Blog Archive

Diet Tips to Help Keep Your Blood Glucose Stable Nov 1st, 2023

Living with diabetes requires diligence in meal planning and eating habits. In fact, many people with Type 2 diabetes are able to manage their blood sugar (glucose) levels by following a strict diet that prevents glucose spikes. At OakBend Medical Group, we offer weight loss surgery to help people with...

How Untreated Sleep Apnea Affects Your Cardiovascular System Oct 2nd, 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition that disrupts the quality of sleep you get. For the estimated 30 million Americans with sleep apnea, there is also a greater risk for developing other complications, including those that affect your cardiovascular health. At OakBend Medical Group, our experienced bariatric surgeons...

When Should I Consider Surgery for Chronic Acid Reflux? Sep 1st, 2023

Many people experience heartburn from occasional acid reflux after eating a heavy meal or acidic foods. But when your symptoms become chronic, it may be time to consider surgery. At OakBend Medical Group, our experienced surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to address the root cause of chronic acid reflux. Bariatric...

Weight Loss Can Help You Reverse Prediabetes: Here's How Jul 20th, 2023

An estimated one in three Americans live with prediabetes, a condition that makes them more susceptible to Type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, many aren’t aware they have prediabetes and have no idea that weight loss can prevent it from worsening. At OakBend Medical Group, our highly skilled bariatric surgeons Steven M....

How Do I Choose the Right Surgical Weight Loss Technique? Jul 1st, 2023

Weight loss surgery may be the treatment you need when you have an excessive amount of fat to lose to reach an ideal body weight but can’t achieve this through diet and exercise. You may also benefit from the weight loss services at OakBend Medical Group when your weight puts...

Ways Diabetes Impacts Your Health Without You Realizing It Jun 1st, 2023

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the lives of about 1 in 10 Americans. When left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to a wide range of problems that disrupt your physical and mental health. At OakBend Medical Group, our skilled bariatric surgeon Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS specializes in weight loss procedures to transform your...

Chronic Fatigue? Gastric Sleeve May Be the Answer May 1st, 2023

Your weight plays a role in all aspects of your health, including your energy levels. If you’re struggling to manage chronic fatigue but aren’t able to lose weight on your own, you might be a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery. At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeons Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven...

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Acid Reflux Apr 1st, 2023

According to a study done by Cedars-Sinai, about one-third of Americans experience acid reflux symptoms every week, even when they take preventive medicines. If acid reflux continues, it can lead to serious consequences that affect many aspects of your health. At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeon Christopher Reilly, MD,...

How to Get to a Healthy Weight So You Can Get Gastric Sleeve Mar 1st, 2023

There are requirements you must meet in order to qualify for bariatric surgery. If you’re hoping to undergo gastric sleeve surgery to lose weight, it’s important that you meet these requirements to lower your risk for complications that surgery can cause. At OakBend Medical Group, our weight loss surgery experts Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven...

Why Sleep Makes a Difference in Weight Control Feb 1st, 2023

Managing your weight can be difficult, especially if there are underlying factors at play like poor quality sleep. At OakBend Medical Group, our medical team specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea, a common disorder that affects your quality of sleep. Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna...

When to Consider a Gastric Sleeve to Manage Hypertension Jan 1st, 2023

Your weight plays a role in all aspects of your health and can be a contributing factor to many chronic health conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure). At OakBend Medical Group, we specialize in bariatric surgeries like gastric sleeve to help you lose weight quickly and safely. Our surgeons, Geena...

5 Weight Loss-Friendly Ways to Improve Your Health in the New Year Dec 1st, 2022

If your focus for the new year is on your physical fitness, there are things you can start doing now to lose weight and enhance your wellness. At OakBend Medical Group, our skilled bariatric surgeons Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano, MD, have extensive experience helping people achieve...

Meal Prep Ideas to Make the Most of Your Gastric Sleeve Nov 1st, 2022

Knowing how to plan your meals after bariatric surgery is a vital part of successful weight loss. At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeons, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano, MD, offer aftercare services to support your weight loss journey. We can help meal planning make sense for you,...

Serious Health Consequences that Are Linked to Diabetes Oct 4th, 2022

Diabetes is itself a potentially life-threatening condition. Having diabetes also puts you at risk for other long-term health complications and the risk for premature death. Because obesity can be a contributing factor to diabetes and its complications, our bariatric specialists Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and...

Help! My Spouse Belches All the Time Sep 1st, 2022

Learning to live with the quirks of a life mate can sometimes be difficult. But if your spouse has an awful habit of belching all the time, it’s important to know that something more serious may be going on with their health. At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeons, Christopher Reilly,...

