Wait... You CAN be too thin?

Here we go again.  As a Fort Myers cosmetic surgeon and avid observer of the changing health scene, I am bemused by the new evidence research studies turn up.

A recent analysis of over 100 studies dealing with obesity found that people who’s body mass index (BMI) qualified them as overweight were 6% less likely to die than people considered normal in weight.  

BMI may not be the best barometer for obesity since it only takes into account height and weight.  What researchers now believe is that having a little extra fat may not be bad, but where that extra fat is may be more telling and dangerous.  The bad fat is the fat inside your abdomen or belly. 

What may well be more important in your overall health is maintaining good cholesterol levels, normal blood pressure and maybe being a little active rather than sedentary.

Diets, Diet Plans and More Diets

As readers of this blog, you know that I am a board certified plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, Florida, but also someone who has a great curiosity about all things related to health. One of the biggest news items of late is the alarming rate of obesity in America. 

As a young medical student the only information we had was a small monograph on vitamins.  How things have changed.  I saw some statistics on obesity in America.  It was frightening to see how America has walked the plank from around 1970 until today.  Check it out. (See previous posting.)

As I grow older, I realize more than ever that we are what we eat.  Getting one’s weight under control produces so many benefits for your overall health – perhaps lower blood pressure – better control of your diabetes – more energy – less strain on your joints.  The list goes on.

I also realize that one size does not fit all so we are offering 3 diet plans and hopefully one will be just right for you.  Success in dieting requires two things in my opinion.  One – you must be committed.  If not you are wasting your money.  Secondly, I think success depends on some form of exercise.  No, you don’t need to run a marathon but after dinner walk around the block a few times – swim a few laps in the pool or if your office is on the 3^rd or 4^th floor – walk –don’t take the elevator.

Here are three plans I am engaged with. Read on and, if you want to go forward with one of these plans, call my office at 239-939-5233

Diet One:          PhenTabz Rx

This is the easiest of our diet plans.  I’ve tried it and lost about 15 pounds but I went away for awhile – got off of it and put it back on.  Basically you take one PhenTabz Rx about 30 minutes before breakfast and lunch with a glass of water.  You don’t take any at dinner.  These tablets will cut down on your craving for snacks.  It is an aid to help control your cravings for food.  What I liked about PhenTabz Rx

is that you DO NOT feel nervous or jittery.  Again, motivation is the key and some aerobic exercise will go along way to help you achieve your weight loss.  Once your weight has stabilized you may want to only take one a day.  Simple, easy and effective in a well motivated patient.

Diet Two:         Weight Loss by Design

This second diet is called the “Metabolic Miracle” or Weight Loss by Design.  This diet was developed by a biochemist, Dr. Cindy Ferraro.  During her studies she came to realize that individuals had a biochemical makeup that is unique to them.  She also realized that foods have biochemical fingerprints as well.  So the natural question to be asked is what would happen if we matched peoples unique biochemical makeup to certain foods that matched their makeup.  She created a biochemical metabolic profile and provided foods that matched that profile.  The results were remarkable.  People eating biochemically matched foods 6 days per week with a “treat day” lost weight.  These are foods that you prepare for yourself.  No pre-packaged / pre-prepared foods.  She also recommends light exercise.

After offering her diet services for thousands of individuals she launched “The Metabolic Miracle”.  The results revealed over 90% of people completed the program.  Patients were remarkably  compliant because as they put it, they ate real food!  Obesity is an epidemic for sure with over 400,000 people dying every year because of obesity or its side effects.

Why does “The Metabolic Miracle” work?

This program makes available to the patient daily counseling, e-mail and/or phone support.  Some individuals need more hand holding and support.

The counselors will work with you on stress levels and how to decrease them.

They will offer strategies to cope with stress.

They also offer suggestions on exercise programs.

They provide you with daily menus – no daily weighing of food or portions – no pre-packaged foods and you can still eat out at restaurants.  Also there is an added bonus in that one day a week you can cheat.  Indulge in a little pizza or maybe a little ice cream.

