From the Desk of Susan Maria…

Change is always difficult and the voluntary and forced changes we must live with after weight loss surgery are off the chart. Dramatic change does not happen overnight (or even in a month) and since we are used to immediate gratification, we get terribly discouraged and sometimes backslide. That is why it is crucial to work on the mind, as well as the body as part of our post-operative process.

Not too many of us are born with a ‘glass is half full’ mindset, but we can train ourselves to be more positive and optimistic. Many of us carry negativity from when we were morbidly obese; sometimes scars run deep from what we were told about ourselves and how we were often treated by others. It takes work and dedication to change to see ourselves in our new true light. It takes determination to overcome obesity, adversity, negativity, and fear.

Take my personal challenge this month to focus on the good things that happen in your life instead of the bad things that we are naturally drawn to dwell on. What went well for you yesterday and what is going well for you today? If you actually write it down each day it is even more powerful. Change your attitude and you can change your life!

Take one day at a time, and work on making good choices. This time we need to make small but positive lifestyle changes we can live with, instead of making intolerable changes we can’t wait to give up. Take pleasure from all the wonderful foods and flavors you can eat rather than be saddened by things you can’t have. Find happiness in each small victory and recognize the strength it took to accomplish it. Passing up even a small piece of the birthday cake at the monthly office party, speaking up to tell the waiter to make sure there is no pasta salad served with your chicken, being prepared for Saturday errands by having a protein bar in your bag, and going to the gym for the third time in five days are examples of small goals that we need to celebrate. Each one moves us closer to our larger goal of not only losing weight but keeping it off... for the first time in our life. Remember that success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out!

Ciao,
Susan Maria

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Pumping Iron
by Lisa Hall

Lisa, also known as 'LittleLisa' on our boards, continues to contribute to our newsletter with her monthly exercise article. Lisa is excited to announce that she has recently become a certified personal trainer! What a transformation—to go from once being morbidly obese to teaching people how to be healthy (she already has three full-time clients)—awesome, Lisa!

Weight training is growing quickly in popularity. Yes, it’s always been around, but within recent years, both women and men have really begun to learn more about the benefits of weight training. More and more people are making this form of exercise a part of their daily routine. I started weight training two years ago, just a few months prior to my weight loss surgery, and it has become my favorite part of my workouts. I just love the benefits I have seen from my weight training!

There is a general misconception that if you weight train, you will end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. This simply does not happen, unless you train for muscle mass. If you are simply trying to tone, develop a lean look, and develop strength, then weight training is for you! Weight training is also a fantastic form of exercise to develop endurance--and it gives you a boost of energy for the day. It’s also a fantastic way to lose body fat.

With weight lifting, some of the results will differ for men and women because women simply do not have the testosterone in their bodies to pack on a lot of muscle. However, the basic health benefits are very similar. I personally was amazed to learn about all the benefits of weight lifting. For example, I didn’t realize that weight lifting is directly related to weight loss. This is because the more lean muscle someone has, the more calories they burn--even while at rest!

Another benefit is the preventative edge gained by weight training. Weight lifting exercises monitored by researchers at the University of Arizona showed that women can maintain and build their bone mass and muscle strength in the hip and spine areas, where most fractures occur due to osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises help build and preserve the muscle mass we lose during aging. With stimulation bones become denser; as a result, they are more resistant to fractures. An important factor to consider when thinking about beginning a weight training regimen is that as we age falls and broken bones can be a life-threatening event. While weight lifting may not prevent a fall, it could help prevent bones from breaking!

Many adults are good about getting in aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise burns more calories as it is being done than weight lifting does, but once aerobic exercise is finished your metabolism slows back down to normal after about a half hour. When we weight train, we continue to burn calories at a faster rate for about two hours after our workout ends. During weight training, muscles are torn down, and the body must repair and build these muscles back up – it’s this repair that burns those extra calories!

Beginning in our 30s and 40s, our muscles begin to shrink. This process begins to make daily tasks like lifting, pulling, squatting, bending, and reaching more and more difficult. A lot of weight training exercises mimic the movement involved in these daily activities. As you build muscle strength, these activities become easier. I have definitely seen the benefits from weight lifting in this area of my life! This is what really keeps me going with my weight training program. I find it much easier to lift and carry in groceries, to carry that basket of clothes up and down the stairs, and to even simply to bend over to pick something up off of the floor!

Before starting any exercise routine it is important to consult your doctor; if you do decide to weight train, it doesn’t take much to get started. You can begin to weight train with 3, 5 and 8 pound free weights. Purchase a book with some simple exercises and start by training with the lowest weight and do 8 -12 repetitions of each exercise. Build by adding a little weight and more reps until you can do two to three sets of each exercise. It is also a good idea for those who have never weight trained to hire a personal trainer. A trainer can teach a weight lifting routine to help get you started. The exciting results you will begin to see in just a few short weeks will make your efforts worth while. Oh, don’t forget to take your measurements before you start lifting; with weight lifting you will lose inches as you tone – yet another benefit everyone can appreciate!

