It’s no secret that holiday eating can lead to some scary weight gain.

Overeating during Thanksgiving and Christmas can even lead to blood sugar problems and other medical issues because we make poor choices about what and how we eat.

In Eastern Kentucky, we tend to spend a lot of time with our family, especially around the holidays. Many of us are expected to attend multiple family gatherings, which are usually centered around food. Added to that are work parties and other get-togethers, which can lead to temptation that is hard to resist. Let’s face it, we like to eat, and we like to eat food that tastes good.

Humans naturally love the taste of salt, fat and sweets, which will be seemingly everywhere over the next several weeks.

This holiday season, try to avoid things you know are going to tempt you to eat more than you should. Make a point to eat smaller portions and don’t be afraid to stand up and physically walk away from food when you feel tempted to continue eating. If the weather is tolerable, invite a friend or family member to take a walk.

Although it’s not as easy to do, I encourage my patients to make healthier choices and eat more fruits and vegetables and foods high in fiber. Eating these foods will fill you up and help you avoid the more dangerous foods we all know and regrettably, love.

I need you to understand, especially around the holidays, that exercise truly is the key to success. We don’t like hearing it because it is hard to do, but if you exercise regularly, you will be able to keep those extra pounds away.

Please remember that if you do end up gaining some weight over the holidays, do not beat yourself up.

That only increases the chance you will continue to gain weight.

If this is you and you feel you are ready to make a big change, we are here for you. Feel free to come to the Center for Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Pikeville Medical Center and
see us. You can talk to a dietician, a member of my staff or me. Together, we will explore what options are available to you.

Call 606-430-2205

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For many patients suffering from obesity, bariatric surgery is an option to consider. This is particularly beneficial for those who have not been successful in achieving their weight loss goals through diet and exercise.

The Center for Bariatric & Minimally Invasive Surgery at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) offers hope to patients who are ready to reclaim their lives from obesity. The Center is Accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). This accreditation demonstrates that the Center for Bariatric & Minimally Invasive Surgery provides quality bariatric care and produces excellent outcomes for patients.

The highly skilled and experienced bariatric team is led by board-certified PMC Bariatric and General Surgeon Amy Johnson, MD, FACS. Dr. Johnson has vast experience, expertise and compassion for her patients which has raised the bar for weight loss surgery in the region. In addition to demonstrating a high level of skill when performing traditional surgeries, Dr. Johnson has many years of experience performing robot-assisted surgery at Pikeville Medical Center. Her primary goal in surgically treating morbid obesity is to eliminate or significantly improve most medical problems affecting her patients.

“We offer several minimally invasive surgical options to treat obesity which often leads to improvement in other related health issues,” explained Dr. Johnson, “Bariatric surgery can be life-changing and gives patients a second chance at living a healthy and productive life.”

To learn more about bariatric surgery options at PMC or to request an appointment for an evaluation, call (606) 430-2207 or visit https://pmcweightlosssurgery.com.

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Board certified bariatric and general surgeon Amy Johnson, MD, FACS, leads the experienced team at the Center for Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), and is the only bariatric surgeon in Eastern Kentucky to perform Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass and Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch procedures.

Often, one of the biggest reasons patients postpone or decline having bariatric surgery is the fear of a lengthy recovery time. However, at PMC, most bariatric procedures are done using a minimally invasive approach, which typically provides patients with better outcomes and shorter recovery times. Dr. Johnson performs most weight loss surgery procedures laparoscopically, but also uses the advanced, robotic-assisted da Vinci Xi Surgical System.

“The da Vinci is a special tool that uses a robotic platform that allows me to see three-dimensionally during surgery and have greater maneuverability,” said Dr. Johnson. “Having advanced equipment like the da Vinci here at PMC is wonderful for both the surgeons who use it and the patients in our region.”

Qualifying bariatric patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery have small incisions rather than large openings but offer the same benefits as traditional surgery.  Other benefits associated with minimally invasive bariatric procedures include shorter hospital stays, less scarring, a lower risk of infection and less blood loss during surgery.  In addition, many bariatric patients experience an expedited recovery and a quicker return to normal activities.

