Gastric band surgery has recently overtaken gastric bypass among many people looking to lose weight via surgical procedure. It’s less invasive, it’s quicker, and it can be reversed. Not to say it isn’t without its side effects, which may include (and has included) death from complications. Luckily, there are some doctors who understand these risks, and make sure that patients are aware of them before proceeding. Neelu Pal, an Indian immigrant, is one of these doctors. Well, she WAS one of these doctors.

Pal was a surgical resident at New York University Medical Center until recently. She couldn’t help but notice that a larger than normal number of patients were coming through the doors with weight issues, and being sent right back out with gastric bands. Knowing the risks involved, she began to call patients before their scheduled surgery dates to inform them of such risks. When her supervisors found out about this, she was promptly fired and essentially prohibited from practicing medicine in the United States.

Here’s where it gets a little murkier. Pal’s supervisors, Christine Ren and George Fielding are paid consultants for Allergan Inc. This is the company that manufactures “Lap-Band”, the brand name gastric band that holds well over half of the market, which is estimated to be nearly a $400 million industry. So to break this down, we have paid consultants for a lap band manufacturer running a medical facility, and firing a doctor who advises patients of the risks of surgery involving her supervisor’s products. Supervisors who have already been under fire for falsifying data on patients, and refusing to address other patients post operation complications. Complications like lack of urination, leading to toxicity, leading to death.

Pal has said that an estimated 30 gastric band procedures were performed daily at NYU Medical Center. Since being fired she has filed suit against NYU Medical, and enrolled in law school.

The 5 Must-See Pit Stops on the Road to Weight Loss

Diet trends come and go as frequently as the sun rises and sets.  Each one has such amazing benefits in the early stages, but quickly seems to fizzle and fade all the while producing negative byproducts.  Different diets work for different people, but no matter which one works for you there are a few simple facts that are beneficial across the board.

Eat Slower

Untamed lightning is pretty fast, but did you know that it takes 20 minutes or more for the electrical signals that signify fullness to travel from your stomach to your brain?  When you eat faster, you eat more.  You’re likely to overshoot your calorie goals by leaps and bounds if you don’t take your time.  There are plenty of other negative effects from eating too quickly ranging from simple indigestion to far more serious long term issues in your digestive system.  If you eat slower, you chew slower and you’re likely to eat less.

Crash Diets

Crash and fasting diets can provide quick results, but the effects don’t often last.  When you lower your calorie intake to the degree that most of these call for, you significantly lower your rate of metabolism.  It works for a while, and makes perfect sense: if you have fewer calories to burn, you’ll burn them more slowly.  However, once you’re satisfied with your rapid weight loss and end the diet your body retains that rate of metabolism.  Therein lies the problem.  You return to eating as you did before, but your body’s metabolism stays at the same slow rate and the pounds will likely pile back on.

Skipping Meals

It may make sense at first thought that skipping a meal here and there will provide the same result as eating less.  This is another case of “great in theory, poor in execution”.  Skipping meals (especially breakfast) can lead to results similar to the crash diet.  If you skip a meal early in the day you’ll be likely to snack more frequently and lose track of those calories you’ve been keeping watch over.  Frequent, smaller meals or snacks are a great way to maintain your metabolism and curb hunger.

Frequent Weigh-Ins

Set Realistic Goals

When starting a diet it’s of vital importance to have a realistic goal in mind.  Whether it’s a long term or weekly goal, put it within reach.  Give yourself a challenge, but one you can defeat.  With this mindset you’ll be more likely to celebrate your success and continue doing what works best.  If you set out telling yourself that you’re going to lose 25 lbs in your first week, it will have more chance of also being your last.

1.    Lose Weight Without Dieting.  Seriously.

Cutting down salt and excess sodium could help you shed pounds without even being on a diet.  When your intake of sodium is too high, your body retains more water.  This can cause up to seven pounds of extra fluid to be kept in the body.  Food servings should have somewhere between 200-400 milligrams of sodium to avoid overdoing it.  You can get rid of a bloated feeling and appearance just by limiting the salt.  If you’re exercising, drink water instead of sports drinks as they can contain the same amount of sodium as a can of soda.
2.    Get. More. Sleep.

More and more research points to a link between sleep deprivation and obesity.  One of the simplest facts is that if you’re up later, you’re more likely to overeat.  Another fact is that when your body is deprived of sleep it changes the levels of hormones that have to do with how full you feel, leptin and ghrelin.  If you get more rest you’re also more likely to have more energy, which will benefit you when implementing an exercise plan.
3.    Crave Control
The next time you have a hankering for that favorite high calorie treat of yours, curb the craving with your mind.  Think of a food that you absolutely hate, and then imagine eating them both together.  Let your imagination run wild with it, but to really hammer it home, focus on the taste and texture and you’ll likely forget that you ever wanted that brownie.

4.    Dine Out Without Gaining
You can eat out and keep from gaining weight by following a few simple rules.  Try asking for the lunch portion, or choosing an appetizer instead of the larger dinner portions.  This will likely guarantee you more of a single serving portion.  Ask for a “to go” box with your order and pack up half of your entrée before you even start eating.  Some places will even let you order half of the order “to go” when it’s served.  Limit starches by skipping the bread before your meal, but if you can’t resist the temptation then try to steer clear of potatoes or rice that may come with your meal.