Bariatric Surgery in Los Angeles, California
Dr. Carson Liu, Super Doctor of Los Angeles, will be in Dubai in May 20-24, 2012
May 15th, 2012
We are offering lap bands, Imbrication with Band (I + Band), and Sleeve Gastrectomy for prospective patients in Dubai.
The office address is:
Abu Bakr Al Siddique Rd, Century 21st Building
Mezzanine Floor, PO Box 42324, Dubai – UAE
Click here for the map
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How to be active for health
May 14th, 2012
You have probably heard by now that physical activity is good for you. Well, the news in favor of regular physical activity keeps coming in! The new 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
state that an active lifestyle can lower your risk of early death from a variety of causes. There is strong evidence that regular physical activity can also lower your risk of:
Regular activity can help prevent unhealthy weight gain and also help with weight loss, when combined with lower calorie intake. It can also improve your cardiorespiratory (heart, lungs, and blood vessels) and muscular fitness. For older adults, activity can improve mental function. Physical activity may also help:
- Improve functional health for older adults
- Reduce waistline size
- Lower risk of hip fracture
- Lower risk of lung cancer
- Lower risk of endometrial cancer
- Maintain weight after weight loss
- Increase bone density
- Improve sleep quality
Yet with all the benefits of being physically active, maybe you haven’t quite gotten around to setting up a regular routine. If you are having trouble getting started, this section is for you. Here you will find information about the types of activity you need to do, as well as how much you need to do. You will also find tips for all types of women. Activity is important for everyone!
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May 11th, 2012

Find out which healthy-sounding foods aren’t actually good for your health.
Many foods sound healthier than they really are. You can avoid being fooled by health halos if you know what to look for. Click here for some of the worst offenders for “healthy” foods that really aren’t.
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National Women’s Health Week is May 13-19, 2012
May 9th, 2012
Get your move on!
You’re being pulled in a million directions, juggling all the things that make up your life. And maybe you think there’s no place for physical activity in the mix. You know you should be active but something always seems to get in the way. Things like you don’t have time. Or a gym membership just isn’t in the budget. The fact is, you don’t have to spend all day working out to enjoy health benefits. And you can get a great workout without a gym. But what you can’t do is skip it. Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity (or a combination of both) each week is critical to being healthy.
So get moving with a combination of activities: Strength training builds muscle and endurance. Try push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, lunges, lifting weights or using resistance bands. Core work like abdominal crunches, planks and Pilates will help build a strong center and support your spine and back. Stretching can improve flexibility and increase your range of motion. Keep stretches gentle and don’t bounce. Aerobic activities will help you burn calories. Try walking, biking, dancing – anything that gets your heart pumping.
If time is tight, add physical activity to your day by stretching in the morning, sneaking in several 10-minute walks during the day, taking the stairs, or using hand weights while you’re on the phone. If your budget is holding you back, take a walk, ride your bike or visit a local park for a free workout. Many parks have walking, jogging or biking trails and fitness paths for core and strength workouts. Some even have tennis courts or other activities. Or make a home gym with just a few simple pieces of equipment, many of which you can find at yard sales or second-hand stores. Look for work-out DVDs at the library or watch programs on TV or the web. Think about inviting a friend to “join” your gym and share equipment to cut costs and up the fun.
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ASMBS BARIATRIC SURGERY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE® PROGRAM
January 26th, 2012

Truly excellent patient care is the result of both the individual surgeon and the facility at which the surgery is performed. The BSCOE designation is therefore awarded to both the surgeon and facility, which enables patients to distinguish specific providers who have met the requirements for delivering high-quality perioperative and long-term follow-up care from those who do not. Additionally, the ASMBS BSCOE program recognizes only one level of excellence, which differs significantly from other COE programs.
We are proud to announce on behalf of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) that our program has earned the BSCOE Designation.
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Dr. Liu quoted on Livestrong.com
May 19th, 2011
Weight Loss & Birth Control Pills
Overview
The connection between birth control pills and weight loss sparks a contentious debate in the medical community. On one side are doctors backed by years of research that says that combination pills don’t affect your weight, and on the other side are legions of birth control pill users who attribute their unwanted pounds to the pills after reading that weight gain is a possible side effect. The truth is that they’re both right, and that a simple pill switch may help you shed the extra weight.
Combination Pills
Bariatric surgeon Dr. Carson Liu says that combination pills may lead to weight gain due to the actions of the individual hormones. “Estrogen can cause retention of salt and water, while Progesterone can make you very, very hungry,” he notes. Both factors can quickly lead to unwanted weight. University of Texas Medical Branch’s Associated Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Tristi Muir disagrees, however, citing research that showed no link between weight gain and oral contraceptive pills. She says, “The fact is that as women age, they gain weight. A study in Sweden found no difference in weight gain over time between those that took OCPs and those that did not. On average, people in both groups gained approximately one pound per year.” So the bottom line is that your weight gain may not be the fault of your pill, but switching may help you and isn’t likely to hurt you.
Single-Hormone Methods
If you are convinced that your combination pills are contributing to weight gain or keeping you from losing weight, switching to a single hormone may help. Dr. Muir recommends steering clear of progesterone-only injections or implants, because they have been shown to lead to a decrease of lean mass, which can lead to weight gain. Dr Liu agrees, noting that a low-dose estrogen only pill may be a better option — although it may still affect your weight, it may be more manageable than the combination pill.
Alternative Birth Control
If the prospect of battling a pill over your weight seems exhausting, talk to your doctor about switching to a non-hormonal form of birth control. Dr. Muir recommends condoms, diaphragms and IUDs for temporary measures, or you might consider more permanent methods like vasectomy or tubal ligation if you are not planning to have children. These options will leave your weight unaffected, and will not interfere in your weight loss.