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The Singles Corner
Why I enjoy being single.
by Malia

Malia is our resident message board goddess. She has a new found love for life after dropping over 140 pounds and she isn’t finished yet. Malia has chosen to share her adventures and self discovery as a single woman in the world of dating. Just don’t make her take off her earrings!

Not too long ago, I was having lunch with a married friend and the subject of my singledom came up. She expressed surprise that I had not been "snapped up" since I had WLS. While I do have to admit that I am more "commercially acceptable" since losing weight, I assured her that finding a husband is still not on my "Top Ten" list of things to do right now. She just gave me a look of pity as if to say, "If that is what you need to think to make yourself feel better, then go ahead."

Like a lot of people my age, I was raised in a single-parent household. As a result, my mother was often away from home working for long periods of time. I have often said that one of the greatest things that she taught me was how to enjoy my own company. I think that a lot of people never learn that lesson and I feel sorry for them. I live in a military town and see people bouncing from relationship to relationship, seemingly without any serious thought. They find the "love of their lives" every week and then are surprised when their “relationships” fall apart in front of their eyes.

Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVE men! Anyone that was with me in Vegas can testify to that! I can appreciate the man dancing in the male review with the brilliant smile and washboard abs. I can also develop a raging crush on the man whose middle is a little softer but has electric eyes and a razor-sharp wit. However, I have not found a man that suits all my needs as of yet.

I have never understood why being single is seen as a “bad” thing. It is almost as if, by reaching thirtysomething without marrying or having children, I have somehow failed my cosmic mission. I have nothing against marriage and I do feel like it should be a fair partnership to work correctly. Although right now, I like being in my personal dictatorship. If I want to go on vacation, MY opinion is the only one that matters. If I want to spend a day at the spa pampering myself, I can without worrying that I am depriving a spouse or child of something that they may need. Do I want to have a man in my life? Sure I do. I would be lying if I said I didn't. But I want the RIGHT man in my life. And I like my life and myself enough to wait until he appears. So, that being said…I enjoy being single! It is perfectly fine to be thirtysomething, single, and happy!

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An update from Jim...
by Jim

Jim, also known as 'Noble' on our boards, keeps us up-to-date on a month-to-month basis on his progress. Jim had a lap RNY performed on July 10, 2007 by Dr. William O’Malley at Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY. Jim is a great example of a dedicated post-op, and we look forward to continuing to follow his story.

So here I am, 3 weeks post-op, 28 pounds and just about 20 inches gone forever. To be completely honest, I was hoping to have a lot more to write about, but I am still in that “adjustment period” where I’m getting used to my new pouch and my new routine.

I have decided that beyond a shadow of a doubt that Bariatric Advatage chewable vitamins are 'not for me' and have purchased all Solgar vitamins in capsule form instead. SM recommends both, so quality is not an issue, just preference of delivery. I have become intimately familiar with my crock-pot; I am currently living off of every variation of pulled chicken that I can come up with within the confines of my current pureed diet. I have opted to weigh myself once a week on Fridays and to also take measurements on that day. I have also decided that I will likely never eat Jell-O again (regardless of what Bill says, there isn’t always room for JELL-O!).

Things have gone pretty well; the pain was manageable the day after I got home from the hospital. Things still feel like they are pulling if I move wrong, though, so I’m being careful. I’ve returned to work. All in all, I would define this as a very smooth surgery and recovery. I don’t regret it in the least.

I am on pureed and soft until the 9th week or so, then I can start reincorporating some more solid food but I am in no rush. The couple of times that I traveled in the realm of fish (tuna and tilapia), I got an upset stomach. Chicken, which I hear people often have trouble with early out, has been by far the easiest thing for me to eat--and my diet pretty much consists exclusively of it right now.

Well, folks, that’s all I have in me for this month. I hope to have a lot more (interesting) things to say next month, along with some much better pictures.

Take care,
Jim

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Post-Op Pregnancy: An Update on Lisa
Interview by Megan Moon

I’m happy to report that Lisa is doing really well in her third trimester of her first post-op pregnancy. I had a chance to chat with her the other night, and she’s so excited about her upcoming due date! Next month, she’ll have some BABY pictures to share…but for this month, here’s a quick update on her post-op pregnancy so far!

