Experimental Drug Tricks Body Into Losing Weight
November 5, 2008
A European and American study on a new synthetic drug found that it protected laboratory mice from diet-induced obesity and its potential consequences like glucose intolerance and insensitivity to insulin by activating an enzyme that promoted fat consumption and exercise endurance, leading to suggestions that it could be an important new weapon in the fight against obesity and diabetes. Read more
WebMD - Weight-Management Services
October 8, 2008
This recent article from WebMD’s Medscape Business of Medicine - Ancillary Services in Primary Care.
Obesity is a national concern and a source of health problems and self-esteem issues. More than one third of US adults — 72 million people — were considered obese in 2005-2006, according to the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. Read more
Investing in Non Surgical Weight Management programs During Tough Economic Times
October 7, 2008
- New Procedures always bring new patients.
- New Procedures give a cutting edge image to a medical practice.
- Weight Management programs including fast surgical results improve the general physical and mental health of 70% of your patients.
- Physician maintains control of the patient by managing the weight loss rather than patients doing fad diets without medical supervision. Read more
Weight loss surgery without an incision
October 6, 2008
When diet and exercise are not enough some people are turning to surgery to help those lose weight. But those involve cutting into the stomach and changing anatomy. Now there’s a new, less invasive, option.
Yo yo diets are nothing new for Liliana Gomez-Guerrero. Ever since I hit puberty my weight was up and down,” said Gomez-Guerrero. But as a mother with young children, she can’t take the issue lightly especially with a family history of health problems. Read more
Novare Announces Successful Series of Single Port Lap Band Procedures with RealHand High Dexterity instruments
September 4, 2008
Dr. Julio Teixeira, Chief, Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center completes his 12th Single Port Lap-Band® Procedure; Bariatric patients now benefiting from ‘hidden scar’ procedure.
Novare Surgical Systems announced the successful completion of a series of single port Lap-Band procedures that results in reduced scarring and less postoperative pain for patients. Dr. Julio Teixeira at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in NY has pioneered an innovative approach that allows for the entire Lap-Band procedure to be performed exclusively through the patient’s belly button and he is believed to be the first surgeon to successfully do so. Dr. Teixeira uses RealHand HD instruments to enable the procedure and his approach eliminates an upper abdominal trocar placement that is often a site for significant patient discomfort. Read more
Robot may be new wave in cosmetic procedures
September 3, 2008
Using a robot to conduct remote tele-rounds can halve the average hospital stay of laparoscopic gastric bypass patients, according to a new study. Already, the unit also has proven useful for teaching surgical procedures, while the system also could serve patients undergoing post-bariatric revisions and other procedures or consultations, experts add. Read more
Body Contouring Surgery Risk Rises with Increased Body Mass Index
August 1, 2008
Study reveals close correlation between degree of obesity and complications arising from popular aesthetic surgical procedure
New York, NY (July 31, 2008) – A recent study investigating the relationship between complications of body contouring surgery and body mass index has confirmed an increase in the occurrence of such complications with worsening degree of obesity. Findings from the study are published in the July/August 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, the peer-reviewed publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Read more
Want A Reason to Love Your Lower Belly Fat?
July 25, 2008
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Fat removed from the lower abdomen and inner thigh through liposuction was found to be an excellent source of stem cells, with higher stem cell concentrations than other areas of the body, reports a Brazilian-based study in August’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This is the first study of its kind to examine whether fat tissues from different areas of the body vary in stem cell concentration.
“Adult stem cells, derived from our own tissues, hold strong promise for improved clinical therapies,” said J. Peter Rubin, MD, a member of the ASPS Fat Grafting Task Force who is involved in pre-clinical trial work on stem cells taken from fat. “The potential for healing and repairing injury or disease through stem cells, including conditions like breast cancer and reconstruction, heart failure, spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease are incredible. We may be able to more permanently and naturally get rid of pesky wrinkles or augment breasts with stem cell enriched fat in the future as well. Knowing more about the biology of stem cells will be of great value when we are ready for clinical trials in this country.”
In the study, 23 female patients having liposuction in at least four different body areas agreed to have their fat isolated for adult stem cells and analyzed to determine stem cell concentrations. The body areas that were liposuctioned were: lower abdomen, upper abdomen, inner knee, inner thigh, flank and hips.
The study results found a significant difference in stem cell concentrations in different areas of the body. A major finding was that the concentration of stem cells was greatest in the lower abdomen and inner thighs. Interestingly, stem cell concentration in the lower abdomen was five times greater than in the upper abdomen.
“The value of stem cells harvested through fat is the ready and ample supply available,” said ASPS President Richard D’Amico, MD. “Using stem cells will some day have very practical applications to the specialty of plastic surgery. That we may be able to generate new tissue or bone that can be used in many of the reconstructive and cosmetic procedures we do every day is a tremendous.”
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have not yet developed a specific function. Not only are they capable of self renewal, stem cells can divide and produce others that become specialized cells. Scientists and doctors theorize that stem cells will be able to repair or replace damaged or diseased cells. Clinical trials researching the potential of stem cells from fat are ongoing in Europe and Asia. In the U.S., there are many investigators doing pre-clinical trial work to meet the stringent safety guidelines the FDA sets for clinical trials.
According to ASPS statistics, more than 301,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2007.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Study shows value of food diary in losing weight
July 8, 2008
WASHINGTON (Reuters Life!) - Keeping a food diary — a detailed account of what you eat and drink and the calories it packs — is a powerful tool in helping people lose weight, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
The study involving 1,685 middle-aged men and women over six months found those who kept such a diary just about every day lost about twice as much weight as those who did not. Read more
American Health Journal - TV: Cookie diet
July 3, 2008
Eat cookies and lose weight! Irving Posalski, MD explains how you can lose weight by eating cookies. An interview clip from the American Health Journal PBS-TV. Read more
IAPAM Aesthetic Medicine Resources
