Compiling an Arizona "Best of" resource guide.... NEED INPUT!! :)

Hey everyone!!!

A couple of us have decided that a local resource guide for bariatric patients is LONG overdue.... and have decided to compile as much info as possible as we can into one place to make life as a WLS patient a little easier.

We would love YOUR input!!!

Do you have a wonderful, supportive PCP who you'd recommend to other bariatric patients?
Do you go to a local gym that has made you feel comfortable and welcomed? 
Do you know of any awesome local restaurants who are happy to cater to your dietary needs? 
Do you have an awesome hairstylist who you'd like to recommend?
Do you have any lesser-known grocery stores or health stores that you would love to recommend?
Do you have a clothing store that you rely on to keep you "in fashion" as you get closer to your goal?

Please feel free to post your recommendations in this thread, or PM me..... we appreciate the help!!!!

Thanks!!

WARNING!!  LONG Reply.....

I started a resource handout a while ago and didn't get it finished....so, I for one am soooo excited that someone is willing to do that for us and that there will be info at our fingertips to use ourselves and to share with our peeps!!!

If anyone knows how to search the old messages of this forum, there was a thread last year or even before that of people's FAVORITE PCP's who are WlS friendly.....I'll see if I can muster it up...

Anyway....here's the info I have now.....


Resources for WLS Friends

 http://www.renewedreflections.com/
  [email protected]
  [email protected]
  [email protected]
  www.BariatricEating.com
  [email protected]
  www.meltingmama.com
  www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com
  [email protected]
  [email protected]
  www.makeitalifestyle.com
  www.wlslifestyles.com
  www.obesityhelp.com
  Click on the profile of angelarias on obesityhelp.com for articles and other info.
  www.fitday.com
  www.calorieking.com
  www.sparkpeople.com
 
http://www.bcbst.com/MPManual/HW.htm = height and weight chart


http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id= 1045 = reference guide to body composition


http://health.discovery.com/tools/calculators/activity/activ ity.html = discovery health activity calorie burn rate calculator


http://health.msn.com/fitness/womens-fitness/articlepage.asp x?cp-documentid=100245350 = I love health msn dot com!


http://www.healthylivingonline.com/profile/index.cfm?fuesact ion=firstpage&i=323801&par= = i village


http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/ = low carb


http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/ = low carb


http://www.ntwrks.com/~mikev/chart1a.htm = calorie and fat gram chart


http://www.carbohydrate-counter.org/ = carb counter


http://drjohnlapuma.com/ = gluten free


http://www.nawls.com/public/main.cfm = national association for weight loss surgery


lawls.com = living after weight loss surgery


From DS Grad:
In the past I have tried Bariatric Advantage calcium and many other OTC calciums from Sams or Walmart and none of them absorbed properly for me.
    So here is my current routine that works for me.
  2 Foltrin (generic Trinsicon) (prescription elemental iron -110 mg each) with 2 - 500 mg of Vit C to help absorption. 
    2 Kirkland Daily Multiples
    http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&k ey=1520
    Calcium Citrate Malate 3000 mg/day starting 2 hrs after iron
    http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Calcium-Citrate-Malate
    NSI Ipriflavone Complex to help with calcium levels.
  1 equals 150 mg of calcium.. but it is supposed to work… I know several who are taking this
    http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Ostivone-Ipriflavone-Complex
    4 prescription (Micro K) potassium (10 meq each), Potassium CL ER - 10 meq cap
    750 mg (by Ethex 001) and I take 4 a day (it is generic for Micro-k 10 extend caps but comes in a clear capsule and dissolves quickly). Two in a.m. and 2 in pm
    1 OTC Potassium Citrate – 258.6 mg = t0 99 mg - Puritan Pride
  http://www.puritan.com/pages/file.asp?xs=1F9D97BC069846C89B7 85848187FFFED&PID=173&CID=&CPID=1171
    2 Dry Vit D 3- 50,000 IU each for a total of 100, 000 IU every day http://www.bio-tech-pharm.com/products/d35.html
  or http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&k ey=1070
    3 zinc picolinate (50 mg each) by NOW
     http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=586 or sometimes www.webvitamins.com is cheaper
    1 Chlorophyll – triple GNC brand - http://tinyurl.com/coppr
    1 Culturelle HS - Premier Probiotic w/ Lactobacillus GG http://www.vitacost.com/Culturelle-Culturelle-with-Lactobaci llus-GG
    4 Magnesium – Spring Valley from Walmart- (400 mg for 3) 
    1 Omeprazole cap 20 mg qd (generic Prilosec)


