From the Desk of Susan Maria…


Welcome to the best year of the rest of your life – 2008! Ty & I loved Puerto Vallarta and had a great vacation. It’s important to take time and reconnect with those who accompany us on our journey!

It’s easy to get so caught up in the destination that we forget to appreciate the journey. If we’d only acknowledge that life is hard, things might be easier. Post op life is hard and bariatric surgery does not automatically change us; it takes determination to make the big choices early on so that later the right choices come naturally. If you are at the beginning of your weight loss, try to grasp that in order for you to be successful, goal weight shouldn’t be a final destination. The song never ends; it becomes the music of your life.

We recently celebrated our friend Billy’s 60th birthday, at a wonderful local restaurant. There were eight of us at the table and while I looked at the menu, I thought about the way I automatically rejected bad choices when making my selection. The tip of my finger rested on the first description until I got to an ingredient or method of preparation that didn’t work for me, then immediately jumped to the start of the next item.

Grilled swordfish with a Honey Orange glaze… next. Shrimp in light tempura… next. Roasted sea bass in lemon artichoke sauce… good. The list went on… but I made a good choice without hesitation. Would ‘bad choice’ shrimp linguini Alfredo taste that much better that it would warrant eating around my surgery – no way!

When salads arrived, no more liquids – period. I meticulously chopped mine into a wet slaw with some blue cheese dressing, while everyone was busy cramming raft-sized pieces of romaine into their mouths. I ate two or three bites, and pushed it aside.

The entrees arrived, my fish was so moist and soft I easily ate two-thirds of it. I forked two grilled asparagus spears – no potato or rice on my plate as requested. Wendy, commented that I ‘did well’ as she watched me eat. She has known me for seven years, and remembers early days when I sucked the melted cheese out of fried mozzarella sticks before I knew I needed a better plan.

Our friend Pam is a caterer and baked a spectacular three layer mandarin orange cake with pineapple cream icing. This part is never easy and never will be for me. I simply couldn’t have any and hated that my friends actually voiced pity for me. She cut wedges of her ethereal cake and I passed along each slice. I tasted the smallest bit of cake with icing from Ty’s plate and while it was delicious, I instantly knew it was too sweet for another taste - but that was my choice! I repeated my mantra to myself; nothing tastes as good as thin feels. I watched everyone eat cake with a frozen smile on my face. Remember that post op life is great but it’s never easy; the laughing friends at our table and the slinky gray dress I was wearing well made up for how that cake could ever have made me feel. So goes the music of my life… play on!

Ciao,

Love Yourself – Take Your Vitamins!
- Deborah Olsson, RN, Certified Bariatric Nurse – RNY post-op

We are re-posting our popular core vitamins schedule as we rarely receive this much email on a topic; there is a lot of confusion as to what to take and when to take it and this article helped a lot of you. Print this easy-to-follow suggested schedule and follow it until it becomes habit.

If you are not regularly taking your vitamins, following this schedule for the next 30-days should put noticeable pep in your step! We love the Bariatric Advantage line of specialized supplements and use it in this example even though we carry other brands at BariatricEating.com that are also excellent choices.

Breakfast: 1 Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multi Formula (Berry or Orange) plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge (Wild Cherry, Chocolate, Cinnamon, or Mint) with food

Lunch: 1 Bariatric Advantage B-12 plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food

Supper: 1 Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multi Formula plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food

Bedtime: 1 Bariatric Advantage Passion Fruit Chewable Iron

Follow this simple schedule to make sure you take in proper nutrients and preserve your strength & bones; taking your vitamins is no joke!




Secret to Happiness?

