The benefits go beyond
just losing pounds
Exploring the link between diabetes and obesity
Last July Stuart was an insulin dependant diabetic and his 6 foot 7 inch frame was weighing in at around 420 lbs. He could barely fit behind the wheel of his car and sitting in a booth at a restaurant was nearly impossible. It was becoming such a chore for him to move his body that he really didn’t want to go anywhere anymore. And as his wife Carla told us, "he was not much fun to be around."
But that all started to change on July 16, 2008 when Stuart underwent Lap-Band surgery. One year later he is 292 lbs and has not taken insulin since his surgery. He now joins his wife in walks, gardening and housework, which last year were things that seemed impossible. He has taken a great interest in cooking healthy meals, which has in turn helped Carla lose some weight as well. It seems Stuart’s new lifestyle has been benefiting the both of them. And just recently Carla wrote us to say that at his last visit to the doctor Stuart’s blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure were all perfect. She said the doctor was very pleased, but not as much as she was. “The Lap-Band was a real life saver,” Carla wrote, and for that they are very grateful.
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Financing your SWLC program
Know the options that are available to you
The Gastric Band or Gastric Balloon procedure truly is an investment in your health. Choosing to take this step is a very important decision and one that we want you to be comfortable with. In looking to make this investment, many of our patients have discovered that there are several financing options available. By taking the time to explore your options and finding the one that best suits your needs, you will be able to feel confident about starting your journey and putting your health first.
Many of our patients finance their procedure with the help of Medicard, which is a company that specializes in financing uninsured medical and cosmetic procedures. The Surgical Weight Loss Centre does not get directly involved in arranging financing and has no financial relationship with Medicard. The details above are provided for information purposes only. You can also consider contacting your local bank or financial institution to discuss financing options.
Lap-Band surgery is a medical procedure that may qualify for federal tax credits under Canadian income tax law. We recommend you check with your accountant or tax planner to determine applicability and potential benefit in individual circumstances. Travel and related caregiver expenses for medical procedures can sometimes also be claimed.
To read some stories from our patients and their financing solutions, please feel free to visit the Message Forum.
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Maintaining a healthy lifestyle this summer
Summer Vacation Tips and Tricks from our dietitian
Many people who are trying to lose weight or maintain their healthy weight find it difficult eating healthy while on vacation. The key is to find the happy medium between denying fatty foods and an occasional indulgence, and you'll be on your way to healthy vacation eating. Here are a few healthy eating tips and tricks to follow while on vacation.
Breakfast and lunch alternatives
Without a doubt breakfast is your most important meal of the day and should not be skipped. If the hotel you are staying in has a continental breakfast, stay away from the carb-ladden bagels or fatty pastries and donuts, and go with the fresh fruits or fiber rich cereals instead. If you are on your own for breakfast, visit a local farmers market or health food store and pick up some fresh fruit or granola. Many of the vacation spots may have unique farmers markets, allowing you the opportunity to try new and delicious items.
Healthy restaurant eating tips
When on vacation the majority of your meals may be eaten at restaurants. In today's society, healthy options can be found on almost any menu, even at McDonald's; however, the main concerns with eating out are the portion sizes and making the right choice. There are several things vacationers can do to guide them towards healthy restaurant eating. The first key to eating healthy while at restaurants is to stay away from anything fried or with a mysterious special sauce and go with anything grilled, broiled or steamed. Second, appetizers offer smaller portions in comparison to full meals. Third, try sharing a meal or only eat half of what you order and take the rest home in a doggy bag for lunch the next day. Most importantly though, just because the food is in front of you, does not mean you have to finish your plate - stop eating when you feel satisfied, not stuffed.
Tasty treats: When to indulge
It is important to remember that when you are vacationing, you are walking around more than normal and burning more calories. So not only is it important to keep hydrated at all times, but with all those extra calories burned, there's room for a little bit of indulgence. Every city has unique foods and treats that you shouldn't pass up. Once again, it is all about how much you eat, so limit your treats to less than one a day.
