Weight Loss Secrets

The secret many bariatric weight-loss surgeons don’t tell you — but should

Having surgery to lose weight is a big decision — and an intensely personal one. It often comes after years or decades of struggle, dieting, and disappointment.

Some weight-loss doctors offer discounted services that promise a quick surgical solution. That may sound tempting, but no matter which procedure you get, it’s still major surgery with possible complications.

And here’s a secret those doctors don’t tell you: The weight won’t stay off without changing your lifestyle and your relationship with food.

Drs. Joseph Cribbins III and Stephen Hamn are different. They are considered two of the best weight-loss surgeons in Texas, and they work closely and carefully with every patient who comes to see them. Both physicians perform surgeries at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery in Plano, a surgical hospital that has won accolades for outstanding patient satisfaction.

“Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix. Patients need to prepare physically and emotionally for the changes that happen after surgery,” Dr. Hamn says. “We can help them create an active, healthy lifestyle that supports their new weight and allows them to truly enjoy their life.”

Both doctors agree, with something as life changing and long term as weight-loss surgery, patients need to investigate the reputation and experience of their surgeon before making any decisions.

“We care deeply about the immediate and long-term outcomes of every patient, and we want to make sure their surgery is safe and the weight they lose stays off permanently,” Dr. Cribbins says. “You have to be your own advocate and do your own research before getting bariatric surgery. A successful surgeon will help you not only lose weight, but also learn how to keep it off.”

The entire field of bariatric surgery has been revolutionized over the past two decades by minimally invasive approaches like laparoscopy. Drs. Cribbins and Hamn have been on the forefront of new procedures as they are proven effective.

For example, the doctors were among the first to offer Lap-Bands in North Texas. Additionally, they offer laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and the Orbera intragastric balloon. They also help people who need weight-loss surgery revisions.

“We’ve seen the way bariatric surgery can transform lives and turn around health conditions, like type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease,” Dr. Hamn says. “It’s exciting to be a part of a person’s life as he or she sees these often dramatic changes taking place.”

Dr. Cribbins says he feels honored to work in this field and offer the best services possible to every one of his patients. “I admire the strong personal dedication my patients show to achieve the weight loss they want, and we are their partners on this journey,” he says.

Learn more about weight-loss services at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery by visiting www.thcds-weightloss.com or calling 800-532-3939.

Let the experts at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery teach you how to keep off weight for life.

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Let the experts at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery teach you how to keep off weight for life.

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Texas races to the bottom in new list of best states for cyclists

Photo by Garry Neesam on Unsplash

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In what will come as no surprise to cyclists around Dallas, the state of Texas is not a good place for bicycling riding. According to a new report of the "Most Cycling-Friendly States in the U.S.," Texas comes in at No. 47 — meaning that only three other states are worse.

The report, from Philadelphia personal injury law firm KaplunMarx, examines all 50 states based on six metrics: Air quality index, the number of cyclist deaths per one million residents, bike routes per square mile, local government actions supporting cycling, federal funding for cycling projects, and bicycle laws.

Texas musters a mere 31 points out of 100 for its "cycling friendly score."

The most cycling friendly state in the U.S.: Minnesota, which earned 84 points to claim the title.

According to the report's findings, there have been 15 local government actions per capita in Texas that integrate pedestrians and cyclists in transportation projects. Texas' has a 41 air quality index value, and there are approximately 1.2 bike routes per 1,000 square miles in the state.

On cyclist deaths, Texas does a little better, with three cyclist deaths per one million residents in Texas — about nine percent lower than the national average.

According to KaplunMarx founding partner Ted Kaplun, there is an average of 857 cyclist fatalities in the U.S. every year. He adds that every measure or community effort to improve cyclist-friendliness is beneficial for all Americans.

"It's crucial for all states to continually assess and enhance their cycling provisions, learning from both high-ranking peers and their own experiences," he says.

Top-ranking Minnesota has only one cyclist death per one million state residents. It also has about 27.2 bike routes per 1,000 square miles.

After Minnesota, the remaining top five best states for cyclists are Massachusetts (No. 2), Rhode Island (No. 3), Washington (No. 4), and Iowa (No. 5).

At the bottom of the list are Nevada (No. 48), Arizona (No. 49), and Utah (No. 50) — all of which performed far worse than Texas to be declared the three least cycling-friendly states.

The entire country still has areas for improvement when it comes to creating a safer environment for cyclists, regardless of where each state landed on the list, according to Kaplun.

"With over 53 million Americans riding bicycles regularly, the importance of cycling-friendly infrastructure and safety measures cannot be overstated," said Kaplun in the report. "This isn't just about rankings – it's about enhancing the quality of life, promoting sustainable transportation, and most crucially, saving lives."

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