Wow, what a brilliant, non-intrusive (as it can get) way to help people to lose weight! The Intra Gastric Balloon is developed by ORBERA and is a reversible, temporary system to help weight loss, hunger and food intake. The balloon is inserted into the stomach via the mouth with a camera. It is inflated with saline.

The surgery only takes 20-30 minutes and the cost of surgery is only $6000 compared to other Gastric surgeries which cost in excess of $12 000

I am very impressed by the reduction in risk and safety measures in place to alert the patient; the short-term focus of the procedure (no more than 6 months before removal) and the allied health 12-month education program (that is if the surgical practice follows protocol).

This is a much safer procedure for childhood or adolescent obesity than Gastric Banding as proposed by the study published in JAMA last Wednesday.

Here are two newspaper articles:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/balloon-helps-lift-weight-off/story-e6frf7l6-1225773188443

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26076327-5003426,00.html

If you are planning on having any form of surgery and you have a significant weight problem, you may want to read the latest research with interest.

An article in The Lancet (Vol. 375, Iss. 9710) printed an article by two doctors who have proposed that some pharmacological therapy such as oncology, anaesthetics, haematology and paediatrics takes into account the size and weight of the patient however, when it comes to antibiotics, there is not the same consideration. The article proposed that this is a gross oversight of the pharmaceutical companies and the medical fraternity. The authors also propose that this may be one of the reasons that the ‘bugs’ are becoming resistant to antibiotics.

A person weighing 50kg is getting the same dosage of an antibiotic as is a person who weighs 100kg. Due to the difference in weight and size, the metabolic rates will differ. It is proposed that this may be one of the reasons why those who are obese and have surgery have higher incidences of infection despite the extensive use of antibiotics. It may therefore, be the case that you may need double or more of the dosage prescribed if you are obese to to superobese.

This is why it is vital for you to be as healthy before surgery as possible. I always tell my patients/clients that they need to begin the process at least 1 month before surgery. This includes reducing meal sizes before the liquid phase. Start destressing every day (and this needs to be continued while in hospital and post-surgery). Start an exercise program with some incidental, cardio and resistance training.

The healthier you are going into surgery, the healthier you will be post-surgery and you will reduce your recovery time.

Fit Minds & Bodies is staying open over the Christmas and New Year period during 2009/2010.

If you feel as though you cannot cope during this time and need some support, we are offering discounted rates! We are slashing our rates just to help people get through the holiday season with the sanity intact.

Normally $160/hour

NOW ONLY – $100/hour

Face-to-Face

Webcam

Phone

Whatever type of consultation you require, we can assist with.

If you live in Australia, you have several options:

• GP referral through Medicare (GP Item 2710) – for Healthcare Card holders or Family Benefit A then you will have no expenses outside of the Medicare rebate. Those without the consessions, you will only need to pay an extra $20
• GP referral – rebated through your private health fund or tax
• Just make an appointment

If you live outside of Australia, all you need to do is make an appointment and say whether you would like Skype (webcam or voice only) or phone.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW

Please include the following in your email:

Full Name and contact details

3 preferences for appointments

Type of consultation – face, phone, cam

Referral – yes/no and type

Basic description of issues e.g. anxiety, depression, stress, family

Terms & Conditions:

Once an appointment time is arranged then an invoice will be sent out.

If a referral from a GP is obtained, the referral needs to be faxed from the GP office directly to Fit Minds & Bodies prior to the appointment – 07 3356 9748.

Full payment must be made in advance through electronic banking or the consultation does not occur. If it is a face-to-face consultation then monies are to be exchanged prior to the consultation commencing.

The client will be given a receipt of payment either on the day, mailed to them, faxed or emailed.

The client is responsible for obtaining rebates from the appropriate health fund.

The client agrees to a 50% cancellation fee if there is less than 24 hours notice of cancellation.

The client agrees that all information provided in the contact and disclosure forms are true and correct.

The psychologist agrees that all information is confidential and will not be shared with any other party unless written notice from the client is given. If you enter into a Medicare referral plan, the GP will get a brief report on progress.

Surviving the festive season with minimal stress and optimal balance can be very difficult. The Mind and Body Power Newsletter is dedicated to helping you survive the silly season with your sanity intact as well as your waistlines.

The newsletter gives you many hints and tips on all aspects of your life to help you find some sense of balance and reduce the stress as much as possible.

Inside the newsletter, we have revealed the Mind and Body Power Christmas/New Year specials. The amazing value will help to keep you on track and motivated every week. We have never offered such value and we are excited about the new resources that we are launching at the beginning of next year to help our members become even more successful.

Holiday Survival Guide

If you want to get the newsletter directly into your inbox each month just go to: Mind and Body Power and sign up to the newsletter. Just for signing up for the newsletter, you will also receive a free hypnosis script to help de-stress you and help you achieve your goals faster.

The Mind & Body Power July newsletter is ready for download. Simply click on the image below and you will be taken to it.

This month we have:

• Coffee vs tea. Which is better?
• The power of music
• Cheap and easy family meal ideas – mince.

If your email is not set to display images then click on the link below, or copy/paste it into your browser, and you can get the newsletter that way:

http://mindandbodypower.com.au/newsletter/mbp-july-newsletter.pdf

You will need the Adobe pdf reader, which you probably have installed already. If not then get it, for free, from here: Get the Adobe Reader

If you have any problems getting your newsletter then please let us know and we’ll assist you if we are able.