What are your secrets for feeling fulfilled and happy every day? Readers share their best advice.
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Accept What Is

The secret for living well, for me, is accepting what the day brings. Instead of wishing things were different I make the decision to enjoy each day, be grateful for it, and cherish it. Living well means knowing I have the choice to view life as a positive experience by it as-is.
Danielle P.
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Appreciate Life

Living as a slim person 14 months after weight loss surgery, I live with an “attitude of gratitude”.
Joselyn B.
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Say “Thanks”

We use Thanksgiving as an excuse to think a little bit about all those things we have to be grateful for. But one day a year isn’t enough. If we truly want to live well, we need to make a habit of reminding ourselves, every day, of all the reasons we have to be happy: to be healthy, to have a great family, to pursue a career and have our talents appreciated. As with anything, thinking like this becomes second nature with practice. And once that happens, you can live well no matter what your circumstances are. Sally M.
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Positively Speaking

My secret is to stay positive when speaking with others. It’s not always easy – I have to constantly think before I speak. But looking at the bright side of all situations and speaking about the happy things in my life makes me feel lucky to be who I am. Being positive is contagious (Negativity just repels the potential for goodness in life) and makes others want to be around me as well.
Lorin S.

From the pages of the Bariatric Cubanita’s Diary
by Maria Sanchez

What do you get when you cross a hot vacation spot in Florida with a bunch of wild losers? If you guessed a BElieve Event in Ft. Lauderdale with a bunch of energetic bariatric patients, who have lost thousands of pounds, you’re right! It was a weekend filled with making new friends, learning valuable information, and fun, fun, fun.

Susan Maria and the staff ensured that all of us were provided a well-rounded weekend. From the gift bags filled with protein snacks, to the Red Door Spa Specials, the beautiful suites overlooking the ocean and mega-yachts in the marina, the fabulous Smashbox make-up event, and the grand finale, our GALA!

This event was the second that I would attend since my surgery in February of 2004. From the moment I heard about it, I planned on being there and enjoying every second from the start to the finish. I was anxious for weeks, anticipating so much from just a 3 night event. I stayed up so late the night before packing, unpacking and re-packing, what to wear, what to take? Having visited Florida many times before, I knew that it would be warm even if it did rain. I didn’t hear anything about a cold front, so I tried to make wise and fashionable decisions about what I would take. I was able to have narrowed it down to just two large pieces of luggage. One for the absolutes and the other for “what-ifs”.

The next morning I watched the weather channel to get some real answers. Being from Southern California, we are warm the most of the year, with the exception of a cold week or two. I couldn’t believe that there appeared to be a hurricane was on its way to Florida. To go or not to go? GO! There was too much to be expected of this weekend, I wasn’t about to let a hurricane stop me. I rushed off to the airport, waited in line for 30 minutes and found out I was in the wrong terminal. I grabbed my bags and literally ran across two parking lots to the correct one and when I arrived I officially had just 3 minutes to check-in or I would miss my flight. With 75 people that had lined up in front of me, my chances were very slim. I missed my flight but managed to get a stand by flight with a layover in Texas.

After a long day of traveling I made it. I was finally in Ft. Lauderdale; no lost baggage, a gentleman for my taxi driver, and beautiful almost clear skies. I had arrived. I scurried to my room, dropped off my bags, and rushed down to the Meet & Greet party. There were circles of people and I joined in one introduced myself and chit chatted about our stories and victories for the rest of the night. What a wonderful decision I had made to come to this event… so far so good.

The next day we had breakfast together. My favorite was the Kay’s Naturals Apple Cinnamon Protein Cereal mixed with the plain Greek yogurt. Delicioso! The Smashbox presentation was next. We experienced a demonstration plus a fantastic make over. Everyone looked so beautiful; oh my what a difference a coat of paint makes. Deanna, the lead artist for Smashbox Cosmetics was so sweet and informative. I must say, I have been putting on makeup for years, but I walked away with great tips.

After wrapping up our makeup session, we headed off to the Brick & Mortar, the one, the only, yes – BINGO, BariatricEating.com, in person! We were greeted by Teresa ‘Miss Dolly’ with some more fabulous freebies. Samples of Fuji apple slices drizzled with Cinnamon Bliss, sweet Revival Protein Chips, cups of Big Train Chai-tea protein, and Whey Gourmet Pina Colada drinks. What a treat! We also got a tour of the warehouse and the privilege of meeting some of the staff at the store. Once we left, we were on our own for the night and the town awaited our wild group of WLS patients.

