Staying on track with your exercise goals can be extremely difficult in the winter. You may feel unmotivated to spend time outside, and it may get darker earlier in the day. Although there aren’t any more sunny days at the beach, keeping your exercise...
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Although laparoscopic surgery has long been the standard for bariatric surgery, robotic techniques are becoming more and more favorable. Bariatric surgeons like Dr. Balsama now offer robotic bariatric surgeries, and there are many reasons to consider it over traditional laparoscopic surgery. If you’re exploring...
You can enjoy a delicious Mother’s Day brunch without having to worry about the extra calories. Here are a few recipes that are great for you and the whole family! 100-Calorie Cocktail Serve your bubbly without the additional calories. A 5oz glass of prosecco...
Valentine’s Day can be a stressful day for weight loss patients. Tempting chocolates and other delicious desserts are constantly present, making it difficult to skip the unhealthy snacking. These are a few healthy dessert ideas that will help you enjoy your Valentine’s Day without...
With the holidays quickly approaching, you may feel a little overwhelmed if you’re planning on weight loss surgery. After all, it’s a big decision that requires dedication and sacrifice. To ensure success, knowing what steps to take when preparing for weight loss surgery during...
Metabolic rate is closely linked to weight loss or weight maintenance. If you’re hoping to burn calories and stabilize your weight, consider adding these foods to your daily diet. Protein-Rich Meat Protein-rich fish and lean meat like chicken takes more energy to digest so...
After bariatric surgery, you need to keep your body in motion and yoga is a great way to do that. Yoga is also used as a calming technique and keeping your stress levels low can help you stop turning back to bad habits like...
Bariatric surgery requires a commitment on the part of the patient to prepare themselves for surgery. After recovery, people need to remain focused on their health goals to avoid undoing all the effort they have contributed. Establishing certain habits and setting small goals can...
The weight loss journey is not an easy one. That’s why finding support is an important step in the process. Support groups are one excellent option to help find motivation and connect with people on the same journey. You can even find guidance both...
Bariatric surgery is a helpful way to shed excess pounds and keep a healthy weight. To help you select the correct type of bariatric surgery, we shed some insight into the types of procedures and their benefits. What Is Bariatric Surgery? Bariatric surgery is...
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, filled with good company and better food. However, when you’re fresh out of surgery, or even a few years down the road, it can be hard figuring out what you can and can’t have in order...
You’ve invested considerable time and effort into your preparations for weight loss surgery. Deciding on a gastric bypass is a significant milestone in your personal wellness journey, so congratulations! One important step is planning for both your surgery and life after it. Getting the...
Just because fall is around the corner doesn’t mean all your hard work has to disappear under big sweaters. There are a few different ways to keep the weight off even when it seems like all your efforts might be for naught. Use these...
When considering weight loss surgery, there are two major options that come to mind; sleeve gastrectomy and lap-band. Choosing between the two might be challenging unless you understand what each entails. Both procedures are done laparoscopically and involve limiting the amount of food you...
It can be hard to keep to a diet when you need to constantly check the ingredients or when they require all kinds of steps to make. However, making a healthy meal for yourself doesn’t have to be difficult. Some of the tastiest things...
Whether you have had a weight loss surgery or a considering getting one, you must adopt a new, physically active lifestyle. Understand that the long-term success of bariatric surgery will depend on two key factors – a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Before you...
With the gyms being closed down in some areas, we’ve had to adapt to at-home exercises. Even if you have access, you may not want to go due to the current environment. Yoga is an easy way to exercise both your body and mind,...
Bariatric surgery is a great option to help those who are overweight to shed pounds and gain control of their health. However, it’s only the beginning of your journey. You still need to be proactive when it comes to managing your weight, as the...
When you’re trying to lose weight, finding an exercise routine that you enjoy is key. Most people think that joining a gym or spending hours on a treadmill are their only options, but this isn’t true. Water aerobics are a great way to exercise...
Bariatric surgery is a collective term that refers to all weight-loss surgeries. The three main types of bariatric surgery are gastric bypass, gastrectomy, and laparoscopic adjustable band. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), about 252,000 procedures were performed in...