Sleep Apnea Waking You Up at Night? Aug 1st, 2022

A major warning sign of sleep apnea is waking up gasping for breath during the night. Not only can this be a frightening experience, but sleep loss on a regular basis can also interfere with your health. At OakBend Medical Group, our experienced bariatric surgeons, Steven M. Thomas, MD, Christopher Reilly, MD, FASC, and Genna Lubrano,...

Will a Hernia Heal on its Own? Jul 1st, 2022

Over one million people undergo hernia surgery every year in the United States. If you have a hernia, it’s likely that you’ll need surgery, too. At OakBend Medical Group, our experienced surgeons Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano, MD, specialize in laparoscopic surgery to repair a hernia and relieve your...

Try These Tips to Prevent Acid Reflux Jun 1st, 2022

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, 60 million Americans experience acid reflux symptoms at least once a month. If you’re looking for relief of acid reflux but aren’t sure where to start, you can find help at OakBend Medical Group. Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano, MD,...

3 Types of Weight Loss Surgeries to Consider May 1st, 2022

Weight loss surgery is typically a last-resort treatment option for those whose health is compromised by obesity-related diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. At OakBend Medical Group, we offer several types of bariatric surgeries for people who aren’t able to successfully lose weight through diet and lifestyle changes....

What’s the Best Diet for Me? Apr 1st, 2022

Choosing the best diet plan for you is no easy task. In fact, many people are so overwhelmed by which diet is right for them, they give up exploring their options too early. Others may opt for the diet plan that guarantees the ‘fastest’ results without doing enough research. Our...

Lifestyle Tips for Living with Diabetes Mar 6th, 2022

An estimated 34.2 million Americans have diabetes, a chronic condition that affects how you process sugar from your diet. Without proactive management of diabetes, this condition can cause serious health complications, including permanent nerve damage and blindness. At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeons Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven. Thomas,...

Are Lap-Band Results Permanent? Feb 6th, 2022

To support your weight loss goals, you may be considering Lap-Band® surgery and have questions about what to expect in the long-term. At OakBend Medical Group, our team of bariatric surgeons offer Lap-Band surgeries to help you lose excess weight and keep it off for good. Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS,...

Orbera Intragastric Balloon: How Does It Work? Jan 4th, 2022

If you need to lose a significant amount of weight to protect yourself from sleep apnea, diabetes, or other obesity-related chronic disease, you may be a candidate for the Orbera® Intragastric Balloon. At OakBend Medical Group, bariatric surgeons Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano,...

The Importance of Emotional Support After Weight Loss Surgery Dec 7th, 2021

If you’re planning to have bariatric surgery for weight loss, it’s important that you line up both physical and emotional support before your procedure. While a highly effective way to lose weight, bariatric surgery does come with challenges you need to prepare for, so you have what you need during...

All About the Gastric Sleeve Nov 7th, 2021

Gastric sleeve is a type of weight loss surgery that effectively helps you lose weight. While this type of bariatric surgery isn’t right for everyone, those who qualify for a gastric sleeve can achieve significant weight loss in a relatively short period of time. At OakBend Medical Group, skilled bariatric...

Demystifying Hiatal Hernia Repair and Nissen Fundoplication Surgery Oct 5th, 2021

If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a hiatal hernia, you may need surgery to treat your condition. While surgery won’t be the first step in your treatment plan, you may become a candidate for surgery if medications and other medical interventions aren’t working. At OakBend Medical Group, bariatric...

How Acid Reflux Surgery Remedies Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Sep 7th, 2021

An estimated 20% of Americans have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition that can lead to complications like damage to the esophagus, esophageal narrowing, and cancer. At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeons Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven Thomas, MD, and Genna Lubrano, MD, offer different types of surgeries...

Sleep Apnea Increases Your Risk for These Six Conditions Aug 22nd, 2021

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that prevents nearly 22 million Americans from getting the high-quality sleep they need to function. This disorder can also contribute to a host of health conditions that can affect your physical and mental health. At OakBend Medical Group, we specialize in bariatric surgery to...

I’m Struggling to Lose Weight Jul 8th, 2021

Weight loss is a $71 billion industry in the United States, with many people trying a wide range of pills and potions to finally achieve the weight loss results they want. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to weight loss – but the basics for losing weight remain the same. A...

Understanding Diabetic Neuropathy Jun 8th, 2021

Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that affects as many as 50% of people with diabetes. To reduce your risk for both diabetes and its side effects, OakBend Medical Group offers resources to help you lose weight, including different types of bariatric surgery. An overview of diabetes Diabetes is a chronic...

