1bestof: relationships

Maybe this is something you already know, but in case you didn’t… University of Pennsylvania, and Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery program member David Sarwer, PhD, along with his colleagues recently published an article in the Journal of American Medical Association Surgery about a surprising side effect of weight-loss surgery in women.

Women who shed pounds after weight-loss surgery gained a more satisfying sex life.

Surprised?

Dr. Sarwer says improved sex lives probably occurred because weight loss improved how women felt physically, and improved their own feelings about their appearance.

"When it comes to sex and sexuality, our behavior lies at the intersection of what's happening with us physiologically and what we are experiencing psychologically," says Dr. Sarwer. “An improved sex life may also be the result of improved hormone levels, and how women are feeling about themselves.”

The study involved 106 women with an average body mass index (BMI) of 44.5 who underwent bariatric surgery.

Out of the 106 women, 85 had gastric bypass surgery and 21 had a gastric banding procedure.
Women in the study reported improvements in sexual enjoyment and function. They reported improved self-esteem, less depression and were more comfortable with their body image.

Though this study only focused on women, Dr. Sarwer says another study involving men is currently underway.

Ready for a Healthier Life?

Penn can help you lose weight.

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

reade more...

Remember the day you got married? You promised to love each other in sickness and in health. And, you may not have realized it, but you also promised to gain weight… together.

A Canadian study showed that people who live together, or spouses, tend to have similar body mass indexes (BMIs). Also, if a shared environment is conducive to weight gain, like having a full stocked pantry of unhealthy foods, risk of obesity increases.(1)

So what can you do to combat the inevitable? Here are some ways to lose weight with your spouse.

Be an Example

Sometimes, to initiate change, one person needs to take the first step. If you are ready to change, but your spouse is not, start leading by example. Carve out time in your day to work out, and choose to make recipes that are healthy for the whole family. If you do the grocery shopping, make some small changes by adding more fruit and vegetables to your cart. By having healthier options in the house, you – and your spouse – may be more likely to choose healthier foods.

…But Don’t Nag

There is a fine line between leading by example, and expecting your spouse to pick up on your new-found good habits instantly. Ask her to join you for a walk, or offer him a healthier option for a snack, but don’t point out all the wrong he or she is doing to his or her own diet. In the end, they could come to resent your healthy ways, and insist on sticking to their routine habits anyway.

Set Goals Together

Be honest with each other about expectations and set goals so the both of you have something to work towards.

Some weight –loss goals might be taking a vacation together, registering for a local 5K race together, purchasing a piece or workout equipment, or trying a new restaurant for a healthy dinner out.

Meal Plan Together

Choose recipes both of you enjoy, and offer to try something new once a week.

Plant a Garden Together

There’s something about growing your own garden of fruits and vegetables that can inspire you to eat healthier. Challenge yourself with new recipes from your garden, or plant your favorites so you know you’ll always have things you like fresh from your backyard.

Work Out Together

Work out together while adding a healthy dose of competition and you have a winning team! You and your spouse promised to support each other the day you married, but you can also bring those vows into your workouts. Challenge each other to increase the intensity and duration of your work outs.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.

(1)Katzmarzyk PT, Perusse L, Rao DC, Bouchard, C. Spousal resemblance and risk of 7-year increases in obesity and central adiposity in the Canadian population. Obes Res. 1999; 7: 545-51.