Dear Friends and Family of Laparoscopic Associates and The Surgical Weight Loss Center of Hawaii,

Summer's gone and fall is fast approaching. Don't let the cooler weather be a reason to stay inside! Keep your summer outdoor activity level going!

Eureka patients: Don't forget, Dr. Cirangle will be doing the support group this Thursday and seeing patients on Friday. Don't forget to make your follow-up appointments.

Bariatric Surgery: Improves Health in a Cost Efficient Manner Bariatric surgery has been said that it can pay for itself within a few years by helping to reduce insurance claims resulting from medical conditions that obese people can develop. While that might seem to be an overestimation, research shows that it is indeed correct, and that in most cases, surgical cost can be recovered within two to four years. The researchers compared the insurance claims for over 3,600 patients that have had bariatric surgery with those filed by the same number of morbidly obese people that did not have the surgery. Out of the patients that have had the surgery, the percentage that had hypertension, diabetes, or sleep apnea all showed a decrease after their operation. With the patients that did not have the surgery, however, their percentages for the same conditions either stayed the same or rose. According to the study, the average monthly medical costs for the people who had the laparoscopic bariatric surgery were approximately $900 lower than those people who did not, roughly a year after the procedure. This type of surgery aims to produce significant weight loss and involves an operation on the intestines or stomach. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, it is estimated that 220,000 procedures will be performed this year, which is more than a tenfold increase since 1992. Read the entire article

Don't miss it! Plastic surgeon Dr. Berkowitz to speak at the San Jose support group this Wednesday night! He will be showing before and after pictures of the benefits of plastic surgery following dramatic weight loss. Dr. Berkowitz is an expert in body contouring. There will also be a segment on skin care. Bring your questions! Dr. Berkowitz's website

Tips For a Healthy Back Following any period of prolonged inactivity, begin a program of regular low-impact exercises. Speed walking, swimming, or stationary bike riding 30 minutes a day can increase muscle strength and flexibility. Yoga can also help stretch and strengthen muscles and improve posture. Ask your physician or orthopedist for a list of low-impact exercises appropriate for your age and designed to strengthen lower back and abdominal muscles. -Always stretch before exercise or other strenuous physical activity. -Don’t slouch when standing or sitting. When standing, keep your weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight most easily when curvature is reduced. -At home or work, make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height for you. -Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position and height for the task. Keep your shoulders back. Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension. A pillow or rolled-up towel placed behind the small of your back can provide some lumbar support. If you must sit for a long period of time, rest your feet on a low stool or a stack of books. -Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. -Sleep on your side to reduce any curve in your spine. Always sleep on a firm surface. -Ask for help when transferring an ill or injured family member from a reclining to a sitting position or when moving the patient from a chair to a bed. -Don’t try to lift objects too heavy for you. Lift with your knees, pull in your stomach muscles, and keep your head down and in line with your straight back. Keep the object close to your body. Do not twist when lifting. -Maintain proper nutrition and diet to reduce and prevent excessive weight, especially weight around the waistline that taxes lower back muscles. A diet with sufficient daily intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D helps to promote new bone growth. -If you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes the spinal discs to degenerate. Have a great tip for a healthy back? Blog it!

New Petaluma office address Dr. Steady's office has relocated offices. The new address is 1383 North McDowell Blvd., Ste 110, Petaluma, CA 94954 Office locations

Upcoming Support Groups San Jose Seminar and Support Group Wednesday, September 17th 6:00pm - 8:00pm Good Samaritan Hospital 2425 Samaritan Drive San Jose, CA, 95124 In the teleconference trailers in the east parking lot *7:00PM SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER PLASTIC SURGEON DR. BERKOWITZ Eureka Support Group Thursday, September 18th 7:00pm-9:00pm Red Lion Hotel, 1929 4th Street (4 blocks from downtown) Petaluma Support Group Saturday, September 20th 9:00am - 12:00pm Sheraton Sonoma County Petaluma 745 Baywood Drive Monterey Seminar and Support Group Saturday, September 20th 1:00pm - 3:00pm Hyatt Regency Monterey 1 Old Golf Course Road Conference Center San Francisco Seminar and Support Group Monday, September 22nd 6:00pm - 8:00pm California Pacific Medical Center Lobby Level Enright Room 2333 Buchanan St. San Francisco, CA *OUR NEW DIETITIAN, AMY INGOLS, WILL BE ATTENDING Calendar of Events

Sincerely,
Dr. Gregg Jossart ~ Dr. Paul Cirangle