Bahamas News
Cleveland Clinic Florida Surgeon ‘Weight-loss surgery long-term effects most significant in younger to middle age populations’
#Bahamas, October 13, 2017 – Nassau – For anyone who has ever stepped on a scale and wished they hadn’t, the prospect of going under a gentle knife and coming out thinner seems almost too good to be true. And for many, it has made a difference in their lives they say they only dreamed about. But bariatric surgery – the clinical name for weight loss surgery – involves other lifestyle changes and while it is likely to have long-term benefits for those who are willing to make such changes, it is not a panacea for all. So says Dr. Emanuele Lo Menzo, bariatric surgeon, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the Department of Research at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Dr. Lo Menzo was in The Bahamas last week to address medical professionals during the annual Research Day symposium organized by the University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research. In keeping with the theme of this year’s event, “Weight Challenges in The Bahamas, Are We the Biggest Losers?” the South Florida doctor who has performed more than 1,000 surgeries was very clear – as glamorous as it seems to go from obese to slender without all the hard work of eating right and exercising for extended periods of time, weight loss surgery is not for everyone. It is more effective with younger to middle age patients, less so with extremely obese, older patients, he said, quoting a 7-year study by the Veterans Administration that resulted in the senior citizen findings.
Responsible surgeons will only perform bariatric surgery in non-critical cases when patients demonstrate that they are willing to make the other lifestyle adjustments necessary. Most notably, he told practitioners, bariatric surgery, which works by reducing the size of the stomach either by removing a portion of it or by placing a gastric band around it, is about far more than glamour. The surgery can greatly improve overall health and boost longevity.
“Long-term studies show the procedures cause significant long-term loss of weight, recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and a mortality reduction from 40% to 23%. However, a study in Veterans Affairs patients has found no survival benefit associated with bariatric surgery among older, severely obese people when compared with usual care, at least out to seven years,” said Dr. Lo Menzo, author of more than 85 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 25 book chapters and over 200 abstracts.
Bahamas Photographer – Audience at Medical Conference
The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends bariatric surgery, he said, for people with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 unless the individual is suffering from diabetes in which case the BMI ratio indicating surgery recommended could be reduced to 35. That figure is undergoing consideration of even further reduction in cases where other life-threatening conditions exist.
Medical professionals like Dr. Lo Menzo are increasingly concerned about the impact of obesity on non-communicable, preventable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions including heart disease, stroke and hypertension. Some cases of kidney disease and cancer may also be linked to obesity.
According to Dr. Duane Sands, Minister of Health, 79.2% of the Bahamian population is either overweight or obese. And Dr. Robin Roberts, the Director of the University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research, believes there is no weightier issue facing the future of The Bahamas.
“No health care malady presents a greater burden in our population than obesity,” Dr. Roberts said in his Research Day remarks.
Obesity is no longer considered “someone’s fault,” but is recognized as a disease just as alcoholism and drug addiction are, said Dr. Lo Menzo. The one piece of advice he wanted medical practitioners to take with them – when recommending bariatric surgery, refer patients to those surgeons and institutions with extensive and well-documented experience. TV news reports have alerted viewers to what can happen and does happen all too often when someone searching for a quick fix, better body takes a chance with an unqualified person.
Cleveland Clinic Florida with more than 240 doctors representing over 40 specialties is the highest- ranking medical facility in Broward County with two of its specialties earning highest ranking nationally. It is a favourite among Bahamians who make up the largest number of persons seeking medical services at the Weston, Florida facility from anywhere in the region.
Press Release: DPA News
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
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