Howard’s Way’s alternative to weight-loss surgery

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Recentclaims that the UK’s obese are being hit by a ‘postcode lottery’ may beconcerning senior surgeons but obesity specialist Penelope Howard, of theHoward’s Way very low calorie diet (VLCD), believes that surgery should only bea final resort for people with severe weight problems.   Penelope commented: “ I have known ofcases where the patients who, having undergone obesity surgery - with all thatthis involves – have had to exist on pureed food (food replacement) and taketheir nutrients in additive form for the rest of their life. By contrast,Howard’s Way patients receive all their nutrients in the Howard’s Way foodreplacement formula throughout their weight loss period and then re-enter thereal world and live on ‘regular’ foodthe rest of their life!   “We have actually had patients who,having had obesity surgery, askif they can come on our diet,” she added.   At aRoyal College of Surgeons’ conference, held in January, senior surgeons brandedaccess to NHS weight-loss surgery as ‘inconsistent, unethical and completelydependent on geographical location’. Constraints on NHS funding mean that, insome areas, guidelines are being ignored and patients denied access to surgery– although, some 4,300 weight-loss operations were conducted by the NHS in2009.   PenelopeHoward’s advice to the obese - those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 orabove – is to acknowledge that they have an addiction to a particular food(often white sugar) and seek help from those who both understand that addictionand have many years experience of success in helping people lose weight.   Typically,most Howard’s Way patients lose at least three stones (20 kilos) in weight inthe first 12 weeks of the diet. One Howard’s Way patient – Shelley Williams –recently lost some nine stones in weight, while many others testify to havinglost between three and seven stones.   Howard’sWay claims that, impressively, its ‘lifetime support service’ helps patientsand former patients from putting the weight back on again.   Penelope explained: “ There is a huge similaritybetween what we do with our patients and what an expensive rehabilitationclinic does for an alcoholic or drug addict. “The only obvious difference isthat we do not provide residential care – although our specialists areavailable ’24 x 7’ to provide support and advice via the telephone and inperson.”   Howard’s Way puts its patientsthrough a controlled abstention programme – from food – for at least threemonths to break the cycle of addiction. In doing so, patients are able to getrid of much of the effects of that addiction - their excess weight – in ahealthy and safe manner.   “In addition, we educate patientsso that they understand what it is that they are addicted to – and the whys andwherefores of their addiction,” Penelope continued.   “We also reassure them that we are‘here for them’ at any time that they need us in the future – because anaddiction is for life. However, just because you’re addicted to something, youdon’t have to be in its grips for the rest of your life,” she said.   “All in all, we try to remove anyfeelings of guilt and low self-esteem that our patients have. Instead, weemphasise the ‘positives’ about their life – which is, of course, enhanced bythe enormous weight loss they are experiencing,” Penelope said.   Howard’s Way operates from four centres – in CroxleyGreen, Stanmore, Luton &Dunstable, and Victoria, in London – but it also has a nationwide network oflocums and other specialists to offer telephone support to those who want totake the rehab route to weight loss – and say ‘no’ to their food addiction.   End   About Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCD)   Some 45 per cent of Britain ’s population is now classedas ‘obese’. Obesity has been shown to increase the risks of contracting a rangeof conditions including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, diabetes,cancer and sleep apnoea - a respiratory disorder in which breathing is mademore difficult by excessive body fat around the neck or on the chest. Thisexcess body fat constricts the airway and, sometimes, the lungs, causing shortinterruptions in breathing during the night.   Those who are obese and who want – or need– to lose a significant amount of weight in a relatively short time are findinga very low calorie diet (VLCD) to be an effective way of achieving their goal.   A VLCD is a diet involving extremely lowcalorie consumption each day. It is defined medically as a diet of 800kilocalories per day or less. VLCDs are formulated, nutritionally complete,replacement meals containing 800 kcal (3350 kJ) or less per day. VLCDs alsocontain the recommended daily requirements for vitamins, minerals, traceelements, fatty acids and protein. Carbohydrate may be entirely absent, or substitutedfor a portion of the protein - and this choice has important metabolic effects.The VLCD products are usually a powder which is mixed with water or another lowcalorie liquid.   A 1997 study concluded that the use of avery low calorie diet (VLCD) is very effective in rapidly improving glycaemiccontrol and promoting substantial weight loss in obese patients with Type 2diabetes. Moreover, a VLCD increases insulin sensitivity and reduces thesubstrate for gluconeogenesis. Thus VLCD treatment may improve glycaemic controlmore than calorie restriction alone. A VLCD is typically undertaken by an obesepatient who wishes to lose a lot of weight quickly, as the risk to health thatobesity presents is considered much greater than any risks of the diet itself,so long as it is undertaken with medical supervision.   Because of the extremely low calories perday, a VLCD diet cannot be used by children no matter how obese. Also, a VLCDmust not be undertaken without appropriate supervision.   All Howard’s Way locumsare given extensive medical training relating to being on the diet, andconstant back-up is provided by Penelope Howard herself, to ensure the continuinggood health of all Howard’s Way patients.   About Howard’s Way VLCD   Penelope Howard had worked with obesepatients and a very low calorie diet (VLCD) for some five years before shefounded Howard’s Way in 1998.   Those enrolling on the Howard’s Way VLCDinitially agree to an 18 week programme involving regular meetings twice weeklyfor the first four weeks, then once a week from there on. For the ‘DistanceDieter’ these meetings are replaced with one-to-one ‘support calls’ every week.In addition, Howard’s Way staff try to speak to those beginning the diet for atleast five minutes a day to provide vital ‘moral’ support.   Howard’s Way recognises that the hardeststruggle is maintaining lost weight. So, while dieting, all patients are talkedthrough weekly handouts to gain knowledge and understanding on the workings oftheir body and the effects of eating certain foodstuffs. Additionally, Howard’sWay Maintenance support is ‘free of charge for life’ for all our dieters.   Typically, most patients lose at leastthree stones (20 kilos) in weight, men often much more, in the first 12 weeksof the diet. Those who choose to carry on with the diet continue to lose abouta stone (6.5 kilos) every four weeks.   The Howard’s Way VLCD comprises speciallyformulated foods, in the form of: milk shakes; soups; and fruit bars;containing the full complement of vitamins, minerals, protein and essentialfatty acids that an adult requires but restricting the calorific intake, toinduce a state of ‘mild dietary ketosis’ after day three of the diet.   Further information from: Penelope Howard: + 44 (0)1923 773851 / penny@croxley.demon.co.uk Bob Little,Bob Little Press & PR: +44 (0)1727 860405 / bob.little@boblittlepr.com

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