The next morning we had a wonderful and bariatric friendly breakfast again and Dr. Bernard Shuster, a bariatric plastic surgeon gave us excellent information on plastic surgery. Every WLS patients dream! He was such an expert and high standards were clearly his specialty.

The GRAND FINALE would soon be here. So much shopping to do and so little time. With the spa massage, the relaxing view in my room, the great food, fun, friendships and shopping too, what could possibly top this? You guessed it - dinner, music and dancing. The Gala was finally here! We made ourselves glamorous for a night of celebration. Celebrating our victories, new friendships and classic memories, we danced the night away. I’m sure that I wasn’t the only one in the room who remembered the days I sat on the sidelines and dreamed about having the nerve to get up and dance. It was evident that those were old memories, as the dance floor was full. Boy, were we hot too! I think the DJ. would agree, that we were maybe even too hot to handle. As we wound down the night there was a buzz about a continuation party, but I didn’t go as I was tired and wanted to savor the moment and reflect on this past weekend before heading home to my family. In other words – back to my real life.

Thank you to BE and BariatricEating.com for your dedication to the weight loss surgery community! For all of those that missed it, be sure to make plans to attend the next one. I guarantee your life will not be the same. These events are customized by bariatric patients to benefit pre-op and post-op patients. I suppose this is why they know what we need as they live it as well. Until the next time adios, and true success to you wherever you are in your journey.




Dolly’s Star – Melinda Williams
by Teresa White ‘Miss Dolly’

It never ceases to amaze me that I can be tossing around a few names for Dolly’s Star and suddenly out of nowhere the right choice appears. This month, as I was working at my computer, the plastic surgery photos of Melinda Williams, of Alaska, just jumped off my screen. It is incredible to see she has gone through such a complete transformation!

Melinda celebrates her 2 year anniversary on January 20th. Her surgery was performed in Anchorage, Alaska by Dr. Michael Todd. At 333 pounds, Melinda always knew there was hope and today at a slim and healthy 170 pounds she enjoys her life with husband, Bob, their 5 adult children and 11 grandchildren.

There were many late nights I would be in our BeforeAndAfterHelp.com chat room while it was still early evening for Melinda; we had a lot of fun talking. I enjoy her company, I am proud of her success, and admire the precision in how she researched various surgeons for the reconstructive plastic surgery phase of her journey.

One thing that I want to impress upon all of you about Melinda is her determination to research and locate the best reconstructive surgeons for her planned multiple plastic surgeries. Melinda has completed two procedures at this time, including an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and face lift. She spent one year gathering information before committing to these first two procedures. Her face lift was done by Dr. Kauffman of Folsom, California, and the tummy tuck by Dr. Troxel of Anchorage, Alaska.

Her next phase will include a breast reduction and lift, and brachioplasty (upper arm lift), followed by a thigh lift.

She explained to me that she was originally scheduled to have her breast surgery with a specialist in Anchorage listed on her insurance plan; her insurance had agreed to cover the reconstruction because it included a technique called a free nipple graft (FNG). She posted the information about her breast reconstruction on our message board as it was quite involved and the FNG is such an extreme practice.

At our BariatricEating.com ‘Believe’ event in Fort Lauderdale, Susan Maria had scheduled a breakfast conference for us to hear from top Bariatric Reconstructive & Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Bernard Shuster. During his talk on breast reconstruction, she specifically asked Dr. Shuster about the free nipple graft procedure to which the third-generation plastic surgeon proclaimed that in the year 2007, he could not think of any reason for using this outdated procedure. As Dr. Shuster described how the body parts in question are completely removed from the body for later reattachment, the entire room gasped. I felt so good as I knew that Susan Maria was asking for Melinda and she wasn’t going to end up having this horrible technique.

