Posts by: Maynard, MD, FACS Donald

When planning for a family, most of the attention is often placed on the mother’s health and nutrition. However, new research reveals that the father’s diet before conception plays a crucial role in determining the long-term health of their children. If you are planning to have children, it is important to understand how a father’s […]

Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure that helps patients lose weight and improve their overall health. However, the journey after surgery can be challenging. Many patients experience changes in their lifestyle, eating habits, and emotions. One of the best ways to cope with these changes is by joining a bariatric surgery support group. 7 Benefits […]

If you’re on a weight loss journey, especially as a bariatric patient, understanding the role of metabolism in your body is crucial. Metabolism often seems like a mysterious process, but it’s essentially the engine within your body that burns calories and determines how quickly you lose weight. This blog simplifies the concept of metabolism and […]

For bariatric patients and individuals struggling with obesity, Body Mass Index (BMI) is a commonly used tool to assess weight and health status. However, while BMI is widely referenced, understanding body mass index and its limitations, particularly how it fits into the broader picture of health, is essential. This blog will provide a comprehensive overview […]

Obesity is more than just a matter of appearance or a number on the scale; it’s a serious health condition that can significantly impact your overall well-being and longevity. Studies have shown that obesity lowers life expectancy by nearly a year, emphasizing the urgent need for effective weight management strategies. For bariatric patients and those […]

Obesity is more than just a matter of excess weight; it’s a complex condition that can trigger a cascade of health problems. Central to many of these issues is the inflammatory response caused by obesity. In this article, we’ll explore how obesity leads to inflammation and the various health implications of this response. Understanding Inflammation […]

The history of weight loss surgery can be traced back to the mid-20th century. In the 1950s and 1960s, surgeons began to explore various experimental procedures aimed at helping people shed excess pounds. These early attempts primarily involved techniques like the intestinal bypass, which rerouted the digestive system to limit calorie absorption. While these procedures […]

Laparoscopic and robotic bariatric surgery are two advanced surgical methods that have revolutionized the treatment of obesity. Both are minimally invasive techniques, offering significant benefits over traditional open surgery. However, they differ in their approach, technology, and certain aspects of the surgical process. Understanding the difference between laparoscopic vs. robotic bariatric surgery is crucial for […]

For those who have undergone bariatric surgery with hopes of a transformed life and body, the journey can be as challenging as it is rewarding. It’s a path that requires commitment, change, and resilience. But what happens when it’s harder to achieve weight loss goals than initially expected? It can be disheartening, but it’s important […]

The intertwining of obesity and high cholesterol is a critical issue in the domain of public health. To understand the connection, it is essential to begin with the basics of cholesterol and its role in the body, then explore the types, the side effects of high cholesterol, and how excess weight plays a significant part […]

Obesity is a growing concern that affects millions of individuals globally. With obesity, comes various health challenges. One such health issue that often goes unnoticed in the shadow of other obesity-related conditions is the formation of gallstones. In this blog, we will delve into what gallstones are, how they form, their potential side effects, and […]

In the landscape of health concerns, obesity is not merely a challenge of weight management; it is a critical risk factor deeply intertwined with various chronic conditions, diabetes being one of the most complex among them. Understanding how obesity can lead to diabetes is crucial, as patients with obesity are ten times more likely to […]

Weight loss surgery is a life-changing procedure that helps individuals with severe obesity shed excess weight and improve their overall health. While weight loss surgery has numerous health benefits, hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery is a concern that patients should be aware of. In this blog post, we will explore the link between hypoglycemia and post-bariatric […]

Bariatric surgery has emerged as a promising solution for individuals struggling with severe obesity and weight-related health issues. However, despite its proven efficacy, there are still numerous myths about bariatric surgery as a surgical intervention. As a doctor specializing in bariatric surgery, I feel it is essential to address these misconceptions and provide you with […]

Obesity has become a global epidemic, affecting millions of people worldwide. Beyond the well-known health risks, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, obesity-related joint pain can place a strain on bariatric patients life and health. The excess weight puts enormous stress on the joints, resulting in conditions like osteoarthritis and chronic pain.  While lifestyle modifications […]

In many cases, our mood affects what and how we eat. It is normal for intense emotions to make us feel a loss of control when it comes to eating. So it is not surprising that there is a link between depression and weight gain. However, it’s not just caused by environmental mechanisms but also […]

The gastric bypass vs. gastric sleeve is a standard comparison of procedures. Both weight loss surgery procedures will effectively reduce weight and help patients live healthier. Aside from the obvious weight loss benefits, the bypass and the sleeve also create a metabolic and hormonal impact that improves and cures many weight-related medical problems, including diabetes, […]