Healthy eating tips for flying
Airplane food is not the most delicious or the healthiest. Airports don't offer many healthy alternatives either. Therefore, to stay healthy while flying eat a healthy meal or snack before you fly and bring some healthy snacks with you. The best food choices to bring with you on the airplane are portable snacks like fresh fruit, granola, trail mixes and whole grain crackers. Also, wraps are a great heartier, healthy option that travel well and that can be left un-refrigerated for a while. Most importantly though, it is important to remain hydrated while flying, so drink lots of water and stay away from sodas and especially alcohol.
Road trip healthy eating tips
Eating healthy and road trips are two things that don’t commonly go together, but it is possible. It is too easy to pull over at a roadside diner and grab a burger or pick up some sugary snacks and greasy chips at the gas station. There are alternatives to both of these though. Pack a cooler full of healthy snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy sandwiches, yogurt, granola and of course lots of water so you remain hydrated. While driving, you need to pull over often to stretch your legs and eat. When it comes to lunch you can eat sandwiches that you've made or if you must stop at a fast-food place there are things you can do. Many restaurants have healthy options like a salad or go with just the burger and skip the cheese and condiments or go with a grilled chicken alternative.
Eating healthy while on vacation is easy to do if you just keep these healthy eating tips in mind, especially healthy restaurant eating tips. Remember, you are on vacation so it's okay to indulge now and then, if you make healthy decisions the rest of the time.
Iced tea four ways
Start with 8-cups of boiling water and add 6-8 tea bags and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove and discard the bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Then add one of these surprising flavor boosters (each recipe serves 8) and pour over ice.
Ginger and honey:
Add 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger and 1/3 cup honey, if desired.
Pomegranate juice and lime:
Add 2 cups pomegranate juice, 3 limes (thinly sliced) and one cup of sugar or Splenda, if desired.
Watermelon and basil:
Add an eighth of a medium size watermelon (cut into small triangles) and 1 small bunch of fresh basil sprigs. Sweeten with sugar, if desired.
Peach and mint:
Add 4 ripe peaches (cut into ¼ inch pieces) and 1 small bunch of fresh mint sprigs. Sweetened with sugar, if desired.
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Symposium Success!
Our 2nd annual symposium was a big hit
Over 300 attendees gathered at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre in Mississauga on Saturday, May 30th 2009 for the 2nd Annual SWLC Symposium. The number of attendees for this year’s Symposium surpassed the outcome than that of last year but with the same high level of energy and spirit.
The long anticipated event was hosted by Dr. Chris Cobourn, surgeon and medical director of SWLC, who commenced the Symposium with a warm welcome. The Symposium is a yearly event for the multi-disciplinary team of weight loss experts to deliver support programs, guidance and recommendations to the SWLC community and its patients. Medical professionals included Dr. David Mumford, Dr. Monica Ganz and Dr. Jacqueline Jacques who discussed varying topics such as achieving success with the Lap-Band and the Gastric Balloon, the importance of micro nutrition and positive approaches to emotional eating. Dr. Frank Lista, Facility director and founder of the Plastic Surgery Clinic, provided an insightful look at the issue of body contouring after weight loss.
SWLC is the Canadian leader in weight loss procedures and has performed over 2,000 Lap-Band procedures. Located in Mississauga in a state-of-the-art facility, SWLC specializes in two minimally invasive bariatric procedures – Gastric Banding and Gastric Balloon. Both comprehensive programs are safe and effective methods of losing weight. The Lap-Band is an adjustable and reversible tool used to achieve sustained weight loss while the Gastric Balloon is a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical method of achieving significant weight loss in a short period of time. SWLC has long been a part of the fight against obesity with many patients throughout Canada since 2005.
The planning stages of the 2010 SWLC Symposium is already in progress! Please feel free to regularly visit the News and Events section of the website for announcements.
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