After Susan Maria contacted her with this information, Melinda researched it further, and found it to be true. Melinda decided that rather than going with the local surgeon that she would once again travel to California for her breast surgery. Distance can be irrelevant when it comes to quality and performance. One should not settle for less because of where one lives.

Melinda was anxious to express her confidence in Susan Maria and the information that she presents on her message board and website. Melinda closes by saying that she wants all of us to know that Susan Maria’s prompting sent her in the right direction and that she is happy that Susan Maria is able to have such a positive influence on people. That she is so important in the bariatric world yet takes time for all of us is amazing. Melinda is glad she listened to her.

Melinda – thank you for sharing your positive journeys in both in the Bariatric and Reconstructive surgery worlds with us – you are a star in my eyes.




My Red Dress – A Christmas Reflection
by Melinda Richardson, Nashville Tennessee


As a child, I remember watching the movie "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens - the story of a wealthy gentleman who hates life and is void of any positive feelings towards living. He is visited by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future who take readers on a journey of Ebenezer's life.

This Christmas, I have some reflections of my own Christmas’ past, present and future. I hope it will inspire, encourage and give hope that regardless of where you are in life, situations can change. Where darkness or hopelessness now dwells, light and the glimmer of a brighter tomorrow can shine through.

PAST - December in the 90's
Our church held a very dressy Christmas party each year. My best friend Stacy was at her smallest weight and her mother made her a beautiful red dress in a size 4; it was long with a slit up the back. She wore her hair up in a sweep with ringlets surrounding her face.

It was common for us to end up wearing the same color even though we had no idea of what the other was going to wear. One Easter we both coincidentally wore light pink and navy. This particular Christmas, I also wore a red dress; my dress was much different than hers as I was spiraling upwards and outwards in a size 20. My dress would be considered "grannified" to a girl in her mid to late 20's but I couldn’t wear a sexy, stylish dress like Stacy’s because I was fat. I wore what I could find in my size, not what looked good. It doesn't matter WHAT you wear when you are overweight; you still look fat because you are fat. That red granny dress represents my life at its worst. I wanted something better for myself, yet settled for what I could get.

It was December 2006, just two months after my gastric bypass surgery. I started out as a size 22-24 but by Christmas was already down to an 18-20. I had gone shopping with my parents and on the mannequin at Goody’s was a beautiful red dress with a silver rhinestone studded buckle in the center. I looked everywhere for a larger size, but the only dress was the one on the mannequin. My father said "You should get that dress." I quickly stated that it was the wrong size, but he insisted on buying it and soon the cashier was pulling it down for us.

A few days later, my parents presented the dress to me in front of the entire family; my niece, nephews, siblings and their spouses. Mother quieted them all and stated that this was a special present, and though I would not be able to use it immediately, she knew that I would be able to wear it on Christmas of next year. I pulled the red dress out of the box and my nephew blurted out, "She'll never be able to wear that!"

It was odd that it didn't upset me though as in my heart I doubted it myself. I wanted to shout "Yes it’s true! I won't ever be able to wear this." I wanted to believe but there were still doubts in the back of my mind.

I never told anyone of my doubts, I just kept on my journey, one day at a time, chugging along... hoping, praying, wishing. The red dress represented something I always wanted, something I dreamt about; it became the ultimate vision of a goal fulfilled.

Every month since then, I have tried on the dress and as I lost weight it began to fit me. It got to the point where the only thing that prevented me from wearing it was my huge flap of skin on my stomach. It made me loathe my body; I felt like a failure because my goal couldn’t be met. I would never feel comfortable in wearing it with my body like this. In August 2007, I had a tummy tuck and even a month after the surgery, I was still so swollen, and I gave up and knew I would never be able to wear it. I hid it away in the back of the closet.

