West Hills Hospital & Medical Center

Are You Tired of Diets that Don't Work?

Make a Change for Your Health this New Year by Deciding If Bariatric Surgery Is Right for You

If obesity is a problem for you that has led to health issues such as type-II diabetes and poor heart health, you may be considering weight loss surgery to help you get healthier. Bariatric surgery is not right for everyone, but it has made an impact for many people living with severe obesity. Here is a look at some questions to ask yourself as you get serious about weight loss and start thinking about surgical weight loss.

Have I tried other weight loss methods?

When you start to discuss weight loss surgery with your physician, he or she will ask what strategies you have used to try and lose weight in the past and why they were unsuccessful. You might make a log of the diets and programs you have used so it is easier to review them with your doctor. Because there are risks involved in surgery that would not be present with other weight loss techniques, your doctor will want to make sure that more conservative solutions are not options for you.

Am I ready for a lifelong change?

A common misconception about bariatric surgery is that it is a quick fix or temporary change that will yield weight loss. However, surgery is only the first step in a lifetime of positive changes, so you should be ready to make the commitment to better health for years to come.

How much weight do I need to lose?

Weight loss surgery is usually only an option if you have a BMI of 40 or higher, which would put you in the range of morbid obesity. In some cases, patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 will be considered for surgery, but this only occurs when serious health issues are a factor.

To learn more about the details of surgery and take the next steps in planning your procedure, attend a Weight Loss Surgery Support Group at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center. Sign up to reserve a spot in the next meeting by calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (818) 676-4321 or heading to our website.

Why Women Need to Be Aware of Their Heart Health

For decades, women have not been getting the heart health care they need, because it was not widely known that women are just as much at risk as men.

This Go Red for Women video from the American Heart Association dispels the myths about women and heart disease and explains why women should seek healthcare providers who are aware of the risk that heart disease poses for females.

To get a closer look at your own heart health and make steps toward a better future for your heart, visit West Hills Hospital & Medical Center. Contact us online or call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (818) 676-4321.

Resolve to Get in Shape at Any Stage of Life This Year with West Hills Hospital

It is never too early or too late to start taking more control of your health, and one of the best ways to get in better health is with physical activity. If you need a little push to get up and get moving or you want to be sure that you are using the right kinds of activity for your fitness level, West Hills Hospital can help you. Our Center for Fitness and Rehabilitation offers programs for people of all ages and medical backgrounds, so there is no excuse not to get fit this New Year. Here are some general guidelines to follow as you progress through a fitness program with us.

Start small

You might not be able to step out of the front door and run a mile today, but you can probably run to the end of your street or take a light jog around the block. Start with whatever is comfortable for you, and know that you will be able to do more if you keep at it.

Set continuing goals

While it is best to start with small, easily manageable goals for your fitness, you should not stop there. Think in the long-term as well so you have somewhere to go when you meet your initial goals. Once you reach a level of fitness you are happy with, set out to maintain that with a regular exercise routine that will continue to benefit your health.

Check-in along the way

As you get moving, you should speak with your doctor about how your new active lifestyle will affect your health. Continue to see the doctor throughout your journey to better fitness so that you can see your health improving and be sure that you are still exercising safely for your current state of health.

Whether you are nine or ninety years old, West Hills Hospital & Medical Center is here to guide you toward better fitness. Learn more about our fitness programs and other preventive health education services by visiting our website or connecting with our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (818) 676-4321.

West Hills Hospital Services

Learn all about the spread of influenza and how a flu shot can help protect you and your family against the illness this season at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation explains why type-I diabetes occurs, how it manifests, and what treatment entails. 

Discover the differences between type-I, type-II, and gestational diabetes at the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

For an easily understandable explanation of the causes of diabetes, as well as statistics regarding the prevalence of the disease, visit this page from NIHSeniorHealth.gov.

This handout from the CDC answers some frequently asked questions about diabetes, including what its symptoms are and how type-II diabetes can be prevented.

Learn about the exciting advancements being made in cardiac surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System at daVinciSurgery.com.

If you are looking for more information on nutrition, holiday safety, and diabetes, be sure to check out these helpful resources. You can also call West Hills Hospital & Medical Center any time at (818) 676-4321 for the answers to your health-related questions!