Total Wellness and Bariatrics

10/04/2023

Check out our October blog!
Fall Is Here and Already ‘Tis the Season

As the holiday season starts to loom, people start thinking about unfinished projects or incomplete goals for the year. If you have been thinking about getting bariatric surgery, fall is the perfect time to do so. Here are just a few reasons why:

1. Scheduling your bariatric surgery in the fall has the potential for holiday time off work because, in the upcoming months, there are several holidays when employees typically take time off, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

2. People who schedule their surgery during the holidays can potentially extend their recovery period without having to take excessive time off work or lose next year’s vacation. Plus, in case you didn’t know it, with our Mini Sleeve, you can get back to work in 2-3 days, which means you have more than enough time to recover during the holidays.

3. Taking advantage of the holiday season to schedule bariatric surgery allows you to benefit from the support system that commonly surrounds this time of the year. Family members are often more available and willing to help during holiday breaks, which can be highly beneficial during the early stages of recovery.

So yes, ‘Tis the Season to take advantage and schedule your bariatric surgery. You can enjoy cooler weather, have potentially extended time off work, and a more comfortable recovery surrounded by the support of your loved ones. If you put all these advantages together, you are making an informed decision about the optimal timing for bariatric surgery so you can maximize the chance of a successful outcome and a smooth recovery.

And finally, you’ll begin the new year with one of your resolutions already accomplished!

Check us out at Total Wellness & Bariatrics, we are here to help you make the best decision for you. Together, we can look at your case because at Total Wellness & Bariatrics, we have a wide array of options to best address your issue. So, schedule your first appointment to get started and contact our office today to discuss what’s best for you, and let’s get you ready for the holidays and the New Year!

10/01/2023

We are excited to announce our October POTM, Dana Lamberson! She just hit her 1 year anniversary. “With Total Wellness and Bariatrics, I’ve managed to lose 106 lbs with my Mini Sleeve! It’s not been easy, but with this tool and the support from Dr.Dill’s team, I’ve had success that’s given me my life back. I’m so glad I made the decision to do this for me!”

09/29/2023

This is what a Mini Sleeve looks like when we blow it up with air, just to demonstrate how the stomach can expand. Mini Sleeves are the same amount of stomach removed on the inside, we just do this patented technique with 2 small cosmetic incisions.

09/27/2023

Fruit juices are the same as soda.
Start your day with a glass of orange juice from the store-bought carton? You might as well be having a glass of cola with your breakfast. Despite the fact that they many people just assume they are a healthy option, these juices are packed with so much sugar you can barely distinguish them from soda in terms of your health.

09/25/2023

09/22/2023

Did you know that Cilantro is good for digestion and also soothes many common ailments such as headache, coughs and nausea.

09/20/2023

Dr. Dill holding the portion of the stomach that was removed. Of course we put air in this one to demonstrate how the stomach is able expand. This is how we are able to over eat, due to the stretchy portion of the stomach. This is the part of the stomach that is removed to offer portion control and suppress appetite.

Mini Sleeve, Bariatric Revisions, Nutritional Counseling, Aesthetics, Hormone Replacement Therapy

09/18/2023

09/15/2023

In preparation for Food Fact Friday!
Did you know that eggs are one of the healthiest things you can eat? Egg yolks are one of the few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D, and eggs are good for your eyes. They contain lutein which prevents cataracts and muscle degeneration.

09/12/2023

In honor of Taco Tuesday, we just added this recipe to our Pinterest!
Keto Taco Casserole
This keto taco casserole has all the delicious Mexican flavors we love, minus the carbs! Made with just 5 ingredients, it's an easy dinner recipe that comes together in minutes!
SERVINGS:
PREP:5minutes mins
COOK:15minutes mins
TOTAL:20minutes mins
Ingredients
1x2x3x
• ▢1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢1 lb ground beef, chicken, fish, or plant based meat
• ▢2 1/4 tablespoons taco seasoning
• ▢2/3 cup water * See notes
• ▢2 3/4 cups salsa
• ▢6 keto tortillas cut in half or no tortillas at all!
• ▢3 cups shredded cheese I used a Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. In a non-stick pan, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef and cook until no longer brown. Remove excess liquid. Add the taco seasoning and water and let it simmer for 5 minutes, until thick. Stir through the salsa.
3. Lay half the sliced tortillas into the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half the beef mixture and half the shredded Mexican cheese. Add the remaining sliced tortillas, followed by the beef, then the remaining cheese.
4. Cover the baking dish with tin foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
5. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it for five minutes, before serving.

