Blog

Hearty Soups For Cold Winter Days

January 14, 2013

Soups are a great way to make simple, one pot dishes that warm your body and soul and give you the nutrition that you need after weight loss surgery. That said, it is important that these soups be thick, protein-rich and delicious. We at Griffin Bariatrics do not recommend thin soups because they tend to not “stick to your ribs” and provide the long-lasting satiety that protein-dense foods can give you. Let us explain: Imagine that you just had a cup of tomato soup. With under 100 calories and the low fat content, it may seem like a great choice. However, after bariatric surgery, it is more important to ensure that you have enough protein – typically around 75 grams per day. So the tomato soup that has less than 2 grams of protein per serving does not give you much to run on (literally). Protein takes a long time to break down, so it keeps you satisfied longer and keeps you from feeling deprived. It also keeps your hair from falling out and generally makes you feel like Wonder... Read More

Shopping Addiction: When Shopping For New Clothes After Weight Loss Surgery Is More Than Buying For Your New Size

January 9, 2013

Many patients are thrilled to be able to shop for new, smaller sized outfits. It is one of the great benefits of bariatric surgery: Your health improves by regulating diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol and you are left with more energy and a slimmer body. What bariatric surgery does not do, however, is resolve any psychological issues that you may have been struggling with. This is why we have a comprehensive, patient-centered support system at Griffin Hospital. Our support groups are here to help you through some difficult times that you may be experiencing. For some patients, food was an addiction. Studies show that the same chemicals are stimulated in alcohol, drug and food addiction. Thought leaders also think that compulsive buying episodes and some of the same underlying causes can trigger shopping addiction. Bariatric surgery abruptly stops a person from overeating, it does not cure the underlying causes of food addiction. Some patients can experience addiction transfer after bariatric surgery. The addiction can take on a new form, such as alcoholism or drug addiction. We tend to not think of... Read More

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

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