          http://www.netrition.com/champion_whey_stack_page.html
  www.vitalady.com


Favorites for clothing while losing:
Dress Barn (from 4 petite to 26-28 W)  QC store offers discounts to WLS post-ops
Wal Mart
Deseret Industries
Saver's
Goodwill
My Sister's Close (consignment)
Target
Old Navy

Favorite Restaurants:
Mimi's (lets you order ala carte.  u can split a plate w/o charge)
Souper Salad honors the surgeon's card for a child's price

Specialty Stores:
AJ's offers delux healthy food options by lb so you can buy like 2 prawns!
Trader Joe's has the best Sublingual B-12
Sprouts has sales on their gluten free stuff as well as high vitamins quality for low prices
Whole Foods has a food bar.  For a couple of dollars you can have total protein for breakfast!

That's a start.....can't wait to hear everyone else's favorites!


     

.....AND  I loved Fitness Forum in Chandler when I first started working out.  They cater to people of all ages; all sizes.  I remember (6 years ago) that they had a mileage club where you recorded the miles and at 1,000 miles...a prize....1500..another prize..LOL!  It was VERY cool to see the visual in their log book of what I'd really done 1 mile at a time!

.....I LOVE L.A. Fitness now....mid-morning is a lot of moms, seniors and low key hard core folks who like to "side" as personal trainers and very nice helpers!  I picked a hot body and memoriezed her workout routine then tried to build up to that same routine!  LOL!  And...they've got ZUMBA!!!  Wooo Hoooo!

....and I LOVE my PCP, Dr. Gary Wallce with Mesa Family Physicians.  He's up to speed with our pre-op and post-op needs and is very supportive of WLS and Plastic Surgery after the loss. 

.....and I love my dentist:  Dr. Greg Hat*****handler.  He's been an awesome cheerleader with my weight loss and thinks I would be perfect in every way (quoting him) if I just had veneers!  LOL!  All I need is money, right?!!!

...OK, so my brain is still thinking of all the WLS friendly folks I've done business with.

I'd love to hear from other peeps!

I love my PCP, Dr Robert Page.  He is super WLS friendly.  I know he even had lunch with my surgeon to find out more about my surgery.  He is in Tempe on Mill & Baseline. Phone number is 480-894-2823

I also love Steve's Krazy Subs in Mesa on Dobson & Southern. The owner had RNY and will custom make anything for our WLS needs. I can get a cup of tuna salad for practically pennies!

Super awesome idea to do this!!   Let me know if you need any help.

Rose

Hey Rose!
I'd love to have you on board to help with the Feb 13th event!  Shoot me an email if you're serious, K?

[email protected]

We have got amazing people on board, amazing speakers, and amazing sponsors!!!!  Anyone who wonders about proteins, vitamins, exercise, mental milestones, relationships, etc.  will be treated at this "amazing" event!!!

We need to round up a huge group for our fashion show celebration!!!!  Maybe that would be a fun area for you to help us? 


Let me know.....

Woohoo... this is a great start! Thanks guys, I'll start getting everything organized as soon as I get a chance!!! :)

Oh man, sorry I've been MIA lately... what a CRAZY month.... it's been so hectic that I can barely see straight.

I promise, I'll get this all compiled/formatted once my head stops spinning!!