https://thebigmansworld.com/keto-taco-casserole/

09/08/2023

Weight Loss Drug vs. Bariatric Surgery: Which One Is Better?
ASMBS recently shared a very informative article by Claire Bugos.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Weight Loss Drugs and Bariatric Surgery?

The reality of undergoing surgery or committing to medication can be vastly different.
Surgery can cost $15,000 to $25,000.5 But bariatric procedures are typically covered by Medicare and private insurance if a patient meets certain criteria. To see success from GLP-1s, meanwhile, patients may have to shell out $800 to $1,400 a month indefinitely.
Bariatric surgeries are typically done laparoscopically or robotically, making them minimally invasive. It often takes a few days to be discharged and four to six weeks to recover. Although the risk of complications is low, some patients experience gallbladder issues, dumping syndrome, and nutritional deficiencies.
GLP-1 drugs are noninvasive, but they must be taken for life, or else the patient’s body weight could come right back. The medications also tend to come with a host of uncomfortable side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can sometimes be persistent enough that people will stop taking them.
If someone taking a weight loss medication experiences uncomfortable side effects, they can simply stop taking it. But reversing a surgery or managing complications can be more challenging.
Scientists have studied the safety of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes treatment for 18 years. But data on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has only been explicitly studied in patients with obesity for a couple of years.
“This is really a new era in the new medical treatment of obesity,” Drucker said. “We should always be humble about what we don’t know and what potential rare side effects there might be, and we should continue to study the safety of these medications as the new ones become available. We shouldn’t take for granted that we really understand their profile and their long-term safety.”

09/06/2023

Another tip to cut out sugar from your diet!
Cook from scratch and cook at home!
Did you know commercially prepared spaghetti sauce and salad dressing are high in sugar? If you really want to decrease the sugar in your diet, try making homemade versions of prepackaged foods, including spaghetti sauce and salad dressing. (There are hundreds of recipes available online!) In fact, cooking at home is one of the most effective ways to reduce your sugar intake. When baking, add less sugar than called for; you can typically cut the amount of sugar by one-third without affecting the taste.

09/05/2023

Check out our September blog!
Sugar. The invisible enemy.

Let’s be direct from the get-go – no sugarcoating on this! There is sugar in almost everything, even in the most unsuspecting items like bread, yogurt, ketchup, salad dressings, or even energy bars. There are also some foods that are advertised as "natural" or "healthy" which can be misleading for consumers.

Unfortunately, sugar acts like alcohol, ci******es, and drugs do, creating addictions and causing dependency. To be even more direct about it, there is such a thing as sugar addiction. So, here’s when Total Wellness and Bariatrics comes into play because as you probably know by now, excess sugar consumption increases your risk of developing obesity.

We decided to put together 6 easy steps to reduce sugar consumption. Here they go:

1. Skip soda, sweet tea, and sports drinks.
They are the leading source of sugar consumption in the American diet. Period.

2. Re-educate your tastebuds.
If you eat pre-sweetened instant oatmeal for breakfast, what about some eggs with spices or salsa?

3. Fill up on nutrient-dense foods.
Snack on whole fruits, cheese, or bits of lean protein. Avoid cookies or granola bars.

4. Cook from scratch.
Cooking at home is one of the most effective ways to reduce your sugar intake.

5. Plan sugar-smart desserts.
Try smarter options like greek yogurt and add liquid, flavored Stevia with fresh fruit. Eat a smaller portion.

6. Read labels.
Look for “sucrose,” “malt syrup,” “high-fructose corn syrup,” and “corn sweetener.” These are all different forms of added sugar.

