Health QM

Maintaining a healthy body weight is very important, because being overweight can bring in a host of problems as we age. Being overweight can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, cancer, gallstones, etc.

With advances in medical technology, we have heard about procedures like ‘liposuction’. Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes excess fat from different parts of the body like abdomen, thighs, buttocks, breasts etc.

After liposuction, recovery time generally lasts from a few days to a month. In general the patient can resume normal life after 2 weeks. The first 2 weeks the doctor advices to wear compression garments for at least a few days. Pain is a part of lipo recovery as the anesthesia wears off. Swelling, bruising and numbness are also part of lipo recovery which will gradually ease off in a few days.

Liposuction breast reduction is done by administering local anesthesia. This process can significantly reduce breast size and a moderate but gratifying breast lift. Tumescent liposuction breast reduction is preferred because it does not leave ugly scars.

Liposuction is not the method of choice to maintain a healthy body weight because it has its own risks as any other surgery involving anesthesia or infection. Therefore the best method of maintaining healthy body weight is the traditional way of diet and exercise.

Nine healthy ways to maintain healthy body weight in women over 40 are as follows.

• Drink lots of water or tea especially green tea which is low in calories. Green tea has an added benefit of being antioxidant rich and also helps to burn fat and thus reduce weight.
• Avoid juices specially those with added sugars or those made from concentrates. Instead opt for whole fruits, because they are low in calories and provide us with fiber which in turn keeps us fuller for a longer time.
• Cut down all junk snacks like cookies and chips and choose healthy snacks like a handful of nuts, raisins, low fat cheese /cottage cheese etc.
• Coming to the main meals. Try to have 6 small meals rather than 3 large ones.
• Try to include carbohydrates derived from whole grains for example brown rice, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread, Quinoa etc, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables , lean protein like tofu, eggs, chicken, fish, meat etc with every meal.
• Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise 4 times a week.
• Try different exercises each time like walking/jogging, hiking, swimming, jump rope, dance, Zumba, strength training etc
• Try to get 8 hours of shut eye.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine soda etc.