To learn more about bariatric procedures performed at Pikeville Medical Center, please visit the Center for Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery page at pikevillehospital.org, call (606) 430-2207 or scan the code provided below.

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We all know holiday eating can lead to some scary weight gain that you don’t want to experience. Overeating during the holidays can even lead to blood sugar problems and other medical issues secondary to making poor choices about what and how we eat.

In our region, we tend to be very family-centered, especially around the holidays. We are sometimes expected to attend multiple family gatherings, which are usually centered around food. In addition, there are work parties and other get togethers we are invited to.  This can lead to temptation that is hard to resist because we like to eat, and we like to eat food that tastes good.  It is a fact that humans naturally love the taste of salt, fat and sweets, which will be seemingly everywhere over the next several weeks.

This holiday season, I recommend trying to avoid things you know are going to tempt you to eat more than you should. Make a point to eat smaller portions and don’t be afraid to stand up and physically walk away from food when you feel tempted to continue eating. If the weather is tolerable, invite a friend or family member to take a walk.

Although it’s not as easy to do, I encourage my patients to make healthier choices and eat foods high in fiber, fruits and vegetables. Eating these foods will fill you up and help you avoid the more dangerous foods we all know and regrettably, love.

Another thing that is so important to understand, especially around the holidays is that exercise truly is the “magic bullet.” We don’t like hearing it because it is hard to do, but if you exercise regularly, you will keep those extra pounds away.

All that being said, if you do end up gaining some weight over the holidays, remember that it does not help to beat yourself up. All that does is increase the chance you will continue to gain weight.

If this is you and you feel you are ready to make a big change, we are here for you. Feel free to come to the Center for Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Pikeville Medical Center and see us. You can talk to a dietician, a member of my staff or me, and we can explore what options may be available to you.

The post A Holiday Message From Dr. Amy Johnson appeared first on Pikeville Medical Center.

Gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries involve making changes to a patient’s digestive system to help a patient lose weight. Typically, patients desire bariatric surgery when diet and exercise haven’t worked or when serious health problems have developed.

PMC’s Board Certified Bariatric and General Surgeon Amy Johnson, MD, FACS, FASMBS performs Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Revisional Surgeries, and extensive pre-operative and post-operative procedures to increase long-term success after surgery.

Dr. Johnson’s experience, expertise, and compassion for her patients has certainly raised the bar for weight loss surgery in the region. Her primary goal in surgically treating morbid obesity is to eliminate or significantly improve medical problems.

“Surgical weight loss is much more than a cosmetic procedure,” explained Dr. Johnson.  “Although we want our patients to feel better about themselves, more importantly, we want them to be healthy.  The surgical weight loss options we provide at PMC can actually reverse many health problems caused by obesity.”

PMC’s Weight Loss Surgery Center is accredited by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).  “Being an MBSAQIP Accredited Center requires an extremely high level of commitment from all facets of the multidisciplinary team,” said Dr. Amy Johnson. “We are very proud of this achievement and I am honored to work with a staff that is truly dedicated to the care of our patients.”

For more information about Bariatric Surgery, call 606-430-2205, visit www.pmcweightlosssurgery.com.

PMC Clinic, 7th Floor
911 Bypass Road, Building A
Pikeville, KY 41501
606-430-2205

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Board Certified Bariatric and General Surgeon Amy Johnson, MD, FACS, FASMBS, performs most weight loss surgery procedures laparoscopically, but also uses the da Vinci Xi Surgical System.

The da Vinci system enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through robotic-assisted surgery.  This state-of-the-art technology follows the surgeon’s hand movements from the console and provides the surgeon with highly magnified three-dimensional views.

Qualifying patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery have tiny incisions instead of a large opening. This option, most times, offers a quicker recovery time and less pain than traditional open surgery, but with the same benefits as traditional surgery. Patients typically experience shorter hospital stays, less pain and scarring, less risk of infection, and less blood loss. Most importantly, patients typically see a faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities.

“The da Vinci is a special tool that uses a robotic platform that allows me to see three-dimensionally during surgery and have greater maneuverability,” said Dr. Johnson.

