The Loser's Bench
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Last night I held a local Grads Group Get Together. It's directed towards those who have had their surgery a year or more ago.
As we were talking, I mentioned that I think that there are four major components to long-term success and that without all of them, We end up in a precarious position that can cause us to falter; just like when you have a weak leg on a chair. I think that the four legs of success are:
Accountability
Exercise
Support
Pouch
Acountability varies for each of us. Some like to post what they eat in a public venue. Personally, I weigh every day. If I noticed an upward trend, I know that I need to get more 'accountable' about what I'm putting in my mouth, so I start logging what I'm eating. Seeing my weight on a daily basis allows me to really keep a close eye on my weight. Unfortunately, even though I no longer wear elastic waist anything, I can't rely on my clothes to alert me if I've gained 5 lbs, so I hit the scales.
Exercise is crucial to our long term succesa and health. Some go the gym, some run, some take classes... I wear a pedometer and if I don't have 10K on it, I know I have to get my tail out and move it.
Support has been found to be essential to long-term success in a number of studies. I think that OH has been a pivotal support mechanism for me, but I have found the need to connect with others in person as well. That's why I started our local support group and why I have expanded beyond the general meetings to include special interest groups.
Surgery and the pouch has given us the tool we need to strip off the excess weight as well as an effective tool to help us keep it off if we learn to use it. Initally, it seems that we have to wrestle with our pouches as we learn to adjust to them, but with time they ease up on us and we learn to work with them. As we move past the initial weight loss, we need to learn to USE the pouch to continue to reap the long-term benefits that it offers to help us maintain the weight loss and incredible quality of life improvements.
So... Do you have all four legs of your 'chair' on the floor to ensure that you can not only lose the weight, but keep it off long term?
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Hi Maryellen,
I'm honored to have you join our group and look forward to getting to know you better as we make our respective journies.
Wishing you all the best,
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
My name is Maryellen and I had the RNY 3 years ago. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your group as I am ALWAYS looking for additional support!
To visit LIPO (Long Island Post Ops) bariatric support group website click here: www.liponation.org
"WLS is a journey, not a destination (don't get comfortable) ... it's a road that we must travel daily to succeed". Faith Thomas
visit my blog at theessenceofmaryellen.com/
Hi All,
I just want to remind you that we will be having our monthly general support group in Raleigh this coming Saturday morning. It will be held at the Golden Corral on Millbrook near the intersection of Capital Blvd at 10 am.
Please click the NC-WLS link for details and to RSVP so that I'll have a good headcount.
I look forward to seeing you there!Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
My surgery was exactly one week ago! Almost to the hour. The first two days for me were real rough but I'm feeling pretty good, now. I drink Isopure No Carb Protein Drink. It doesn't taste bad, which is not to say that it taste great, but it does provide fluid and protein to help you through your recovery. Drinking, along with walking, has been really helpful for me. It gives you something to worry about - you don't have to worry about what you can and can't do, instead you are worrying about how much and how often.
I hope this helps.
It helped me. In fact, I even returned to work this morning. How crazy is that?!?*
I turned 52 May 13th and my birthday present to myself was RYN on the 19th. Friday I'll be 1 month post op. My highest weight April 19th was 317 and today I'm at 274. This is the best present I could have ever given myself.
As a child I was always a little on the heavy side. Through my teen age years I weighed more than most people would have guessed. I'm 5'7" and actually carried my weight well. Is there really such a thing? Oh well, even now people I work with don't think I weigh as much as I do but the scales never lie.
I married at 26, had a beautiful baby girl at 29 and divorced about 1 1/2 years later. He decided he'd fool around some on the side and it just got out of control. During the time we were dating and married, his mother is a wonderful country cook and I loved her food. The weight started going on and after the divorce food was my comfort and friend. The pounds went on and at the time I just didn't care. Being a single Mom is a tough job and I wanted to make up for her not having her Dad around all the time. She was active in school and outside activities and it was quick to grab something to eat rather than take the time to cook. More pounds added on.
After 13 years as a single mom, I met a man from Wilmington who I fell in love with and we got married 8 years ago. He's wonderful to me and to my daughter who is now 22 and getting ready to go to Law School in the fall. My husband is a big eater and considering my love for food, more pounds went on which brought me to this point in my life.
I've always put others first, myself last but decided I need to come first. I suppose better late than never but if I could turn back the hand of time, I'd like to think I'd do some things differently.
You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be -----David Viscott
There are many risks for fracture in adults including age, gender, ethnicity, smoking and alcohol use, diseases like type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, and use of medications such as steroids, antidepressants, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). But nutrition is also a serious risk. Inadequate calcium intake and poor vitamin D status are significant factors in the ability to maintain bone health after bariatric surgery.
The ASMBS recommended intakes for calcium after bariatric surgery are as follows:
- Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB): 1500mg calcium
- Gastric Bypass (RNY): 1500 to 1800mg calcium as calcium citrate
- Duodenal Switch (DS): 1800 to 2400mg calcium as calcium citrate
These recommendations are for calcium intake over and above dietary intake. While it may sound like a lot it is terribly important that your body gets the amount of calcium it needs. You need calcium to keep your heart beating and your brain functioning (as well as for other things). So when the body does not get enough coming in each day, it takes calcium from your bones to supply it to the heart and brain. People will often not know this until they actually break a bone.
Generally, the ASMBS recommends that AGB and RNY patients get 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D3 daily and that DS patients get 2000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. There is a lot of data indicating that vitamin D deficiency is very common both before and after surgery, and that many patients require higher doses of D3 based on their lab findings. If you have not had your vitamin D levels tested, it is a good idea to know what they are. Your doctor or dietitian can help you determine the amount of vitamin D you need to take based on this test.
To read more about the Mayo Clinic findings, you can click on the links below:
- Mayo Clinic press release: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2009-rst/5312.html
- Article in Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124420.htm
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Hi Robyn,
Welcome to the group and I look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible, life-changing journey. I hope that you'll find the support and information you are looking for as we make our respective journeys.
You have made incredible progress in the short time since your surgery. To be honest, you might be able to impact your weight loss with exercise, etc..., but the surgery will basically help you strip off the excess weight even if you don't. I think that as you lose more and more weight you will find that you will be more and more physically comfortable and able to be more physically active. I know that there are a lot of folks who eventually find that they love exercise. To be honest, that will probably never be me ;-), but I have found that I am SOOOOOO much more able to be physically active. We have a fairly large lot and we probably have about half an acre or more to mow ... of course, it's not a flat lot either... at any rate, while I will probably never 'like' mowing that big yard with the walk behind mower, I can and do it at least once a week. I also love a beautiful garden, but don't really like 'gardening' ... the great thing now, is that I can do it.
If you haven't found the Diet and Nutrition Forum, be sure to look it up. Go there and post your issues with aspartame and nutrasweet and ask for some suggestions. It's moderated by Dieticians and is a great resource.
I really look forward to getting to know you.
Warmly,
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Hi Kim,
I just wanted to touch base and see how you are doing. How is your journey coming. I realized that you are in NC. Have you ever gone to any of the functions that we hold in the area. I think that the next one will be later this fall. We have a warm, loving, supportive group that meets 'virtually' online on the NC forum and in person every other month or so. We'd love to have you join us sometime if you would like to do so.
Wishing you all the best,
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Hi Nanci,
I just wanted to touch base and see how your journey is coming. I know it's been a couple of months since your surgery and to be honest you have probably already been through the toughest part of the journey. It gets easier from here on out. Sometimes you may have one step forward and two steps back or to the side, but in the main it should get better and better.
Wishing you all the best,
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