Are 1 of These 5 Things Causing Your Acid Reflux? May 10th, 2021

Acid reflux is an uncomfortable and even painful condition that can affect the long-term health of your upper gastrointestinal system. The bariatric surgeons at OakBend Medical Group offer weight loss surgery solutions for people who have chronic acid reflux due to obesity. This condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease...

Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Hypertension Apr 12th, 2021

If you’re one of the 108 million people in the United States who has hypertension, it might be related to your weight. If you’re overweight or obese and can’t effectively control your blood pressure, now might be the time to consider weight loss surgery. OakBend Medical Group offers comprehensive weight...

Complications of Sleep Apnea Mar 8th, 2021

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that many people don’t know they have. That is until their loved ones start complaining about the chronic, loud snoring keeping them awake at night. At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, specializes in several types of weight loss...

Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery Feb 9th, 2021

Gastric sleeve surgery might be the solution you need to achieve needed weight loss when diets and exercise aren’t doing enough. At OakBend Medical Group, experienced bariatric surgeons, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano, MD, offer surgical consultations to determine if you’re a candidate...

Immediate Health Benefits After Losing Your First 10 Pounds Jan 1st, 2021

Your weight loss after bariatric surgery will initially be rapid and noticeable. As you adjust to your new lifestyle and diet to achieve your weight loss goals, you’ll likely experience a boost of self-confidence and enjoy your ever-evolving changes in your appearance. What you may not realize about your weight...

Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes Dec 1st, 2020

If you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, weight loss can have a significant impact on your ability to control the disease. At West Houston Surgical Associates, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, offers several types of bariatric surgeries to help you lose weight when you can’t lose it on your own. Dr....

How to Maintain Your Weight Loss Surgery Results During the Holidays Nov 9th, 2020

After you’ve recovered from your bariatric surgery and learned how to improve your diet for continued weight loss success, along comes the holidays. Experienced weight loss surgeon Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, knows how the pressure of holiday gatherings and family feasts can get to you. Dr. Reilly not only provides...

Can Gastric Sleeve Surgery Improve Your Energy? Oct 7th, 2020

Gastric sleeve surgery is an effective way to safely lose a significant amount of weight. As a skilled bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, can recommend you for and perform gastric sleeve surgery to improve your general health. Additionally, this type of weight loss surgery offers many more benefits than...

When Does Your Acid Reflux Need Medical Attention? Sep 17th, 2020

If you’re one of the millions of people in the United States that suffer from acid reflux, it’s important that you don’t ignore your condition. Without treatment, chronic acid reflux can lead to permanent damage in your gastrointestinal system. At West Houston Bariatrics, experienced bariatric surgeon Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS,...

The Many Benefits of a Gastric Balloon for Weight Loss Aug 21st, 2020

A gastric balloon procedure is a non-surgical alternative to traditional weight loss surgery. As a skilled bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, uses the gastric balloon procedure to help you lose weight safely and effectively. Dr. Reilly offers comprehensive weight loss consultations at West Houston Surgical Associates to determine if...

How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea? Jul 29th, 2020

Are your friends any family constantly complaining about your snoring? Well this may be the first indication that you have sleep apnea. Many people living with sleep apnea don’t even know they suffer from the condition because it usually takes someone else to notice the telltale symptoms while the person...

How Weight Loss Decreases Complications of Diabetes Jun 22nd, 2020

Being overweight or obese has long been known as a contributing factor to type 2 diabetes. As a bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, has treated many patients who struggled to lose weight, keep their diabetes under control, and live a higher quality of life. At West Houston Surgical Associates,...

8 Symptoms of Acid Reflux May 6th, 2020

As many as 20% of people in the United States have chronic symptoms of acid reflux, and many more may be living with the condition without a proper diagnosis. At West Houston Surgical Associates, experienced bariatric surgeon Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, has extensive experience in treating people with acid reflux. He offers surgical...

Is Gastric Banding Surgery Safe? Apr 16th, 2020

Gastric banding is an effective type of bariatric surgery for weight loss. The goal of gastric banding is to help those who are severely obese and unable to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise. Experienced bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, offers the popular laparoscopic gastric Lap...

How Surgery Can Fix Tough to Treat Acid Reflux Mar 9th, 2020

When you have chronic acid reflux, you know how uncomfortable you feel, especially after eating and when lying down. If you’re overweight and over-the-counter medications are no longer providing relief, it may be the right time to consider the benefits of bariatric surgery. At West Houston Surgical Associates, the bariatric surgery experts...

The Difference Between Gastric Bypass and Gastric Banding Feb 21st, 2020

When you’re interested in bariatric surgery to help you achieve a healthy weight, you need to consider the many options now available in Houston, TX. As an experienced bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS performs several types of the most popular bariatric surgeries, including gastric bypass and gastric banding. To...

