Howard's Way's Alternative to Weight-Loss Surgery

St Albans, United Kingdom (PressExposure) February 04, 2010 -- Recent claims that the UK's obese are being hit by a 'postcode lottery' may be concerning senior surgeons but obesity specialist Penelope Howard, of the Howard's Way very low calorie diet (VLCD), believes that surgery should only be a final resort for people with severe weight problems.

Penelope commented: "I have known of cases where the patients who, having undergone obesity surgery - with all that this involves - have had to exist on pureed food (food replacement) and take their 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 food replacement formula throughout their weight loss period and then re-enter the real world and live on 'regular' food the rest of their life!

"We have actually had patients who, having had obesity surgery, ask if they can come on our diet," she added.

At a Royal College of Surgeons' conference, held in January, senior surgeons branded access to NHS weight-loss surgery as 'inconsistent, unethical and completely dependent on geographical location'. Constraints on NHS funding mean that, in some areas, guidelines are being ignored and patients denied access to surgery - although, some 4,300 weight-loss operations were conducted by the NHS in 2009.

Penelope Howard's advice to the obese - those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above - is to acknowledge that they have an addiction to a particular food (often white sugar) and seek help from those who both understand that addiction and 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 in the 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 having lost between three and seven stones.

Howard's Way claims that, impressively, its 'lifetime support service' helps patients and former patients from putting the weight back on again.

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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

About Howard's Way

Penelope Howard had worked with obese patients and a very low calorie diet (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.

Press Release Source: http://PressExposure.com/PR/Howard's_Way.html

Press Release Submitted On: February 04, 2010 at 7:48 am
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