This is a great diet because it is customized to your needs – your unique biochemical makeup.  You also have access to counselors daily via phone or e-mail.

Again – motivation is big and exercise is a big plus.

Diet Three:       Physicians Health and Diet Program

This is a program directed by physicians, that has been in place for well over 14 years.  Thousands of physicians around the country have used this successfully with their patients.  The products are produced by a company called WIN (Wellness International Network, LTD).  Their products are listed in the PDR or Physicians Desk Reference.  Their products are manufactured from the finest ingredients using the most advanced manufacturing technique.  Each product is formulated to provide great quality and outstanding performance.  Their products are used by the whole spectrum of people from professional athletes/Olympians to the infamous weekend warrior.

The Physician Weight Loss program involves the use of 5 non-prescription diet aids.

1.      Biolean – This is an ephedra free formulation to help curb your appetite and speed up the fat burning process.

2.      Biolean Free – This allows your body to convert proteins, fat and carbohydrates into heat energy.  This helps restore your bodies energy level.

3.      Accelerator – This product extends the heat generating activities of Biolean and Biolean Free.

4.      Lipotrim  - This helps potentiate weight loss effects of Biolean and Biolean Free.

5.      Satiete’ – This helps curb your craving for sweets, stabilizes moods and enhances sleep quality.

Obesity marches on

I am truly getting more excited about our new diet plans.  

Obesity is or soon will be the number one health issue facing Americans.  My cosmetic surgery practice is in Southwest Florida, where I saw a recent newspaper article.  It was a front page article titled, “Weight problem burgeons in Florida”.  Two non-profit foundations made some predictions about obesity, if Americans continue to gain weight at the rate they have over the past several years.  

ALL 50 states will have obesity rates of 44% or more by 2030!  Florida weighs in – no pun intended – at 58.6% up from 26.6% in 2011!  Wow!  That is downright scary!

As a result of this extra baggage healthcare costs will rise enormously.  Obesity increases risk of Type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and many cancers are linked to obesity.  Obese people also have sleep apnea and it's myriad of consequences.

Stay tuned to this bog for more information.

Obesity Woes Increase

We all know the damaging effects of obesity on our health. Or, at least, we should. New dangers are being identified everyday.  

For example, obese mice tend to have decreases in their sense of smell.  Mice with super senses of smell are more resistant to obesity. 

Obese people tend to be more drowsy during the day – lose the weight and feel less drowsy. 

Also obese people have higher rates of cancer. And obesity aids in the progression of certain types of cancer. Cancer cells recruit fat cells to help them grow.  

The moral from this Fort Myers plastic surgeon is "cut the calories – lose the weight and feel better!"

OBESITY – WHAT REALLY WORKS?

Here's another heads-up from Dr. Robert Brueck MD, Fort Myers plastic surgeon who works with patients seeking weight loss.

New studies/reports show that bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery is more effective than medicine in controlling blood sugar in obese patients. The study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine recently.

HOW TALL YOU ARE MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We all have been inundated about America’s obesity epidemic and it’s real. As a Fort Myers plastic surgeon, I am regularly exposed to people who are threatening their health by not reducing their body mass.

Now, a newly released study shows men taller than 6 ft. have a significantly lower risk of developing heart failure than men who are 4 inches shorter.

Other studies have shown that taller men have a lower risk of heart attacks.

The current study involved over 22,000 doctors who were studied for 22 years!

There were 4 height categories. So I wonder when the word leaks out if platform shoes will be a hot seller! Hmmm.

SUPER BOWL FOODS

The recent Super Bowl was exciting. It sure had a big audience – in fact, the biggest.

One of the corporate sponsors was Marriott and they did a survey of “fans” to determine their favorite foods for Super Bowl – good information to have to prepare for next year.