Dietary Changes You'll Need After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Jan 21st, 2020

Gastric sleeve surgery is a specialty of skilled bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS. This type of procedure is highly effective for weight loss and works by decreasing the size of your stomach to help you feel fuller faster after eating. Dr. Reilly’s expertise in gastric sleeve surgery not only...

It’s Not Just Snoring: The Dangers of Sleep Apnea Dec 1st, 2019

If your family and friends are constantly complaining about your loud snoring, don’t ignore them. Snoring is often the first indication you have an underlying sleep disorder, known as sleep apnea. At West Houston Surgical Associates, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, specializes in diagnosing sleep apnea and can provide guidance for...

How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Reduces Chronic Pain Nov 1st, 2019

If you’re limited in what you can do because of obesity and chronic pain, you may be an ideal candidate for gastric sleeve surgery. As an expert in gastric sleeve surgery, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, can help you find relief from your chronic pain and improve your overall quality of...

Losing Weight Lowers Your Risk for These Chronic Conditions Oct 1st, 2019

While many people aim to lose weight to look better, there are numerous health benefits that also go along with shedding extra pounds. Experienced bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, understands the struggle to lose weight in a safe and healthy way. He offers a number of surgical options and...

Lifestyle Changes to Ensure Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery Is Successful Sep 1st, 2019

Is gastric sleeve surgery in your future, or have you recently had the procedure done? One of the many myths about bariatric surgery is that you can continue an unhealthy lifestyle after the process without gaining weight.   At West Houston Surgical Associates in Houston, Texas, Dr. Christopher Reilly believes in...

The Link Between Obesity and Diabetes Aug 1st, 2019

Medical experts often speak about the link between obesity and diabetes. It’s not just an unjustified bias against people who are overweight, either. The health concerns related to obesity are numerous, the most significant of which may be the link with developing diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control...

Not Just for Weight Loss: The Gastric Sleeve Can Improve These Health Issues Too Jul 1st, 2019

If you’re significantly overweight and can’t seem to lose the excess pounds, no matter how hard you try, you may be a good candidate for the gastric sleeve. Dr. Reilly removes roughly nine-tenths of your stomach during the procedure and forms a smaller pouch (the “sleeve”) with what remains. As...

Help Your Type 2 Diabetes Through Weight Loss Surgery Jun 1st, 2019

As the obesity rate rises in America, so does the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes. And the No. 1 risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes is obesity. Doctors even estimate that the primary cause of 9 out of 10 Type 2 diabetes cases is extra weight. Left untreated, diabetes...

Simple Lifestyle Modifications That Can Relieve Discomfort Caused by GERD May 3rd, 2019

Life with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) certainly has its challenges as persistent heartburn, along with other symptoms like regurgitation, plague your waking — and sleeping — hours. At West Houston Surgical Associates, under the experienced guidance of Dr. Christopher Reilly, we specialize in gastrointestinal problems, helping our patients in the...

Does Weight Affect Sleep Apnea? Apr 3rd, 2019

There’s no doubt that being overweight contributes to sleep apnea. Obese patients have nearly double the risk for developing sleep apnea compared to patients with a healthy weight.  And if you gain weight after being diagnosed with sleep apnea, chances are six times higher that your apnea will worsen. At...

How Gastric Banding (aka Lap-Bands) Works Mar 1st, 2019

Gastric banding is a minimally invasive, quick, and reversible bariatric surgery. The process decreases the size of your stomach so you can only tolerate small portions, eat less, and lose weight. During the procedure, your surgeon places an inflatable band around the top portion of your stomach. Many people successfully...

9 Tips to Prepare for Gastric Sleeve Surgery Feb 1st, 2019

You’re done struggling with your weight and you’ve decided gastric sleeve surgery is the best choice for you. Here at West Houston Surgical Associates, we couldn’t be more excited for you and we’re looking forward to helping you change your life. Gastric sleeve surgery removes about 90% of your stomach,...

The Gastric Balloon: Fad or Game-Changer? Jan 14th, 2019

If you’re obese, and adjusting your diet and exercise habits haven’t been effective for weight loss, you have good reason to consider a procedure to help you lose weight. More than one-third of Americans have a body mass index of 30 or more, putting them at risk for a host...

How Gastric Bypass Can Cure Type 2 Diabetes Dec 11th, 2018

More than 30 million American adults are living with Type 2 diabetes, and more than 90% are overweight or obese. Not only is carrying excess weight a major risk factor for diabetes, but it can also make it more difficult to control your blood sugar if you already have the...