PRESENT - December 2007
As I was hanging up clothes last week, I happened upon it; just in time for Christmas. I don't believe in coincidence but that red dress was neatly tucked away for a specified time when I needed it the most - a time when depression tried to play with my mind once again due to an "imperfect body". I pulled it from the hanger and toyed with the notion as to whether or not to even try it on again. I lifted the dress over my head, and stepped in front of the mirror. The dress hung straight down as it was created to do. I walked into the living room for Tim's remarks. He didn't know the importance of the dress and he said, "It's almost too big!" I just about cried.

Christmas morning, 2007, one year after being presented with the red dress, I took special care in getting ready for our family get together. I used to put on a sweat suit or jeans and a t-shirt for our Christmas gatherings but this year, I spent over an hour doing my hair, applying makeup; then I slipped the red dress over my head. There she was in the mirror was a reflection of a little version of me that I always wanted to be.

I arrived before anyone else wearing my winter coat even though it wasn't that cold and I made my parents sit down on the sofa for the unveiling. Tim got ready with the camera to capture their reaction. When I took the coat off, my mother hugged me and said, "That's exactly how I envisioned you to look when I bought the dress!"

FUTURE - hope for us all
The truth of the matter is that each and every one of us has a red dress story -. Maybe it’s the first time we go to the store and don't have to shop in the plus size section, or maybe instead of buying a 24 we get to buy a 14, or when we leave double digit sizes for a single digit size 8 - so many stories can be told. I have read stories that just reach out, grab my heart, and tug on it hard until my tears flow out. All through my weight loss journey that red dress made me not quit. Sometimes it’s hard - we stall, get frustrated, think the weight loss journey is at its end and then suddenly the scales start to move once again...

There are also the naysayers who say "I know someone who gained all their weight back..." Or, "you shouldn't have ever had that surgery..." Or, better yet, "You took the easy way out!” While my nephew who made the statement was not there this Christmas, everyone in the room remembered his words. The valuable lesson is to never say "never". A lot can change in just one year. This was a Christmas to remember. So many times people take life for granted but to me, my life has just begun. LIFE IS GOOD.... Savor each moment.

Food Tip of the Month: Conserving Cheese Calories
Don’t get caught in a cheese trap!

While cheese is soft, tasty, and pouch friendly – take note that while a one ounce cube measuring about 1.5 inches square contains 7 grams of protein, it also packs 100 calories. Therefore six of them mindlessly eaten at your next support group meeting, or office party add six hundred calories to your day.

The creamier the cheese, the higher the fat and calories. Soft and semi-soft cheeses like Brie or Cream Cheese contain 60%-74% fat. Stick with Parmesan, Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, mozzarella and other cheeses with a firm or dry consistency. We love Cabot’s Light Cheddars—regular, Garlic & Herb and Jalapeño, just 7% total fat.

Enjoy cheese, but preset your limit, and don’t graze!




Staying Up, Up, Up in a Down, Down World
By Zig Ziglar

You get back what you send out. I am a very "up" person and people frequently ask me how I maintain my enthusiasm. I do several things, including reading an average of three hours each day for the past 30+ years. One of the fun things I do is to give people my special greeting. Whether it's eight o'clock in the morning or eight o'clock at night, I always try to greet others before they have a chance to speak to me.

My greeting is always the same, whether I'm in Auckland, New Zealand, or Augusta, Maine. I use an enthusiastic "Good Morning!" Interestingly enough, 85% of those who respond will respond by saying "Good Morning." - even if it's eight o'clock at night. Many of them cut it short before they finish the word "morning," and then say, "It's not morning!" And I respond, "Then, why did you say, 'Good Morning'?" They tell me it's because I said "Good morning."

The point I make is significant. If you go out in life looking for friends they're hard to find; but if you go out in life to be a friend, you will find them everywhere. What you send out is exactly what you get back. You send out a "good morning," and in most cases you'll get back a "good morning." Send out a cheerful, positive greeting and most of the time you will get back a cheerful, positive greeting. It's also true that if you send out a negative greeting you will, in most cases, get back a negative greeting.

I encourage you to make this approach to life a way of life!