Howard's Way endorses critics of obesity surgery

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND, September 16, 2010

Obesity specialist and the founder of the Howard's Way very low calorie diet (VLCD), Penelope Howard, has endorsed other experts' views that bariatric surgery is not a 'magic bullet' to make you thin - and stop you returning to be obese.

Writing in The Daily Mirror, Dr Miriam Stoppard commented: "It's sad that we're resorting increasingly to surgery to tackle obesity. The NHS carried out more than 4,000 weight-loss operations last year - nine times as many as in 2004.

"Now a report by research body the Office of Health Economics argues for even more, claiming that more than GBP1bn could be saved in three years if a quarter of eligible patients were treated.

"To argue just for cost-effectiveness misses the point. This is a surgical remedy for something that should be tackled much earlier in a risk-free, low-cost way.

Penelope Howard agreed: "As Dr Stoppard has said, all operations carry risks, more so when patients are obese. The risks of having a gastric band fitted can be serious, including getting a tear in the stomach wall, a blockage, leakage or potentially serious complications from nausea and vomiting if you overeat after the op.
"Complications from gastric bypasses include leaks from the intestine or bowel, bowel obstruction, internal bleeding and clots. Then there are the usual risks of infection and a reaction to the anaesthetic.

"And, after either op, eating a normal range of foods and portion sizes is no longer possible.

"Our experience, over the years at Howard's Way, is that, when people are given the right information, help and support, they can lose weight through adjusting their lifestyle," Penelope added.

"Losing weight in this way - at least three stones (42 pounds or 20 kilos) in 12 weeks via the Howard's Way total food replacement (TFR) VLCD, is certainly possible. It's happened to over 2,000 Howard's Way patients.

"Moreover, it's important - as Dr Stoppard has said - to provide better education about healthy eating," she said. "That's why Howard's Way puts its patients through a controlled abstention programme from food for at least three months to break the cycle of addiction and our specialist staff counsel patients and provide guidance to prevent them from relapsing into their addiction for food.

"We educate patients so that they understand what it is that they are addicted to - and the whys and wherefores of their addiction," Penelope continued.

"We advise them how to avoid relapsing into their addiction - and to recover quickly if they ever do relapse. We also reassure them that we are 'here for them' at any time that they need us in the future - because an addiction is for life," she said.

Dennis Campbell, writing recently in The Guardian, revealed that Department of Health figures show that obesity costs the NHS some GBP4.3bn a year. He also revealed that a gastric band procedure costs GBP6,000 while a gastric bypass costs GBP11,000.

"Compared with this, the cost of a Howard's Way 12-week programme is excellent value at just over GBP1,000 - and you save money on your grocery bills while you're on the Howard's Way diet," said Penelope.

"Moreover, with the Howard's Way VLCD, there are absolutely no surgical risks - and, unlike those who undergo bariatric surgery - you can eat 'real food' afterwards. Although, perhaps, you won't want to eat quite as much as you used to!" she added.

End

The Daily Mirror story can be found at:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/miriam2/2010/09/09/why-an-obesity-operation-must-be-the-last-resort-115875-22547131/
The Guardian story can be found at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/07/obesity-surgery-gastric-bypass

Dieters' stories

A number of Howard's Way patients are happy to testify publicly to being healthier, happier and fitter since embarking on the Howard's Way diet. These include:
• Shelley Williams, who lost nine and a half stones in weight in 29 weeks and is now back running, swimming - and climbing Ben Nevis this month to raise money for charity.

• Alan Dean, who, so far, has lost 28 kilos in 11 weeks but gained over GBP2,000 in savings in food bills.

• Kelly Whistance, who lost 53 pounds in weight, ten centimetres from her chest measurement, 18 centimetres from her waist, 14 centimeters from her hips and went down four dress sizes.

• Kim Day, who lost over 56 pounds some ten years ago and, subsequently, has successfully kept the weight off.

• Melanie Boucher, who lost weight with the Howard's Way diet, received a proposal of marriage and 'tied the knot' on 1st May 2010.

For pictures of the Howard's Way dieters mentioned in this story - and/or to interview these people - please contact Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR (tel 01727 860405; email bob.little@boblittlepr.com)

About Howard's Way VLCD

Penelope Howard had been researching into very low calorie diets (VLCDs) and weight loss since 1992 and worked with obese patients and a VLCD for some five years before she founded Howard's Way in 1998.

Those enrolling on the Howard's Way VLCD initially agree to an 18 week programme involving regular meetings twice weekly for the first four weeks, then once a week from there on. For the 'Distance Dieter' 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 at least five minutes a day to provide vital 'moral' support.

Howard's Way recognises that the hardest struggle is maintaining lost weight. So, while dieting, all patients are talked through weekly handouts to gain knowledge and understanding on the workings of their body and the effects of eating certain foodstuffs. Additionally, Howard's Way Maintenance support is 'free of charge for life' for all our dieters.

Typically, most patients lose at least three stones (20 kilos) in weight, men often much more, in the first 12 weeks of the diet. Those who choose to carry on with the diet continue to lose about a stone (6.5 kilos) every four weeks.

The Howard's Way VLCD comprises specially formulated foods, in the form of: milk shakes; soups; and fruit bars; containing the full complement of vitamins, minerals, protein and essential fatty acids that an adult requires but restricting the calorific intake, to induce 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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