Healthy Me in 2023 is the theme for East Georgia Regional Medical Center. What can you do to be a healthier you? Well, it starts with your weight. Dr. John Allen of Cedar Surgical at EGRMC shared his thoughts and knowledge about weight loss and becoming a healthier version of you.
Dr. Allen, who has been with Cedar Surgical at EGRMC for nearly three years is passionate about healthy weight loss. He stated, “the sooner you can get on top of your weight issue, the better.”
Based on information from EGRMC's website more than one-third of U.S. adults – nearly 40 percent – are obese, according to the CDC, and the percentage continues to climb. Obesity and being overweight are linked to several chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Right now, more clients in their 50s all the way down to mid-20s are being diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension. If a person is unable to get their weight down to the recommended BMI of less than 24.9% then Dr. Allen highly recommends bariatric weight loss surgery as an option to keep diabetes and hypertension from occurring.
How bariatric surgery works
Information provided by EGRMC explains how bariatric procedures enable patients who have been unable to lose weight using diet and exercise alone to lose a significant amount of weight and maintain that loss over the long term. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, says patients can generally expect to maintain weight loss equal to or greater than 50 percent of excess body weight if a physician’s guidelines are followed carefully.
The new requirements with Body Mass Index are 30 or higher with two comorbid diagnoses or 35 or higher with no problems. Dr. Allen said, “the average BMI of mid-40s to 50s is considered super morbidly obese.”
"BMI is not a perfect measure of health but is does give a pretty accurate starting point to use in determining how a person's health is."
Dr. John Allen
BMI Explained
According to the CDC, BMI does not measure fat directly, but BMI is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat. Furthermore, BMI appears to be as strongly correlated with various metabolic and disease outcomes as these are more direct measures of body fatness.”
"Body mass index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. BMI is an inexpensive and easy screening method for weight categories - underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity."
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC has a handy BMI calculator that you can use to get a predetermination of where your health is currently. If you are over 30 on the BMI chart, it will recommend contacting your physician to address the issue of weight and any underlying possible conditions. You can access the BMI calculator here: Adult BMI Calculator | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC
What are the health consequences of obesity for adults?
People who are obese are at an increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (dyslipidemia)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)
- Low quality of life
- Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
- Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning.
What is the best way to lose weight?
Dr. Allen says the best way to lose weight is portion control and counting calories. He said, “it doesn’t matter what you are eating, if you are keeping up with the number of calories. You can eat fried chicken and maintain or lose weight as long as you are managing your portions and calorie intake.”
Dr. Allen elaborated, “the average person might have a 2000 calorie diet and will be overweight. To lose weight you need to be between 1200 to 1400 calories per day.” He said, “this will vary depending on person and current situation, but this is a good number to shoot for. Exercise does help, but true weight loss is dependent on diet and portion control.”
"Don't live with being overweight for years and not be able to get control of it. If you are struggling to get your weight under control, please contact me."
Dr. John Allen
Take the next step to long-term weight loss
Bariatric weight loss surgery can be a very helpful tool in achieving long-term weight loss and improving the overall quality of your health. At East Georgia Regional Medical Center, their bariatric surgery program guides patients through the entire process.
Are you ready to learn more? Take the EGRMC Assessment: East Georgia Regional Medical Center - Bariatric Assessment (campaign form) - Formstack
Dr. Allen's credentials
John Allen, M.D., is a proud alumnus of Georgia Southern. He earned his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine in Savannah. He completed a residency in general surgery at Memorial Health University Medical Center, and he completed a fellowship in advanced GI/MIS/bariatric surgery at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.
His fellowship training consisted of complex abdominal wall reconstruction using advanced robotic techniques as well as complex bariatric training. Dr. Allen was named Outstanding Resident of the Year and awarded a Resident Teachers Fellowship.
In addition to general surgery, Dr. Allen specializes in bariatric surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction and surgical treatment for heartburn and reflux disease.
Dr. John Allen enjoys helping the community
In addition to being known in the community as a talented physician, Dr. John Allen is also known for combining his love for grilling with his huge heart for the Hearts and Hands Clinic in Statesboro.
Wearing his BBQ Pitmaster hat, Dr. Allen and PK Huling, Market President for Citizens Bank work together in hosting the annual Grillin’ for Healing BBQ cook-off fundraiser. Their very first one held in 2022 raised over $27,000 for the Hearts and Hands Clinic.
The duo are now very excited to host the 2nd Annual Grillin' for Healing, benefiting Statesboro's Hearts and Hands Clinic.
3 ways to be a part of this HOT fundraiser
Dr. Allen encourages the community to join him and PK in this fun competition for a wonderful cause. The three ways you can help are:
- Sponsorships
- Sign up your grilling team to compete
- Donations
Contact Dr. John Allen at [email protected] for more information or check out their Facebook page Grillin' for Healing 2023 to learn more. Grice Connect will have more information on this event soon.
CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity”. Accessed 2, Feb. 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html#trends
East Georgia Regional Medical Center. “Find a Healthy Weight”. Accessed 2, Feb. 2023. https://www.findahealthyweight.com/east-georgia/weightloss/?utm_campaign=BRAN-EGMC-0016-OCT22Newsletter&utm_source=chs-web&utm_medium=chs-fb-post-newsletter