Now you know why we call sugar the invisible enemy! It looks sweet and friendly, but it does the complete opposite to your body.

If you are struggling with your weight, having sugar consumption issues, and want to discuss possible solutions, quit wondering and simply get started and contact our office today to discuss what’s best for you.

09/01/2023

We are excited to announce our September POTM, Kylie Pressnell. "My name is Kylie and I have the Mini sleeve surgery done on December 15,2022. In the 6 months since I’ve had surgery I’ve lost 100 pounds and I’m healthiest I have ever been! Since having surgery I’ve regained control of my life, my energy is out of this world, and I’m able to live my life to the fullest. Thank you to Dr. Dill and her team for helping me!"

08/30/2023

Another tip to cut out sugar!
Fill up on nutrient-dense foods.
When you’re hungry, you’re more likely to reach for a sweet treat. Instead, keep your body fueled with a consistent supply of nutrient-dense foods, or foods that are high in the vitamins, minerals and other substances your body needs to function optimally. At meal times, aim to fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. Snack on whole fruits (not bananas), cubes of cheese, or bits of lean protein. Don’t snack on prepackaged cookies or granola bars! These are not good choices.

08/28/2023

Read all labels.
This is one of the most important things we teach our patients!
Almost all prepackaged foods contain added sugar. However, some formulations or brands contain more than others. Whenever possible, select the lowest-sugar option. You can find the total amount of sugar in a serving by looking under the “Total Carbohydrate” heading on the Nutrition Facts label. Avoid foods that list “sugar” within the first few ingredients. Watch out for the words “sucrose,” “malt syrup,” “high-fructose corn syrup,” and “corn sweetener.” These are all different forms of added sugar. Initially, reading labels may add some time to your grocery shopping. Soon, though, you’ll know exactly which foods to grab off the shelf.

08/25/2023

Another tip for cutting out sugar! Create new rituals.
One of the biggest challenges of adopting a no-sugar diet is that many of our rituals and celebrations include sweets. Wedding? Wedding cake! Birthday? Birthday cake! Retirement party? More cake! Plan ahead and create new rituals. Instead of celebrating your birthday with cake, why not try a new-to-you activity? Instead of meeting a friend for dinner and drinks, head out for a hike instead. When the holidays roll around, decorate ornaments together instead of baking cookies.

08/23/2023

Spice things up.
Let’s face it: Our taste buds are acclimated to sugar. If you are used to eating pre-sweetened snacks, think about eliminating the sugar from your diet. Your taste buds don't have to be bored. Spice things up by adding paprika, tandori, garlic, fresh basil and herbs. Consider adding ginger, nutmeg or cinnamon to those previously sweetened treats instead and to your plain Greek yogurt. You can also use flavored extracts (think vanilla, almond, orange and lemon) to add flavor to food and drinks.

08/21/2023

Happy Birthday to our super friendly, Front Desk Coordinator McKayla!

08/17/2023

Yes, it’s possible to reduce the sugar in your diet.
Sugar is everywhere! According to the National Health Institute, American adults now get 15% of their calories from sugar that is added at the table or during food processing. Sugar is in in the cereals, bread, condiments and snacks in our kitchen pantries. It’s in the beverages we drink. It’s in our restaurant meals. And it’s contributing to increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Reducing the sugar in your diet is a surefire way to improve your overall health. Here are seven ways to cut sugar from your diet.

Skip soda, sweet tea, and sports drinks.
These beverages are the leading sources of added sugar in the American diet. If you’re serious about a sugar reduction diet, opt for healthier drink alternatives. Try fruit-infused water; you can make your own by floating some slices of cut fruit in a water pitcher.

08/15/2023

Happy Relaxation Day! Now you can't forget!

08/14/2023

08/09/2023

Just a regular surgery day, doing a SADI procedure and some Mini Sleeves!

08/03/2023

“To Have or Not To Have.” Check out our August blog!
A new era in the constantly changing weight loss world has dawned upon us. Nowadays, the craze of prescriptions like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy are making people wonder whether to have bariatric surgery or take weight loss drugs instead.

