2012

Journaling Helps Staying on Track After Bariatric Surgery

December 1, 2012

This is a very busy time of the year. Shopping, holiday parties, and family get-togethers can be lots of fun, but we tend to leave our healthy lifestyle habits by the side. Often we are not aware that we are not exercising as much as we should be, eating right or taking enough time to relax. One of the best ways to stay on track is to journal. You may not consider yourself to be a writer, but there are simple ways of incorporating this daily writing into your routine. You may want to start with a simple notepad or be a bit fancier with a beautiful keepsake journal that fits in your bag. If you are tech savvy, there are many aps available to help track protein content, calories, exercise, etc. Targeted journaling increases success, especially during the holidays So you are willing to give this journaling a try – where do you start? You have many options. Here are some things to consider tracking: Food This seems like a no brainer, but we all tell ourselves that we... Read More

Thanksgiving Give-Back

November 16, 2012

Thanksgiving can be a difficult time for bariatric patients. You may just be recovering from a Sleeve Gastrectomy and have dietary limitations that you need to follow. As a Gastric Bypass patient, you may be struggling with how to avoid dumping syndrome when pumpkin pie is being served. You may be frustrated as a LAP-BAND® patient that your family members do not understand that the weight loss is slower with this type of procedure. And of course, there is always the scrutiny of everyone seeming to look at every detail of your eating habits, weight, fashion choices, exercise routine and happiness. Sometimes, we can all feel at bit overwhelmed and read a bit too much into the “You look great!” comment. But no matter what our inner dialogue is, let’s remember what Thanksgiving is about: Being appreciative. What have you accomplished this year that you were unable to do last year? How do you feel this year compared to last? What have you gained from Bariatric surgery? Keeping these positive thoughts in mind, consider putting all this extra energy that... Read More

This Halloween, treat YOURSELF!

October 29, 2012

Of course Halloween is a time to indulge the little goblins that come to your door after dark. But with all the tricks that you put on yourself all year long, don’t you deserve a treat? Life after bariatric surgery is not always a walk in the park, hurdles can make the steep path downright scary. You may have been losing weight at a fantastic pace after the Gastric Bypass, but find that you really need to get into high gear with your exercise regimen to drop the last 20 pounds. Or, even though you opted for the slow and steady weight loss of the Lap Band, you find yourself envious of the Sleeve Gastrectomy patients and their faster-paced weight loss. Changing to a healthy lifestyle can be fun, but also involves a lot of work and brings many well-intentioned, but not always welcomed advice from friends and family. So make a new tradition for yourself: make Halloween the day you treat yourself and let go of all the unwelcomed tricks! A few suggested treats to get you started: Get... Read More

Finding Ways To Exercise With Children

October 17, 2012

Exercise is an integral part of life after bariatric surgery. Exercise helps you reach your target goals by getting past those nasty plateaus and also helps you maintain your hard-earned weight loss. Further, it makes you stronger and has been proven to make you happier (thanks to copious amounts of endorphins released while you sweat it out). Pre-operatively, exercise is encouraged to reduce operative risk. Patients who exercise regularly are also much more satisfied with the results of their bariatric procedure, regardless if they had a Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy or Lap-Band. You hear us talk about exercise all the time. “Join our Bariatric Exercise Program!” “Participate in our Connecticut walk for charity!” “We had so much fun at Aqua-Zumba class! Why did you not show up?” Maybe it was because you have children and find it hard to take the time to exercise. Let’s look at some options that you may find helpful: Walk – if you have a child of stroller age, then walking may be a good option for you. Invest in a good stroller that... Read More

Welcoming in the fall with a bariatric friendly Chicken stew

September 25, 2012

Autumn is a welcomed season in Connecticut. The crisp fall air encourages longer walks and adventures at the local pick-your-own orchard. And there is nothing quite as welcoming as a warm stew waiting for you after an active day outside. Bariatric patients, regardless if they had a Lap-Band, a Sleeve Gastrectomy or a Gastric Bypass, can have difficulty tolerating dry meats, such as grilled chicken or steak. This in turn leads some patients to avoid meats altogether. Stews, however, are very well tolerated and are a wonderful, comforting food that keeps well, can be frozen, and packed in small containers for lunch. Stews are also very family friendly (even kids would have a hard time resisting having a taste after smelling the wonderful aroma throughout the house). Stews can also be made with vegetarian ingredients such as lentils and beans. The key to making a bariatric friendly stew is to keep the stew mostly protein and low in simple carbs such as potatoes. Further, ensure that the stew is chucky, with the meat (if using) falling off the bone or... Read More