Even when you hit your weight goal, it can seem daunting to maintain your results. The good news is that you don’t need to create a high-impact fitness regimen. Instead, you can take a few simple steps to make sure you stay in shape...
Obesity is a serious problem that is associated with a wide range of health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease and joint problems. Laparoscopic gastric sleeve gastrectomy can help individuals lose the extra weight, so they can manage their...
Between barbecues and trips to the beach, there are plenty of opportunities to get off track with healthy eating in the summer. However, it’s also the perfect season to focus on nutrition with plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables to choose from. Here are...
Losing weight is hard. In fact, for some people, it’s nearly impossible. But losing weight is far more than wanting to look good in a bathing suit– for many, it’s a matter of getting healthy and reducing their risks. While many patients undergo gastric...
Summer is coming up right around the corner. Soon the beautiful sunshine will be upon us meaning that there is a lot of fun activities to do like running, hiking, swimming, and going to the beach. This time can be difficult for some as...
Bariatric surgery can be life-changing. It can help you effectively lose weight and gain self-confidence, leading a more active, social lifestyle. However, you’ll have to be prepared ahead of your surgery date in order for it to be effective and the results to last...
Part of living a healthier lifestyle is finding an exercise routine that works for you. While going to the gym and working out is a basic form of exercise, this is not for everyone. If high-intensity cardio or lifting isn’t the type of exercise...
Surgery for weight loss, also known as bariatric surgery, can be beneficial to those who are suffering ill effects of excess weight. Figuring out which surgical option is best can be a process. We’ll look at one surgery that has given patients great weight...
Losing weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, most people have given up or lost sight of their goals by the time January is over. If you’re serious about achieving better health, there are tools...
So, you’ve finally made the decision to get a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Congratulations! You’re taking a big step toward a healthier life. But you, like many people, are probably worried about the surgery. You’re also probably worried about recovery after the surgery. This is...
Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions year after year. For those who struggle with obesity, the New Year can be a great time to focus on their health. Being significantly overweight can lead to very serious health concerns including...
There were about 228,000 bariatric, or weight loss, operations performed in the United States in 2017. It is an option for people who are overweight and simply can’t lose weight through diet or exercise. As with other types of surgery, there are myths associated...
The holidays are stressful enough without having to be mindful of your diet. A lot of people lose motivation during this time because they feel they cannot partake in holiday meals with their families, but this is simply not true. The trick is learning...
What in the world is bariatric surgery? Bariatric surgery, in a nutshell, is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce the size and change the functions of the stomach. The goal of bariatric surgery is to encourage the loss of weight. However, if you’re...
According to a survey conducted by the CDC in 2016-2017, 27.4% of women in the United States ages 18-44 had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher based on reported height and weight. Put simply, almost a third of U.S. women of...
It is important to stay active throughout the entire year, even when it starts to get colder. Many people lose their motivation during the winter months because it gets dark earlier, it’s cold, and it’s hard to leave the house once you are home....
A change of diet will help you in the long run after receiving bariatric surgery. Not only will it help you lose weight, but the diet can help to avoid any complications from the surgery. The post-bariatric diet is designed to allow your stomach...
Type 2 diabetes is a very serious disease that affects millions of people. It is a chronic disease that affects the way the body processes blood sugar, requiring a restricted diet and sometimes the use of insulin. One factor that contributes to the onset...
If you’ve been considering gastric sleeve surgery, there are a few details that you should keep in mind. During the surgery performed by Dr. Louis Balsama, your stomach will be reduced to limit the amount of food you can eat. There are usually a...
Some people have a weight loss surgery relapse several years after their initial surgery. A small percentage of people will benefit from another procedure that is known as a revision surgery. The purpose of a revision surgery is to help a person lose weight...
One of the biggest concerns for patients who get bariatric surgery is how to maintain the weight loss. Most bariatric surgeries such as a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass have an initial weight loss of 60-80%, but then after that patients need to find...
Many people who are overweight try hard to lose weight to live a healthier lifestyle and improve their confidence. They try many of the various diet plans out there, sometimes with little success. Bariatric surgery is an effective way to lose weight. Dr. Balsama...
Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure for patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight. If you’re considering undergoing bariatric surgery, or have already scheduled your procedure day, it’s time to start preparing for your recovery. The biggest changes you’ll have to...
With summer and beautiful weather approaching, it’s a great time to focus on your health. Getting outside and being active can be a little easier during the summer, so it’s important to make sure your eating habits are just as beneficial! Here are some...
After having a bariatric procedure, Dr. Balsama recommends remaining physically active to help you lose weight. As the weather improves during the spring, you can get outside more, so you should make sure to plan for some fun activities in your life. Take advantage...
It’s been established that being obese during pregnancy can come with some risks to your health and your child’s. But, did you know that some research has found that bariatric surgery is promising in reducing the risks of obesity-related birth complications? There are quite...
If you’ve resolved to establish healthy eating habits this year, then you might have found that it’s much more difficult than it seems. This is because habits can require a lot of time and dedication to form, so it’s important to make sure you’re...
Despite our best intentions and dietary plans, emotional eating can be one of the most difficult obstacles when it comes to maintaining healthy eating habits. This is because it can happen for many different reasons that are unique to each person. Emotional eating can...
Post-bariatric surgery can have lift-changing benefits to your body, health, and confidence. But life after surgery can be intimidating. So, to ensure long-lasting results, remember these tips during your recovery and life after surgery. Get walking After bariatric surgery, it’s important to get up...
The holidays are a tempting time to cheat on your diet! With socializing around food and drinks, it can be easy to make unhealthy choices and feel regretful later. With these tips, you can enjoy your holiday without feeling guilty about poor eating habits....
Now, more individuals are seeking weight loss treatments and bariatric surgery to help treat their obesity for a better quality of life. One of the most popular and most effective surgery options includes gastric bypass surgery. Keep reading to learn more about this procedure...
If you are considering surgical weight loss options, you may be wondering which procedure is right for you. The first step to answering this question is to do research on the many bariatric surgery options. One of these options is laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which...
Every year, South Jersey Magazine rounds up a list of the area’s top physicians and medical providers. Highlighting everyone from primary care doctors to surgical specialists, the list is a “who’s who” of the South Jersey medical community. This year’s list features 313...
Hi there! My name is Christine Arroliga and I’m a Bariatric Nurse. But you can just call me Chris. About twenty years ago, I was asked to help develop the bariatric program at a local hospital here in South Jersey. I said yes, of...
Those with weight concerns are often skeptical of weight loss surgery. In fact, of the 20 million US citizens eligible for bariatric procedures, less than 1 percent are expected to undergo surgery. Many Americans would rather take the more conventional route: a good, old...
Most people know that Dr. Balsama is a talented surgeon, having mastered the 3-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and being the first surgeon at Kennedy Hospital to complete an SILS Lap Band procedure. But did you know he’s also a gifted musician? Dr. Balsama...
In 2016, the University of Chicago surveyed 1,509 American adults. The study found that 95% of the participants had previously failed to lose weight using a combination of diet and exercise. 15% had tried more than 20 times. And yet, three quarters of the...
Last fall, the Balsama Buddies took to the runway for Kennedy Health’s “Fall Fashion Expo: Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories” at the Cherry Hill Mall. The event was a remarkable success. Dozens of friends of family gathered to watch their loved ones show off...
Dr. Balsama works tirelessly to provide patients with the best preoperative and postoperative care and surgical experiences. That is why he championed the 3-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the northeast. Unlike an open sleeve gastrectomy during which a surgeon makes a large incision, inserts...
“The secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” -Dan Mill At Dr. Balsama’s practice, self-improvement is at the heart of everything we do. Everyday, we dedicate ourselves to improving the health and...
When you choose Dr. Louis Balsama as your bariatric specialist, you become more than just a patient of an expert surgeon. You join a family of people who have stood exactly where you’re standing. They’ve all been through the fear before surgery, the drastic...
On June 4th, 2017, Balsama Buddies from all over New Jersey met at Washington Lake Park in Sewell to participate in the annual Kennedy Health Cancer Survivors 5K. More than just an opportunity to give back, the Kennedy 5K gave participants a chance to...
