207-212, July 2006.
Stevens, W Grant M.D.; Cohen, Robert M.D.; Vath, Steven D. M.D.; Stoker, David A. M.D.; Hirsch, Elliot M. B.A.
Abstract:
Background: This study was designed to evaluate and compare the complication rates of patients having abdominoplasty without breast surgery with the rates of those having abdominoplasty with various types of elective breast surgery, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastopexy, and mastopexy combined with simultaneous augmentation.
…………
Conclusion: The results of this retrospective review indicate that combining elective breast surgery with abdominoplasty does not appear to significantly increase the number of major or minor complications.
Full abstract can be read at
http://www.plasreconsurg.com/pt/re/prs/abstract.00006534-200607000-00035.htm;jsessionid=GqDBSB9hyv5rqnddYNLVw2y78BT0H61GBrZ6yd5RTjcmp2zFpnJz!1683421839!181195628!8091!-1
 

By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor Daily Telegraph
Around 60,000 people in Britain could be infected this year with the most widespread hospital superbug despite campaigns to tackle the problem, new figures out today show.

In the first three months of this year 15,592 people over the age of 65 were infected with Clostridium difficile, a two per cent rise on the same period last year. The bug takes hold in the guts of patients who have been given antibiotics and causes thousands of deaths. There were a total of 55,634 cases of C.Diff in 2006. The new figures from the Health Protection Agency show rates of the other major health care associated infection, MRSA, are dropping. There was a 6.4 per cent fall in the three months up to March 2007, with a total of 1,444 bloodstream infections reported in England compared with 1,542 in the last quarter. The full-year data shows there has been a 10 per cent drop in the number of MRSA cases.

Between April 2006 and March 2007, 6,378 cases of MRSA were reported, compared with 7,096 for the previous year.

The Chief Medical Officer highlighted the need for patients to challenge their doctors to wash their hands

more :  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/25/nmrsa125.xml

Article in Australian News
June 03, 2007 12:00pm
OVERWEIGHT or single parents are more likely to breed chubby children, new research has found, debunking the idea that parenting style is linked to obesity.
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia shows a parent’s weight and marital status have more influence on childhood obesity than their parenting style.
The study found that family conflict, negative life events, and maternal depression were not likely to affect a child’s tendency to become overweight or obese.
“We found that parenting style was not associated with childhood obesity,” said lead author Dr Lisa Gibson, a psychologist with the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Perth.
“Previous indications of a link between poor family functioning and childhood obesity were based on studies without population-based data and without observations across a range of theoretically important factors.”
But parenting practices regarding eating and exercise may play a role in childhood weight problems, Dr Gibson said.
“Children from single-parent families, particularly when there is a family history of obesity, may struggle to maintain a healthy weight in an obesogenic environment with restricted access to nutritious foods and adequate facilities for recreational exercise,” she said.
“The association between children’s weight, maternal BMI (body mass index) and family structure confirms the need to find ways of targeting prevention and intervention efforts for childhood obesity at families with overweight parents, particularly under-resourced single-parent families.”
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21841181-2,00.html

May 31, 2007 7:52 a.m. EST
Nidhi Sharma – AHN Staff Writer
Brussels, Belgium (AHN) – Obesity is the major problem facing more than half of adults in European Union nations and a staggering amount of young people in the region, as well, according to the EU’s top public health official.
EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou says that people are developing unhealthy food habits with diets mostly consisting of fatty and sweet ingredients combined. The unhealthy diet, coupled with lack of physical activity account for six of the seven top factors leading to poor health.
Recalling the fact that the EU Commission has constantly warned governments to act, but no action was taken, the minister added, “Everybody has to be blamed – including the authorities, including the industry, including the consumers,” Kyprianou said.
Expressing his concern over the ever-expanding waist size of children, Kyprianou stressed on the need to act urgently as “today’s overweight children will be tomorrow’s heart attack victims.”
According to statistics provided by the EU, over 21 million children are overweight and the rate of increase of that number is more than 400,000 children a year.
The overall consumption of fruit and vegetables is lower than medical recommendations. Additionally, the intake of fat and saturated fats is high throughout the continent, while the consumption of cereals has fallen by a quarter since the 1960s in Europe.
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