Why Attend a Weight Loss Surgery Seminar?

Monday, June 10th, 2013

The decision to have bariatric surgery is not an easy one and requires a great deal of thought and information. One of the first and most comprehensive ways to gather that information is by attending a free weight loss seminar. Advanced Surgical Associates hold twice monthly seminars – one hosted by Dr. Muhammad Feteiha and one held by Drs. Joao and James Lopes. During these seminars, you will learn more about our office and the procedures available. Gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric banding work in different ways with different benefits and considerations which should be fully understood.

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Was the Gastric Band the Best Option for Gov. Chris Christie?

Thursday, May 30th, 2013

The gastric banding system, especially Lap-Band®, has been thrust back into the national and international spotlight with the latest news of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie undergoing a gastric banding procedure. One of the questions that swirled around his decision to place a Lap-Band® for weight loss is whether it was the right move. One criticism is that stapled procedures, such as gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, tend to offer a greater level of potential weight loss and may ultimately have a lower long-term complication rate than the band. So did he make the right decision?

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Your Responsibilities after Weight Loss Surgery

Saturday, May 18th, 2013

Many patients arrive at the conclusion that they need bariatric surgery because they are frustrated with years of failed diet and exercise attempts. While bariatric surgery is an effective long-term solution to excess weight and obesity, it is not a silver bullet. In other words, there are responsibilities that you, as the patient, will have to understand and fulfill over the course of your weight loss journey. Understanding and living by these responsibilities gives you the best chance to make the procedure a complete success.

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Not All Fats Are Bad

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

As we embark on our latest diet and exercise programs, we are often tempted to eliminate fats altogether. The name alone sounds daunting for weight loss and it’s true that many items that are high in fat also have a significant number of calories. What is important to remember is that not all fats are equal. In fact, some fats are very beneficial, while others can be very harmful.

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What Is Medical Weight Loss?

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Medical weight loss involves a physician supervised program that addresses both physical and psychological aspects of excess weight and obesity in a non-surgical manner. Medical weight loss programs can be very helpful to those patients that may not qualify for bariatric surgery, but need to lose some weight. They can also be helpful to bariatric patients both before and after surgery.

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Organic Foods – Worth the Cost?

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

The craze in organic and all natural foods has not diminished over the past several years. What was once very much a niche market has now gone mainstream. The introduction of large specialty grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Fresh Market has solidified the popularity of organic foods and their place in today’s society. These stores have ushered in a new mass-market wave of health consciousness. The consumption of “conventional” and processed foods is definitely not in vogue.

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Why Does the Insurance Process Take So Long?

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

The insurance process can vary between patients and insurance companies, but rarely is the process a short one. Most patients can be pre-approved for bariatric surgery within a matter of a few weeks, but there is no guarantee. The time waiting for the pre-approval does not have to be wasted, however. After your first consultation, you will learn more about the things you can do before surgery to make the whole process a lot easier. You can begin your diet and exercise regimen, stop smoking and start your full pre-operative testing and general health work-up. By the time you receive the insurance company’s decision, you’ll have completed many of the prerequisites for surgery.

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Dr. Feteiha Named New Jersey Chapter ASMBS President

Friday, December 7th, 2012

All of us here at Advanced Surgical Associates are thrilled to announce that our very own Dr. Muhammad Feteiha was named president of the New Jersey Chapter, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). With our close ties to the ASMBS and our significant involvement in the New Jersey bariatric community, this is sure to be a great relationship. Dr. Feteiha was previously vice president of the New Jersey Chapter. Advanced Surgical Associates is also an ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

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Alcoholism after Bariatric Surgery

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

Alcoholism is a serious consideration that has to be made by any patient before they undergo bariatric surgery. Food can be addictive and many patients who come into our office for the first consultation, have an unhealthy relationship with what they eat. Food addiction is a disorder of the mind and body. Our brains crave the substance at all costs, regardless of the serious consequences and ramifications – obesity and its related diseases. Unfortunately, bariatric surgery itself does not cure the psychological underpinning of food addiction.

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Eating Out after Bariatric Surgery

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

One of the most common questions we’re asked after about life after bariatric surgery is whether or patient can eat out at a restaurant. Eating out has its great benefits including relaxation, socialization and hopefully very good food – not to mention the convenience of not having to cook. However, when we think of eating out, we think of less healthy options than what we expect from cooking at home. Interestingly, this may not always be the case. There are times when we cook at home, feeling like we’re eating healthier, when in fact we’re not.

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