To put it in simple words, bariatric surgery works by decreasing the size of your stomach and reducing hunger hormones, and prescriptions work by suppressing your appetite only, which is typically associated with discomfort. So, while surgery goes to the epicenter of the problem, prescriptions mask the symptoms. Prescriptions slow the movement of food in your gut, making you feel full longer, so you crave less and therefore eat less food. In terms of insurance, they will both have you go through various hurdles before giving you approval.
For the surgery: current insurance qualifications are a BMI of 40 or greater or a BMI of 35 or greater, along with obesity related co-morbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. For the prescriptions: the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Wegovy for the treatment of obesity and will likely approve new ones soon. But insurance carriers have not begun approving their use for obesity alone; they are approved only as treatment for those with type 2 diabetes. A benefit of a surgical option is that it is a long-term solution compared to the longevity of having to continue taking medications to suppress the appetite. Navigation apps can show you the fastest way to get somewhere you want to go, but it’s always up to you to make that decision.

So, we go back to the initial question – to have or not to have? If you happen to be in that tug of war between those two choices, please know that at Total Wellness and Bariatrics we are here to help you make the best decision for you. Together, we can look at your individual case because at Total Wellness & Bariatrics, we have a wide array of options to best solve your issue. Simply get started and contact our office today to discuss what’s best for you.

08/02/2023

Happy birthday to Chelsea, our talented Licensed Esthetician and Medical Assistant!

08/01/2023

We are excited to announce our August POTM, Charity Muse. She had a Mini Sleeve one year ago! “I am so thankful for Dr.Dill and her team! I have lost 107 pounds since August 4,2022.In November, I celebrated 19 years of sobriety .For the longest time my main addiction was foods. Since the surgery I have been able to maintain a healthy diet through keto options and learned portion control which I never thought I would be able to do. So thankful for this team that has given me a new life and my health back, encouraging me every step of the way!”

07/26/2023

In a recent study that was conducted by Harvard Medical School and published in the Harvard Gazette, “We found that eating four hours later makes a significant difference for our hunger levels, the way we burn calories after we eat, and the way we store fat.”
— Nina Vujović
Results revealed that eating later had profound effects on hunger and the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin, which influence our drive to eat. Specifically, levels of the hormone leptin, which signals satiety, were decreased across the 24 hours in the late eating conditions compared to the early eating conditions.
When participants ate later, they also burned calories at a slower rate and exhibited adipose tissue gene expression toward increased adipogenesis and decreased lipolysis, which promote fat growth.
Notably, these findings convey converging physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the correlation between late eating and increased obesity risk.

In summary, meal timing is important, and can help you be more successful in eating earlier in the evening.

07/16/2023

Happy National Ice Cream Day!
We just pinned this recipe to our Pinterest page under "healthy dessert" choices!
KETO ICE CREAM (BEST LOW CARB ICE CREAM)
Learn how to make keto ice cream that's sweet, creamy, and tastes like the real deal, with just 5 ingredients + 3.3g net carbs! It's the best sugar-free low carb ice cream recipe.
3 tbsp Unsalted butter
3 cups Heavy cream (divided into 2 cups and 1 cup)
1/3 cup Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend
2 tsp Vanilla extract
1 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or unsweetened coconut milk beverage for nut-free)

PREP: 5 minutes COOK: 30 minutes CHILL TIME 4 hours TOTAL: 4 hours 35 minutes
AUTHOR: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com
SERVINGS:
6
(adjust to scale recipe)

07/14/2023

Here is a good visual to show the difference between the Mini Sleeve and a traditional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Mini Sleeve, Bariatric Revisions, Nutritional Counseling, Aesthetics, Hormone Replacement Therapy

07/12/2023

Tracking is key to success! Connect with our information on the Baritastic App to continue your journey!

07/10/2023

Happy birthday to our wonderful insurance specialist, Hazell! She is who to thank for getting your insurance to approve your surgery!