What is laparoscopic gastric banding? Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is done under general anesthesia. This procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Laparoscopic gastric banding is a weight loss surgery in which the surgeon places a band around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a small pouch to hold food, limiting the amount an individual can...

Does Adipex-P (phentermine) cause side effects? Adipex-P (phentermine) is an appetite suppressant prescribed, combined with diet and exercise, for the short-term treatment of obesity in individuals with a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 or greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2 with risk factors for heart disease. Adipex-P should not be combined with other weight...

Obesity and overweight facts In the U.S., obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Obesity means having excess body fat. Adults 35 years of age and older with a BMI greater than 30 are obese. Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration. It is a chronic medical disease that can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity-associated cardiovascular diseases such as heart...

Does Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate) cause side effects? Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) is a combination of a sympathomimetic agent and an anti-seizure medication used to treat individuals who are overweight or obese, in conjunction with diet and exercise, to lose weight and keep the weight off. Phentermine is used by itself to treat obesity. The exact mechanism by which...

Does Belviq (lorcaserin) cause side effects? Belviq (lorcaserin) is a serotonin 2C (5-HT2C) receptor agonist that promotes weight loss when  used with diet and exercise in overweight adults with a weight-related medical problem or obese adults to lose weight and keep it off.  Although the exact mechanism of action is not known, Belviq is thought to selectively stimulate 5-HT2C receptors...

Facts you should know about vegetarian and vegan diets All kinds of vegetarian diets can be nutritionally balanced, but it will take some planning to do this. To eat meat, or not to eat meat… This is the question on many people's minds. The negative impact of animal foods on health, the damage associated with animal foods and the environment,...

Ketogenic diet (keto diet) facts Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Ketogenic is a term for a low-carb diet. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat diet that drastically restricts carbohydrates. It produces a reaction in the body that is similar to the fasting state. The low-carb, high-fat keto diet causes the metabolic state known as ketosis, in which substances known...

Ketosis is safe for most people, but it can also have some negative effects like bad breath Ketosis is a natural metabolic process that happens when your body lacks enough carbohydrates to burn for energy. Without access to carbs or glucose, your liver starts to burn fat, and the breakdown of fats into fatty acids results in the formation of...

What It Is Jenny Craig isn’t a Janie-come-lately to the diet field. The program began in 1983 in Australia and started U.S. operations in 1985. The Jenny Craig method is a three-level food-mind-body plan to help people lose weight and keep it off. At the first level, the program teaches clients how to eat the foods they want — in...

What is external ultrasound-assisted liposuction? External ultrasound-assisted liposuction (EUAL) is a technique by which the fat cells around the abdomen or thighs are disrupted. External ultrasound-assisted liposuction (EUAL) is a technique by which the fat cells around the abdomen or thighs are disrupted. EUAL uses high-frequency ultrasonic fields to prepare the fat cells for surgical removal by liposuction. The advantages...