Number one was chips/dips (61%), pizza (55%), nachos (41%), subs/sandwiches (38%), BBQ (37%), fried finger foods (35%) – all the way down to vegetables (28%). As a Fort Myers plastic surgeon who deals with weight control patients, I have to ask, "Do you think this may help explain our 'obesity' syndrome? "

But I questioned this survey's validity – where are the wings? I always thought they were popular. Oh well – guess we will have to wait until next year.

MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS

Another report from Dr. Robert Brueck MD, Fort Myers plastic surgeon:

I think we all can agree obesity is truly a rising problem in America.

It affects all age groups – young and old, but rarely do massively obese people live to “old age”.

Two of the more popular procedures include the highly marketed “lap band” and gastric bypass. Which is better?

Well the answer may now be known. A recent article in Archives of Surgery shows gastric bypass had faster and more sustained levels of weight loss compared to the lab band. The study involved more than 400 people in Switzerland.

(I knew that Swiss chocolate was bad!)

OBESITY INCREASES COMPLICATIONS

This is another message from Dr. Robert Brueck MD, Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon, about what is happening in plastic surgery

We long suspected it. No it has been confirmed.

A recent article in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal found complication rates were 12 times more likely following breast surgery in obese patients.

The study analyzed insurance claims for 8000 women who underwent breast surgery. The number of women who filed a claim for compensation after breast surgery was 12 times greater.

WE ARE WHAT WE EAT: Dr. Brueck, Plastic Surgeon reflects

This is one in a series of health-related messages from Dr. Robert Brueck, MD, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida. More of Dr. Brueck's thoughts, especially on cosmetic surgery, may be read at his web site, Beauty-by-Brueck.com

As I sit here in the airport in Knoxville, Tennessee, returning from a trip to see my brother I can’t help but notice the over abundance of bulging thighs, necks and tummies.

We have all been reading about the obesity epidemic. I guess that one look around any public gathering can confirm all of our suspicions. I think that most of us at one time or another has gotten on the treadmill of “weight loss”. I know I have and guess what, I’m still on it. Too bad all of that running isn’t paying big dividends.

It is not just about a few extra pounds or in many cases a lot of extra pounds, it is about longevity; eating the right foods can help us control our plaque buildup, our blood sugar, blood pressure, all of which can have a great beneficial effect on how long we live.

What are some of the foods that promote longevity? Roll the drums, here they are, get ready.

"Double stuff oreo cookies, Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia and extra large fries. NO, NO, that's the wrong list but it would be wishful thinking for many of us."

Here are some of the foods for longevity:

• Fatty fish such as mackerel, tuna and wild salmon provide us with a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids which can reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Whole grains are an excellent source of B complex vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. They are essential for optimal energy and metabolism and help us to deal with stress

• Low fat dairy-contain anti-aging nutrients calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D also provides excellent anti-cancer activity.

• Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale are a derivative source of fiber, calcium and carotenoids. This is also a very potent anti-oxidant.

• Berries such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, have anti-oxidants and flavenoids, and help reduce heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

• Green tea contains catechins and theanine. These are great anti-cancer drugs which can reduce a variety of cancers, especially in people that drink 4 to 10 cups of tea. Maybe being a tea drinker isn’t such a bad idea.

• Mangosteen is a small, purplish fruit grown in southeast Asia, which contains compounds known as xanthones. They help with gastrointestinal functioning and can also reduce inflammation such as a reaction to protein.

• Turmeric, curcumin and ginger have been shown to be beneficial in terms of their anti-cancer effects.

• Citrus fruit is a tremendous source of vitamin C. Living here in southwest Florida, and in Florida in general, we have ready sources of citrus. The vitamin C found in tangerines, grapefruits and oranges are a superior source of vitamin C Versus taking tablets.

• Red grapes and red wine contain resveratrol, which is shown to control blood sugar and provide for a greater life span. Many researchers now are conducting significant studies into the anti-aging benefits of resveratrol and this is a compound found in the skin of the red grape. There was a big documentary not too long ago on 60 Minutes.

There are many things we can do to help prolong our lives. Eating the right way can be beneficial and productive.

So, good luck, good eating and good health.