A weight loss plateau after bariatric surgery is quite common and can be frustrating, especially if you have experienced success thus far on your weight loss journey. You can feel defeated when the number on the scale doesn’t budge despite all the hard work you have put into your health journey.  8 Tips to Overcome […]

Let’s face it, life is busy, and cooking can become a chore you dread doing at the end of every day. Meal prepping for a busy schedule can relieve the stress of cooking and making healthy food choices after bariatric surgery.  We recommend patients follow specific guidelines to optimize their weight loss after their bariatric […]

Weight fluctuations after bariatric surgery are more common than many patients are led to initially believe. Weight loss surgery can help patients lose a significant amount of weight; however, it does not come without changing lifestyle habits, including diet and exercise.  Weight fluctuating between +/- 5 to 10 pounds is completely normal and happens to […]

Medications after bariatric surgery will vary significantly depending on the type of bariatric procedure you had as well as how rapidly your health improves. Obesity is associated with many health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, cancers, and arthritis. Studies have found that around 80% of bariatric patients had comorbidities in the pre-operative state, and most of those individuals were/are […]

The topic of chronic headaches after bariatric surgery has come up pretty frequently, and we want to give you a frame of why people get headaches after bariatric surgery and some remedies you can use, and how we typically treat these. One of the critical things about headaches is whether or not you have them […]

An EGD after gastric bypass surgery is required in some cases when the patient is experiencing discomfort or unwanted side effects. Typically, 80% of our patients will have surgery and have no issues at all. Yet, about 20% of patients will have varying degrees of problems.  What is an EGD? Almost all bariatric surgeons will […]

Before weight loss surgery, most bariatric surgeons will require their patients to have an upper endoscopy with a gastroenterologist to review the anatomy of their stomach and esophagus. A gastroenterology appointment before weight loss surgery is really about risk management. By sending you to a gastroenterology consultation to evaluate your esophagus and your stomach, we […]

Weight loss surgery is a significant stressor in your life and can lead to addictive behaviors after bariatric surgery. Many bariatric patients suffer, or have suffered, from psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and difficulty handling the social stresses of being overweight.  Bariatric surgery can reopen past wounds that could derail your long-term success […]

Today we’re going to talk about drinking after weight loss surgery and some of the negative impacts alcohol can have on weight loss surgery and your post-op care. Alcoholism has its own set of issues and complications, and we won’t be going into that specifically. But we will be talking about how to handle drinking after […]

Bariatric physical therapy is crucial to the whole process of weight loss surgery. Research shows that patients who undergo bariatric surgery need a consistent source of physical activity counseling, which we believe can be fulfilled by a physical therapist. This blog will delve deeper into physical therapy and the importance of activity in your weight loss journey.  […]

For bariatric patients, a low-carb diet is the most recommended way of eating to lose weight and maintain your weight loss after bariatric surgery. Hopefully, you have learned the importance of a low-carb diet at your bariatric program. However, if you are searching for resources online about getting started, this is a great place to look.  […]

When you do not get enough sleep each night, your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, an overactive thyroid, and obesity increases significantly. Many studies have found that sleep deprivation increases a patient’s risk of developing heart disease by nearly 50 percent and triples the risk of having type 2 […]

A common misconception surrounding weight loss surgery is that it is a permanent fix. Although surgery can help patients lose weight at an otherwise faster rate than they would with diet and exercise, it will not keep the weight off forever—patients must maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a bariatric surgeon, I have seen many patients […]

Getting enough sleep each night is critical to your overall health and impacts many of your bodily functions—including your mood, mental clarity, immune system, and disease risk factor. Furthermore, sleep also plays a vital role in managing your weight as it influences your hormones and metabolism. Research shows that staying up late affects your weight […]

In this blog, we will go into everything you need to know about how to get started and how to stick to a routine so you can experience the long-term benefits of exercise.

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Weight loss surgery is a popular treatment option for obesity and has shown to have many positive outcomes for a patient’s health, life expectancy, and overall quality of life. However, there are still some weight loss surgery myths and misconceptions that keep some patients from taking the step to begin their bariatric journey. If you’re […]

After doing some research online, you may have found that weight loss surgery is the next step you want to take in your weight loss journey. But now, you might be worried about how to pay for bariatric surgery without insurance coverage. You are not alone. Medical bills are the third largest cause of debt […]

Sleep is the foundation of nearly every aspect of your health, from your focus, your mood, your energy levels, and your correlation to diseases. So not only is it essential to get enough sleep each night, but it is also important to get good quality rest so your body can heal and repair itself. If […]

Getting a good night’s rest is an essential aspect of achieving overall wellness. We need quality sleep for optimal health because it serves as the time when the body can heal and repair itself. It also impacts many of your bodily functions—including your mood, mental clarity, immune system, weight, and overall health. The Science of […]