Just a few third trimester thoughts to share with everyone this month–

Only a few more weeks to go now and we are ready! We finished the nursery so we feel we are all set for baby’s arrival! All is going well. The only issue we have is that my iron was very low! My Ferritin was down to three at one point--now it is up to seven and climbing (the low for normal range is 18)! Otherwise, I’m still feeling great. I’m keeping my protein intake up to 100 grams a day, which makes a huge difference in my energy and how I feel overall.

I’ve been reflecting on my experiences during my pregnancy so far, and thought about sharing my best and worst with you all. So, here you go!

Best pregnancy experience:
1. Feeling baby move and kick – most awesome feeling ever!
2. Meeting Susan Maria and everyone in Vegas! (It’s related! WLS has helped me be able to have a successful, healthy pregnancy…and Susan Maria has helped me be a successful WLS patient!)

Worst Pregnancy experience:
1. Severe leg cramps due to pregnancy!
2. Uncomfortable nights trying to fall asleep…it’s hard to find a comfortable sleeping position when you’re nine months pregnant!

That’s about all I have for an update this month. Stay tuned for baby pictures!

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Couple Talk
by Shelley and Shayne Meyers

Shelley and Shayne are active on the Before and After message boards. Both of them have had WLS; Shelley has decided to share their story as a WLS couple with us.

I’m wondering lately where my husband went. I live with a man who looks somewhat like the man I married…the same smile, the same eyes. This man, however, has a thin face with a square jaw. My husband’s face was full. This new guy sports a tan. The guy I married would barely take his shirt off for me, let alone sun himself poolside.

My husband, Shayne, had laparoscopic RNY surgery on November 3, 2006. He weighed 394 pounds at the time. As of today, he is down to 206. Amazing? You bet. Scary for his wife? Yeah, a little. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am so glad that he is healthier and that he feels much better about himself. I certainly am not against WLS, as I also had Lap RNY on May 18, 2007. I can tell you, though, as the spouse of a post-op there are some challenges.

Three years ago, Shayne and I attended a 4th of July celebration at the Mississippi waterfront in Minneapolis. We did quite a bit of walking and as we started to climb up a small hill, the poor guy looked like he was in severe pain. I could have kept going, but we took some breaks for him to catch his breath. Today? I’m the one begging to stop and rest. He wants to be more physically active and I’m just not ready yet. I can just imagine another post-op’s spouse saying, “Hey, remember when we used to sit on the couch together and watch TV…um, can you get off the treadmill for a sec and do the couch potato thing like we used to?”

The biggest issue has been the increased attention from other women. The funny part is that I almost encouraged it in the beginning. Let’s set the record straight…I thought my husband was attractive from the day we met. I knew his self-esteem took a small beating due to his weight, so when someone told me that I had a nice-looking husband, I told him about it. I wanted him to feel good about his appearance, that is, until it seemed like a lot of women started to tell me how attractive my husband was. One woman told me so many times that I wondered if I should take her outside to set her straight! Now, I’m confident in my marriage and don’t worry about Shayne straying. However I have to admit that this is hard! There is a lot of pressure when you’re married to a hottie!

I’m going to make an assumption and speak for the spouses of all of the post-op hotties out there. We love you and we are so happy for you. As you gain confidence and begin to make changes in your life, we get excited and a little scared. We want to scream from the rooftops, “I loved you when you were 394(insert your own number here)! I thought you were the best looking man or woman on Earth before you had surgery!” And we think you are the best looking man or woman on Earth now. Be patient with us. Just as you need some time for your brain to catch up with your body, we might need a little time too!

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The Men’s Corner
by Megan Moon

Strap on those running shoes!

So, guys…you’re losing weight, you’re feeling great, and your body is changing at an amazing rate. Now, how do you keep up your exercise while challenging yourself, having fun, and making new friends? Consider joining a running club!

Running is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S.—there are marathons, charity runs, and all sorts of races held throughout the year all over the country. It’s a great sport to take up for exercise, because you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment, or an expensive gym membership—just some good athletic shoes and some comfy clothes!

Running clubs offer a great social aspect to running. They provide an opportunity to meet, train, and compete with people who share similar interests. Many offer weekly meet-ups for running events, or monthly get-togethers. They bring a team-like feeling to 5Ks and marathon events; they are a chance to connect and be involved. You can find out more about running clubs in your area by clicking here.


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The Before & After Celebration - BElieve
GalleryONE Doubletree Guest Suites, Fort Lauderdale Florida
Thursday November 1, through Sunday November 4, 2007

Join Susan Maria & Ty, Miss Dolly, Debby, & your new post-op friends in the warm sunshine of Fort Lauderdale Florida for a celebration of health and life! Las Vegas was an amazing and emotional event and Fort Lauderdale will prove to be even bigger and better.

More details are available by clicking the link on the front page of BariatricEating.com