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Dr. Johnson says people are often under the impression that weight loss surgery is a cosmetic “quick and easy fix” for losing weight.  It does not take long for her to dispel that misconception. She explains that obesity is a disease that affects the body in extremely harsh ways. It can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, extreme joint pain, sleep apnea, and even infertility.

The process of fighting obesity is a lifelong commitment to improving health. Dr. Johnson’s approach begins with education. Before scheduling an appointment, potential patients are directed to the PMC website for an overview of the program and a clear understanding of the processes and benefits.  Patients undergo a number of tests to determine their overall health condition. If they smoke, they must quit before surgery can be an option.

She says the most effective way for weight loss to be maintained, after surgery, is through physical activity. Most of her patients say they have not exercised in years, but she shows them how to take it one step at a time. A display of tears and cheers have often been seen when her patients cross the finish line at their first Reclaim Your Life 5K, a PMC race she spearheads. Her compassion and dedication to the well-being of her patients go far beyond the exam room and patients say they could not have done it without her. They typically credit Dr. Johnson for giving them a better quality of life plus a longer life with those they love.

Dr. Johnson is one of the very few physicians in the region who performs gastric by-pass surgery, one of the more successful options for patients who are morbidly obese.  For information about weight loss surgery or to make an appointment, please visit PMCWeightlossSurgery.com or call 606-430-2205.

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The PMC Weight Loss Surgery Center is the area’s most comprehensive weight loss program. Dr. Johnson performs multiple procedures, including gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy which are among the top two procedures with successful overall outcomes.

In both procedures, the overall size of the stomach itself is greatly reduced. In most cases, these surgeries result in more than just weight loss. Patients often experience improvements in other health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain and even infertility.

PMC utilizes state-of-the-art equipment for weight loss procedures including the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Dr. Johnson uses a minimally invasive approach that incorporates safety techniques in the operating room, and patients typically have a quick recovery.

Shortly after surgery, patients quite often find they could reduce their medication for diabetes and high blood pressure, and patients with obstructive sleep apnea can discontinue using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPap) device.

Patients receive pre and post-operative nutritional support, counseling, education, and psychological/behavioral support plus a tailored approach to reach and maintain their goals.
Additional information about the weight loss surgery procedures at PMC can be found at PMCWeightlossSurgery.com

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She performs weight loss surgery procedures laparoscopically, but also with the help of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. Laparoscopy is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions. The da Vinci system enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations with robotic-assisted surgery, which follows the surgeons hand movements from the console. The system also provides highly magnified three dimensional views.

“The da Vinci is a special tool that uses a robotic platform that allows me to see three dimensionally during surgery and have greater maneuverability,” said Dr. Johnson.

Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are the top two procedures with the best overall outcomes for patients. Both types of surgery ultimately reduce the size of the stomach, but using varying surgical techniques. Not only do they see the benefit of significant weight loss, in most cases other health issues are dramatically improved. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, joint issues, sleep apnea and even infertility.

Dr. Johnson and her carefully assembled surgical team feel privileged to provide life-changing procedures to patients who experience not only a physical transformation, but whose health is also positively impacted. For more information about PMC’s Weight Loss Surgery Department or to make an appointment, please visit www.pmcky.org or call 606-430-2205.

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The seminars are an excellent resource for people who are interested in taking the next step toward weight loss surgery, but may need more information. “Seminars are great because I get that one-on-one interaction with people. I like being able to give them extra attention and answer any questions they may have,” explained Dr. Johnson. “It’s a message that many people need to hear and it’s wonderful when I can get out into the community.”

Monthly seminars and the Reclaim Your Life support group are also held the third Tuesday of every month on the 7th floor of the PMC Clinic located at 911 Bypass Road, Building A in Pikeville. The support group begins at 5pm and the seminar begins at 6pm.

Support groups offer patients ongoing education and encouragement. A wide variety of topics are discussed amongst individuals in different stages of their weight loss journey. Patients learn to change their lifestyle behaviors, making better food choices, meal plans, vitamin and fluid guidelines.

Free online seminars and education/support group information are also provided at pmcweightlosssurgery.com. For more information about PMC’s Weight Loss Surgery Department or to make an appointment, please pmcweightlosssurgery.com or call 606-430-2205.

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