Lose the Weight
If you choose to remain on birth control pills, Dr. Liu recommends you “be careful with the amount of salt and starches [you] intake, cut out sweets, and maintain healthy eating habits.” Both doctors feel that healthy food choices are the key to the equation, especially if you have an increased appetite. Daily exercise is important because the calorie burn can help mitigate some of the calories you take in throughout the day. Both doctors also agree that ultimately, every woman reacts differently to hormones. If you cannot lose weight despite a healthy diet and frequent exercise, consult your doctor about changing your birth control.
Read the full article here
Tags: weight loss
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Last Minute Reminders Prior to Weight Loss Surgery
May 9th, 2011
Are you scheduled for your weight loss surgery? When the big day arrives, you might feel somewhat anxious. Preparing ahead of time will help to ease your mind.
One decision you must make is who will drive you to the hospital for your procedure, and home again when your hospital stay is completed. A neighbor, family member or trusted friend are possible choices. Makes driving arrangements well in advance, so there is no doubt when the time arrives. Bring a soft pillow to cushion your abdomen while riding home in the car. When you arrive home, someone should be available to help you get settled in and ensure you are comfortable.
Prior to the day of your surgery, follow all of your Dr. Liu’s instructions exactly. Do not eat or drink after midnight the day before your surgery. When it is time to leave for the hospital, wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing that does not bind or pinch at the waist. Slip on shoes or hard-soled slippers are a welcome addition.
Pack a bag ahead of time with comfortable sleepwear, slippers as mentioned, and perhaps a robe to help you feel more at home. Your own toiletries will make your hospital stay more enjoyable. That novel you’ve been anxious to read, favorite music, or current magazines will help to pass the time.
Be sure to take all pain medication prior to leaving home as instructed by Dr. Liu, and bring your pain medication with you, along with a complete list of all other current medications. If you found time to fill your prescriptions prior to your hospital visit, bring a two-day supply to maintain regular dosages during your hospital stay.
Another important reminder – place your health insurance information, living will, medical directive, and other key documents in an envelope and pack these in your bag as well.
If you are scheduled for weight loss surgery, please contact Dr. Liu’s Los Angeles, California weight loss surgery practice to ask questions about last minute reminders.
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Working With Your LAP-BAND® Surgeon
April 22nd, 2011
For thousands of people suffering from obesity, LAP-BAND® weight loss surgery has proven to be a satisfying, long term weight loss option. Before you can make plans to have surgery, however, it is vital to consult with a qualified weight loss surgeon who can perform a comprehensive evaluation, answer your questions, and guide you in choosing the best weight loss option. In Los Angeles, California, that surgeon is Dr. Carson Liu.
Dr. Liu is board certified in General Surgery and offers advanced laparoscopic skills and experience. Having completed more than 2600 bariatric surgeries, Dr. Liu has the comprehensive training to expertly guide patient selection, surgical options, peri-operative care, and long-term patient management. Dr. Liu’s extensive research has led to being widely published in the fields of bariatric and gastrointestinal surgery. As a nationally recognized bariatric surgeon, Dr. Liu lectures extensively to professional societies.
When you meet with Dr. Liu during your initial bariatric surgery consultation, he looks forward to answering your questions, including:
- What is your experience with weight loss surgeries?
- How may gastric bypass procedures have you successfully completed?
- How may gastric banding procedures have you successfully completed?
- Can you explain to me how the device works?
- What is the average weight loss I can expect to achieve?
- Will this procedure improve my obesity-related health conditions?
- What risks and complications should I be aware of?
- Does this procedure require a hospital stay?
Choosing the right weight loss surgeon is a very important consideration. Take your time, and listen carefully to Dr Liu’s responses to determine if weight loss surgery is right for you. Only when you and Dr. Liu work together can you be assured of the very best outcome.
In Los Angeles, California, please contact Dr. Carson Liu to schedule your weight loss consultation.
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SPIDER Surgical System
March 28th, 2011
Traditional laparoscopic surgical technique requires several incisions to be made. This is not what many potential bariatric patients want to hear. After all, many bariatric patients want to lose weight to regain health and self-confidence, but don’t want several incision scars to have to explain. While these small scars may be part of the package, Dr. Liu understands that they can bother his patients. Not only are there scars, but the incisions take time to heal.
In an effort to reduce the number of incisions that you need during bariatric surgery, Dr. Liu has added the SPIDER® Surgical System to his state-of-the-art-technology he uses in his Los Angeles, California bariatric surgery practice. The SPIDER Surgical System works differently than traditional laparoscopic surgical tools. During your surgery:
- The SPIDER is inserted through an incision in your navel
- It expands like an umbrella and has a variety of bariatric tools for Dr. Liu to use, as well as a camera so that Dr. Liu can see what he’s doing
- Once your laparoscopic procedure is completed, the system is closed and removed through your navel
The only scar is the incision in the navel, which is difficult to see. It is also only one incision, so you will heal much faster than if you needed several.
For more information on how you may benefit from the SPIDER® Surgical System during your bariatric surgery, please contact Los Angeles, California area bariatric surgeon Dr. Carson Liu for an initial consultation.
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Dr. Liu quoted in Hollywood Life
March 17th, 2011
Los Angeles weight loss surgeon Dr. Carson Liu was quoted in Hollywood Life discussing Leann Rimes and how skinny is too skinny. If you live in the Los Angeles area and would like to talk with a weight loss surgeon, contact Dr. Carson Liu today.
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