• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Centers for Obesity Related Illness (CORI) Advise: Good Nutrition, Elimination of Trans Fats, and Regular Exercise Impact Successful Surgical Weight Loss

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 March 2005, 12:00 CST

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Weight loss surgery is not an end in itself, and long-term, permanent weight loss requires individuals to work closely with physicians, registered dieticians (RDs) and psychologists to initiate healthier eating habits prior to and following surgery. CORI advises that eating right for life, eliminating trans fats, and engaging in regular exercise are critical to successful surgical outcomes.

"All CORI surgical candidates undergo an extensive pre-operative evaluation and must commit to making lifestyle changes, including proper nutrition, diet and exercise," states Mary Zotos, M.S., nutritionist, CORI. "Weight loss surgery, combined with behavioral changes, may lead to improved wellbeing and a whole new attitude toward food consumption."

CORI physicians maintain that the real culprit is trans fat, a component of partially hydrogenated oils favored by the food industry to make French fries crisp and keep packaged pastries fresh.

"We instruct patients to eliminate trans fats and starches from the diet, eat smaller portions over six to eight feedings per day, and drink a gallon of water daily," explains James A. Sapala, M.D., F.A.C.S., co-founder physician of CORI and chief of bariatric surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital-Manhattan. "Both starches and trans fats spike insulin in the bloodstream, making it very difficult to burn fat as an energy source."

Additionally, CORI patients must follow a post-surgical regimen of protein and micro-nutrient supplements to meet their bodies' protein, vitamin and mineral needs -- particularly, vitamin B-12, calcium and iron.

"Our goal is to meet patients' needs with good nutrition and appropriate supplementation," explains Zotos. "Periodic blood tests determine the levels of nutrients needed."

CORI's team of educational, nutritional and psychological counselors collaborates with physicians to help patients adapt to the CORI weight management program. Surgical candidates must exhibit a demonstrated commitment to this behavioral modification. Dr. Sapala reports a customary 75-day cycle from the first CORI visit to reaching the operating room. Patients that are not qualified or interested in surgery are guided to CORI's medical management program.

"Our successful outcomes are grounded in good nutrition and exercise, but not every patient is prepared to make the necessary lifestyle changes," notes Dr. Sapala. "On average, only one in ten CORI patients ultimately reaches the OR."

Dr. Sapala suggests walking as a safe, no-cost exercise that almost everyone can do. He cautions patients to slowly build endurance and to set weekly exercise goals. Sometimes, surgical weight loss candidates need to shed pounds before their bodies are capable of rigorous exercise, but exercise is a key element to long-term weight management. About one month before surgery, walks may be 3-10 minutes in duration five or six times per week, building up to at least 30 minutes in length each exercise period. Six weeks post- surgery, patients can increase activities to vary their exercise regimen including low-intensity aerobics, swimming, and riding a stationary bike.

"There is no magic bullet for weight loss," continues Dr. Sapala. "Like any other habit that you would like to change, losing weight and keeping it off require constant vigilance."

CORI sponsors free health and info sessions in conjunction with partner hospitals. Call 800-578-CORI (2674) or visit http://www.weightlosssurgery.com/ for program dates and locations.

About CORI

CORI Centers are operated by MSO Medical, Inc. with its corporate office located in Bannockburn, Illinois (Chicago suburb). MSO Medical contracts with acute care hospitals to establish Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence under the brand name CORI (Centers for Obesity Related Illness). CORI has established centers in Illinois, Michigan, New York and Florida. For more information, call 800-578-CORI (2674) or visit http://www.weightlosssurgery.com/.

CORI

CONTACT: Jessica Wolfe, CPRi Communications for CORI, +1-201-641-1911,jwolfe@cpronline.com, ext. 51

Web site: http://www.weightlosssurgery.com/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category