Posted - November 7, 2024

Understanding BMI and How it Determines Obesity Treatment Options

BMI serves as a valuable tool for categorizing weight status and guiding initial treatment decisions, but it is not the only factor in obesity management. Medications are typically suitable for individuals with a BMI of 27 - 35, but the individual’s weight loss goal needs to be considered. Surgery is generally reserved for those with a BMI of 35 or higher and serious health issues, or for individuals with a BMI of 40 or more. Each treatment plan must be personalized, factoring in the patient’s health status, previous efforts to lose weight, and their readiness for potential lifelong changes. Learn More
Posted - October 9, 2024

How Brandy Got Her Life Back

After watching her mother die at just 52 years old (she weighed over 600 pounds), Brandy could see she was headed for the exact same fate, “I was following the same path, with a heart doctor telling me I wouldn’t live past my 40s if I didn’t take drastic action. I had lost mobility, was on the brink of being bedridden and suffered from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, neuropathy, and heart problems.” For Brandy, the choice was clear - lose weight or die. She decided that her only hope was weight loss surgery. Learn More
Posted - July 5, 2024

DOs and DONTs of Eating Out After Weight Loss Surgery

Food. It’s necessary for your survival, but if you’ve battled obesity, the thought of food can trigger all kinds of thoughts, reactions and emotions. For post-weight loss-surgery patients, food can no longer be used as a way to deal with stress or emotions, instead, it requires a disciplined and intentional approach to ensure you’re consuming the right amounts of the right kind of food. This is most easily accomplished through cooking your own meals, but let’s be real - it’s nice to take a break and let someone else do the cooking every now and then! Let’s take a look at how to successfully navigate the times when you aren’t eating at home. Eating out at restaurants after weight loss surgery requires careful planning and mindful choices to ensure you adhere to your dietary guidelines and maintain your weight loss progress. Here are some tips for successful dining out post-surgery: Learn More
Posted - June 5, 2024

BMI Over 40? The Duodenal Switch is Your Best Option.

Knowing which weight loss option is right for you can be confusing, overwhelming and even a little scary. A quick Google search will provide you with a nearly unlimited list of the “best” ways to lose weight. But for those who continue to struggle and continue to put on pounds, there ARE options that can give you real results that last a lifetime. One of those is the duodenal switch. The duodenal switch typically results in greater weight loss compared to other bariatric procedures like gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Patients can lose up to 70-80% of their excess weight within two years post-surgery. Learn More
Posted - March 11, 2024

Worth the Fight

Faced with the harsh reality of either making changes or living a life of declining health, Alecia decided to fight. As she puts it “I have two young kids that I need to be here for.” So what did she do? The first thing she did was contact her insurance company to see what options she had, “They had this program and I wanted the top doctor in North Texas. The doctor that came up was Dr. Ayoola." Learn More
Posted - January 4, 2024

Getting Back to Her Best

Active and athletic. That’s how Mandy Crowell describes herself. She also remembers growing up in a house where both parents worked and most of the meals were quick, easy and not all that nutritious. But it was the 80’s and “clean eating” just meant you used a napkin to wipe your mouth! So she never really learned good eating habits, but it didn’t really matter because she was young and busy playing sports. Learn More
Posted - November 6, 2023

What is the Duodenal Switch? Is it Right for Me?

The biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) is a well-established weight-loss surgical procedure that provides excellent weight loss and long-term resolution of health conditions associated with obesity. This operation is usually, but not always, reserved for the extremely obese (with a BMI of greater than 50) because this surgery tends to result in more significant weight loss compared to other weight loss procedures. Learn More
Posted - October 3, 2023

Weight Loss Surgery – What Are My Options?

Each type of bariatric surgery has its own benefits and potential risks. It's important for individuals considering bariatric surgery to work closely with a medical team, including a surgeon, dietitian, and other healthcare professionals, to determine the most appropriate option based on their individual needs and health status. Learn More
Posted - September 7, 2023

Ever Heard of Diabesity? Here’s What You Should Know…

It's important to note that while weight loss can greatly improve the management of type 2 diabetes, it might not be a cure for everyone. Genetics, underlying metabolic factors, and the duration of diabetes can influence the extent to which weight loss can reverse the condition. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and a balanced diet, is crucial for long-term diabetes management and overall well-being. If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and are overweight, our weight loss solutions may offer you a path to a new, healthier life free from obesity and diabetes. Learn More
Posted - August 4, 2023

A Life Changing Moment

For Shelby, it goes back to the year 2020 and the coronavirus. Her husband, Kris, who was also overweight then, got COVID in December and wound up in the hospital ER for four days! At one point, they weren’t sure if he would pull through. Fortunately, he did. But then on Father’s Day, Kris started experiencing what he thought was a heart attack. Thankfully, it turned out to be esophageal spasms. After follow-up visits with a cardiologist, Kris was told that if he didn’t lose weight, it would kill him. That was the turning point for Shelby, and one that strengthened their resolve to finally win the battle with obesity. Learn More

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ATTENTION patients of Dr. Al-Kalla

Dr. Al-Kalla will be leaving Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas at the end of July. If you would like continue as his patient, please let us know and we can assist in getting your medical records transferred.

You may also choose to stay with Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas and we’ll gladly transfer your care to another provider on staff.

Thank you.