Don’t forget that the full membership special we are running during the Australian Woman’s Weekly Worldwide Walk closes at the end of the month. There is a great saving so take advantage of that and join the program at a reduced rate and start to get your life and health on track. For details, or to join, simply visit our site at: Mind & Body Power

We are always looking for new stories, particularly about YOU, so if you have something to share please send us an email. Similarly, if there is something you would particularly like to see in a future newsletter then please let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

Just by sharing your stories you could WIN a 6-month FULL MEMBERSHIP to the Mind & Body Power program. The program is valued at over $167.00.

On weight loss and lifestyle change journeys most of us fail more than we succeed. These are the stories we want. We want to know how you sabotage or have sabotaged your efforts in the past.

I have many of my own stories as an anorexic, bulimic and constant yo-yo dieter. I am putting a lighter spin on my stories and I want you to come and join me in sharing your experiences.  For sharing you could WIN! If your story or stories are chosen to appear on the website or in the book you will WIN the prize. There is more than 1 winner so you have a good chance of winning.

Go to:

http://mindandbodypower.com.au/?p=682

Research shows that when one member of a relationship loses a lot of weight, relationships may break down.  There has been recent media coverage about this and it needs more attention and needs to be carefully understood by both the person losing weight and the people closest to them.  Relationship break downs can happen not only with couples but also with friends and family.

When people have weight loss surgery, the changes occur faster than with traditional methods.  Therefore, the personal, relational and lifestyle changes occur much faster and can be difficult for all involved.  This is why it is highly important for both the individual and family to have counselling before and after, to help them deal with the changes and the future.  Unfortunately, this is overlooked and neglected by many patients, their families and medical practitioners.

Mind & Body Power is an online resource that helps families together go through a gradual program of change, knowledge, and skill development.  It looks at all aspects of relationships, self, weight loss sabotage, nutrition and activity.  It focuses on parents and/or adults being role models for the children and adolescents in the family.  Check it out:

http://mindandbodypower.com

I am currently and URGENTLY seeking families and/or couples in Brisbane who would like to partake in a mind and body 16-week fitness program for FREE.

It is NOT a Biggest Loser type program! It is a fitness program based on walking so the participants only need to be fit enough to be able to walk.

The program has been developed by me and is based on my personal and professional experiences.

The program will include such topics as:

* good nutrition
* budgeting and buying healthy food options
* working together
* activity – based on a walking program
* communication
* emotions
* relationships
* parenting (if it is a family)
* self-esteem
* self-efficacy.

The criteria that I need for the right people to participate is:

* healthy enough to participate in a walking program
* overweight or obese
* families – mum, dad and kids
* couples
* willing to commit and participate for up to 16 weeks (the program usually costs in excess of $4000 but it is FREE to the participants)
* willing to meet with me on a weekly or fortnightly basis
* keep progress notes
* willing to be interviewed and talk about some of your history of weight problems and experiences of the program for a high profile women’s magazine and for the business entities that I own
* willing to be photographed in a high profile women’s magazine and for the business entities that I own

The aim of the Mind & Body Power program is to empower you to develop your own long-term weapon for success against obesity. The program helps you to gain the power, control, resources and skills to choose the life and lifestyle you want to live.

If you are interested please email: kellee@weightlosssurgerysuccessradio.com.au

Click the play button below to hear Kellee’s welcome message

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Introducing Michelle Graham. Michelle is an accredited practising dietitian. Michelle is an experienced dietitian who has now been specialising in bariatrics for 2 years. Working with other leading dietitians, patients and specialists in the field, she has gained significant knowledge and understanding of the dietary requirements before and after weight loss surgery.

Michelle also has extensive experience in helping patients who suffer from:

• diabetes
• cardiac conditions including high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• weight loss
• cancer
• gastrointestinal disorders

Michelle is passionate about her profession and enjoys being an advocate for good nutrition!

Join Michelle and I as we discuss the dietary requirements needed prior to having weight loss surgery. Michelle discusses the type of program she recommends for optimal pre-surgery outcomes.

Michelle can be contacted on the following:

email – michellegrahamdietitian@hotmail.com

Pre-operative Dietary Requirement for Gastric Surgery: Use the player below to listen to a preview

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Click on the button below to hear the full version of the podcast. If you would prefer to listen to it on your mp3 player, or save to your computer to listen to later, then right click on the button and select “save target as”, “save link as …” or similar (depending on your browser).

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Introducing Rebekah Siame, the founder of SizeXchange talks about her weight loss journey and her journey with weight loss surgery.  Becky had gastric banding surgery (Lapband) in 2005.  Before surgery Becky was 156kg her BMI was between 40 and 45.  Becky has now lost 50kg.  Her journey has not been easy and all up.  She has had a realistic journey with many plateaus and still has approximately 30kg to lose.

In the 2nd part of the interview, Becky discusses:

• the support she received throughout her journey (and at times the lack of support)
• what she discovered about herself and how she has changed as a person, positively
• how her perceptions of herself have changed
• how to remain positive, realistic and how to motivate yourself
• getting the right support
• the advice she passes on to anyone thinking about surgery or who needs a little motivation

Becky developed the concept of SizeXchange because as she lost weight she needed to buy new clothes and it was costing a fortune.  She realised that if she was experiencing these frustrations so were other dieters.  SizeXchange is a clothing exchange website for dieters that makes it cheaper to downsize clothes.

www.sizexchange.com

Realistic Lapband Surgery Journey: Use the player below to listen to a preview

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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Click on the button below to hear the full version of the podcast. If you would prefer to listen to it on your mp3 player, or save to your computer to listen to later, then right click on the button and select “save target as”, “save link as …” or similar (depending on your browser).

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